We Found the Best Chainsaws to Use for Any Project

To use a chainsaw safely, dress in clothing that fits snugly and covers your entire body. Use long pants, long sleeves, and closed boots and shoes. Other protective gear includes eye safety goggles, work gloves, and ear muffs or noise-reducing earplugs.

Next, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the chainsaw’s instructions before powering up the tool. Do not tackle a project that is outside of your skill level and never operate a chainsaw if you are fatigued, ill, or otherwise impaired.

Before you begin working, find someone to stand nearby and always have a first-aid kit on hand. Once you've begun working, make sure you work slowly and methodically and that you always have two hands on your chainsaw with both feet solidly placed on stable ground. You should never use a chainsaw on a ladder, perched in a tree, or another precarious spot. You should also stand directly in front of the object you are cutting with the chainsaw at a slight angle to the side. Don’t lean or bend your body to the side, and do not use your chainsaw to cut brush or tree limbs above your head.

It’s not difficult to sharpen a chainsaw, although it is a bit tedious. First, unplug the chainsaw or remove the battery and then engage the chain brake and clamp the bar of the chainsaw in a workbench vise. If necessary, tighten the chain by turning the tension adjusting screw. This will prevent the chain from turning while you work. 

Then wipe away grit and dirt with a wire brush and mark one of the chain’s teeth with a marker or crayon. This will help you keep track of your full rotation around the chain. 

Set the file in the notch directly behind the marked “tooth” of the chain. The file should be at a slight angle pointing away from the chainsaw’s motor. Afterward, stroke the file through the notch several times in one direction until the metal is silvery and appears sharp. Using the same angle for the file and number of strokes as this first tooth, repeat this on every other tooth until you get back to your starting point.

Now, you will flip the chainsaw over and reclamp it to your workbench vise.  Using the same technique, sharpen the remaining teeth, moving to every other tooth until you are back to your starting point. 

Next, check the depth gauge rakers. These are the small, slightly rounded points located before each tooth on the chain. Place a depth gauge tool over each raker in turn. If the raker sticks up above the depth gauge tool, use a flat file to file the raker level with the depth gauge tool. Repeat this until you've worked your way around the chain.

Finally, dust away any metal dust or scrapings, unclamp your chainsaw, and then reset the chain tension to your usual tightness. 

For even more comprehensive instructions, read our guide to sharpening a chainsaw.

Electric chainsaws typically start at the touch of a button, but it’s a little more involved if you are using a gas chainsaw.

To start a gas chainsaw, first, set the chainsaw on flat, stable ground with the bar pointing away from any obstacles. Make sure no people or pets are close by. Next, check that the chainsaw has enough fuel, the chain is at the appropriate tension, and the tool is in good working condition. Then use your right foot to press down on the rear handle, so the chainsaw is held steady. Now you can engage the chain brake, turn the chainsaw on, and open the choke fully. If your model of chainsaw has a fuel primer, press it several times. With your right foot still holding the chainsaw down, use your dominant hand to pull the start cord with a smooth, firm motion. Your other hand should be holding the chainsaw handle. Once the chainsaw engine begins to catch, close the choke halfway and then pull the start cord again. You might need to do this a few times before the engine fully starts. Then, adjust the choke to the run position and let the chainsaw idle for a few minutes until the engine is warm. Finally, lift the chainsaw, release the chain brake, and you are ready to work. 

To start an electric chainsaw, first, connect the power cord or battery to the chainsaw. Then place the chainsaw on flat, stable ground and use your right foot to hold the tool's rear handle firmly in place. Then engage the chain brake and safety switch. Push the start button until the motor starts and catches. Finally, pick up the chainsaw and release the chain brake, and you're ready to work.

To clean a chainsaw, first, place the base down on a stable work surface and make sure the chain is not touching anything. If it's an electric chainsaw, make sure it's unplugged from power. Then adjust the knob that controls the chain's tension until the chain is loose enough for you to remove it from the bar. Then you can use a bar groove cleaner and a pick, screwdriver, or compressed air to clear any debris on the bar.

Then in a well-ventilated area, carefully mix 1 gallon of water and 1 cup of ammonia in a bucket and soak the chain for up to 20 minutes. Once it's done soaking, put on a pair of thick rubber gloves and use a small brush to loosen and free any debris on the chain. Once it's clean, remove it from the solution and thoroughly rinse it under water to remove the ammonia. Dry it off as much as you can with a towel and then hang it in a safe spot to air-dry completely before you lubricate it. To lubricate the chain, let it sit in bar and chain oil for three hours on one side, and then flip it over and let it sit for another three hours. Once it's done, you can gently dab it to get rid of any excess oil. Then you can reattach it to the bar and tighten it to the proper tension.

While your chain is lubricating, you can clean the rest of your chainsaw. To clean the powerhead, simply wipe it down with a dry cloth and use a paintbrush and screwdriver to brush away or unclog any thick debris around the crankcase, clutch, drum, and bar studs.

On gas models, you'll need to clean the air filter, spark plug, and cooling fins. To clean the air filter, simply remove it and brush off any debris with a paintbrush. You can also run it under water if it's particularly dirty, just make sure it's completely dry before placing it back in your chainsaw. For the sparkplug, you just need to check if it's dark brown or black. If it's the latter, it will need to be replaced. Finally, for the cooling fins, you can use a screwdriver to carefully pick out any stuck debris and a paintbrush to brush off the rope rotor.