Building a deck – need a chainsaw for lumber prep?

Hey everyone! I'm building a 12x16 deck in my backyard. I've got plenty of 2x6s and 4x4s that need cutting to length and angle cuts for the railing. Right now I only have a circular saw, but I'm thinking a chainsaw might be faster for all the rough cuts. I don't want to spend a fortune, just need something reliable for this project and maybe occasional firewood. Electric or gas? What size bar? Thanks!

For a deck build, you're better off with a good circular saw and a speed square. Chainsaws are overkill for dimensional lumber and can be dangerous for precision cuts. If you're set on a chainsaw for firewood later, grab a Stihl MS 170 or a Husqvarna 240 – 16" bar, gas. Electric is fine for light duty but the cord is a pain. Just my 2 cents.

I gotta disagree with DrillMaster a bit. A chainsaw can speed up cutting a pile of 4x4 posts, no doubt. But for decking and framing, a miter saw or circular saw is way more accurate. If you really want a chainsaw, get a battery-powered one like the DeWalt 20V 12" – you won't need the extra power and it's quiet. I used one for cutting a bunch of 2x6s for a shed and it worked great, no fumes.

Guys, you're forgetting the real reason to buy a chainsaw: so you can look like a lumberjack while building your deck! Lol. In all seriousness, I have an Echo CS-310 (16") for my firewood and property cleanup. For your deck, it'll handle the 4x4s but you'll still need a circular saw for the 2x6 planking – the chainsaw's cut won't be as clean. So either way you need both. If budget is tight, borrow a chainsaw and buy a good circ saw. Just my experience.