Black Max Chainsaw Review and Test

In this video I review and test the Black Max Chainsaw from Walmart. I unbox it, go over its features, show you how to start it, then test it out cutting up a tree that fell behind my garage. It comes as either a 16" or 18" bar version. From what I can tell, the only difference between them is the 18" version obviously has a longer bar and chain and also comes with a case. I bought the 16 inch version for $128 and the 18 inch one was for sale for $159 at the time.
Here is an Amazon affiliate link for the Black Max Chainsaw where I get a small percentage if you use it to purchase a product:
amzn.to/3I7Q6Xj
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The following is the official product description from Walmart (the primary seller):
This powerful Black Max 2-Cycle 16-inch Chainsaw is a great solution for all your cutting needs. Loaded with a 38cc engine, this chainsaw provides all the power you need to get even the toughest jobs done. This chainsaw is also lightweight and features an anti-vibe system for increased user comfort. It comes fully assembled so that you can tackle those jobs right away. The featured automatic oiler extends the bar and chain life and the chain brake and tip guard provide safer operation. Includes 16-inch fully assembled chainsaw, 2-cycle engine lubricant, combination wrench, scabbard, and operator manual.
Key Features
-38cc Engine for Ultimate Power
-Automatic Oiler Extends Bar and Chain Life
-Fully-Assembled
-Lightweight and Smooth Operation
-Anti-Vibe System for Increased User Comfort
-Chain Brake and Tip Guard for Safer Operation
-Side Access Chain Tensioning for Easy Adjustment
-Includes: 16" Fully Assembled Chainsaw, 2-Cycle Engine Lubricant, -Combination Wrench, Scabbard, and Operator's Manual
-Specs: Engine: 38cc 2-Cycle, 16" Bar, Chain: 3/8" Low Profile, Chain Gauge: .050"
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This is not a paid review.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
For business inquiries:
[e-mail] or
P.O. Box 271
Oxford, IN 47971

[@davidr.wickline1100]

I've had one and used it for a year now. Very reliable starting. I love it.

[@Road_Rash]

I've had an 18" 38cc Black Max for the past 3 years, great little saw... still running great & cutting good...if you don't use them often, dump out the fuel when you finish & crank it to run the bowl dry, then you won't have to clean the carb every time you need it...🖖🏿😎👍🏿

[@dylanowens3173]

The black max are regularly on sale. I got the 20" 50cc for $130, regular $220. They do have down sides. 1. The emergency hand brake spring are too tight needs be cut down if not can bog the engine kill the chain. 2 it is all exterior plastic and easily broken so not recommended for heavy use Pros- is assembled by black and decker from Honda engine parts that Honda sells to other companies that didn't meet level quality control to get the Honda badge . But are still way better quality than any other budget saw.

[@danielborth7753]

I have the 20 inch 50cc also never had any problem with the chain brake in the plastics is strong nothing ever broke on it and I've already cut a few Big trees and always starts a very easily and lots of power runs better all the time

[@icmagfam4evr997]

I have the 20" with the case,haven't run it yet,but had a big storm in NY and like 20 downed trees on My property.I also do not like the tip guard,taking that off asap. Paid $270 for the 20" . See how it does tomorrow when I have to get out there. The case is sturdy and stacks nice. Love cutting up firewood! 🔥🔥✌🏻

[@trevorhansen5817]

Good video. Your little helper is adorable.

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

He mostly tries to get in the way, but he is cute.

[@fudk_off1312]

this from what i can tell is identical to a Ryobi 3818 chainsaw

[@michaela6147]

Thank you for the review. Standing in Walmart trying to decide

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

I've made some of my reviews because of being in that exact same spot.

[@darklord1238]

Just thought I'd check your video out. I purchased one for $45 on clearance.

[@thelefthandedshooter99]

Just picked up one for $44 on clearance.

