What Is a Chainsaw?
A Chainsaw is a two-handed machine used primarily for cutting wood. Its main use is to cut objects to a suitable size.
Chainsaw blades are strung together like a chain (saw chain), with sharp blades on the outside of the loop. The blades rotate at high speed, cutting objects more efficiently than with tools such as handsaws.
Anyone can use a chainsaw, but a bare blade can be very dangerous. Safety precautions should be taken when using a chainsaw.
Uses of Chainsaws
Chainsaws are used for DIY purposes, such as cutting wood, pruning garden branches, and making firewood. In the professional field, they are often used in forestry, lumbering, landscaping, agriculture, and civil engineering-related work.
Tools used for cutting wood include saws, axes, and hatchets, but they are manually operated and are very time-consuming. Chainsaws, on the other hand, are machines that rotate their blades at high speed, making it much easier to cut wood, and they can cut a large number of trees in a short period of time.
Principle of Chainsaws
A chainsaw cuts wood by rotating its blades at high speed. The main body, which contains the power source, has a long, thin plate called a guide bar, and a chain (saw chain) is wound around the guide bar. The chain is rotated at high speed to cut the wood as if it is being shaved.
There are engine-powered, rechargeable, and power-supply powered saws, each with different power and ease of use. Because the blade is exposed and rotates at high speed, it can be very dangerous if used or selected incorrectly.
How to Select a Chainsaw
Chainsaw selection is based on the purpose of the work and the working environment. Choosing the right one for the purpose will lead to improved work efficiency and safety.
When selecting a chainsaw, the following points should be taken into consideration:
1. Power Source
Engine type
The engine is powered by fuel. The fuel is a mixture of gasoline and engine oil. Powerful and speedy cutting is possible. Since there is no power cord, it can be used anywhere and can work for a long time by refueling. However, the engine is heavy, which is a disadvantage.
Rechargeable
Powered by a rechargeable battery. Since there is no power cord, it can be used anywhere. It is lighter than the engine type and easy to handle with low vibration and noise, but it is inferior to the engine type in terms of power. Cannot be used when the battery charge runs out.
Power-supply type
Power is supplied via a power cord. There is no need to worry about the power source running out, but the location of use is limited. Since there is no battery or engine, it is lighter in weight compared to other products in the same class. Power is inferior to that of an engine type.
2. Displacement and Voltage
Check the displacement for engine type and the voltage for rechargeable type. Decide according to the size of the object. Displacement and voltage are proportional to the length of the guide bar. The larger the displacement and voltage, the stronger the cutting force and the larger the size of the object to be cut.
3. Types and Specifications of Guide Bars
A Guide bar is the part that supports the chain that wraps around and rotates the chain. By selecting a guide bar one size longer than the size of the wood to be cut, the load is reduced and safe cutting is possible.
The shape of the guide bar should be selected in consideration of the application and function.
Sprocket nose bar
By rotating the chain with a gear called a sprocket, the chain can cut at high speed, but the durability of the guide bar is low. This is the most common type and can be used for almost all applications.
Carving bar
The tip of the carving bar is narrower, and instead of cutting at a slower speed, kickback is less likely to occur. Its light weight makes it suitable for detailed work such as pruning.
Hard nose bar
This is a highly durable guide bar. Cutting speed is slower due to the lack of sprockets. Suitable for felling large-diameter trees.
4. Type of Handle
Top handle type
This type grips the handle on the top of the main body and the sides. This type is used for lightweight type. Suitable for branching, etc.
Rear handle type
This type is used to grip the handle at the rear and side of the body. The space between the two hands is wider than that of the top handle, giving a sense of stability.
6. Professional Use and General DIY Use
Many manufacturers offer lineups for professional and DIY use. The differences are specifications and durability. Some manufacturers change the color of the body to make it easier to recognize.
Other Information on Chainsaws
1. How to Use a Chainsaw
To start an engine-powered chainsaw, place it on the ground. Hold the front handle with your left hand and step under the rear handle with your right foot. The right hand pulls the starter and transfers it to the rear handle as it starts.
Once the rotation is stabilized, the chainsaw is lifted with both hands. The object is then cut by pressing against the underside of the guide bar.
A chainsaw is a very safety-conscious machine. If this is your first time working with a chainsaw, we recommend that you take a training course appropriate for the type of work you will be doing.
2. Precautions When Using a Chainsaw
The following precautions should be taken when using a chainsaw:
- Stop the engine before installing the saw chain.
- The work environment must be prepared by checking that there are no objects or other workers that could cause an accident.
- Always use the main unit with both hands.
- If the upper side of the guide bar touches an object, the main unit will bounce back, causing kickback.
- Keep hands and body away from the saw chain and guide bar during use.
- After work, each part of the chainsaw should not be touched because it is hot.