Are you on the hunt to purchase the best chainsaw?
If yes, then you have come to the right place!
We have carefully crafted the ultimate chainsaw introduction guide to help you learn everything you need to about what a chainsaw is, the different types of chainsaws, and what they are used for.
Now whether you are looking for a chainsaw for a home improvement project or you need it to cut down some firewood for the fireplace. No matter the need, we have got your back!
Let’s get real, buying a chainsaw can be a tricky business because there are different types of chainsaws and then there are various brands that manufacture them.
Furthermore, if you are on a budget we wouldn’t want you to spend all your hard-earned money on an expensive power-tool that might not be of any use if you don’t know the first thing about it.
Therefore, once you read this guide all your questions related to a chainsaw will be answered and you will be able to find yourself a chainsaw that fits your needs while remaining within your budget!
Let’s begin, shall we?
A Quick Introduction to Chainsaws
We think before going into more specific details about a chainsaw, we should explore the basics. Hence, the first question we would like to explore is:
What exactly is a chainsaw?
Chainsaws are a popular versatile power-driven tool that has extremely sharp teeth carefully wrapped around a chain. The chain moves around the guide bar and allows for the proper functioning of the chainsaw.
The chain is the most important feature of a chainsaw, as the name of this power tool suggests itself.
However, that doesn’t mean that the chainsaw doesn’t have other important features.
We will be exploring all the other features and parts of a chainsaw in-depth later in this guide.
Therefore, we suggest you hold on to your horses because the fun has just begun!
There is also a very common misconception that chainsaws are only used for cutting trees which is not true at all. Let us enlighten you with the versatility of this power-tool.
A chainsaw can be used for pruning, limbing, felling, bucking, firebreaks, cutting firewood, and even for construction work. At first, using a chainsaw can be very intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be like that.
All you need is accurate knowledge and little practice to use this power-tool effectively, safely, and confidently.
What is the Best Chainsaw for Specific Requirements?
Gone are the days when chainsaws were a power-tool used just by construction workers or farmers.
In today’s modern era the usage of chainsaw has expanded and it is very common to find one in every home because you can do so much with a chainsaw like cutting firewood, creating fences, and much more. When it comes to finding the best chainsaw for specific requirements it can be confusing to decide which type of chainsaw you can decide on and make the final purchase.
Therefore, to help clear out the confusion, we would be guiding you on how to determine the best chainsaw that fits your needs perfectly.
Two important factors will help you decide the type of chainsaw you can opt for:
- The size of the chainsaw
- The length of the guide bar
The Size of a Chainsaw
First of all, what you need to decide is what size of a chainsaw will cater to your specific requirements.
The size of a chainsaw is usually determined by the piston placement and the engine-power.
There are further factors that will help you decide the size of the chainsaw like your experience and proficiency using a chainsaw.
For instance, if you are a beginner and haven’t used a chainsaw before then choosing a chainsaw that is small with less engine-power would be the way to go about it.
As, chainsaws with a high engine-power are heavy, all the while difficult to operate too. Since they are heavy and you don’t have a lot of practice using a chainsaw your arms and hands will eventually get tired which could present a safety risk.
Furthermore, apart from the experience, another factor that determines the size of the chainsaw you should opt for is the wood type and size of the tree. In a case, where larger trees with hardwood are involved, choosing a chainsaw with more power is recommended because a small chainsaw will be subjected to a strain that would wear and tear the power-tool.
The Guide Bar Length
Another important factor that determines the size of the chainsaw is the guide bar length. To figure out what length of guide bar the chainsaw should have is to determine it by the tree size and also your expertise.
We keep talking about expertise because it matters, and we will be exploring this in detail further as well.
Now if you have some experience using a chainsaw then having access to two different guide bar lengths would allow you to vary the length and you could use it for different tree sizes.
What you need to understand is that a longer guide bar length is used for larger trees, whereas a smaller guide bar length is used for tasks like limbing.
What are the Most Famous Chainsaw Brands?
We all want the best of the best when it comes to buying almost anything. Hence, you wouldn’t want to compromise when you are purchasing a chainsaw as well, right?
Let’s look at the most famous chainsaw brands that you should buy from because they are well-renowned, reliable, and trustworthy. Let’s look at the most famous chainsaw brands, shall we?
– Husqvarna
– Stihl
– Worx
– Makita
– Poulan Pro
– Echo
– Craftsman
– Green Works
– Remington
– Tanaka
– Ryobi
– Black & Decker
– Dewalt
By the way, the above order is at random and we highly recommend any of these brands for purchasing a chainsaw that best fits your needs!
Some of the Chainsaw Features You Should Know About
As promised, we would be exploring the features of a chainsaw in-depth which will help you understand the overall dynamics and functionality of a chainsaw.
