Chainsaws Buying Guide

If you do your own landscaping, or want to cut your own firewood, you're going to need a chainsaw. Nothing is more useful for lopping off tree limbs, felling trees, or cutting firewood. Chainsaws are even used to make large wooden sculptures known as "chainsaw art."

Chainsaws operate by pulling a toothed chain over a long guide bar. Drive links, set in the middle of the chain, pull the chain around a chain wheel located inside the motor casing. Cutters or "teeth" on the topside of the chain cut into wood as the chain moves. The chain itself whirrs around the bar at up to 45 miles an hour.

Using a chainsaw is dangerous. More than 40,000 people in the United States are injured or even killed each year in chainsaw-related accidents. Most of these could have been prevented. So, before you purchase or use a chainsaw, have someone you trust give you a hands-on lesson.

Read the manual that comes with your chainsaw and follow the instructions carefully, especially the safety tips. Make sure you maintain the machine and the chain.

The biggest danger in using a chainsaw is kickback, when the chain suddenly stops short. This can kick back the machine, the wood, or even the chain if it breaks. Following safety instructions can prevent kickback.

Falling wood is another danger, as well as the normal hazards that come with power saws, namely noise and vibration. For all these reasons, it is especially important to wear safety gear, pay attention to safety precautions, and maintain your equipment. Make sure you have the proper maintenance equipment with you when you travel to your job. You may need to tighten the chain or sharpen it onsite.

Never use a chainsaw alone. If you are injured, you will need immediate help and probably a ride to the nearest emergency room.

Gas-Powered Chainsaws The most common chainsaw by far is the basic gas-powered model. They have been around since the 1920s, and have been widely used by both homeowners and professional loggers since the 1940s.

Using a gas-powered chainsaw is not easy. The motor requires a specific mix of gas and oil, as well as lubricating oil for the chain. Starting the chainsaw by pulling the start rope is a skill that takes practice. And the saw is going to be heavy, since you are lifting the gas tank along with the motor and chain.

But, no other type of chainsaw is going to be as convenient where you're most likely to use it--out in the woods, far from the nearest electrical outlet.

Electric-Powered Chainsaws The obvious advantages to the electric chainsaw are that you don't need to mix the gas, or refill the tank. You don't need to pull on the start rope a half-dozen times before it starts. You just flip the starter. The electric chainsaw will be much lighter.

However, the disadvantage is huge. When you use a corded electric chainsaw, you need to be close to a power source. So, while these chainsaws are great for home and garden, they are useless for logging.

Cordless Chainsaws Cordless chainsaws have the basic advantages and disadvantages of all cordless saws. They are more portable and maneuverable than corded electric chainsaws. They have a limited amount of power, as the batteries will run out of juice and need to be recharged.

But, if you are doing mainly home and garden work with occasional forays into the forest for firewood, you might do best with a cordless chainsaw. It is a bit more versatile than a corded chainsaw, with more ease of use than the gas-powered version.

Pole Chainsaws Pole chainsaws have extended handles that allow them to stretch high into air for trimming and delimbing. Some are gas-powered, some electric, and some are cordless.

Be sure and check the weight specifications before purchasing a pole chainsaw, since hefting the engine at the end of a long rod is going to be difficult even with the lightest saw.

Alligator Lopper An alligator lopper is a very specialized chainsaw with jaws instead of a guide bar. It can cut branches up to 4" in diameter. It's good for trimming lower branches or cuttimg them off a tree trunk before bucking it into logs.

One advantage of an alligator lopper is that it's possible to use it on ground pieces, which is extremely dangerous to do with ordinary chainsaws.

Maintenace is extremely important for your chainsaw. The chain needs to be sharpened regularly. It needs the proper tension to stay on the guides.

It's also important to clean and lubricate the engine so that it runs as smoothly as possible.

Chains With all the wear and tear that comes with cutting lumber, you are going to need to purchase new chains on a regular basis. Be sure to check the pitch on any chain before you buy it, as it needs to fit with your particular chainsaw. Be aware that if you get a carbide blade chain, you will need to have it professionally sharpened. Other chains can be sharpened with either a hand file or other chain sharpener.

Chainsaw Sharpeners Just as you are going to buy new chains regularly, you are going to need to sharpen the teeth even more frequently. Experts recommend sharpening the teeth when the chainsaw needs to be muscled through the wood, or when the saw begins throwing out sawdust instead of chips. They also recommend stopping immediately to sharpen the blades if the chain touches the ground or hits a piece of rock. Some sharpeners require you to remove the chain, but mounted sharpeners allow you to file the teeth on the guide bar.

Files A round file is convenient for sharpening the blades while in the field. It's small, easy to carry, and doesn't require removing the chain. Consider buying a file to carry with you, even if you have an electric sharpener at home.

Depth Gauge Tool A depth gauge tool is necessary to adjust the space between the front part of the tooth (the depth gauge) and the sharp cutter in the rear. It is used in combination with a file. The depth gauge tool is used to measure the proper height for the depth gauge, while the file is used to wear it down to size.

Chainsaw Oil A gas-powered chainsaw has two tanks: One for an oil-and-gas mixture to fuel the motor, the other for lubricating oil. You need to fill both tanks regularly, as the saw will throw off oil as it runs.

Drive Sprockets The drive sprocket is the wheel inside the chainsaw motor that moves the chain around the guide bar. It needs to be replaced every other time you replace the chain, if not more often.

Just as essential as maintaining the chainsaw is maintaining your personal safety while using it. The following items are important pieces of safety gear and should be handy any time you pick up a chainsaw.

In addition, you should wear snug clothing with no loose ties and pieces of fabric that can catch on the chain. Long hair should be tied back for the same reason.

Hardhats A hardhat protects your head falling limbs or pieces of flying wood. Ideally, the hardhat should be equipped with a non-fogging face screen, but if one is not available, safety goggles are a good alternative.

Safety Goggles Safety goggles will help protect your eyes from wood chips and dust. If you can get non-fogging goggles, it will increase your visibility.

Earmuffs Just as you need to protect your eyes from dust and chips, you need to protect your ears from the loud noise of the chainsaw. Ear plugs can help, but earmuffs will provide greater protection.

Heavy Duty Workgloves At the very least, you need heavy duty work gloves, preferably made with non-slip material when you are working with a chainsaw. If possible, get a glove with padding to protect you from cuts if the chain slips or breaks.

Chaps Special chaps and pants are made for extra protection when operating a chainsaw. These are padded and made with fabric designed to let the chain slide over it, rather than catch and tear.

Work Boots You want a workboot that is sturdy, because you will probably be walking over rough ground as you work. You want it to cover and protect the ankle. The ideal workboot will have a steel toe for extra protection.

First Aid Kit You should always carry a first aid kit with you in case of an accident. Make sure it's within walking distance of your worksite.

Under $100

Most of the electric chainsaws can be purchased for under $100, along with the smaller gas-powered saws (up to about 16" guide bars). The alligator lopper is also found in this price range.

$100-250

In this price range, you'll find gas-powered chainsaws with 16" to 18" guide bars, which should be large enough for most of your needs--unless you are planning to do professional logging. You can also find a few pole chainsaws.

$250-500

The cordless chainsaws fall into this price range. You'll also find electric chainsaw and pole chainsaws. Gas-powered chainsaws with 20" guide bars and moderately powered engines are generally priced in this range.

$500 and Above

If you want anything above a 20" guide bar and a 4 HP engine, you'll need to search in this price range. The largest and most power chainsaws can cost over $1,000.

Bosch
Craftsman
Husqvarna
Poulan
Remington