Many people assume that all chainsaws look and act alike, but regular users and professionals know that each type of chainsaw has its own mannerisms and characteristics. Not all chainsaws are designed and built the same, in order to serve a wide variety of needs and wants. However, these differences also make selecting the right chainsaw for someone all the more difficult, especially if you don't exactly know what you're looking for. But if you're a seasoned user or a professional, then you probably already have an idea of what you're looking for in a chainsaw.
People who have no idea what they're looking for tend to buy the biggest or flashiest chainsaw, usually due to repeated prodding from desperate salespeople looking to make a sale. These are the sort of people that think that chainsaws are all the same. However, as you'll soon find out, not all chainsaws are made equal. When choosing a chainsaw without much thought, they will quickly realise that the model they chose is often too powerful or too weak for their intended purpose.
There are dozens of manufacturers to choose from and even hundreds of chainsaws for sale available on the market. You can buy a chainsaw from online shops and brick-and-mortar stores, depending on your preference. People looking to buy a chainsaw are bound to feel overwhelmed and confused. I wrote this guide for the layperson who happens to need a chainsaw. If you're a professional or a seasoned user, however, you won't find new information within this guide.
There are a few considerations you have to make before you can finally choose the right chainsaw for your needs. For one you will have to consider your budget: How much are you willing to spend for a good chainsaw? I also suggest thinking about the safety features that you want in your chainsaw. Do you have enough experience and knowledge to safely and properly operate a chainsaw? What kind of environment do you want to use your chainsaw in? What kind of cutting work are you looking at? These are just some of the questions you have to ask. Let's discuss these factors one by one.
Ask yourself: What do you need a chainsaw for? What kind of cutting work are you looking at? Your reason for buying a chainsaw is one of the most important factors you have to consider. There are many kinds of cutting work that use a wide variety of chainsaws. For instance, a chainsaw used for felling trees is different from one used for lopping off branches.
You also need to factor into the equation the type of environment you're going to use the chainsaw in. Are you in a rural or urban area? Urban areas, and residential neighbourhoods especially, typically have noise regulations in place that restrict the use of some types of chainsaws. For that, you may want to use an electric chainsaw instead of a petrol one.
What kind of work needs to be done? For light household and gardening work, an electric chainsaw works just fine, but you will have to consider the length of the power cord if you're working away from outlets. Do you need to fell trees? Petrol chainsaws are the machines to go to, but only if your neighbours won't mind the noise.
The length of your experience and the breadth of your knowledge also influences the type of chainsaw you should get. Novices should only get an electric chainsaw and small petrol types, while experienced users can use practically any model, depending on the work. Chainsaw novices who use a heavy, advanced model only expose themselves to unnecessary risk. Consider getting training or some education before using an advanced chainsaw.
Your chainsaw knowledge and experience should also play a part in choosing a chainsaw. You don't want to choose a large, bulky chainsaw if you barely have any experience with a small electric one. You're also exposing yourself to unnecessary danger. Enrol in a training course first before using a heavy-duty unit.