So you just had a landscaping company come to see a tree you want cut in your backyard, and they quoted a price that made you go “Damn, for that much money I’ll buy my own chainsaw and do it myself, cut the wood down and use it for my wood stove.” But before you make such an investment, there are several things you need to know about chainsaws.
Every tool has some potential to inflict harm and chainsaws are no different. Handling them properly and safely is of utmost importance, so you should always look to buy some protection equipment along with them. But first things first, let’s talk about all the different types of chainsaws, so that you can make an informed decision when buying one.
Electric Chainsaw
An electric chainsaw is ideal for light-duty tasks like light cutting, trimming and pruning (tasks that require less power). They operate very quietly and are relatively easy to start and maintain. There are cordless and corded models, so where you’ll be using the chainsaw most commonly is something you should ask yourself as well.
A cordless chainsaw is more mobile, but has limited operation time and the batteries on it make it slightly heavier. Depending on how much you use it, you might need an extra set of batteries with you. On the other hand, corded saws are lighter and don’t need any recharging or fueling. They do require an extension cord capable of reaching the work area, so you may need to keep its cost in mind as well. You’ll have to pay attention to the cord while working, keep it out of wet areas and try not to cut it.
Gasoline-Powered Chainsaw
Gasoline powered types are superior in power and mobility. Even the light-duty models can efficiently cut down large trees, not to mention the professional-grade ones. This type uses an engine which operates on a mixture of gasoline and oil, which you can pre-purchase or mix it yourself. The amount of power these chainsaws have depends on the size of the motor. However, the more power, the more weight added to it, so you don’t want a chainsaw so big that will be hard for you to handle for long time periods.
Features
Regardless of which type of chainsaw you opt for, there are some features you should be looking for which improve safety, efficiency and comfort as you cut. Some of these features include: anti-vibration, automatic oiler, spring-assist starting, low-kickback bars, tool-less chain adjustment, chain break, air-cleaning features and so on.
