
		The Chain Saw Page

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The Chain Saw Page

A tool that many rural residents and cottage owners use is a chain saw. A very handy tool, it is for many the most dangerous tool that you own. The key to using a chainsaw is to think safety, safety, safety.

Choosing the Right Saw

Choosing the right chain saw depends on both who you are and what you want to do with it. The main criteria for choosing a chain saw is CONTROL. A chain saw that is too big or heavy for you to properly control is an accident in the making. A smaller chainsaw that affords better control will work a lot better for you that a larger saw that you have to struggle with or rapidly fatigues you.

For most people, a saw with a 14 or 16 inch bar is ideal. Before you buy, heft the saw, feel the weight, is is easy to lift, easy to handle? Remember, it is not the weight of the saw that does the cutting, a heavy saw will only fatigue you, it will not do a better job at cutting wood.

Most experts also recommend a gas powered saw over an electric one. In addition to providing more power, the gas powered saw is more versatile, more maneuverable, and safer (no cord to get tangled up in). The downside of the gas powered saw is that it is generally heavier.

For the very casual user, a second hand chainsaw is a cheaper option to a new saw. When buying a used chainsaw, make sure that it has all the more recent safety features. Of particular importance is the chain brake which is a bar/fence located in front of the handle. In the event of kickback, this brake presses against your hand and stops the chain. Most saws manufactured after 1980 have a chain brake. The best place to buy a used saw is from a chain saw dealer who can assure you that the saw has been properly serviced and has all the required safety features.

Safety

Safety cannot be overemphasized. You are operating a very high speed cutting device in an uncontrolled environment. Several of the links below have many excellent safety tips, I will just put a few of my own thoughts on this page.

Make sure you are alert and aware of your surroundings when using a chain saw. This has everything to do with the keyword CONTROL. Is the tree you are cutting free of obstructions? Do you have a clear safety exit? Is there anything that could fall down on you or spring up at you? As soon as you feel fatigued from cutting STOP AND REST! Take your time, don't push it.
Is your chain sharp? It should cut wood with little effort on your part. If you have to put heavy pressure on the saw to cut or notice that the saw is shaving the wood rather than chipping it, then stop and sharpen the chain or replace it with a sharpened one. Speaking from experience, most casual chainsaw users cannot sharpen a chain back to manufacturer's specifications. It is well worth getting it professionally sharpened. Professional chain sharpening is inexexpensive, WELL worth the price. A sharp chain means an easy, safe job. A dull chain means a difficult job, fatigue and a potential accident.
Wear safety equipment which should include hard toed boots, leg chaps, eye protection, gloves, a hard hat and hearing protection. Make sure your clothing is snug fitting with no extensions (flaps, strings) that could get caught up while you work.
Do a pre-use check of your saw - are the gas and chain lubricant tanks both full? Is the chain sharp and properly tensioned on the bar? Is the saw clean and free of grit? Does the chain move freely on the bar? Does the chain brake work properly?
When putting the chain saw away, clean out any accumulated wood cuttings, check the air filter (clean if required), and check the sharpness of the chain (replace with a sharp chain if dull). If putting away for the year, follow manufacturer's recommendations (which usually includes running the gas out of the engine or using a fuel stabilizer, removing the chain (spray with rust protecting lubricant), and cleaning all parts).

Oil/Gas Fuel Mixing

Most chainsaws run on an oil and gasoline fuel mixture. The math of doing a calculation such as how many millilitres of oil do you put into 2 imperial gallons worth of gas using a 32:1 gas to oil mixuture can be daunting. To simplify this task, I have created several mixing charts which can be found on the Oil/Gas Fuel Mix page. Print out a copy and post it in your garage. And for those who were wondering, the answer to the first question is 275 ml.

Chain Saw Links

For more information about chain saws, check out: