A chainsaw is a portable mechanical saw powered by a gasoline engine or electric motor, using a rotating chain with sharp teeth to cut wood. Chainsaws are among the most essential pieces of power equipment on a homestead, used for tree felling, limbing, bucking firewood, storm cleanup, and milling lumber. The modern chainsaw was patented by Andreas Stihl in 1926 and has since become the standard tool for all forms of timber work.
Gasoline chainsaws are the most common type for homestead use. They range in engine displacement from 30 cc to 120 cc. Smaller saws (30 to 45 cc) are used for limbing and light cutting. Mid-range saws (45 to 70 cc) handle general firewood production and felling of trees up to 60 centimeters in diameter. Large saws (70 cc and above) are used for large timber and milling. Gas saws offer unrestricted mobility and the highest power-to-weight ratio.
Electric chainsaws are powered by corded electricity or battery packs. Corded electric saws provide unlimited runtime but require proximity to an outlet. Battery-powered saws offer cordless convenience with runtime limitations. Electric saws are quieter, lighter, and require less maintenance than gas saws but lack the power for sustained heavy cutting.
Chainsaws are used for felling trees for timber and firewood, bucking logs into stove-length pieces, limbing and pruning, storm damage cleanup, and slabbing or milling lumber with an attachment or dedicated mill.
Chainsaw maintenance centers on the cutting chain and bar. The chain must be kept sharp for efficient cutting and safe operation. Chain tension should be checked before each use as a loose chain can derail and damage the bar. The bar groove and oiler port must be kept clean. Air filters on gas saws require periodic cleaning. Two-stroke engines require the correct fuel-oil mixture, typically 50:1 for modern saws.
Chainsaws are among the most dangerous handheld tools. Required safety equipment includes chainsaw chaps, a safety helmet with face screen, hearing protection, and gloves. Kickback, in which the bar tip contacts an object and drives the saw upward toward the operator, is the leading cause of chainsaw injuries.