[@EcSsAwS]

And why so much rowing of the boat ? Aka moving the saw around A decent chain. You sink the bar and let it pull chips on its own. You don't need to flail around like you do

[@akaLuptonPittman]

Not always that simple though in my experience

[@v3n0m72]

I saw this today at Walmart and it was killing me not to buy it when I left lol. I might go back and get it.

[@Islandhopper45]

You will be sorry. Buy a Stihl...those run.

[@jefferyfowler7860]

​@@Islandhopper45 I bought 4 sthils in a row. They run if you want to pull the rope half the day. I always have to pull out my old Lombard.

[@Road_Rash]

​@@Islandhopper45I've had a Black Max for 3 years & it's a damn good running saw, goes through trees & limbs like butter...

[@michaelmixon2479]

I was thinking of a Craftsman 14 inch saw but this one has a three year warranty and appears to operate very well. My only concern is who services the saw for any warranty needs?

[@billfowler9325]

I just got the 20” and it’s a 50cc engine I can’t wait to use it.

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

I didn't know they had a 50cc 20" version. Makes me curious about it.

[@billfowler9325]

@@DavidCanMakeThat I just used it and it works great.

[@stargatefever]

I'm new to using chainsaws mine seem to work okay I took off a big limb from a tree got a 12-inch thick haven't had a chance to fully break it down but I noticed the chainsaw got extremely hot don't know if that's normal

[@jimmyhuffman6802]

Man that thing really cuts, not bad for a 100 dollar saw. I'm giting me one of them.

[@royperry3923]

It’s a good chainsaw for the money I put a Oregon chain on it and it will cut fast

[@mikecole6842]

That chain is called a skip tooth chain! There good in pine and fir but not so good in hard wood! I use oregon bar and chains on my saws!

[@joeram92]

I have the 18" Black Max and I also bought the Oregon chain and it works 10 times better than the cheap chain it came with. Highly recommend upgrading the chain.

[@thehonestwoodcutterbradywe8011]

Its a ryobi.i have the green ryobi version and its an easy starting and dependable.little.saw

[@EcSsAwS]

More like late 80s EARLY 90S for that Craftsman 2.3cva. I collect those. And the poulan varients Well the Craftsman is a copy of poulan. I've got the 1800 2000 2.3 and 2.3cva

[@brandonlorance8584]

How's it running now years later?

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

Still works fine with proper maintenance.

[@jgz6989]

With a decent chain that thing should fly.

[@terriyoung5032]

Great video thank you

[@leland569]

Nice video

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

Thank you!

[@leland569]

@@DavidCanMakeThat i was actually thinking about picking one of these up

[@arulla8436]

I like how you put time of cutting. Got me a 20" Black Max from Walmart also.

[@leland569]

I ended up picking up a Stihl Ms170 and a ms250

[@forrest1948]

Are the power heads the same on the 16 and 18 inch saws? Thanks.

[@odiebennett8945]

Both are 38cc, around a $35 difference between them. They do make a 50cc with a 20in bar. Around $200 I believe.

[@earthbreaker]

I was looking at that saw.. But did not buy one.. I read it was 38cc with a 6 tooth sprocket.. Which would seem slow cutting.. Not the ideal firewood saw I would assume. Other saw I was looking at is a troy-bilt 42cc.

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

Works fine for me. I'm not cutting firewood all day everyday or I'd go for something a bit more expensive and proven.

[@haroldmiille2016]

If your looking for a firewood saw the echo cs590 Timberwolf is your best bang for your buck I have videos running them on here

[@dancorby6496]

Just bought the 20 inch. Used it 5 minutes and the muffler was glowing red! Pretty scary. I'll stick to my stihl

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

Mufflers on many kinds of gas driven motors often glow red, has been my experience. But I would stick with the Stihl if I had that option.

[@user-bw9qk4by4n]

I just picked up two of these from Walmart with the hard case for $25 each

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

You got a deal!

