Homeowners who use wood stoves know that they can save money if they gather and cut their own firewood. Cutting wood can be major work. One tool that can make the job easier is a chain saw.
Many weekend woodcutters are afraid to use chain saws because they seem like a dangerous tool. Undoubtedly any tool that can quickly slice through a 10-inch log poses a risk to a careless or an unskilled user.Manufacturers have introduced features like antikick nose guards, quick-stop brakes, vibration dampers and wraparound hand guards.
When the blade, particularly the nose, hits an obstruction, motor torque can arc the saw backward toward the operator. That kickback accounts for almost one-third of all chain saw accidents.
Antikick nose guards, quick-stop brakes and wraparound hand guards can help reduce the hazard. Quick-stop brakes can also lock the chain.
Powerful motors are prone to vibration that can worsen when starting to cut a log. Excessive vibration can lead to fatigue and numbness. Prolonged exposure can cause traumatic vasospastic disease, a problem for professional loggers.
Safety features can never substitute for knowledge and skill. Look for a dealer who will demonstrate how to use the tool. After buying a saw, read the manual.
Before buying, consider the models and balance the features against what is needed. Price will probably be a consideration, and it can be a rough indication of quality. Lower-price models usually have lightweight construction and are suitable just for occasional use. For major woodcutting invest in a heavy-duty saw.
Chain saws are available with various cutting-bar lengths. The chain is mounted on the bar. For most weekend woodcutters a saw with a cutting bar from 12 to 20 inches may be good. Saws longer than 25 inches may be difficult to handle.
The best way to evaluate a saw is to borrow it for a test. If that is not possible, try to rent a comparable model. Again, make sure to obtain instructions first.
When testing consider weight and balance. Make sure that all controls are simple to operate and accessible to the control hand.
Inspect the motor housing. There should be no sharp corners or protruding parts that could snag clothing or brush. All moving parts, linkages, oil lines and rotating parts, except, of course, the chain, should be enclosed.
On gasoline-powered saws the muffler should be enclosed in a protective shield and the exhaust ducts should direct smoke and exhaust gases away from your face.
Electric chain saws are also available, and they can be a good choice for limited chores. Electric saws are frequently lightweight and easy to handle and are generally less noisy than the gasoline-powered saws. Make sure that electric models are double insulated.
Besides the chain saw you will also need personal safety gear. Chain saws throw up sawdust, dirt and, occasionally, metal particles. That means safety goggles are essential. A full-face shield is even better. Chain saws can easily exceed noise levels of 100 decibels, making ear protection necessary, too. Earplugs can be effective, but many users find that the more expensive earmuffs are easier to put on and fit better.
The safety equipment should also include sturdy work gloves. Besides cushioning the hands from vibration they can also protect from blisters, splinters and motor burns. Invest in a pair of high-quality leather gloves with double palms, if possible. Some logging-supply catalogs offer heavy-duty woodcutters' gloves with ballistic fabric, the same synthetic fabric in bulletproof vests, sewn into the backs. These gloves are expensive. Some cost more than $100. But they can protect the hands from chain saw lacerations.
Do not forget the feet. Wear heavy-duty work boots. Sturdy boots with steel caps can protect from chain saw cuts and from falling log ends.
Also invest in a sharpening guide. A good guide can cost less than $30.
It might seem that having the saw sharpened at the beginning of the season would suffice, but that is not the case. Trees and logs are often covered with grit that can quickly take the edge off the teeth. Brushing the wood with a stiff wire brush can help. But even so the teeth can lose their edge after a day's cutting. Professionals usually carry small files and periodically sharpen the chains.
File guides help maintain the proper angle and depth when sharpening. Some models chuck into portable electric drills.