If you read our previous article, we have explained how to choose the right chainsaw size. Chainsaws are powerful tools. Some might even say that they are the most dangerous of all the saws. See, this is where some moves derive their names from. For example, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. These movies portray chainsaws in their raw and scary form. In this article, we aim to break down the parts of a chainsaw. We will see where chainsaws are made, how it works, and briefly describe how to use chainsaws.
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Our Recommended Chainsaws
Parts of a Chainsaw
If you are into tools and machines, you must be curious about how they work. This is the anatomy of a chainsaw. Every chainsaw will have these components. Do not open up a chainsaw to inspect its parts. If you are keen to know what is inside, go to a store and check the saws that are already opened. If you cut open a new chainsaw, you might make mistakes while putting it together again. A chainsaw has many parts. Our site will give you information on the internal as well as external components.
1. Throttle
This is the essential part of a chainsaw. It manages the speed of the saw. In a gasoline or gas chainsaw, fuel is regulated by this part. It checks how much fuel goes into the cylinders for combustion. More fuel means higher speed. Another essential factor is tank-volume. If the container can hold a lot of fuel, your chainsaw will be fast, by default. In an electric chainsaw, the throttle regulates the motor amperage. This is different from that of a gas chainsaw under your budget. Here, more amperage means high power. And this means higher speed.
2. Throttle Interlock
This is a security lock for the chainsaw. Once this is activated, it keeps the throttle lock. This prevents the chainsaw from being activated accidentally. Injury and damage levels are very high when it comes to a chainsaw. To unlock the device, the throttle lock has to be pushed down. There will be a ‘click’ sound. This means the lock is inactive, and you can use the saw. Remember to hold down the lock to activate it.
3. Chain Catcher
This is another safety part of a saw. The makers know how dangerous it can get. Therefore, always check these parts of a chainsaw before buying a saw. The chain catcher is like another additional lock. This is curated to hold the chain if it breaks while functioning. Yes, there are incidents where the chain breaks apart from the steel plate. The detached chain still has power running through it. This means it can even rotate once it breaks away. Therefore, these safety essentials are important for a chainsaw.
4. Chain Brake
Just like a chain catcher, this is important for the chain while it is rotating. As the name suggests, the chain brake immediately stops the chain. The chain brake senses an unusual motion and stops the rotation of the chain. This is mainly for protection against kickbacks. A kickback is a sudden jerk that passes through the saw. This happens if the chain or any part of the saw faces immense pressure or is pulled. You get two types of chain brakes. Like a manual or automatic car, professionals have their preference for chain brakes. A manual chain brake has a handguard. This has to be pressed in case of a kickback. The automatic chain brake is activated by inertia. It responds on its own to changes in the saw.
5. Handguard
A handguard is another external protection from the deadly chainsaw. This is like an armor that safeguards the users’ hands. Usually, chainsaws will cause flying debris like splinters and wood particles. A handguard keeps you safe from this. Also, a handguard will keep you from hurting yourself from this.
6. Anti-vibration System
This is a blessing period. A chainsaw can have a lot of impacts. It is a great challenge to control a chainsaw. The anti-vibration system reduces the stress on the users’ hands. It retains the vibrations from large chainsaws. Prolonged use of a chainsaw can cause pain and stress on the hands and muscles. The anti-vibration system significantly deducts the reverberations too. Older chainsaws might not have this feature. As chainsaws evolved, this system got better.
7. Muffler
This mostly comes with a gasoline chainsaw. The muffler serves the purpose of noise reduction. In the absence of this part, the chainsaw’s sound will render you deaf. It will be impossible to operate a chainsaw without facing hearing issues. This part resembles a real-life muffler too. But it is quite different. Therefore a muffler is essential.
8. The Chain
This is another import part of a chainsaw—perhaps the most critical part of the tool. A chainsaw is nothing without its sharp teeth and chain. This is what does the cutting and pruning. The chain has a very sharp set of teeth. The distance between the teeth depends on the size of the saw. Larger chainsaws have more dispersed teeth, they are the best big chainsaw teeth. The TPI or teeth per inch of a chainsaw varies. The teeth of a chain saw are very calculated. For best results, they have to be positioned at certain width and distance. The chain of a chainsaw is not one standard size.
9. Guide Bar
In simple words, this is the steel plate on which the chain is coiled. It is a metal bar. The metal used for a guide bar is of excellent quality. It holds the entire saw in place. This also positions the chain firmly while functioning. A chainsaw can move a lot while it is being used. The guide bar acts along with the anti-vibration system. It holds the saw straight to avoid uncontrollability. The guide bar is the backbone of a chainsaw.
10. Clutch
We mentioned the centrifugal clutch above. This is adjacent to the chain. The clutch keeps the spinning rate in check. It is located around the guide bar. The clutch is almost a smart feature of the chainsaw. If it notices the unusual movement of the blades, it will signal the user. This signal differs depending on the type of saw. The clutch can be manual or automatic. Professionally prefered best chainsaws with automatic settings. This lets them have control over the device. Otherwise, operating a chainsaw would be very complicated.
