Chainsaw Journal

Chainsaws, Generators, Power Equipment, Tools & Toys.

Chainsaw Won’t Idle, What’s Wrong?

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My chainsaw won't idle, what's the problem?

Here’s a common problem : Your chainsaw won’t idle and you have work to get done, what do you do? Most of us expect our tools to work all the time, whenever we need them to. In fact, we never wonder if our car will start, or if our oven will turn on, or if our television will work just as we’re about to turn it on to watch our favorite show. Chainsaws, and other mechanical tools are a little different. They do fail us from time to time and they require maintenance.

There are many reasons why a chainsaw won’t idle properly, and in this article we’re going to present a step-by-step process which will help you find the issue and rectify it before it causes any additional damage. [Read more…]

Help! Chainsaw Chain Direction Facts

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diagram : chainsaw chain direction

Why does my chainsaw chain direction matter? What is the correct chainsaw chain direction?

This is common knowledge to folks who have owned and operated chainsaws, but newcomers often get confused with chain direction. Cutting teeth on a saw chain are designed to remove material in only one direction. So, by mounting the chain in reverse you will just generate a whole lot of smoke without doing any actual cutting. [Read more…]

Husqvarna 450 Rancher Review | Husqvarna 450 vs 450 Rancher

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Husqvarna 450 : Heavy Duty professional gas chainsaw

A classic chainsaw that won’t disappoint. (Buy from Amazon)

Welcome to our Husqvarna 450 Rancher review, plus we compare all the 450 chainsaws — Husqvarna 450, 450e, and the 450 Rancher plus the other two Rancher models (460 Rancher & 465 Rancher), just in case you need more power.

Readers have a lot of questions about these popular models, wondering how they are different. If you search the internet looking for the facts the information can be confusing, which is exactly why we set out to explain their differences. We even contacted Husqvarna to ensure we got our facts straight. All of these chainsaws share common features but there are differences you need to be aware of. [Read more…]

Chainsaw Maintenance Tips, Advice & Checklist

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Chainsaw maintenance checklist.

It’s important to keep your chainsaw running efficiently.

Chainsaw Maintenance —  How to keep your chainsaw running smoothly.

What do you need to do to keep your chainsaw running smoothly? how do you maintain your chainsaw? What do you do if the chain won’t stop? If you are grappling with these questions, this is the perfect generalized guide for you. It is not brand specific, although we based the content on maintenance guides and schedules suggested by manufacturers. [Read more…]

Types of Chainsaws | An Overview of Chainsaws

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What are the most common Types of chainsaws?

The most common types of chainsaws. Which one do you need?

What are the main types of chainsaws and what are they used for? This will be a helpful guide for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of chainsaws in general, or if you’re in the market to buy a chainsaw but aren’t sure which chainsaw type is most suitable for your needs. [Read more…]

Husqvarna 3120XP vs Stihl MS 880 | Comparing the Biggest Chainsaws

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Husqvarna 3120XP vs Stihl MS 880

Specs for : Husqvarna 3120XP and the Stihl MS 880.

In this article we compare the two largest chainsaws you can buy — the Husqvarna 3120XP vs. Stihl MS 880. These chainsaws are engineered for serious professionals, like loggers, capable of cutting massive trees with ease.

We take a close look at every spec to help you determine which one of these professional chainsaws are right for you. [Read more…]

How to Start a STIHL Chainsaw | A Step by Step Guide

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How to Start a STIHL Chainsaw

STIHL has made it easy to start and use their chainsaws. Learn how.

Learning How to Start a STIHL Chainsaw is fairly easy once you know the correct steps. In this article we tell you everything you need to know about starting a STIHL chainsaw and also what to do when your chainsaw won’t start. So, if you’re having any problems or you’re simply curious, you’ve come to the right place. [Read more…]

Best Chains for Your Chainsaw | A Beginner’s Guide to Chainsaw Chains

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How to measure a chainsaw bar.

What are the Best Chains for Your Chainsaw?

