What Should You Not Do With A Chainsaw?

A chainsaw is a very powerful tool, but great power comes with great responsibility. If you don’t use it properly and correctly, it can either damage the tool or cause danger to yourself or both.

In this post, we will focus on the common mistakes and list out the “don’ts” for a chainsaw to answer the question: What should you not do with a chainsaw?

Do Not Cut Into The Dirt

If you cut something near the ground, you may risk sinking the chainsaw bar into the dirt, which can dull the blades as well as damage the chain. In addition, dirt can wear the sprocket at the tip of the bar as well.

Do Not Cut With Improper Blade Tension

Keeping the proper chain tension remains one of the most crucial things when you use a chainsaw.

The reason is that a chain too loose will likely come off the bar, posing dangers to the user. Improper blade tension can also wear out the drive sprocket while causing the bar and chain to wear rapidly.

You should check the chain tension by pulling upon it, if the drive links are still in the bar groove, it’s fine. But if the links come off the bar, it’s too loose.

Do Not Run The Chainsaw With Old Gas

If you are using a gas-powered chainsaw, you already know that it’s a high-maintenance tool.

Before putting the chainsaw away when winter comes, you should make sure the gas tank is empty and run the carburetor dry. Emptying the fuel tank also helps avoid corrosion, ensuring safety.

Never Refill The Fuel Tank When The Tool Is Hot

You should never do this regardless of the circumstance unless you want to set yourself on fire. The reason is that when the engine is hot, its heat vaporizes the fuel that’s being poured into the tank.

The vapor can ignite and the fuel you’re pouring may catch the fire. Therefore, always wait for the tool to cool down, at least 10 minutes, then you can refill it.

If it takes longer to cool down, just wait, don’t risk your own life by being impatient.

The Pedal Must Not Be Put To The Meta If The Brake On

A chainsaw often comes with a safety kickback mechanism that locks the drive sprocket, stopping the blade urgently.

The catch is you may accidentally knock the kickback handle, which activates the brake when setting the tool against a stump or a downed tree.

If the throttle is hit when the brake is on, the centrifugal clutch may burn up within seconds. When the chain does not spin as you squeeze the trigger, you have to stop and check if the kickback brake is on.

Never Try To Cut If The Blade Is Dull

You may not know this, but cutting when the blade is sharp can actually prolong the lifespan of your chainsaw. This is because a sharp blade can pull itself into the material while a dull one needs more downward pressure.

And when you apply much pressure in a cut, it negatively affects the bar, the clutch sprocket, the clutch itself, and the drive links.

Do Not Put Used Motor Oil Into The Chain Lube Reservoir

While motor oil is free and seems like a cheap way to keep your chainsaw running, you should never fill the chain lube reservoir with used oil.

It contains acid, fuel, soot, water, none of which is good for moving parts. This will also cost you a lot of money in the long run when you have to buy a new chainsaw.

Don’t Use Car Motor Oil As A Replacement For 2-Cycle Oil

Two-cycle oil is made to burn with gas and lubricate the tool. On the other hand, motor oil is made not to burn, but to lubricate only.

If you use car motor oil in a chainsaw, it will foul the spark plug and leave carbon deposits in the exhaust port, the position ring grooves, and the piston head.

Furthermore, there will be unburned motor oil spat from the muffler, creating a mess. If you run the chainsaw with car motor oil, you will cause the tool to wear down quickly.

Do Not Run The Chainsaw With A Dirty Air Filter

When you cut something with a chainsaw, there will be lots of dust kicked up. The air filter is responsible for preventing dirt and dust from getting into the combustion chamber.

However, if you don’t replace the air filter or clean it regularly, the engine will eventually suck the dirt into the combustion chamber, which results in excessive wear.

If you notice that the engine is weaker or the tool consumes more fuel, you need to check the air filter. While some can be cleaned, other filters have to be replaced. The cost of replacing filters can never be as much as that of replacing a chainsaw, so keep this tip in mind.

Do Not Use An Old Chain

For the sake of safety, you should not use an old chain forever, you should replace it every now and then.

Over time, the chain will be worn out and won’t be as effective or safe anymore, you should buy a new one then.

Conclusion

As of now, this post has helped you answer the question: What should you not do with a chainsaw? All in all, these are the most important things you need to avoid doing with your chainsaw.

By following our instructions, you will not only maintain the effectiveness and efficiency of the tool but also keep yourself safe when using such a powerful piece of equipment.