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How to Work with Chainsaws: Full Guide With Tips and Tricks

Chainsaws provide homeowners the opportunity to trim their tree gardens and cut firewood without engaging professionals. However, first-time users get apprehensive when using the tool, citing safety concerns. Of course, improper use of these machines can be hazardous; loss of limbs, injuries to the neck and head, and even death. I thought I’d put together an article to help beginners understand how to work with a chainsaw safely to cut trees, and logs.

Chainsaw Tips for Starters

Most chainsaws come dismantled, which gives users the opportunity to get hands-on with the tool. You can begin by fitting the chain and the bar. It's pretty easy as you just need to remove the cover, wrap the chain around the bar, and reattach the cover while tightening the chain to the appropriate tension. Wear protective gloves to avoid getting cut. It is also important to master critical aspects of chainsaw:

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    The trigger and throttle controls are located at the back of the machine. A trigger control can't engage with the throttle lock deactivated, which prevents the device from accidentally starting when the engine is running.
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    The power switch is located near the rear for easy reach when you need to turn off the chainsaw quickly
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    In the event of a kickback, the safety brake is automatically turned on by your wrist. The kickback is activated when the nose of the chainsaw bar touches an object unexpectedly, sending the chainsaw up and back towards an individual

These are just a few chainsaw tips for beginners to feel confident when handling a chainsaw. There is a host of other activities that beginners need to learn when using chainsaws.

How to Cut Using a Chainsaw in 2018

You first need to get acquainted with the three basic tasks that come with operating the machine: bucking, limbing, and felling. Bucking involves cutting the cut tree trunk to length while limbing is the removal of the branches of the cut tree. Felling involves skillfully cutting the tree so that it falls where it is expected, so it is important that you take the appropriate precautionary steps before doing it.

Before discussing limbing, bucking, and felling, you need to know how to cut with a chainsaw. You begin by checking the controls, bar, handles, the chain's tension and sharpness. Be sure to fill the oil and gas reservoirs before using the saw.

Starting the chainsaw

Basically, there are two techniques used to start a chainsaw; on the ground and between your legs. Ensure the chain brake is engaged and the choke is closed for both methods.

If you are starting the chainsaw while on the ground, lay it on the surface and hold the handlebar using the left hand.  

Afterward, place the right toe on the handle where the trigger is and yank the starter rope.

Several pulls should get the saw popping; at this point, deactivate the choke and pull the starter rope. The chainsaw should start.

If you are starting the saw between your legs, be sure to position the rear of the saw against the right leg while tilting it to the right.

After that, follow the procedure discussed earlier.

How to Work with a chainsaw to Cut Down a Tree

When you are using a chainsaw to cut a tree, it is important to plan for the fall. These steps should help you know how to use a chainsaw to cut down a tree:

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    Begin by checking for any obstacles surrounding the area. These include power lines, fences, and buildings. You want the cut tree to reach the ground unobstructed.
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    Secondly, examine the tree's condition- is there a rotten part that may break off or lose branches?
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    Plan for the fall. Note that most trees adopt a natural direction when falling, which is often affected by their shape and size, hence the need to make careful assessments prior to cutting.
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    Plan your path of retreat when the tree is falling. Be sure to clear any surrounding bush or vegetation.

How to Work with a Chainsaw to Cut Logs

Begin by trimming any branches on the log. A sixteen-inch chainsaw provides ample cutting speed, power, and capacity without being too heavy. You can then cut the log into small pieces (16 inches long) for use in fireplaces or woodstoves. Be sure not to cut the log all the way if it is lying on the ground. As such, make a shallow groove into the wood and space them evenly without busting out the tape measure.

Don't cut the log using the nose as it may cause a kickback. Place the motor housing on the end of the log and let the bar lie flat on the log. When you have cut ¾ of the way through the log, roll it 180-degrees and cut through the remaining quarter.