Chainsaws are extremely versatile tools, used in all sorts of woodcutting work from felling giant trees to ripping and resizing lumber. Homeowners use them for pruning ornamental trees, cutting overgrown branches, or firewood collection. The average user probably doesn’t use their chainsaw more than a couple times per year, so they don’t put much thought into the type of chain that they put on it. With occasional use, most modern chainsaw chains can last a fairly long time. And when they do get dull, you can always take them into a shop where they will charge you a small sum of 12 to 20 dollars to sharpen and refit the chain. [Read more…]

What’s the Best Chainsaw on the Market? Chainsaw Reviews

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What's the best chainsaw on the market?

A great compact 12″ battery chainsaw. (Buy from Amazon)

And the best chainsaw is…? There is no such thing as the singular best. Sorry, I wish it was that easy, but there are many factors that determine which is the best chainsaw for you, so keep that in mind when reading this buying guide. If all you need to do is prune your trees around your yard, well, a small compact battery chainsaw like the BLACK+DECKER LCS1240 is perfect for you. But if you need to fell 34″ trees on a regular basis then that is the worst chainsaw for you, and in the latter case I’d recommend something like the Makita EA7900PRZ1.

It’s important that you understand my philosophy about choosing the right chainsaw. Unfortunately, I’ve had many people who just want one choice without ever explaining what their needs or budget is. We’re here to actually help you make a smart decision for your specific requirements. We hope this article helps you make a decision you are happy with. [Read more…]

What is Chainsaw Kickback? | How to Prevent It?

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chainsaw kickback.

Basic principles of chainsaw kickback.

What is chainsaw kickback? How do you prevent it?

Kickback is the unexpected reaction that causes the chainsaw bar to jump off an object toward you. Kickback can happen very suddenly. It is when the chainsaw either swings back or jumps back at the user. Even a stationary chain will cut flesh. It is essential to understand kickback, what causes it, and how to control it using the right techniques. [Read more…]

Best Husqvarna Chainsaw for Homeowners & Landscapers

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Husqvarna 450 : Heavy Duty professional gas chainsaw

A classic chainsaw built to last. Professional quality. (Buy from Amazon)

In this buying guide, we delve deep and look at the Best Husqvarna Chainsaw for Homeowners & Landscapers.

When we selected the best Husqvarna chainsaw for homeowners and landscapers, it’s not because Husqvarna only caters to those needs. Husqvarna is a well-known and trusted brand. Their largest chainsaw is one of the most powerful in the world. It’s used by loggers to fell big trees at a rapid rate on the steep slopes high up in the mountains. It’s a tough environment that makes great demands on both the loggers and their machines. [Read more…]

Review | Jonsered CS2245 45cc Gas Chainsaw ǀ A Chainsaw for All Seasons

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Jonsered CS2245 : best gas chainsaw for homeowners

Practical features and solid engineering. (Buy from Amazon)

Welcome to our indepth review of the Jonsered CS2245 — a powerful 45c gas chainsaw that is reliable, well-made and easy to handle.

Generally, I’d expect to pay around $400 (give or take a bit) for top-grade 18” chainsaw. That seems to be the price range for the better medium-duty chainsaws of this size, with an engine of 45-50cc. This is why the Jonsered CS2245 came as a very pleasant surprise. It’s substantially cheaper than the much-loved Husqvarna 450 series and compares quite well to the Husky in terms of performance. [Read more…]

What’s the Most Reliable Chainsaw? Reviews, Brands & More…

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EGO Power+ 14-Inch 56-Volt cordless chainsaw.

Has proven to be an ultra reliable battery chainsaw. (Buy from Amazon)

What’s the Most Reliable Chainsaw?

Buying tools is something that I’ve been doing for decades. So, speaking from experience, I know that it’s not easy to determine what you’re getting before you’ve used the tool or machine for some time. When you buy a chainsaw, you’re parting with quite a sum of your hard earned cash and you want to know that you’re not throwing good money after bad rubbish. So how can you tell if you’re getting the most reliable chainsaw? [Read more…]

Earthwise LCS35814 Chainsaw Review | A 58-Volt Battery Powerhouse

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best cordless chainsaw

Powerful 58V chainsaw with a 5-year warranty. (Buy from Amazon)

Welcome to our indepth review of the Earthwise LCS35814.

Never heard of Earthwise chainsaws? You’re not alone, the Earthwise brand hasn’t been around that long – it’s only been around since 2006. I’ll give you a bit of a history tour through the company’s background in a while and this should enlighten you about the brand. Earthwise tools actually have a very long legacy behind them. [Read more…]