chsw:chainsaws

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chsw:chainsaws [2025/12/06 12:36] – Dave Darbychsw:chainsaws [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# 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)
  
 --- ---
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-## 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). 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).
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-stihl.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-stihl.jpg)
 <caption> <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> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 ![https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-lantra2.png](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-lantra-large.jpg)  ![https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-lantra2.png](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-lantra-large.jpg) 
 <caption> <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> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-cordwood-delivery.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-cordwood-delivery.jpg)
 <caption> <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> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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-## 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. 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.
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-ppe.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-ppe.jpg)
 <caption> <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> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-sawbench.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-sawbench.jpg)
 <caption> <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> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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-## 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. 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.
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-splitting-axe.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-splitting-axe.jpg)
 <caption> <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> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-horse.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/chainsaws-horse.jpg)
 <caption> <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> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 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 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 ===== 
 + 
 +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). 
 + 
 +===== Further resources =====
  
 - [Lantra](https://www.lantra.co.uk/) - training & assessment in the UK - [Lantra](https://www.lantra.co.uk/) - training & assessment in the UK
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-## Specialists+ 
 +===== 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 =====
  
  
  • chsw/chainsaws.1765024603.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2025/12/06 12:36
  • by Dave Darby