Chainsaw Shopping: How to Buy a Chainsaw That's Right for You

For the last few weeks, I've been spending a lot of time outdoors in my mom's garden. Ooops, did I say garden? I meant overgrown jungle. With just under an acre of property, this unmaintained space has somehow transformed from the garden I remember as a child to a forest, complete with ferns, wild blackberries galore, and wild grapevines taking over the canopy. (Our property has a canopy? Holy crap!) As you might be able to guess, it didn't take us long to realize that even a high-powered gas weed whacker wasn't going to cut it. Our first step was using hand tools to clear paths through the undergrowth, but soon we realized that higher power tools, specifically a chainsaw, would be required.

I didn't know anything about chainsaws, save that there's a movie I haven't seen called the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. So I said, fine, we'll just go buy one. I didn't understand why my friend started laughing until I did some research and saw the prices. Bottom of the line chainsaws at Wal-Mart start at $100, and even I, not a chainsaw aficionado, know that buying the cheapest of a dangerous tool is probably not a good idea! If you're like me and you're in a position where you have work to do that just can't be done without a chainsaw, but you don't want to pay the big bucks to hire a professional until it's strictly necessary, this is the article for you. We'll talk about when to buy a chainsaw and how to decide which chainsaw to buy.

First, do you actually need to purchase the chainsaw? This might sound like a silly question, considering you are reading this article about buying a chainsaw, but it's a reasonable question. Can you borrow a chainsaw from a friend or neighbor? If you only have a few things to do with the chainsaw on your property, you may very well be able to get away with borrowing a saw for a long weekend. If you do go this route, make sure the owner demonstrates all the necessary functions to you: starting the chainsaw, safety features, adding fuel, and adding chain oil. If the chainsaw using a mixed fuel system, make sure you understand how to replace this mixture.

If you determine that you have much too much work to do with the chainsaw and that borrowing one would prefer to be too inconvenient, then you will need to purchase one. Before heading out to the door, consider this: what do you need to do with the chainsaw. Do you need to do some heavy duty pruning that pruning shears won't touch? Can you do all your work within 100 feet of an electrical outlet? An electric chainsaw might be a good bet for you. Need to work out in the woods or have heavier duty work? Consider a gas chainsaw because they tend to be more powerful and you won't be constrained by an electric cord.

What you need to cut also determines the bar length of your new chainsaw. Most of us can get by with a 16 inch blade, though you may wish to go with an 18 inch one if you will be chopping down medium-sized trees. You can also check to see if your chainsaw will allow longer bar replacements should you decide to go with a longer bar. You will likely never need a 36 inch bar, so don't even think about it. Women probably shouldn't go longer than 18 inch purely based on weight, which is another thing you need to consider. Weight might not seem like an issue, but believe me, after hefting that thing up and making some cuts, you'll soon realize how all important it is. You don't want a flimsy lightweight machine, but neither do you want one so heavy that you can only stand to lift it for a few minutes before your arms turn to jelly.

Finally, now that you've decided that you do need to buy a chainsaw, settle on a price range. If you can afford to spend $300 plus dollars, go out and get a good quality Stihl or Husqavarna. (See reviews: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1585181/chainsaw_reviews.html?cat=6). If you have fairly light chainsaw requirements and aren't as concerned with longevity of your tool, you can get a decent Poulan tool in the $150 price range. Only have $50 to spare? Start scouring Craigslist, yard sales, and flea markets to find a tool, preferably of one of the brands mentioned above. Even if you have to spring $10 to get the bar sharpened, or even buy a new bar at $20, give or take, it's still going to save you some cash. If you go the used route, make sure that the owner shows you all the features mentioned above, and be leery of purchasing any machine that you can't start up before you buy. (Need to sharpen a bar? This AC provider tells you how: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/638331/how_to_sharpen_a_chainsaw_pg2.html?cat=6.)

But, wait, before you rush out, please consider this: chainsaws are dangerous machines and should not be taken lightly. Why do you think horror movies and haunted houses love the chainsaw? You could do some serious damage with one of these bad boys, so do not purchase a chainsaw if you are: 1) psychotic, 2) under the age of consent, 3) unwilling to take safety precautions, or 4) cutting down any trees with a diameter larger than, say, 5 inches. Otherwise, enjoy your new chainsaw and be careful!