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…]

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…]

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…]

Chainsaw : Complete Guide to Buying & Understanding Chainsaws

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top rated battery chainsaw on the market.

A newer brand that has proven itself to be reliable. (Buy from Amazon)

Chainsaws are an essential tool for most homeowners but they are also a dangerous tool that needs to be handled correctly. We know that many of you have questions about chainsaws so we wrote this comprehensive guide that covers every aspect of the chainsaw.

From the mechanics of a chainsaw to history, to safety, to chains, model reviews, brands and everything in between. If you have questions about chainsaws we have answers. [Read more…]

Chainsaw Links | Ultimate Resource Page

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STIHL Chainsaw cutting into a tree. Resource links.

As you probably already know, finding chainsaw resources online can be frustrating and time consuming, so, I took it upon myself to make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for.

Within this post you will find links to the most common chainsaw related resources on the internet. If I missed something, please let me know. [Read more…]

How To Sharpen A Chainsaw

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Article on how to sharpen a chainsaw

With a little practice anybody can learn how to sharpen a chainsaw.

Why should you learn how to sharpen a chainsaw?

If you use a chainsaw on a regular basis then you know that the sharpness of your chain makes a big difference on the speed and effectiveness on how your chainsaw cuts through wood. A dull chain wastes time because it requires more effort from you and greatly increases the time it takes to cut through wood.

More importantly, a dull chain increases the likelihood of injuring yourself because the chain is more likely to stick or get caught up in the wood, causing jerky behavior and an increase in the risk of kickback. In other words you want to avoid cutting with a dull chain at all times. Safety first!

[Read more…]

Chainsaw Glossary

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A fallen tree deep in the forest.

If you want to find out what some common terms are as it relates to chainsaws then you’ve come to the right place as these are terms you’ll frequently hear when people talk about chainsaws. Our chainsaw glossary will continue to grow over time. [Read more…]

STIHL Online Selling Policy

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Why STIHL doesn't sell chainsaws onlineSTIHL is one of the largest manufacturers of chainsaws worldwide, and undoubtedly one of the most reputable companies when it comes to producing and designing products. Their primary focus is on outdoor handheld power equipment, including: blowers, lawnmowers, trimmers, and many more. STIHL has been around since 1926 and seem to be in a constant competitive battle with Husqvarna when it comes to chainsaws, and other power tools.

[Read more…]

Learn How To Start a Chainsaw | Videos

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Husqvarna 455. A solid chainsaw for heavy-duty cutting around the home.

Learn How to Start a Chainsaw

Before attempting to start your chainsaw make sure you’ve read your owners manual thoroughly as chainsaws may vary in their starting procedure. Also, make sure you’re wearing your safety gear as well. The video above demonstrates how to start a Husqvarna chainsaw but the principles apply across all manufacturers.

Starting a Chainsaw

Remington-RM5118R-cheap-gas-chainsaw-firewood

Remington RM5118R Rodeo : An excellent inexpensive gas chainsaw.

  1. Engage the chain brake by pushing forward on your top handle guard (chain brake).
  2. Set your ignition switch to the “ON” position.
  3. Turn your choke on, but please read your owners manual as  manufacturers will widely vary on the proper choke operation.
  4. If your chainsaw has a primer pump, this is the point when you use it.
  5. If your chainsaw has a decompression switch, push it. Essentially, what the decompression switch makes it easy to pull the starter handle by releasing cylinder pressure. Again, check your owners manual.
  6. Make sure you stabilize the saw. The proper way to do this is by putting your foot through the handle.
  7. Kneel down, grab the top handle while holding the chainsaw down firmly. If you need to, you can start it standing up.
  8. Pull the starter cord slowly until you start to feel resistance. Once you feel the resistance pull quickly but hold on to the starter handle and allow it to recoil slowly. Repeat the pulling motion until it starts.
  9. Turn off your choke and reset the decompression button if your chainsaw has one.

Watch the video by Husqvarna to get a clear picture on how to start a chainsaw:

Videos | How to Start a Chainsaw

This article is not much of an article but I’ve found some excellent videos for you to actually see how to start a chainsaw. Sometimes it’s better to watch videos in order to learn how to do something. I didn’t see the point in writing a lengthy article on starting a chainsaw.

Watching one of these videos will save you a lot of time and frustration when it comes to starting a chainsaw.

How to Start a Husqvarna Chainsaw

How to Start A STIHL Chainsaw

Basic Chainsaw Starting Tips

How to Start an Echo Chainsaw

How to Start a Chainsaw after not using it for many years

How to Start a Ryobi Chainsaw

If you’re looking to find your next chainsaw, you’ll like these articles:

Chainsaw Buying Guide

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Best chainsaw for homeowners.

One of the best battery chainsaws thanks to it’s self-sharpening feature. (AMAZON)

The Definitive Chainsaw Buying Guide

Purchasing a chainsaw may seem like a daunting task for the typical homeowner or beginning professional, and if you’re just beginning to sift through the wealth of information online you’ll quickly realize that there are a lot of variables and options to consider when buying a chainsaw. That’s why I decided to sit down and spend the time to write you a chainsaw buying guide to provide you with clarity and direction so you can hone on on the correct chainsaw suitable for your needs. [Read more…]

Chainsaw Safety Tips | How to Use A Chainsaw Safely

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Chainsaw safety gear on a log.

Wear your safety gear.

Chainsaw safety is the single most important thing you need to learn about before ever starting your chainsaw. Manufacturers are continually trying to make their chainsaws as safe as possible with new features, at the the end of the day it’s your responsibility to educate yourself and follow proper operating procedures when tackling any project.

You must always wear your safety gear when working with a chainsaw and also, something that many people overlook is to inspect their chainsaw to ensure that the safety gear is fully operational.
[Read more…]

How to Remove A Tree Stump

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Product image of the NorthStar Compact Stump Grinder.

NorthStar Compact Stump Grinder — (Buy from Amazon)

A lot of people want to know about how to remove tree stumps from their yard. It’s a common problem that most people don’t bother dealing with but it’s not as complicated as you think. But there are a few different ways you can go about removing them and we’ll cover each one. They are:

  1. Stump Removal Chemicals
  2. Stump Grinder
  3. Chainsaw

Chemicals are the cheapest way to remove a tree stump but you’ll have to be patient. A stump grinder is a tool designed just for stump removal but they’re expensive. A chainsaw will also get the job done. I’ve included several videos so you can see how to remove a tree stump from your yard.

[Read more…]