2019 Fall Home & Garden
Video Magazine

A chainsaw primer
By Jim Youngquist

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[October 05, 2019]  Homeowners who have yards with trees and shrubs may benefit from owning a chainsaw. The purpose of a chainsaw is to quickly rough-cut woody trees and shrubs, for the purpose of pruning, cleanup or removal. Chainsaws are probably the most dangerous tool you will ever buy and can cause serious bodily damage and property damage, and should be used with extreme caution, the right training, and the right protection.

There are a number of choices when shopping for a chainsaw: powered by gas or electricity, bar length and type, and category of chainsaw.

The principle of a chainsaw is that it has two handles on one end to hold onto the saw, with a trigger to control the speed and power of the saw, and a revolving chain on the other end on a track called a bar with multiple mini cutting blades, designed to "chew" through wood. All chainsaws use "chain oil" to lubricate the bar and chain to allow it to turn freely, and requires that the blades on the chain be kept sharp and adjusted to cut.

For small jobs, infrequent use, and low cost you might consider getting an electric chainsaw. Electric chainsaws come in both corded (extension cords) and battery models. Some of the corded models even include a pole that can extend the chainsaw to cut branches as high as 10 to 12 feet off the ground, and even have a low cost, often under $100. These "pole saws" often include the ability to remove the chainsaw from the pole and use it as a hand-held saw (Remington). The new genre of name-brand battery-powered chainsaws make it easy to take the chainsaw anywhere and use it for universal purposes without worrying about having gasoline on hand, ideal for small and light jobs.

Electric vs gasoline chainsaws

Chainsaws powered by gasoline give you more flexibility, power and portability, and a wide range of models, quality, sizes and categories exist. The three categories of gasoline powered chainsaws are home, farm and professional.

- A home chainsaw has limited power, limited bar length, and a limited lifespan, but also come with a lower purchase price.

- A farm chainsaw has a larger engine size, a longer bar, is built for tough jobs and abuse, and has a longer lifespan.

- A professional chainsaw has the largest variety of features, bar length, power and lifespan, but usually comes with the shortest warranty and the highest price.

The three most popular quality brand names in gasoline chainsaws are Stihl, Husqvarna (Husky) and Echo, and each of these brands has all three categories of home, farm and professional available.

All brands and models of gasoline chainsaws have 2-stroke engines, and use "mix gas" with oil added to the gasoline, allowing them to operate at any angle (even upside down), have a smaller, more lightweight engine, and do not need crankcase oil to keep them running.

There are two different bar types available: standard bar and bow-bar.

- The bow bar is only available on limited models, is used because it is a faster cutter which tends to bog down less, and is generally considered much more dangerous to use in the industry.

- The standard bar chainsaws will cut on both the bottom of the bar and the top of the bar, and generally is safer to use when cutting with the top of the bar.

A condition called "kickback" can occur when attempting to cut with the top or tip of the bar, causing the chainsaw to suddenly lurch at your face or head and can cause serious operator injury. Bow bar saws are notorious for causing kickback and are generally only used by professional arborists.

Tips for Avoiding Chainsaw Kickback

Bar lengths:

- Most electric chainsaws and home saws have a limited bar length, usually16 inches or less (a 12 inch chainsaw bar is standard on home and electric models). The bar length limits the size of the cut, the size of the log being cut, the amount of power being used, the control needed, and usually is less dangerous because there is less cutting area for the operator to be exposed to.

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- Farm saws may have bar lengths up to 24 inches for larger jobs and the power necessary, and professional saws have bar lengths up to six feet (72 inches). The bigger the bar, the larger log you can cut. Larger bars require more powerful and heavier engines, and universally are used less for small to medium cutting jobs.

Safety first:

Chainsaws should always be used while standing on the ground (as a homeowner), and never be used while standing on a ladder to avoid injury or death. Protective clothing and eyewear are recommended for use while operating a chainsaw. Helmets, face masks, hearing protection, Kevlar gloves, and even special chaps are designed to protect the operator and prevent injury or death.

Personal Protective Equipment

Chains become dull from normal use, but immediately become dull and useless when you are cutting something other than wood. Attempting to cut wood below the surface of the soil will immediately dull any chain (including carbide) and render the saw useless. Cutting dirt, rocks or any metal will immediately turn a good chain into a worthless cutting tool. Dull chains can be re-sharpened using chainsaw files, Dremel rotary sharpening sets, expensive motorized sharpeners, or can be sharpened by sharpening professionals for a nominal fee. New replacement chains can also be purchased, and it is advisable to have a spare chain on hand. Don't try to cut with a dull chain.

The tension of the chain on the bar should be watched closely. A chain that is too tight can bind, a chain that is too loose can skip off the bar or be ineffective to the cutting process. Read the user's manual to become familiar with chain tensioning and a wide variety of other important instructions and maintenance tips. Knowing more can keep you from damaging the chain saw or causing yourself injury.

Properly Adjust The Chain Tension On Your Chainsaw

Pruning and cleanup often present less danger than felling standing trees with a chainsaw. There are specific methods and measures necessary for successfully felling trees to prevent property or bodily damage, and it is recommended to receive the proper training to successfully fell trees, or leave this activity to professionals.

A quality chainsaw is an awe inspiring tool, and in the hands of a trained and cautious operator, can quickly transform an overgrown landscape into a well groomed homestead.

 

Read all the articles in our new
2019 Fall Home & Garden
Video Magazine

Title
CLICK ON TITLES TO GO TO PAGES
Page
INTRO - The tools that make the job 4
New technology for cooking 5
Soil - can you did it?
Yes, with the right shovel
11
Handy hand tools to put things together and take them apart 14
The right tools for painting and finishing 19
'Til weeds do we part - using the right cultivating tool for your garden projects 26
A saw for every job 30
A chainsaw primer 35

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