Chainsaws can be found in several different types to meet your specific needs.  The homeowner who uses one occasionally around the yard might prefer an inexpensive electric chainsaw to trim trees or cut up downed limbs.  The guy who cuts his own fire wood for winter will prefer one of the powerful gas-powered chainsaws made for personal use.  Those who cut down trees and cut up timber as part of their job will need to choose from the professional-grade chainsaws on the market.  Here’s an overview of these three categories, plus cordless chainsaws, so you can choose the one the makes the most sense to you.

Electric Chainsaws

While Makita, Poulan and a few other manufacturers make electric models that they call “commercial-grade,” most electric chainsaws are inexpensive and made for personal use around the yard.  They are mostly 8 amp models that offer 1.5-2.5 horsepower.  Blade lengths range from 12 inches to 14 inches.  These low-power electric chainsaws are useful for trimming trees, cutting down shrubs and cleaning up storm debris.  Since the are corded, they demand a power source be nearby.  You can find models priced from $50 to $80 in this category. Popular brands in this category include Black and Decker, McCulloch, Remington, and Poulan.

The commercial-grade corded electric chainsaws are 15 amp models and offer up to 4.5 horsepower with blades to 18 inches.  They are built more ruggedly and typically have a longer warranty.  They are a good fit for maintenance workers who care for the grounds of schools, office buildings, hospitals, etc., and have ready access to electricity.

Cordless Chainsaws

These chainsaws can be handy, but don’t expect them to have the power of even a corded chainsaw, not for very long anyway.  Homeowners appreciate the ease of use without the hassles of dealing with a power cord.  They work well for trimming trees and cutting up fallen limbs.  Virtually all cordless chainsaws are 18 volt models that use rechargeable Lithium ion batteries.  The top manufacturers are Black and Decker, Earthwise, Troy-Bilt and Makita. Most feature a shorter blade, usually about 8 inches.  For light duty maintenance, a cordless chainsaw can be very handy.

Personal Chainsaws

These gas-powered chainsaws are built for those who are serious about maintaining their own property and cutting firewood.  They usually features engines from 2.5 horsepower to about 4.0 horsepower, or 50-60cc’s.  They are rugged but not designed for heavy commercial use.  Blade lengths to 20 inches are common.  You’ll find the size and power that is right for your needs when you peruse what’s available in personal chainsaws.  Top brands include Husqvarna, Poulan, Solo, Blue Max and ICS.

Professional Chainsaws

Commercial-grade chainsaws are built for daily use.  They are the choice of professionals trimming trees for utility companies or taking down smaller diameter trees where needed.  Those who sell firewood commercially also prefer the durability of a commercial grade chainsaw.  Prices range from about $400 to over $1,000.  They are powered by motors from about 60cc to over 100cc and can produce up to 8 horsepower or more.  They are heavier and more powerful than others and should only be used by a skilled operator. Look for professional chainsaws from Husqvarna, Makita, Hitachi GST, Poulan, ICS and others.

Summary

The key to getting the right chainsaw is to know your need.  Evaluate how and how often you plan to use it, your access to electricity, and the budget you have to work with.  You’ll find quality chainsaws in each class and one that will serve your purposes very well.

Chainsaw Clothing is Essential to a Safe and Productive Job Well Done

Many chainsaw owners set out to cut wood in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt only to experience scraped arms, wood chips in their eyes and even something as serious as a chainsaw gash in their knee or shin. These realities remind us that chainsaw clothing is necessary gear for anyone who uses a chainsaw on a regular basis, including homeowners, tree specialists, landscapers, utility workers and loggers. If you want to avoid injury and inconvenience, putting on the right chainsaw clothing is essential. Here’s an overview of the right stuff for the job.
1. Chainsaw Chaps and Chainsaw Trousers: You’ve seen colleagues with nasty gashes on their legs and you’ve heard the stories of those who were saved by a pair of sturdy chaps. Look for chainsaw chaps that meet ASTM standards for 45 degree and 90 degree cuts. The first time a log gives way before you expect it and you slap a chainsaw blade against your chaps-covered knees without injury you’ll be very grateful. Look for the best chainsaw chaps like Elvex ProChaps and ArborChaps with Prolar. Choose lightweight yet rugged chaps to keep you safe on every job.

