The Electric Chainsaw: Tool of the Lumberjack, and You

Nothing’s more satisfying than making your own pile of wood.  Before you start stacking those logs, get to know the basic parts of your electric chainsaw. Then learn how to safely operate and maintain your equipment.

Electric Chainsaw: Basic part

1. Guide bar and guide bar nose. Support and guide the saw chain.
2. Saw chain. This does the cutting.
3. Front hand guard. Helps protect your left hand.
4. Front handle. Hold on with your left hand here.
5. Rear handle. Hold on with your right hand here.
6. Rear hand guard. Helps protect your right hand.
7. Bucking spike. Help maintain a solid position when felling or bucking.
8. Oil level window. Indicates how much chain oil you have left. Make sure the oil level is always at least half-way up the window.
9. Throttle lockout. Prevents the saw from starting accidentally.
10. Motor housing. The inner workings of your saw are in here. Careful, this might get hot during use.
11. Throttle control. Gets your saw spinning.
12. Chain-tensioning screw. For loosening or tightening the saw chain.
13. Chain oil cap. Chain oil goes here to lubricate the saw chain as it runs.
14. Chain oil bulb. Press this every 10 – 30 seconds or so while cutting – helps the saw chain run smoother and prevents damage.
15. Power cord. It’s a good idea to loop your power cord and extension cord when connecting – so if either gets snagged, you won’t lose power.

NOW YOU KNOW YOUR CHAINSAW’S BASIC PARTS. NEED ANY OTHER CHAINSAW TIPS?