[@Bossman211]

i have the same chinsaw

[@Alex_556]

16" was $36 on sale! Got one just because. It seems to be working but the chain brake stuck when warmed up...

[@kingpapa8918]

Where did you get it for $36?

[@Alex_556]

@@kingpapa8918 Walmart

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

I eventually ran into this problem after the video while working on helping a friend cut up some trees. I have a fix that I will be posting in an update video hopefully soon.

[@qzorn4440]

i have the 20" Black-max with case. i spray extra oil on the chain on heavy cutting. it seems to work very well. 😎 thanks. ps. did you get a little plastic chainsaw for your helper? 😏

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

Not yet, but that's not a bad idea.

[@alextwenter3102]

You would’ve been better off just buying a stihl for your first saw..

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

If you have the money, you are certainly right, but for some people its cheap saw or no saw.

[@jefferyfowler7860]

I bought 4 stihls in a row and they're great if you want to pull on them half the day. I always have to pull out my old Lombard.

[@ethanivy6351]

By a sthil you won’t have to worry about it anymore

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

True, but not everyone can afford a Stihl.

[@silverdropstang]

Sound like a fanboy to me

[@thehonestwoodcutterbradywe8011]

Highly overrated!

[@candycupsandcrafts8382]

Well mine won’t even start

[@skyhunter1981]

Try cutting oak .

[@modarkthemauler]

That looks like a Chinese copy of the Zenoah GZ4000. You can tell because both the fuel and bar oil is near the rear handle.

[@danielsmith5351]

I owned one and it only lasted 15 minutes

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

Sounds like some bad luck. Mine's still going, though I have made modifications to make it run better, and I will have a video about that soon.

[@thehonestwoodcutterbradywe8011]

Thats what happens when you run straight gas

[@jayman5628]

@@thehonestwoodcutterbradywe8011 lol

[@michaelspears4947]

No bar oil with the chainsaw😡

[@annmariefuhrmann2633]

I throw out the case if it comes with one

[@IDVDalot]

Its always a good idea to have a toddler near a chainsaw!

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

I recently saw a woman with her vehicle pulled over to the side of the road and her outside of it in the roadway. She was frantically trying to heard several ducklings, a few of them freshly smashed flat, out of the road. Mother duck was also in the road flopping around with a broken wing. I immediately knew that the woman hadn't been paying attention while driving. Why? Because ducklings don't just suddenly jump out into the middle of the road in front of you.

[@IDVDalot]

@@DavidCanMakeThat ? whats that got to do with it

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

Moral of the story: pay attention while operating dangerous machinery and you shouldn't have a problem. Also, my two-year-old who's afraid of the sound of a chainsaw, isn't suddenly going to run the several feet towards it, and even if he did, I don't hit ducklings in the roadway.

[@matthewsalvador9783]

@@DavidCanMakeThat that was the greatest comeback I’ve seen to this date… well done sir thanks for that I’ll sub and like

[@JesusIsOurGod811]

I always chase my son with my chainsaw 🤣

[@realx1311]

WTF, I just saw it today at Wal-Mart and cost $166 😡

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

Inflation...Am I allowed to say that on KZbin?

[@raylamp4505]

Ginzu with engine.

[@michaelspears4947]

Made by poulan

[@billytrevathan6405]

Maybe. Poulan is owned by Husqvarna. I read that’s why they came out with the “Poulan Pro” line, upgraded some of the saws with Husqvarna tech.

[@Islandhopper45]

This is the biggest piece of crap I ever wasted money on. The 18 inch model has NEVER ran. It cranks but floods out when you give it gas.

[@CraftsmanQuad19]

Tune the carb

[@thehonestwoodcutterbradywe8011]

Who cares about cases? I never use mine!

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

Those of us that live in places where trees fall on roads relatively often, and therefore it is kept in our vehicle.

[@happycamper2976]

helo can you use poulan pro oregon 16inch chain on that saw

[@DavidCanMakeThat]

I have no idea.