11. Chain Tensioner
This is chain adjustment. It is positioned around the guide bar. Once again, it is an essential component. Too much pressure is dangerous. You can keep changing this according to your requirements. Adjust your chain as per your need. Keep in mind that if your chain is too tight, it will not be as effective. The spinning will slow down.
On the other hand, if the chain is loose, there are chances of it falling off. The chain tensioner helps regulate and maintain the ideal chain size. If you noticed, most of the parts of a chainsaw are designed for safety. Chainsaws can be metallic monsters. Therefore you should make sure all parts of a chainsaw are functional before you start using one.
12. Flywheel
We spoke about controlling the speed of the chain. Now, the chainsaw also has something to control the motor. This is the flywheel. Another vital role of the flywheel is the temperature check. On constant usage, the chainsaw may overheat. If it overheats, there are quite a few things that can go wrong. For starters, the metal you are using the chainsaw on can begin to heat up. Secondly, the chain itself might heat up. In the process, you might even burn yourself. Chainsaws are dangerous by nature. Having additional heat to it will make it worse to manage. The flywheel gives the motor occasional breaks that help it cool down.
13. Decompression Valve
This is like an energy outlet for the chainsaw. It looks like an exhaust fan, but a metallic one. Chainsaw regularly processes and uses energy. There are a continuous give and take of air and fuel. Since a chainsaw is tiny to accommodate an actual exhaust, this is an alternative. It needs an outlet to release the excess and unused energy. Therefore, the decompression valve releases energy from the chambers. The air and fuel have to be clear before it enters the carburetor. This makes it easier to use the chainsaw. Think of the decompression valve as the exhaust fan of the chainsaw. Another functionality of this valve is the startup. The decompression valve makes starting chainsaw a piece of cake. You only need to pull the rope, and now your chainsaw will be smoother than ever.
14. Carburetor
This performs the fastest yet essential function. It keeps in check the fuel usage of the motor. The carburetor has to balance the amount of fuel that is being combusted. If you compare a chainsaw to the human body, the carburetor is the digestion unit. Before air enters the carburetor, it as to be purified. This is done by the next part along with the decompression valve.
15. Air Filter
The job of a filter is to remove dirt and keep the engine clean. Similarly, the air filter that is located inside a chainsaw protects the motor. There is a lot of sawdust and dirt floating around while using a chainsaw. This filter acts as a sieve that filters the air. It makes sure that all dust is removed. It allows clean air to enter the motor. Therefore, you need a filter to clog the soil.
16. Choke Valve
This is like a jump start for the chainsaw. This works along with the decompression valve. Two-wheelers have a backup start in case the ignition does not work. This is the same for a chainsaw. The choke valve will push out all excess air that is trapped in the engine. It also balances the ratio of air to fuel. Then, it uses fuel and air to kickstart the chainsaw. This is perhaps the only part that is not directly related to safety. This is inclined more towards better functioning of the saw.
16. Bucking Spikes
This is a lesser-known part of the chainsaw. This is an additional component for most people. It helps to make straight cuts and bite through hard materials. This is not a necessity. Many people avoid investing in bucking spikes. We had spoken about chainsaw kickbacks in the points above. The spikes stop kickbacks when it is doing heavy-cutting. They have quite a few market names. Bucking spikes is a lesser-known name. The market terms for this are ‘bumper spikes or dogs.’ These are quite cool names for a chainsaw part.
As you can see, a chainsaw has extensive autonomy. It has a total of sixteen parts in a chainsaw. Each part is needed for the betterment of the other. Therefore you cannot compromise on any. Before you purchase a chainsaw, make sure to check for all these parts of a chainsaw. The first few parts of a chainsaw are essential for the safety of the user and the tool.
Word of Caution
Purchase or wear safety gear. We don’t want to compromise on safety. You need elaborate safety gear. A good safety kit is a need, not a want. Even if you are working with any other tool instead of a chainsaw, you should buy a safety kit. Safety goggles: You have to protect your eyes from any debris and unexpected strikes. Wear eye protection to reduce the risk of serious injury from flying debris.
Special eye protection gear is available online. These are not only specific for a chainsaw. Safety Google can be used while working with multiple tools. There are high chances that you might injure your eyes. Safety gloves are used to guard your hands against a hammer blow. These gloves are not regular thin gloves. These are thick gloves designed to protect from tools impact. Make sure you do not proceed unless you have the essential safety gear. Noise-canceling headphones are another need. Exposure to loud noise can cause hearing loss. So, wear ear protection when using a chainsaw.
Final Thought
This article gave you a whole range of details on the chainsaw. Regardless of what type of saw you use, make sure to wear safety equipment. We want to end by reminding you about the importance of lubrication. You should use the best lubricating oil for your machines. Maintain your devices so that they give you the best results.
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