5 Best Chainsaws for the Money

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Electric chainsaws, as well as gas-powered chainsaws, are equally easy to start. This guide is made for you to show you the safest and most convenient way with which to use chainsaws.

Fix the Chainsaw

• The chainsaw should be firmly fixed into its place. You have to put it on level ground using your right foot on the rear handle. This would ensure that it’s stable and won’t move while you’re working.
• You have to remove anything that is nearby the bar. 

Check the Chain Brake

• The chain brake is that element, the bar, which is found on the saw’s upper handle and it is part of the most essential components responsible for ensuring safety.
• The chain brake keeps the chain from turning around the saw’s guide bar in case of kickbacks.
• Always engage the chain brake first. That would keep you safe when starting your chainsaw.

Open the Choke

• Switch on the chainsaw by using the on/off button and activate the choke. In so doing, an abundance of the air-fuel mix would be provided to the engine.
• As the choke opens, the engine would be filled with a mix of fuel.
• In case your chainsaw has a fuel pump, press the bulb repeatedly. You can stop only when you can finally see the fuel. The fuel, then, would penetrate the carburetor. Before entering the carburetor, a vacuum is made by the fuel primer in order to get the tank’s fuel.

Pull the Start Cord

• Put your right foot in the rear of the handle and your left hand on the saw’s upper handle. Then, with your right hand, pull the start cord in a fast move.
• As the engine starts turning, push it back then pull up again.
• Squeeze the throttle once to activate the engine’s idle.
• You can re-do it a couple of time so that the engine gets much more fuel, but not so many times so that you can maintain the motor working.
• Put the choke in the right position, and let go of the chain brake when you’re well-prepared.

How to Start an Electric Chainsaw

• When it comes to dealing with electric chainsaws, all you got to do to start off is to push and hold the safety lock button.
• Simply, hold and turn on the trigger switch, and the chainsaw will start.
• For the chainsaw not to stop operating, you need to keep the trigger switch held.
• Always check your device’s manual. It will provide you with pieces of information that are accurate, appropriate, and exclusive to your chainsaw’s specificities.
• When it comes to your safety, using gas-powered as well as electric chainsaws requires the same safety procedures.

Before storing it, your chainsaw has to be thoroughly cleaned. This way, you won’t waste much of your time cleaning when you’ll need to use it even after a long time. Also, you’d better store in a properly cleaned place.

Empty the Fuel Tank

The fuel tank should be entirely emptied and thoroughly cleaned. The carburetor is the first to be emptied, as this would keep its diaphragms apart. Remember that the room in which you’d do this should be well ventilated.

Dismantle the Chain Saws

Take off the chain and guide bar. Then, make sure to clean them properly, and lastly, polish them using some protective oil.

Store it in a Dry Place

You shouldn’t keep your chainsaw outdoors; it may be damaged due to weather conditions. You’d better store it in a safe room. Pick up a well-ventilated, dry, and weather-resistant place in which to put your chainsaw.

Protect Your Chainsaw from the Sun

If the chainsaw remains for a long time under UV radiation, it would get damaged and become easily breakable. To keep your chainsaw shielded from direct UV radiation, put it in a secure place that sun rays would hardly penetrate.

Keep Your Chainsaw Dry Free

Your chainsaw shouldn’t be surrounded by dust. You can resort to some STIHL products to ensure your product’s safety.

Ensure a Safe Storage

Keep your chainsaw locked in a room or cupboard that other people, especially children, cannot reach.

If you’re onto making your own stuff (and you surely do), here’s a nice tutorial showing how to build a chainsaw organizer:

The bar oil is a fundamental element in machines that operate with an engine. It helps protect the chainsaw, preventing it from rusting and corroding, ultimately making it durable. To make your chainsaw further sustainable and more effective, it’s preferable that you get a product that is specifically made for your chainsaw.

A typical chainsaw uses for every tank of gas used one container of bar oil. For this reason, the bar oil should be hanged whenever you’re going to fill the tank with gas. In so doing, the chainsaw would last longer, would encounter fewer chances of friction, and the task of cutting would become more comfortable. Before you fill up, check that the power is off and lay it flat with its bar-side down. Then, detach the cap, put some oil, then put the cap back, and remove any unwanted extra oil on the sides.

