How To Use An Electric Chainsaw?

If this is the first time you’re working with an electric chainsaw, study the components first. The user manual will help us learn more about the saw and how it works. Sometimes even different brands may have slight differences in the operation. The guide bar is like a support to the chain, which does the major work. The chain helps with the cutting. There is even a reservoir for oil. This oil goes through the chain oil cap and chain oil bulb. 

This helps in the lubrication of the chainsaw at time intervals. Then all the others are handles and locks. If our chainsaw is a corded model, we may need an external power source to run it. Else if it is cordless, it runs with a battery. These days it is the lithium-ion batteries that come with the cordless model. So learn the tool and its components before starting.

After studying the tool, the next work is setting the components. The most important part of that is the chain tension. If the tension is not proper, the chain can even breakaway in the middle of the cut.

One way of checking the tension is by pulling the chains. Pull the chain down from the guide bars to remove the links, and the chain gets released. When we pull it, if the chain doesn’t move, then the chain is too tight. While pulling, if the chain doesn’t snap back to its position, it is too loose. This is a simple way of finding the tension.

The oil in the chainsaw plays a significant role in getting smooth cuts. They keep the blade lubricated and helps the blade work smoothly. An oil level window will be there to tell us how much oil is there in the reservoir. The oil cap is the place where the oil goes for lubricating the chain. There will be a chain oil bulb in the tool which the user needs to press for oiling the blade. 

The wrong oil can lead to problems in the chainsaw too. Almost all chainsaw work with the standard SAE 30 oil. But refer to the product manual once to confirm it. Fill the bar and reservoir so that we have no disturbances while doing the job. 

If we have a cordless electric chainsaw, it is easy to carry it everywhere and work in the field too. But the corded ones may not have enough cord at times to reach your work. This may create problems when we work in the fields. So getting an extension cord will give the user more space to work with. If you’re out in the middle of the field, we can’t expect to have a power source there. So these extensions will be handy at those times. Having a generator will be useful as we can work anywhere by taking it with us too. 

Make sure the other components are right and working too. Set the blade well, also, as it is going to do our work. If it is dull, replace it for better results or sharpen it. There are specific sharpeners for chainsaw blades in the market. If you’re using a cordless electric chainsaw, make sure the battery gets charged. Having a spare battery will also be great as it would let us continue the work if the charge is gone. Setting the electric chainsaw will be essential before working. A single error can be costly while we work with the saw.

Now focus on the material getting cut. Measure the material getting cut, and mark the locations. A pencil or chalk would help and make sure the mark is visible from the position you’re cutting. This would help us do the cut with precision, and we may get the desired result. 

Now, as the tool is set, position yourself in a way the cut will be visible. There will be a safety lock button in the electric chainsaw. The user must push and hold it to make the trigger working. Now, as the safety lock gets engaged, the trigger button will control the chain spinning. Allow the blade untouched for a few seconds. Place it for the marked locations and press the blade against the material. The pressure applied must be stable and firm.

Applying too much energy on the chainsaw will not be right. So make the power tool do the job, and all we need to do is guide it on the path. Make sure to apply the same force until the end of the cut for good results. Remember to lubricate the saw blade at regular intervals like about once in 30 seconds. This will lubricate the blade with the oil in the reservoir. Some electric chainsaw may come with an automatic oiler that may do this by itself. 

After finishing the cut or trim, release the throttle. This stops the chain of the tool and then raise the tool. We may get the needed job done. If the user needs to continue, turn it on, and follow the above step again. Once over, turn the chainsaw off and remove the cord if its a corded chainsaw. 

Now don’t pack the chainsaw immediately after turning it off. The electric chainsaw will be very hot after working. So allow it untouched for a few minutes so that it gets cooled. Be careful as it can even result in minor burns on the user. After its cold or normal, pack it and store it. It is best to store the chain separately and the tool separately. Wrapping the blade is better as it is very sharp and can cause accidental injuries.