Differences

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--- chsw:chainsaws [2025/12/06 12:31] – Dave Darby
+++ chsw:chainsaws [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-# Chainsaws
+This topic is part of [[gt:gardening|Gardening, smallholding & farming]].
+====== Chainsaws ======
-![](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/chainsaws.jpg)
+![Chainsaws](wiki:chainsaws.jpg)
 ---
@@ Line 10: / Line 11: @@
-## What are chainsaws?
+===== What are chainsaws? =====
 A chainsaw is a lightweight, hand-held mechanical saw mostly used for cutting timber – either felling trees or for cutting (cross-cutting – across the grain) logs to lengths that can then be split with a splitting axe for firewood. They have a petrol or electric power source that drives a specialist chain that has a series of cutter links built into it (you don’t find diesel chainsaws – the engine would be too heavy).
@@ Line 18: / Line 19: @@
 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-stihl.jpg)
 <caption>
- A small Stihl petrol chainsaw, ideal for cutting cordwood for firewood on the domestic scale.
+ _A small Stihl petrol chainsaw, ideal for cutting cordwood for firewood on the domestic scale._
 </caption>
 </figure>
@@ Line 44: / Line 45: @@
 ![https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-lantra2.png](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-lantra-large.jpg)
 <caption>
-Chainsaw showing safety features. source: [Lantra](https://www.lantra.co.uk/) (click image for larger image)
+_Chainsaw showing safety features. source: [Lantra](https://www.lantra.co.uk/) (click image for larger image)_
 </caption>
 </figure>
@@ Line 57: / Line 58: @@
 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-cordwood-delivery.jpg)
 <caption>
- Delivery of cordwood; an average household will need around 5 tonnes a year to heat their home.
+ _Delivery of cordwood; an average household will need around 5 tonnes a year to heat their home._
 </caption>
 </figure>
@@ Line 64: / Line 65: @@
-## What are the benefits of using chainsaws?
+===== What are the benefits of using chainsaws? =====
 Chainsaws are mobile, fast, easy (if sharp), and able to deal with various shapes. You don’t have to lift material to cut it – you can cut pieces that are too heavy to lift in situ, or cut large pieces into easily-transportable smaller pieces.
@@ Line 74: / Line 75: @@
 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-ppe.jpg)
 <caption>
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): helmet with visor and earmuffs, chainsaw gloves, trousers and boots.
+ _Personal protective equipment (PPE): helmet with visor and earmuffs, chainsaw gloves, trousers and boots._
 </caption>
 </figure>
@@ Line 98: / Line 99: @@
 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-sawbench.jpg)
 <caption>
- An alternative to a chainsaw for cutting cordwood – a tractor-driven saw bench (guard removed for clarity).
+ _An alternative to a chainsaw for cutting cordwood – a tractor-driven saw bench (guard removed for clarity)._
 </caption>
 </figure>
@@ Line 105: / Line 106: @@
-## What can I do?
+===== What can I do? =====
 Using a chainsaw can be very dangerous; if you’ve never used one before, it’s like trying to ‘strangle a baby crocodile’ – it wriggles around, and there’s a scary sharp bit at the front. So the first thing to do is get trained. See [Lantra](http://www.lantra.co.uk/ "Chainsaws") or [NPTC](http://www.nptc.org.uk/) to find a local accredited instructor. The first course you do will be ‘cross-cut and maintenance’, which includes safe starting, correct use, and maintenance – including sharpening and servicing.
@@ Line 115: / Line 116: @@
 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-splitting-axe.jpg)
 <caption>
- If cutting the cordwood for firewood, the logs are split on a block, with a splitting axe – fatter than a [felling axe](/fell/felling).
+ _If cutting the cordwood for firewood, the logs are split on a block, with a splitting axe – fatter than a [felling axe](/fell/felling)._
 </caption>
 </figure>
@@ Line 141: / Line 142: @@
 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-horse.jpg)
 <caption>
- Home-made saw-horse, on which you can saw cords (lengths of timber) to the right length to fit into your wood stove.
+ _Home-made saw-horse, on which you can saw cords (lengths of timber) to the right length to fit into your wood stove._
 </caption>
 </figure>
@@ Line 148: / Line 149: @@
 If you want to cut your own firewood, you could aspire to keep up to 20 tonnes in stock – 4 years supply for an average house. Then you’ll be sure it’s nice and seasoned.
-If you've decided you're going to get one, see our [further info](/chsw/chainsaws) section for more information on getting, using & maintaining a chainsaw.
+If you've decided you're going to get one, see our [further info](https://www.lowimpact.org/categories/land/chainsaws/further-info/) section for more information on getting, using & maintaining a chainsaw.
-## Further resources
+===== Forum =====
-- [Basketmakers' Association](https://basketmakersassociation.org.uk/)
+This topic belongs to the section [[gt:gardening|Gardening, smallholding & farming]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/gardening).
-- [Wicker Woman](https://www.wickerwoman.com/articles) - lots of patterns
-- [How to weave a willow basket](https://jonsbushcraft.com/basicbasket.htm)
-- [Woven Communities](https://wovencommunities.org/basket-type/) - beautiful site about basketmaking in Scotland
+===== Further resources =====
-## Specialists
+- [Lantra](https://www.lantra.co.uk/) - training & assessment in the UK
+- [Tips & tutorials](https://www.lowimpact.org/categories/land/chainsaws/further-info/) - including repair & maintenance
+- [How to sharpen a chainsaw](https://www.stihl.co.uk/en/garden-ideas-and-advice/power-tool-maintenance/chainsaw-tips/sharpening-chainsaw)
+- [How to operate a chainsaw](https://www.wikihow.com/Operate-a-Chainsaw)
+===== Related topics =====
+- [Tree/woodland management](wodl:woodland_management)
+- [Wood stoves](wdst:wood_stoves)
+- [Felling axes & crosscut saws](fell:felling)
+- [Rustic furniture](rufu:rustic_furniture)
+- [Round wood timber framing](rwtf:round_wood_timber_framing)
+- [Biomass boilers](biom:biomass_boilers)
+- [Masonry stoves & kachelofens](msry:masonry_stoves)
+- [Hedges](hedg:hedges)
+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====