Recommended Commercial Chainsaw Oil:

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There are several substitutes for commercial chainsaw bar oils, including:

Motor Oil:

You can replace the industrial chainsaw oil with many other options. Amongst these alternatives, the first to list is motor oil. If you’re a car owner, this is likely the easiest to reach, simplest and nearest alternative, whenever you fall short of any of the proper oils to use.

However, one of the drawbacks of using this oil is its environment-related side effects. Being based on petroleum, motor oil would harm the environment as it spreads around its microscopic droplets when using the chainsaw. As a non-organic element, it will also damage the trees, in case you’re trimming any.

You can as well resort to your already used motor oil after filtering it if you’re totally helpless. It’s preferable to take it when it’s warm to facilitate the filtration process. However, you should be truly aware of the fact that this filtered oil will not be entirely purified, and will always contain some remains of microscopic metal particles that would hamper your chainsaw’s chain and bar. This is why you’d better leave this as the last, desperate solution.

You need to use an oil type that is suitable for the weather, as the oil viscosity varies according to temperature. For example, and if possible, you can buy oils made for summer and others for winter.  Among the summer oils you can buy, we name SAE30. When it comes to winter oils, SAE10 is widely recommended.

Recommended Motor Oil:

Amazon Basics High Mileage Motor Oil - Full Synthetic - 5W-30 - 5 Quart, 160 fl oz (Pack of 1)

• 5 quarts of high-mileage full synthetic 5W-30 motor oil; ideal for engines over 75,000 miles and for longer drain intervals
• Prevents build up that can cause rust and corrosion
• Reduces friction for less engine wear; helps reduce exhaust emissions
• High resistance to viscosity and thermal breakdown

Buy on Amazon

Vegetable Oil:

The second alternative you may as well resort to is the vegetable oil. This oil, is well known for its high viscosity, although it can’t be used in winter and icy weather conditions because it becomes sticky. Unlike the previous petroleum-based oil, vegetable oil doesn’t harm your trees and the environment. It’s rather environment-friendly. As it’s known about vegetable oils, they’re relatively affordable and can be used to serve different purposes. Also, you don’t have to worry about it ruining your clothes as it’s easily removable.

Recommended Vegetable Oil:

Canola Oil:

Canola oil resembles vegetable oil at many levels. It’s equally cheap, beneficial to trees and the environment. In comparison to other known vegetable oils, it’s way too thin. This makes it leave the chainsaw in lesser time than other oils.  

You can find it anywhere, as it’s widespread. It’s such a good substance as a lubrication oil substitute and has many benefits.

Unlike most of the vegetable oils; however, canola oil is appropriate for colder weather conditions as its viscosity is more adaptable to cold weather.

Recommended Canola Oil:

365 by Whole Foods Market, Canola Cooking Oil, 101.4 Fl Oz

• High Heat Up To 450°F
• Our Canola Oil Is 100% Expeller Pressed And Smoke-Free Up To 450°F, Making It Perfect For: Baking, Sautéing, Pan Frying, Grilling, Sauces & Marinades
• Trust & Quality We Are Proud To Offer This Product To You Because It Meets Our Rigorous Quality Standards, Which Prohibit Over 100 Ingredients For Both Food And Supplements.
• 365 by Whole Foods Market products give you that dance-down-the-aisles feeling, virtual aisles too! Our huge range of choices with premium ingredients at prices you can get down with makes grocery shopping so much more than tossing the basics in your cart.
• An Amazon brand

Buy on Amazon

Drained Hydraulic Fluid:

Drained Hydraulic Fluid is also a possible alternative, yet it has a few disadvantages. The main downfall of the hydraulic oil is that it dries up sooner than any other oil type. You’ll need to add some of it repeatedly to maintain your chainsaw oiled enough.

You can easily obtain it if you have a machine with hydraulic pumps. Yet, it contains some polluting components. For this reason, this oil, as the motor oil, is also harmful to the environment, and it’s better if you leave as a last resort.

Unlike gas-powered chainsaws that necessitate a mixture of gas and oil fuel to well operate, electric chainsaws need electric energy. With electric chainsaws; however, you have to lubricate the chain and the bar with some oil. Gas-powered chainsaws and electric chainsaws operate with the same lubrication method alike.

Types

There are certain, specific oil types that are initially made for the purpose of lubricating electric chainsaws, and they are to be used only in the chainsaw’s chain and bar. Other oils such as vegetable oils and motor oils can be harmful to your machine.

