Chainsaw Safety

We have seen hundreds of customers with chainsaws in the past few weeks, many of whom are first-time saw owners. We make it a point to walk all first-saw chainsaw owners through the proper starting, usage and storage of their chainsaw.

First off, it’s important to have safety equipment. We recommend a helmet system (consisting of head, face and hearing protection), eye protection, thick work gloves, chaps and steel toed work boots. This may seem excessive, but we have heard of too many people have one slip and serious bodily damage.

A huge issue for first-time users is that they do not tension the chain on a regular basis while using the saw. If the chain is too loose, it will come off; if too tight, the chain will bind and overheat. All chains stretch with use. 

In the picture labeled chainsaw1, you will see a saw with an improperly loose chain. Do not run your saw with the chain this loose: damage can occur either to the chain, the bar or you. If the chain is hanging from the bar at all while not in use, it is too loose. Refer to the user’s manual of your specific saw, as there are different ways for a chain to be tightened, all based off the brand and model of your saw. 

In the picture labeled chainsaw2, the chain is properly tightened — when you pull up on the chain it barely rises, partially showing the drive links. If you are not sure how to tighten your chain and you cannot find your manual, bring your saw to your local power equipment shop, such as ours. 

We recommend that every user have at least one extra chain for their saw. That is because a chain can become dull very easily — accidently hitting the dirt, rocks or nails can instantly dull or damage a chain. If you try cutting with a dull chain, the extra pressure you apply while cutting can increase your chance of damage to you and your chainsaw. Your chain needs to be sharpened or replaced if you notice any of the following signs:

• The saw is cutting crooked.
• The cut shows fine sawdust instead of chips.
• You find yourself pressing down hard to keep cutting.
• You smell burnt wood.

Every saw user should be familiar on how to remove, replace and properly tension your saw. Also note that there are many different replacement chains for chainsaws. We often get an inquiry for an 18-inch replacement chain, but if we don’t know the brand and model, it’s a guessing game on the exact one to sell. Printed on the bars of most chainsaws are identifying numbers and letters.

In the image labeled chainsaw3 you can see the identifying information: bar length, drive links, pitch and gauge. Armed with this information, getting a replacement chain is a snap.

When cutting, never use the tip of the bar, as this may cause the chainsaw to kickback. Kickback of a chainsaw is when the teeth on the chain catch on something as they rotate around the tip of the blade. The teeth may have enough force to cause the blade to kick back violently toward you, hence the term "kickback." Always cut at the middle of the bar, don't saw with the tip. 

For more help, answers or tips, visit www.weldenhardware.com or visit our store.