Powerful tools that have had a huge impact on the timber industry, chainsaws are quite handy to have around at home.
If you have a garden that you wish to tidy up by cutting logs, overhanging limbs, and trees, these machines are your best bet. Also, if you require wood for construction procedures, chainsaws are superb for that. But how does someone operate one?
What is a Chainsaw?
This is a portable tool that can cut through both wooden objects and wood itself. “Teeth” on saw’s blade is a metal chain that can cut any type of hardwoods without any hassles. This chain has grooves and notches that help with the entire process. Also, the chain can last a long time if you take care of it using a chain sharpener.
How Does It Function?
A chainsaw is crucial to have because it is a useful machine for humankind today. It helps us slice through various types of woods for construction work.
If you wish to make use of it, you need to know how it operates, and how to work with it safely. You can either try a gas or an electric saw; the only difference between the two is the power system used.
Without a source of energy, these saws do not function. If it is a gasoline one, fuel goes into a carburetor and then mixes with the air. A mixture mentioned above of fuel and air is ignited using a spark plug, and it burns to release energy.
This energy assists in moving the piston back and forth, which is converted to rotary movement with the help of a crank and rod.
In electric saws, electricity reaches the motor. Then, this electric energy is converted into kinetic energy. Using kinetic energy, a similar rotary motion is created, using a crank and a rod.
From here onwards, both electric and gasoline chainsaws function similarly. Both kinds of saws have a driving shaft inside that guides the rotary mentioned above motion to the centrifugal clutch. This clutch will, in turn, transfer energy and power to the chainsaw’s chain. A sprocket attaches that chain and clutch.
There is a long plate of steel inside the machine known as a guide bar. The chain rotates at the edge of this plate. And in this way, the chain with its sharp teeth can cut through wood. The more powerful the tool is, the more wattage it consumes to make the best usage as possible.
Various Parts of a Saw
The following parts are what these machines are composed of:
- Gears
- Clutch
- Chain
- Battery
- Sprocket
- Guide bar
- Spark plug (in the case of gasoline saws)
- Engine (in the case of gasoline saws)
- Carburetor (in the case of gasoline saws)
Advantages
The best advantage of chainsaws is that they allow speed. Imagine trying to take a handsaw and make your way through a cluster of trees. As per calculation, it will take you 5 to 10 times longer to get the job done with a handsaw.
Another advantage is less labor. Handsaws will take more effort and energy to cut through every tree. However, chainsaws significantly reduce the labor required.
Disadvantages
Two concerns you could have with this machine is maintenance and safety. You may need to purchase materials for cleaning, such as a duster, cloth, ammonia, and more. Also, you could require a chain sharpener to keep your tool good as new.
Although you are pretty safe when operating a chainsaw, if the chain gets stuck on something, there can be a kickback. That means that the machine will move backward. This can be dangerous, especially if you are too close to the saw. Hence, you need to be alert and prepared for any kickbacks to avoid accidents.
Conclusion
Coming in various sizes, chainsaws are the best tool to cut through trees. Once you figure out how to use one, you could sift through electric chainsaw and gas chainsaw reviews before purchasing one.
Other Saw Related Article:
- Chain saw chain and bar measurement process
- Which Bandsaw you should choose for your work?