Working with Chain Saws

Chainsaws are handy tools to have if you own property with lots of trees and bushes as you can use them to fell trees, do pruning, or even cut up firewood for your fireplace or woodstove.

They come in different sizes and you can get large commercial gas chainsaws for heavy work to light electric ones designed more for the homeowner.

Chainsaws have been used in the forest industry since the 1920s.

Andreas Stihl patented and developed the electric chainsaw in 1926 and a gas-powered one in 1929. His company is still producing chainsaws to this day.

These early chainsaws were very heavy and required two men to use them.

After the Second World War, aluminum made the chainsaws lighter so it was possible for only one man to handle them.

Chain saws have a series of "teeth" along a chain. The chain is supported by a bar and moves around the track at speeds that help the saw to easily cut through wood.

There are even chain saws that can cut through rock and concrete.

This is the one tool that you should read the safety manual before you start using a chain saw or have someone who is skilled in their use show you how to use them safely.

You don't want to end up cutting off a finger or two instead of a branch!

These are machines that need to be handled with care and protective clothing should be worn when using them.

If you don't know how to use a chain saw, get some instruction from someone who does so you don't have any nasty accidents.

The Makita XCU08PT Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Chain Saw has to be one of the best tools for yard work.

It will cut down trees, and small ones, and it trims, de-limbs, cuts firewood, and clears brush.

Although not your heavy-duty chainsaw, it delivers 36V power and performance.

If you have a lot of work to do you may be glad for the extra battery that is included as it will last longer before needing to be recharged.

Definition of Chainsaw: it is a portable mechanical saw that uses electricity, compressed air, or hydraulic power to work.

They are used for felling trees as well as pruning.

Often used in the forest industry they are used there to not only remove trees but for assisting in cutting trees for firebreaks or for wildfire suppression.

There are artists who use chainsaws to make everything from chairs to animals.

Check out Chainsaw Art for more information.

Electric chainsaws are a great tool for the homeowner who wants to do some pruning or clearing away overgrown bushes and shrubs.

They are a lot cheaper and easier to use than a gas-powered chainsaw.

Some electric chainsaws are just as powerful as gas-powered but are more eco-friendly and easier to use.

There aren't any fumes and no gas to buy so they can be cheaper to run as well.

The only downside of using an electric chainsaw is they have a cord attached.

However, there are some battery-powered chainsaws on the market that are just as powerful.

This type of chainsaw is also eco-friendly and much more portable.

Whether it is an electric chainsaw with a cord or a battery powered chainsaw, they will make light work of yard work.

For general yard work, pruning trees, or clearing fallen branches, these chainsaws will be a great addition to your toolbox.

The first chainsaw was produced in the late 18th century by John Aitken and James Jeffray who were Scottish doctors.

They used them for the removal of diseased joints particularly knees and elbows.

It seems that Dr. Jeffray thought that this machine would make a smaller wound and would help protect adjacent muscles and nerves.

It was accepted more and more by doctors once anesthetics were developed.

It wasn't until the 19th century that the chainsaw was replaced by the Gigli twisted wire saw as a surgical instrument.

In 1926 Andreas Stihl patented and developed an electric chainsaw.

He also developed a gasoline-powered chainsaw in 1929 although it was Emil Lerp who developed the first gas-powered chainsaw in 1927.

The early models were very heavy and required two men to use them.

However, after World War II, due to improvements in aluminum and engine design, chainsaws became lighter and could be used by one person.

Today chainsaws come in many sizes and there are many brands available in the marketplace.

Here are some definitions of some words you might come across in the world of chainsaws:

• Felling: when removing a tree it is referred to as "felling" and includes taking care of how the tree will fall once it is cut. Consideration needs to be given to the lean and bend of the tree as well as wind conditions and obstacles such as snow load or other trees in close proximity.
• Limbing: refers to cutting the branches after the tree has been felled.
• Bucking: is when the log or felled tree is cut up in sections.
• Binds: refers to the chainsaw getting stuck in the tree or log. This is when the chainsaw is not very safe to use and care must be taken to remove the saw from the log/tree to prevent equipment damage and injury to the user.
• Slashing: is when small branches or trees of five inches or less in diameter are removed. This is often used to remove foliage from around the base of a tree that is going to be removed.

The gas-powered chainsaw is considered to be the most powerful and fast of the different types of chainsaws you can buy.

They are designed for the harder jobs such as cutting down trees and cutting harder woods such as oak, cherry, and apple trees.

These are the chainsaws that loggers use because they need a machine that will work all day long in tough conditions.

They are great for doing large jobs but they do have some drawbacks.

First, they are very noisy and can be a lot heavier than small, electric-powered chainsaws.

They are also not eco-friendly as they use both gas and oil to run which means gas-powered chainsaws emit fumes

First and foremost when you get your first chainsaw or even one you haven't used before reading the manual for safety instructions is a good idea.

Modern chainsaws are certainly easier to use and have many safety features but they can still cause serious damage if not used correctly.

Chainsaws have a series of teeth with very sharp edges that are used to cut into the wood. The chain is supported by a bar that moves on a track when the machine is in operation.

Maintaining your chainsaw is very important.

There are parts of the chainsaw that need lubrication: the gas engine needs lubrication and as well so does the chain itself.

Always use the products that are recommended by the manufacturer.

One problem that can occur especially with the heavier chainsaws is what is called a kickback and this can cause serious or fatal injuries.

A kickback is a sudden jerking of the chainsaw and can occur if the blade hits a hard object such as a nail that is embedded in the log or branch.

The chain jams in the cut and a kickback can occur. There are what is called "quick stop chains" available that reduce the risk of kickbacks occurring.

When using a chainsaw make sure to wear protective gear.

This includes earplugs, goggles and steel toe boots, and cut-resistant pants. Using the right gear can reduce or even prevent injury!

Chainsaws can be found in all sorts of movies, mostly horror!

Who hasn't seen The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, a movie that was loosely based on a famous murderer and is probably the most famous of all the chainsaw horror films?

The Last House on the Left is often referred to as the original chainsaw massacre.

Other movies include the remake of this film as well as Evil Dead II and Brian DePalma's gangster film, Scarface.

Chainsaws have been used as both weapons and as torture devices in many movies.

In most people's minds, they are seen as gruesome terror but none of the movies actually show chainsaw to flesh contact.