Chain
As we mentioned before, the chain is one of the most important parts of a chainsaw and you will be surprised to know that not all chainsaw chains are universal. Three factors determine the right size of chainsaw for your particular chainsaw:
The Number of Drive Links on a Chain
At this point, you must be wondering what drive links are? Drive links are the links on the chain and the number of drive links determines the correct chain for the chainsaw in case you need to replace it.
The Pitch
Apart from the drive links, the pitch is also used to find out the chain size. A combination of the drive links and the pitch is what correctly helps in figuring out the chain size. Now the pitch is what indicates how far away the drive links are from each other.
The Gauge
Furthermore, the gauge is another factor that helps in determining the chain size and the gauge is the width of each drive link. Once you figure out the exact number of drive links, the width of gauge, and the pitch you will be easily able to find out the chain size.
Chain Brake
A chainsaw comes with some safety features because as we have established that a chainsaw is a very powerful tool and when not used properly can lead to unfortunate accidents.
A chain brake is one of the safety features and it is the chain brake that stops the chainsaw chain from spinning. Another term for the chain brake is “front handguard” as it is situated on top of the chainsaw handle.
The chain brake is engaged in two ways when you manually push the handle forward to stop the chain from spinning. The other way the chain brake is engaged is automatically by the force of inertia when a sudden kickback occurs.
Power Source
As we mentioned above, there are three ways a chainsaw can be powered. Either through gas, electricity, or batteries.
Let’s look at the different power sources, shall we?
- Electrically-Powered Chainsaws
An electrically-powered chainsaw uses electricity to operate. It is called a corded chainsaw and requires access to a constant power source through an electrical outlet.
One of the biggest advantages of an electrically-powered chainsaw is that you can use them for an extended time in one go and they require very little maintenance as well.
However, the downside is that it can only be used if an electrical outlet is nearby and they are also less powerful in comparison to gas-powered chainsaws.
- Battery-Powered Chainsaws
A battery-powered chainsaw is also known as a corded chainsaw and runs on rechargeable batteries. One of the major advantages a corded-chainsaw offers is exceptional portability, you can maneuver it around anywhere.
However, the downside of such a chainsaw is that generally, the average run-time of a battery-powered chainsaw is approximately only 30 minutes. These types of chainsaw are ideal for tree maintenance or small cutting tasks that are finished quickly.
- Gas-Powered Chainsaws
Gas-powered chainsaws are the most powerful type of chainsaws as they have great engine power and exceptional portability as well. They come with a fuel tank and uses gasoline as a power source. The runtime of such chainsaw varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.
However, the downside of gas-powered chainsaws is that it requires more frequent maintenance in comparison to an electrically-powered chainsaw.
Some of the Frequently Asked Questions About a Chainsaw
Should I Know What a Kickback Is?
You must have heard about what a nightmare a kickback can be by professional chainsaw operators, and yet you might not know what it is. Well, it is very important to know what a kickback is and what exactly causes it.
A chainsaw kickback is basically when the guide bar spontaneously moves upwards and back in the direction of the operator which can be dangerous. Usually, a kickback is very sudden and fast. It’s a very common chainsaw accident no matter what your skill level is using a chainsaw.
Most of the times a kickback is caused by two factors:
- The tip of the chainsaw chain strikes an object
- The wood suddenly closes in when cutting and it pinches the chain.
To avoid any kickbacks, you should ensure that the chainsaw chain has proper tension and never use the tip of the chainsaw for cutting as it could lead to a very serious accident resulting in injury.
Is Engine Oil Required by All Types of Chainsaws?
Whether a chainsaw needs engine oil is completely dependent on the type of chainsaw you have. Electrically powered chainsaws don’t require engine oil as these chainsaws feature an electric motor.
However, when it comes to gas-powered chainsaw then it depends on the type of engine the gas-powered chainsaw features.
For a 2-cycle engine, engine oil is needed with a mixture of gasoline poured in the same tank. Engine oil is needed by such an engine is because it doesn’t come with an in-built lubrication system.
Moreover, for a 4-cycle engine chainsaw, the engine oil is poured into a separate tank as it comes with an in-built lubrication system. The engine oil is pumped through the engine when it’s under pressure that keeps the engine running smoothly at all times.
The Conclusion We Have For You!
We hope that you enjoyed learning about a chainsaw as much as we enjoyed crafting this guide for you. Chainsaws are an exceptionally powerful tool in the market with a variety of uses.
It is very surprising to know that very few people are aware of the benefits a chainsaw has to offer and not a lot of people know how to use them as well.
Hopefully, after reading our guide you have a fair idea about what a chainsaw is, its functionality, and the type of chainsaw you should purchase for yourself.
Now you have all the knowledge you can have about a chainsaw, all you need to do is find a chainsaw that falls under your budget, just make sure you follow our guide and you will have no problem finding the perfect fit for yourself!
