Chainsaw Tips for Beginners | Step By Step Beginners Guide

Twenty-first technologies have birthed very useful and efficient machines such as the chainsaw. This machine has phased out the old days of laboring tirelessly with axes. Now tree cutting is a quick, easy, and effortless process. Beginners may however find it a bit challenging to use this new technology.
Although the chainsaw is a very useful tool, it may be very dangerous in the hands of a beginner. Being a inexperienced with chainsaw, you will find the tips in this post on how to use a chainsaw priceless. We’ve compiled handy chainsaw tips for beginners.

1. Choose the best chainsaw

Today’s market is so flooded with plenty of various chainsaw brands to choose from. When heard in adverts, they all sound worthy but not all of them live up to the standards they portray. This only makes the task of buying a chainsaw even more strenuous.
As a beginner, you, therefore, need to seek expert advice before picking any brand. It is also wise to get a popular brand that is reputable rather than just picking anything off the market. Be very cautious of the brand quality when purchasing a chainsaw. A good brand will help make the task easier. Read our Chainsaw Buying Guide.

2. Familiarise yourself with your chainsaw

Whether you shop for a chainsaw or have one readily available you need to familiarise yourself with the chainsaw you have. Carefully go through the user manual and familiarise yourself with all the chainsaw parts and their respective functions. Doing so is very important as it will help you establish how to best use your chainsaw. The manual will also highlight precautionary measures to take note of when using that particular chainsaw.
Below are some of the pointers to note as you acquaint yourself with your chainsaw.

● The limits of your chainsaw

There is nothing more laborious and exhausting than trying to cut a tree that is too big for your chainsaw power. It is of major importance that you keep in mind the limits of your chainsaw. A small chainsaw can only cut smaller trees while bigger chainsaws are useful even on bigger ones. The manufacturer will probably highlight this in the user manual.

● Chainsaw bar size

After familiarizing yourself with the limits of your chainsaw, you must now observe the size of your chainsaw bar. The bar’s size is very important as it also determines the chainsaw’s functionality. A chainsaw with a short bar is used to fell branches while those with bigger bars can be used for tree trunks. Knowing what you will require the chainsaw for will determine which bar size you need.

3. Clear your operating area

The last but not least thing needed when working with a chainsaw for the first time is any obstacles that may disturb you. So before you start working with your chainsaw, you need to scan your work environment, make sure that there are no obstacles.

You must also make certain that there are no people nearby who may be injured with the chainsaw. Ensure to check if there are no loose branches above you that might cause you to harm if they fall off. After you survey to make sure your work area is safe, you are safe to pick up your chainsaw.

4. Prepare your chainsaw

Now that you have made your working environment safe, you must also make your chainsaw safe to use. Start by tightening any loose nuts and bolts on your chainsaw. Lubricate all the moving parts with the proper oil as instructed by the user manual.

You also need to check the tension of your chainsaw. Make sure that it is neither too tight nor loose but with the right tension. Finally, check the chainsaw teeth and make sure they are sharp enough to cut through wood. If not, get the tools required to sharpen a chainsaw and do so. Else you can take it to a professional for expert services. This helps elude the dangers associated with using a blunt chainsaw.

5. Handle your chainsaw properly

It is of paramount importance to handle your chainsaw properly during operation to help prevent injury. You can either operate the chainsaw while placing it securely on the ground or place it securely between your legs. Maintain a tight grip on your chainsaw to avoid losing control.

6. Start the chainsaw correctly

After placing the chainsaw properly, you can now start the chainsaw. You cannot just start the chainsaw anyhow, rather follow the correct process. Below is a step-by-step procedure that you must follow to make sure that you start the chainsaw properly.

• Activate the chain break.

• Activate the decompression control.

• Activate the choke.

• Place the chainsaw. If placed on the ground, place your right foot on the back handle and use your left hand to hold the front handle. If placed between your legs, place the back handle between your thighs and use your left hand to hold the front handle.

• Push the choke and release it when the chainsaw starts.

• Finally, release the chain brake.

7. Cut with the bottom of the chainsaw bar

At times, beginners make the daring mistake of cutting using the tip of the chainsaw. Doing so is extremely dangerous and as a novice, you must avoid this at all costs. Chainsaws are heavy and difficult to control so using the tip will inevitably send the violent machine straight for your face. An injury is a thing you don’t want so you need to be cautious.

The correct method to cut is by using the bottom bar of your chainsaw. The rotating chain and chainsaw weight will pull the chain downwards into the log. Thus the best as well as the safest way to cut using a chainsaw.

8. Wear protective clothing

Your safety cannot be overemphasized, so when using a chainsaw make sure you wear protective gear. When you purchase your chainsaw, never overlook the need to purchase protective clothes along with it. The right gear of protective clothing will help protect your body from accidental injuries. It is expertly proven that the right gear helps reduce the chances of injury during operation by a good percentage.

Below is a checklist of all the protective clothing items you need when you purchase your gear and their importance. Tick off each item you have and get the ones you do not. Make sure you wear them all the right way.

A pair of chaps: These are protective leather leggings worn to protect the body. Purchase a thick

Safety goggles: Safety goggles or glasses help protect the eyes from flying objects.

Safety helmet: A helmet protects your head from falling branches or objects that may cause a severe head injury.

Protective gloves: This helps prevent your hands from getting cuts or bruises.

Protective footwear: Footwear helps protect your feet from any wood cuttings or sharp objects that may land on the ground

Hearing protector: The noise from the chainsaw can damage your hearing in the end and so protective earplugs will help prevent this.

Final verdict

Without these guidelines, using a chainsaw can be a very challenging task. With insufficient knowledge, you risk an unsuccessful task or, worse, a serious injury. This is why this read has been very important for you as a beginner.

With these handy chainsaw tips for beginners, any beginner can use a chainsaw like a pro. It’s not only getting the task done that matters but your safety is equally a priority. So make sure to use all these tips to handle your chainsaw safely.  Get your chainsaw and work like a pro.