How to Work with a Chainsaw to Cut Large Logs

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    You begin by assessing the position of the tree; whether it is raised from the ground on one end or both ends.
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    Cut three-quarters of the log resting on the ground. Avoid using the tip to prevent reaching the chainsaw kickback zone.
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    Make cuts after every sixteen inches
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    Roll the log over and cut it through to meet the cuts made in the previous step. Cutting straight through the log results in hitting ​​​​the ground, which dulls the chain

How to Cut Firewood

The best way to cut firewood to length is to slice the log into eight-foot logs. The standard length for cutting firewood is sixteen inches. These steps should guide you through the process:

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    Stretch out the tape measure to a length of eight feet. Cut the tree ¾ of the way using a chainsaw and roll it. Cut downwards to the previous cut until the log falls off the tree
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    Use one of the eight-foot logs to mark the rest of the trunk every sixteen inches with an ax blade. Cut the log at every mark by cutting on one side and rolling the log to cut through the other side. Repeat the process for all the logs until you have chopped all the trunks into firewood.

How to Work with an Electric Chainsaw

Electric chainsaws are ideal for light landscaping duties like pruning and trimming branches and felling small trees for firewood. The only downside to using electric chainsaws is that it is less powerful when compared to regular gas-powered chainsaws. Additionally, it has to be tethered to a power extension cord, which limits your scope of work. Here's how to use an electric chainsaw:

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    Plug it into a power outlet; use a long power cable that can reach your working area
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    Press and hold the throttle trigger to start
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    With the chainsaw running at full speed, press it against the wood using a stable steady pressure
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    Allow the chain to cut the wood without forcing it
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    Be sure to press the chain oil bulb after every thirty seconds while cutting to reduce friction
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    Maintain a uniform amount of pressure throughout the cutting process and reduce it as you finish
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    Release the throttle and allow the saw to come to a stop
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    When you are done cutting, unplug it and put it in a safe place (it remains hot for up to ten minutes)

How to Work with a Chainsaw Safely

Before using a chainsaw, read the owner’s manual to understand the safety features and all the controls. Knowing how to use a chainsaw safely also involves wearing protective gear for ear and eye protection, hard hat, heavy-duty gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and a pair of sturdy boots.

A chainsaw helmet comes fitted with a mesh face shield, and flip-up earmuffs may come in handy. You need to hold the front handle using the left hand with the thumb wrapped underneath when cutting. Note that the saw cuts best when the engine is activated at full throttle.

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    Get in position with your legs apart to ensure stability
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    Pull the chain brake to deactivate it
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    Cut away from the bar tip. Cutting using the upper section of the tip may cause a kickback or engage the chainsaw chain brake, which can be dangerous.
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    Always cut at waist level
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    Don't cut too close to the ground as the blade may dig in and kick back
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    Avoid cutting while hovering over the work cutting area. Cut the tree from the side of the chainsaw to prevent a kickback

Techniques for Bucking

Chainsaw techniques for bucking involve cutting the tree into log segments that are usually required by mill requirements. The cuts are made in squares to measure the length of the log and maintain its value. Safe tree bucking requires you to determine the direction that the log pieces will move after the cut.

It is only possible by cutting the compression wood first as it allows the log to move towards the direction of tension. When bucking large logs, make several cuts to release tension wood; for small logs, however, two cuts are enough. The first bucking cut should be shallow, as it is intended to severe a short length of compressed wood. The second cut should release the tensioned wood.

Tree Cutting Methods Using a Chainsaw

There are two tree cutting techniques with a chainsaw; slicing upwards and downwards. Most trees are cut by placing the chainsaw above the wood and cutting through it. Gravity pulls the cut piece away from the tree, so you can continue this way.

However, when the tree trunk is under tension, cutting from the top down causes the wood to pinch and may get stuck.

As such, it is best to cut upwards by placing the saw under the wood and cutting upwards through it. Using a plastic wedge helps keep the large log from pinching the saw chain.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and found it useful. I found it especially important to know how to use a chainsaw properly after a storm knocked down one of the trees in my yard. Getting professional help during the winter can be pretty difficult at times, so I thought it’d be useful to help others learn a few basic DIY tips on how to use a chainsaw properly. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment if you have any doubts or suggestions, and please don’t forget to share this article if you enjoyed it!

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Categories: Blog How-To
Alex Harris:

View Comments (1)

  • What you said about how it is important to operate a chainsaw at waist level was really interesting to me. If I were to guess, it would probably be important for construction workers to take the appropriate training classes so that they can learn how to operate the many tools on a worksite. That way they won't have to worry about accidents and injuries happening as often when someone doesn't know how to use power tools.