A 14- to 16-inch chainsaw is a good length for a homeowner. That’s long enough to limb up trees, cut down small trees, and cut most firewood, but it’s also short enough that it’s easy to use in a pinch. If you don’t have a chain saw, you can also use a hand saw or a circular saw.
You’ll want to make sure that the saw blade is at least 1/2 inch longer than the blade you’re using to cut the wood. If your saw is too short, it won’t cut as much wood as you’d like, so you’ll need to increase the length of your blade.
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How do I know what size chainsaw I need?
To find the length of your chainsaw bar, measure it from its front tip all the way back to the cutter closest to the body of the saw. If you are using a chain saw, you will also need to measure the distance between the blade and the cutting head.
This distance is called the “cut-off” distance, and it is measured from the center of one side of a saw blade to a point on the opposite side. If your saw has two blades, the cut off distance will be twice as long for each blade.
What size tree can you cut with 18 inch chainsaw?
A 16 inch diameter tree can be cut in a single pass with an 18 inch chainsaw. If you are cutting a tree that is at least 18 inches in diameter, your chainsaw bar should be at least 2 inches longer than the tree’s diameter.
Chainsaws and saws are similar in that they both use a rotating blade to cut through wood. However, chainsaws are much more powerful and can be used for a wide variety of tasks. The main difference between the two is in the type of blade they use.
Is a 14 or 16 chainsaw better?
Depending on the thickness of the tree trunk, a chainsaw can be used to cut down small trees in a yard or garden. You can see my guide to chainsaws. When splitting logs into firewood, a chainsaw of about 14″ to 16” will usually do the trick, unless the logs are very thick.
If you are going to cut down a tree, make sure you have the right tools and know how to use them. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could end up with a big mess.
How big of a log can you cut with a 14 inch chainsaw?
A chainsaw with a 10 – 14 – inch bar is capable of felling a large tree (preferably under 20 inches in diameter) or blocking up firewood. If the diameter is higher than the guide bar length, a saw with a less powerful engine will be needed to cut through the wood.
The saw blade is made from a single piece of steel, which is cut to the proper length to fit the bar. The steel is then hardened to a high degree of hardness, and the saw is ready to be used.
Is a 16 inch chainsaw big enough?
If you plan to use a chainsaw for jobs more moderate than occasional light cutting, then consider a chainsaw with a 16- or 18-inch-long cutting bar. A general-purpose chainsaw is ideal for homeowners who will use the tool to cut through thick wood.
Some chainsaws with long cutting bars can be used for heavy-duty work, such as sawing through heavy lumber, but they are not recommended for use on a regular basis. For this reason, it’s a good idea to choose a chain saw that has a bar that is at least 16 inches long.
How many cc do I need in a chainsaw?
If you’re working up several cords of firewood a year, you’ll want a saw that can cut between 45 and 55 square centimeters. If you want to harvest more than one cord of wood at a time, it’s a good idea to make sure your saw has enough power to cut both cords at the same time.
For example, if you have a 50-cubic-centimeter saw that can cut up to two cords a minute, then you need to have at least a 60-cm-diameter saw blade with a blade-to-shaft ratio of 1.5:1. This means that the blade has to be able to slice through wood that is as thick as 1-1/2 inches, and as thin as 0.25 inches.
You’ll also need a cord cutter, which is a tool that cuts the cord into smaller pieces so that you don’t have to worry about cutting too much wood.
How do I choose a chainsaw chain?
Before choosing a chainsaw chain, you need to know the pitch, gauge, and number of drive links. Everything else about the choice is dependent on what you prefer. The average distance between two rivets is called pitch. Gauge is a measurement of how much force is required to cut through the material.
For example, a chain with a gauge of 1.0 would require 1,000 lbs. of force to break it. Drive links are the links that connect the two ends of your chain to each other. Drive links can be made of steel, aluminum, copper, brass, or any other material that is strong enough to withstand the force of a cutting tool.
If you are going to use a steel or aluminum drive link, make sure that it is at least 1/2″ in diameter. You can also make your own by cutting a 1-1/4″ diameter hole in a piece of wood and drilling a 3/8″ hole at the other end.
Can an electric chainsaw cut down a tree?
Powerful gas chainsaws are great for cutting down medium and large trees, while corded electric chainsaws or battery-powered chainsaws are great for smaller trees.