Brands

Chainsaws are generally made with chain and bar into which to put oil, in order for the machine to get the best lubrication. Usually, companies create their own oiling system and provide their own oil substitutes, while some would suggest other oil manufacturers to use for their machines. Make sure to read your machine’s manual carefully.

Where to Purchase

Buying a chain oil can never pose a problem for you. You can find bar and chain oil anywhere as they are available and easily reachable. Amongst the places from which you can buy the chain and bar oils are home and garden stores, small engine and hardware shops as well.

Considerations

Although it’s easier to buy inexpensive and easy to use, as these oils may appear good enough for your use, they can prove harmful to your machine’s oiling systems. Just because a product is suitable for your budget doesn’t necessarily mean it’s effective, practical, and good enough. You may end up paying much money to repair your chainsaw.  You can have a look at one of the many tests that have been made by producers to make sure which oil is best for each chainsaw model.

Dangers

Inappropriate oils would damage your machine’s oiling system, and they would shorten its lifespan, no matter how long-lasting and durable they were initially made. The sprocket and the clutch assembly can get impaired as well. When the lubrication is too low, you will notice that the tip is getting alertly hot in temperature. In this case, turn off the machine and examine the oiling system thoroughly.

Your chainsaw needs to be appropriately oiled, and this lubrication is fundamental for its operation. Yet, don’t over-oil it; otherwise, you’d waste the oil in vain. When the oil adjustment is high,  and when you add too much oil would make it leak, creating circumstances favorable to dirt and dust. Stop the engine when you notice additional oil atop, and deactivate the spark plug wire. To diminish the amount of oil leaking, you have to turn the screw leftward and then, using a soft piece of cloth, clean the guide bar.

Any product can be a subject to leaks, and this can be a serious alert. Before deciding what to do with your tool, you need to follow some steps.

Source Identification

The first thing to do when you see your machine leaking is to stop whatever you’re doing immediately. However, it’s perfectly natural to have a tiny amount of oil leaking when you turn off the machine, as it is part of the machine’s working system. The situation becomes alert when you see a significant amount of oil being wasted. You can either resort to an expert or just examine the tool yourself.

It’s important that you secure yourself before starting anything. Protect your eyes with eyewear and get yourself some gloves, and don’t do anything until you’re completely sure that the machine is off entirely. Examine the oil tank; if you find the oil at its initial level, there’s nothing to worry about.

Possible Causes:

There are many factors that contribute to an oil leak, and each factor manifests itself in a different way. Pressure is the first among these factors, but it’s easy to deal with. All you need to do is to unscrew and re-screw the oil cap. If this doesn’t work, examine the rubber ring, the element that is placed between the oil reservoir and the chain, if it’s damaged, change it.

Another reason behind a significant oil leak maybe a cracked oil tank. In this case, you need to remove all the oil and clean it properly, then, add some thin water or oil so that you can detect the place of the crack. The crack can be fixed, or you can simply buy a new one.

This factor may be unexpected, but the manner with which you store your chainsaw can also cause oil leaks. To figure out the locus of the leak, put your chainsaw on cardboard when you store it next time.

Luckily, oil leaks in chainsaws can be easily repaired, no matter what reasons caused it and regardless of the locus of damage. Even in case you have an issue with the oil tank or rubber part, you may fix it yourself.

Bar oil types are not classified according to weight but rather classified according to season, that is, either summer use or winter use. You need to read your machine’s manual to know which bar oil is suitable for your tool.

Winter vs. Summer

Bar oil may dry up in both winter and summer, as it becomes thicker in winter, and thinner due to exposure under extreme summer heat, which can impair your tool. As a solution, chainsaw companies make sure that their bar oils are adaptable to either weather condition. Unfortunately, there aren’t any pieces of information about oil weights. The only information available is that of the University of Missouri Extension, which classifies SAE 30 for summer use and SAE 10 for winter use.

Vegetable Oil:

Part of the chainsaw’s working system is the oil leaks. Using petroleum-based oils would result in several unpleasant side effects and harm the environment. This is why it’s better to use vegetable oils, as they are rather beneficial. They maintain the environment clean and use about 50 less product than their petroleum-based counterparts. They can be used in both summer and winter.

The Standard

Usually, chainsaws use petroleum-based oils, heavy oils are habitually used in summer, while lighter ones are more suitable for winter use. Generally, chainsaws producers always make their bar oil ideal for both, to make them durable and ensure that they can be used for longer time. However, some fail to do so, and in this case, you will always find substitutes written down your machine’s manual.