2. Chainsaw Safety Caps and Head Gear: Protect your head from falling branches or chainsaw kicks, protect your ears from the high-decibel output of commercial chainsaws (115 db on average – hearing damage can began as low as 80 db) and protect yourself from twigs, chips and debris that can scratch skin, retinas or corneas, and cause other injuries. Choose a single system that employs a chainsaw helmet, chainsaw visor and chainsaw ear muffs or select each component separately. But make sure you’ve got all the essentials covered with high-quality protective chainsaw clothing. Using a chainsaw is no reason to go deaf or blind, or to give yourself a frontal lobotomy!

3. Chainsaw Gloves: Some “old pros” in the business count the loss of a finger or two as something that goes with the territory. But that doesn’t have to be the case with you. Add a pair of chainsaw gloves to your chainsaw clothing wardrobe for maximum protection. The essential components of effective chainsaw gloves are plenty of tough, thick padding on the back or the hands and enough flexibility in the fingers so that normal functionality is not hindered.

4. Chainsaw boots: Losing a finger makes it harder to count to ten; losing a foot makes so many more things difficult! Don’t fire up the chainsaw unless your feet are firmly housed in a pair of chainsaw boots that sport steel toes and reinforced uppers that can withstand a chainsaw blade making progress at 2,800 feet per minute. Outstanding boots are an irreplaceable part of a total chainsaw clothing set-up.

As you can see, there is nothing fancy in the mix for a solid set of chainsaw clothing. Just cover the basics with the best equipment and gear you can find and you will enjoy safe, injury-free cutting with your Husqvarna, Homelite, Stihl, or Craftsman chainsaw.

Maintaining Your Chainsaw for Safety and Durability Keeps the Sawdust Flying

Maintaining your chainsaw properly will add years to its life and make every job go more smoothly. It will also allow you to run it more safely since the blade will be sharp and you won’t need to put undue pressure on the saw to get through a tough cut. Make sure your saw is cool to the touch if you’ve been using it, and follow these tips for maintaining your chainsaw. You’ll enjoy safe, effective performance from it every time you put it to work.

1. Have the proper tools and materials available before you begin so that you won’t have to stop the job part way through to get what you need. Not only is that a hassle, it’s possible you’ll lose track of what you’ve done and forget to complete an important maintenance step.

You should have your owner’s manual for the saw – and if you’ve lost yours, a .pdf version is probably available online from Husqvarna, Stihl, Craftsman, Poulin, Remington, Homelite and the other top manufactures. Also gather your chainsaw oil, sharpener, cleaning solution, file, screwdrivers and a couple of rags.

2. Start by cleaning your chainsaw. Disassemble it enough to get sawdust and grime completely out of it. Dirt especially can lead to excessive wear on moving parts so you’ll want to remove that with a gentle cleaning solution and a rag. You might use an air compressor to blow out debris in hard to reach places. Remove pine tar and tree sap from the machine as well.

3. Oil the internal parts according to the manufacturer’s specifications. You may not have to do this when maintaining your chainsaw every time. A visual check will let you know whether or not it needs it.

4. Check the air filter when maintaining your chainsaw that is gas powered. Clean or replace it as needed. Do the same with the spark plug. Check for wear and tear on any other parts that might be due for replacement. Put the unit back together once this job is complete, checking to see that all screws are tight, including those you didn’t remove. The vibrations of the working saw has a way of loosening fasteners.

4. Visually check the blade for evidence of damage. If it doesn’t need replacing then sharpen the blade as specified in the manual. Having the right size file is essential to getting the proper edge on the blade. Once you’ve got it sharp, oil the chain and bar to protect it from corrosion and to properly lubricate it.

5. The next major step in maintaining your chainsaw is to tension the chain correctly. This is one of those tasks that is worth completing and then double-checking since, along with the sharpness of the blade, is most essential for both safety and top performance of your machine.

When you’ve finished maintaining your chainsaw fire it up and test it. Put it through a few logs to make sure you’ve got everything functioning as it should. Readjust the bar or correct anything else now while you tools are handy. Having to stop out on the job to do it is never convenient. Keep safe and effective with these basic steps and your chainsaw will be a workhorse machine for you.