Electric Chainsaws Are Now Mainstream

I build handcrafted wood homes. The best tool for much of my work is the electric chainsaw. I still use my gas chainsaw for heavy work, but the electric saw is vital for most of the jobs I do. Electric chainsaws are not just for the home owner any more. Many carpenters who would not be caught dead using a chainsaw do not know what they are missing. Most carpenters view a chainsaw as a destructive tool and not one to create with.

Combustion power saws are extremely loud and can damage hearing easily if proper precautions are not taken. Many gas powered saws are rated over 100 decibels. I almost always reach for my electric saw because it is quieter. I still wear hearing protection, but I don't want to damage the hearing of others around me either.

So many jobs are easier and faster with an electric chainsaw. Next time you build a wall with windows or doors, try cutting the sheeting from the inside with a electric chainsaw. It is so much faster than pre-cutting the sheets or buzzing them out with a router. Cutting out the roof vents for shingled roofs is faster and easier with an electric saw as opposed to using a circular saw.

Having a chainsaw that you can use indoors is great. Sometimes you can use an electric chainsaw in place of a reciprocating saw, if there are no nails present. The noise levels are tolerable if others are working in the same area and there is no nasty fumes poisoning the indoor air. Just make sure you treat the electric chainsaw with the same respect for safety as you would for gas powered saws.

Before buying an electric chainsaw you should always research consumer reports and reviews. Compare the saws for power and durability. One thing I have noticed, is some of the cheaper electric chainsaws vibrate badly. The bar on some saws are too light and they shake so bad, that trying follow a straight line is impossible. Vibration in any chainsaw is also bad news for the blood vessels in your fingers. You can get a permanent injury to the small blood vessels known as "vibration white finger" if you use a chainsaw that has too much vibration for extended periods of time.

Electric chainsaws are great for cutting really long compound angles, that you could not achieve using a circular saw when cutting dimension lumber. For instance, cutting the top cuts on an irregular hip or valley rafter is really simple with a chainsaw. Just make sure that the piece you're cutting is safely secured in position.

Electric chainsaws are indispensable for sculptures of wood and ice. They are preferred because of their lightweight and lack of fumes. The sculptors often only resort to gas saws when they need more power or long chains for huge works of art.

With electric chainsaws the major drawbacks are that it should not be used in damp conditions and the saw is tethered to an extension cords. You should never run a saw on more than 100 ' of cord. This will vary on the rated amperage that the extension cord was designed to handle. It should match or be greater an the amps the saw consumes. Always have the saw plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter.

March 30 2011 | Electric Chainsaws | 2 Comments »

Is Stihl the Best Chainsaw Manufacturer?

Among the many choices of chainsaws, there is a body of opinion that Stihl is the best chainsaw manufacturer. Whether this is true or not, there is no doubt that Stihl ranks with the very best in terms of ruggedness and it's commitment to the professional logger or landscaper. Always, safety is of paramount importance, and Stihl has been at the cutting edge (no pun intended) in this regard. We came accross this article which discusses Stihl Chainsaws along with other brands. Take a look, and draw your own conclusions.

Stihl - Best Chainsaw Manufacturer

A chainsaw is a movable, mechanical and motorized saw. It is used in logging activities like felling, limbing, and bucking. Chainsaws started around the 1830's. Bernard Heine, a German orthopedist, was the known inventor of chainsaw.

Chainsaw is classified as a power tool. It is a dangerous machine if mishandled. Users must be fully knowledgeable of the machine before trying to use it. Know the parts and functions of each for your safety.

A chainsaw has the following parts:

• Chain catcher - this is a plastic or metal guard used to prevent a broken or derailed saw chain from hitting the operator.
• Fly Wheel - a weighted wheel which controls the engine speed and assists in cooling the engine.
• Clutch - it is the connector that controls the driving part of a saw
• Decompression valve - this allows easier starting by releasing saw compression
• Anti-vibration handle system - this relieves stress to the operator's hand, arms and joints.
• Hand Guard -plastic shield that protects the hands from kickback.
• Muffler - reduces engine noise.
• Chain brake - stops the chain when kickback happens to prevent injury.
• Throttle - regulates RPMs by increasing or decreasing the volume of fuel to the cylinders.
• Throttle interlock - this is a locking mechanism that prevents the throttle from activating while the interlock is pressed

There are a lot of chainsaw manufacturers in the market. Some of them are:

- Stihl
- Husqvarna
- Homelite
- Echo
- Jonsered
- Pioneer
- Makita
- Husky
- Ryobi
- BlackDecker
- Mcculloch
- Poutan
- Craftsman
- Remington
- John Deere
- Shindaiwa
- Partner

Despite so many competitors, Stihl remains one of the world's best manufacturers of chainsaws. Their products are versatile to hobbyists and professionals. Their wide selection of chainsaws suits the different needs of farmers, professional loggers, landscapers, construction crews and fire departments.

Popular Models of Stihl

MS 180 C-B has a fast engine and is easy to use. It has a STIHL Quickstop inertial chain break and an anti-vibration system. The standard chain adjuster is the Stihl's Quick Chain Adjuster (B).

This model was released in 2007, having a grayish or orange in color. It has the following specs:

- Displacement: 1.94 ci (31.8 cc)
- Horsepower: 2 hp (1.5 kW)
- Fuel Capacity: 8.5 oz. (250 cc)
- Oil Capacity: Chain: 4.9 oz. (145 cc)
- Weight: 8.8 lbs. (4 kg)
- Chain: Oilomatic®: 3/8 in. PMN
- Guide Bars: 12-16 in. (30-40 cm) STIHL Rollomatic® Mini
- Miscellaneous: Recommended Guide Bar: 14 in. (3005-000-3909) Recommended Saw Chain: #3982 (61 PMN-50) Oilomatic®

The price of this unit is definitely worth the excellent work output of this machine.

Choose the right chainsaw needed for your work. A unit may be too powerful but unnecessary for your needs.

For more information on Sithl Chainsaws and Husky Chain Saws please visit our website.

March 09 2011 | chainsaws | 1 Comment »