Stickiness

The bar oil should run smoothly and cover the chain entirely in order to help protect the chain from potential damage. Thanks to bar oils, your chainsaw would be free of dirt and debris. You need to have a bar oil whose weight matches the weather’s temperature. To know whether or not it’s suitable for the outside temperature, hold the saw around eight inches from a tree stump or white rag, and put the engine at 75 percent throttle for one minute. Then, you will notice that the oil runs smoothly and you’d see a line just formed at the target object.

With time and excessive usage, you will notice your chainsaw’s chain becoming duller and duller. Sharpening it may help at first, but there will come a time where you need to change it altogether with a new chain. There are common symptoms that indicate the emergency of replacing the chainsaw’s chain:

Check for Signs of a Dull Chain

You need to know the intensity of the chain’s dullness, to know whether or not it’s critical. This can be figured out through several signs:

If you notice that your chainsaw’s performance is degenerating and that you’re starting to invest much effort to make the chainsaw cut through the object you want to cut, then it’s a sign that the chain is becoming weaker. This would not only contribute to damaging the engine and the bar because of the extra pressure to which they are subjected but also it will make the chain dull more and more.

Another indication of the chain dulling out is when it starts recoiling back, hampering the quality and the accuracy of your cuts. This means that you either have to sharpen the chain or change it altogether.

Smoke is also a sign indicating that the chain lacks sharpness is dulling out, especially when the oiling system is working well and the tension is correct.

The next symptom is when you notice that the chainsaw cuts only in one direction. This means two things: either the teeth are dulling on one side, or their lengths are not equal.

You also need to examine the sawdust. If you start noticing the chain making fine dust it means that your chainsaw is dulling.

When you start seeing one of these signs, although having sharpened your chainsaw, it’s no longer functional, and you’d better substitute the chain with a new one.

Check for Missing Teeth

When you observe harmed teeth, displaced, or missing teeth, it’s an alert that the chain must be changed. Though it may appear obvious, not everyone acts immediately as they notice this sign. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to change the chain quickly. You do still need to sharpen the chain and check if it’s really dull.

You need to figure out the right place where to put the chain from the beginning; otherwise you will have your work interrupted, and your time and energy wasted in moving and displacing the chain. This would render your job even more tiring and annoying.

Here’s a good video that summarizes the whole process:

Set the Bar

This is an extremely easy, simple task to do when you have to readjust the chain. It doesn’t require more than attaching the chain bar to the body of the chainsaw. Then, the chain will need to be slightly modified to function properly. Its length should be appropriate so that it would be fixed easily and used comfortably. When you settle everything, your chain is ready to be mounted.

Check Blade Direction

The first thing to do is checking whether or not the blades are in the right direction. When the blade’s pointy edge faces the way the blade rotates, this means that the chain is in the right direction.

The usual way it operates is by having the pointy edges turning above the chain bar, then taking the direction towards the tip of the bar, to finally take apart the body of the chainsaw. If the chain is not fixed in the right direction, then it’s likely that the chainsaw has become dull. It’s now ready to be appropriately used and set into place.

Tighten the Chain

It’s essential to appropriately tighten the chain in order for the chainsaw to work properly and for you to ensure your security. It needn’t be overtightened nor under tightened. Doing it adequately right from the start would facilitate the work for you.

We all have that idealistic image of a chainsaw cutting easily and smoothly whatever object. However, you’d rarely enjoy your chain running smoothly. What’s most likely to happen is the blade deviating from the initial, right position and taking on another direction. This may be an indication of a crucial issue, but it can also entail that your chainsaw requires some care and should be maintained.

Size Matters

When the chain is damaged, it often manifests through the chainsaw tending to follow only one direction. In this case, you need to figure out whether or not the top plates are equally sized. These top plates are located on the large part of every tooth on the chain. If they don’t share the same size, the long plates must be filed in order for them to fit. File them while making sure to maintain the same angles to get straight cuts. Otherwise, you’ll get uneven, curved and unsatisfactory results.

Sharp Smart

You always need to sharpen the chain’s teeth in order not to end up with curved cuts and have your chainsaw dull. To do so, you can either consult a technician or sharpen it yourself using a file. It’s advisable if you aim to retain the teeth sharpened for longer time, to get rid of any harsh objects, as they are more likely to impair the teeth.

New Depths

You will find the depths on the front phase of the saw teeth. They are meant to indicate how the depth of the chain’s cut. There are previously set depths by different chainsaws companies, for example, ¼ inch. Refer to your chainsaw’s settings, then using a depth gauge tool and a file guide tool, measure the depth gauges. Put the tool flat atop the chain, enabling a depth gauge to slide upward through the gauge’s slot. It must be leveled with the top of the slot. If not, file the taller ones.

Other Problems

You may still face problems with your chainsaw although sharpening and maintaining it, and this means that you’ll need to consult an expert. You may notice the bar twisted, and in this case, it would affect the performance level. Whether you can fix it or you have to change the chainsaw altogether depends on the gravity of the situation. It may also indicate that the dawg bolt is not on its adequate position. When the dawg bolt is misplaced, it would be subject to constant hitting, which accelerates the dulling of the chain at one side.

Generally, this is manifested mainly in two ways. The first one is by slipping while you’re using the chainsaw, or by failing to pull the chain. The second way is that they lock engaged due to weak spring or certain mechanical flaws such as rusting. In case of weak spring, the chain would spin at an idle even if the idle screw is too low.

Chainsaws may bog down as a result of several reasons the first of which is the carburetor, spark arrestor, or the air filter are not clean. Another reason may be that the carburetor has deviated from the initial, natural position.

The following section exposes the various underlying factors behind bogging chainsaws while suggesting some solutions as to how to deal with it.

High-Speed Screw

When the high-speed screw is maladjusted, it would be subject to additional and extra air penetrating the combustion chamber. This would result in extremely poor performance, with smoke invading the air filter.

You need to close the screw while making sure it’s not too far away from the engine; this may result in more troubles.

If you notice that the engine is overheating and is following a high pace until the piston stops, this means that the mixture is becoming more and leaner and leaner. In this case, you’d better use a tachometer.

Air Circulation

The spark arrestor and air filter should be properly cleaned before you fix the carburetor’s high-speed screw, as they may impair your chainsaw and hamper it if they remain unclean. However, most of the chainsaws’ producers won’t advise you to do so.

Start with the filter. Detach it, then clean it with soapy water or compressor air. If it remains uncleaned, then it’s high time you changed it.

Although chainsaws are not fabricated in the same way, most of them have the spark arrestor placed behind the muffler. You have to take off the muffler cover and clean it properly.

Clean the Spark Plug

To detect engine bogging, you have to first detach the spark plug, then examine it. In the case of bogging, you’ll notice that the spark plug is covered with carbon deposits. The spark arrestor will also be subject to excess deposits.

Adjust the Carburetor

Readjusting the volume of the fuel that the carburetor send to the combustion chamber is a complicated task with modern models of chainsaws. If the machine stops working, you have to tighten the idle adjustment. The high or low screw adjustment should be tightened if the engine bogs only when you depress the throttle.

If you’re buying your first chainsaw, then we recommend you go with one that isn’t too difficult to handle and doesn’t have a lot of kickback and vibrations. When it comes to maintenance, electric chainsaws tend to require the least amount of care. There are also chainsaws that have automatic oilers and chain tension adjusters. In fact, both of these features aren’t only useful for beginners, but also professionals as they can save a lot of time.

When it comes to safety features, you’ll find that most chainsaws implement a chain brake, or in the case of electric chainsaws, an electric brake. Both brakes serve a similar purpose, which is to bring the chain to a halt.

Another common safety feature is a trigger button, or in some cases, two trigger buttons. One button needs to be pressed when starting the chainsaw, and the other needs to be pressed whilst turning the chain. These triggers serve to eliminate any accidental actions that might least to some serious damage to the materials or the user. Make sure you look out for these features when you’re looking for a new chainsaw.

There is no clear winner here. On the one hand, gas-powered chainsaws are the most powerful but are also the hardest to handle due to how much kickback they have. On the other hand, electric chainsaws are easier to both handle and maintain. They’re also quieter, and so they tend to be better for smaller projects.

It’s also worth noting that there are corded electric chainsaws and battery-powered chainsaws, both of which differ a bit. The bottom line is, if the area you’re going to be working in isn’t big and has a power outlet, you’re better off with a corded electric chainsaw. Otherwise, a battery-powered chainsaw or a gas-powered one can be the best chainsaw for the money for you.

To sharpen and maintain your unit, here’s a video that you can follow: