If you’ve ever wondered, “How does chainsaw work?” you’re not alone. Chainsaws are a powerful and essential tool for cutting wood, but understanding how they work can seem complicated.
However, with a basic understanding of their parts and mechanics, anyone can use a chainsaw safely and effectively.
How Does Chainsaw Work?
Chainsaws
A chainsaw is a mechanical cutting tool that features a rotating chain with sharp teeth along its circumference. It is commonly used for cutting and pruning trees, trimming branches, and harvesting timber.
The chainsaw was invented in the 1920s by a German mechanical engineer named Andreas Stihl, who founded the Stihl Company, which is still a major producer today.
Chainsaws are powered by electricity or gasoline, with gasoline-powered chainsaws being more common due to their high power and portability.
The chainsaw consists of a guide bar, a chain, and an engine that drives the chain. The guide bar is a long, narrow bar made of high-grade steel that guides the chain and supports the engine.
The chain is composed of links that feature sharp teeth on their edges. The engine is usually located at one end of the guide bar, and it drives the chain with a centrifugal clutch that engages when the engine is started.
To operate a chainsaw
To operate a chainsaw, the user must first fill the fuel tank (if it is a gasoline-powered chainsaw) and lubricate the chain using chain oil to prevent friction and damage.
The chain is then adjusted to the correct tension to ensure efficient cutting and prevent kickbacks. The chainsaw is started using a pull cord or an electronic ignition system, and the user then guides the chain along the desired cutting path while applying downward pressure to the guide bar.
Chainsaws have different varieties, from small handheld models for light-duty work to large industrial models for felling trees and harvesting timber.
They are an essential tool for forestry and logging industries and for landscapers, farmers, and homeowners who require efficient and precise cutting of wood and other materials.
What happens inside a chainsaw?
Inside a chainsaw, several components work together to create the cutting action. The main components of a chainsaw include the engine, the guide bar, the chain, and the clutch system.
The engine of a chainsaw is typically a two-stroke gasoline engine, although some models use an electric motor. The engine generates the power required to drive the cutting chain.
When the engine is started, a spark plug ignites the fuel mixture, causing the piston to move up and down in the engine cylinder. This movement turns the crankshaft, which is connected to the clutch system.
Guide Bar
The guide bar is a long, flat metal bar that provides the structure for the cutting chain. It is typically made of high-strength steel or other durable materials and may be straight or slightly curved. The guide bar also contains the lubrication system that keeps the chain lubricated during use.
The cutting chain is a loop of chain links that contains a series of sharp cutting teeth. The chain is attached to the guide bar and rotates around it at high speed when the engine is running.
The cutting teeth on the chain make contact with the wood being cut, creating chips and sawdust as the chain moves through the wood.
Clutch System
It consists of a centrifugal clutch that engages when the engine reaches a certain speed. The clutch system allows the chain to rotate freely when the engine is idling, but it engages when it is revved up, causing the chain to start moving.
When the chainsaw is used, the engine drives the cutting chain around the guide bar at high speed. The user guides the chainsaw along the cut wood, pressing down with the guide bar to cut.
The sharp teeth on the cutting chain make contact with the wood, creating chips and sawdust as the chain moves through the wood. The lubrication system keeps the chain cool and lubricated during use, reducing wear and tear and extending the life of the cutting chain.
Working of Chainsaw
A chainsaw uses a motor to drive a cutting chain around a guide bar at high speed, creating a cutting action that can efficiently cut through wood and other materials. The cutting chain consists of a series of sharp teeth that contact the wood, creating chips and sawdust as the chain moves through the wood.
To use a chainsaw, the user must first ensure that it is filled with fuel (if it is a gasoline-powered model) and lubricating oil for the cutting chain. The cutting chain must also be adjusted to the correct tension to ensure efficient cutting and prevent kickbacks.
Once the chainsaw is ready, the user starts the engine using either a pull cord or an electronic ignition system. The engine generates power transferred to the cutting chain through a clutch system. The clutch system allows the chain to rotate freely when the engine is idling, but it engages when it is revved up, causing the chain to start moving.
The user guides the chainsaw along the cut wood, pressing down with the guide bar to cut. The sharp teeth on the cutting chain make contact with the wood, creating chips and sawdust as the chain moves through the wood.
The lubrication system keeps the chain cool and lubricated during use, reducing wear and tear and extending the life of the cutting chain. The chainsaw can be dangerous if not used correctly, and wearing protective gear such as gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection is essential.
Invention of Chainsaw
The first patent for an “endless chain saw” (US patent 780,476) was granted to Samuel J. Bens of San Francisco on January 17, 1905. He had filed the patent approximately 18 months earlier, in July 1903. One of the diagrams from the patent shows a large, stationary sawing machine slicing through a tree trunk from the side and from above.
Bens was mainly focused on explaining how the saw worked and didn’t specify the power source, except to note that it could be “furnished with driving power, such as a steam engine, gas engine, or motor of any kind.”
Around 16 years later, in 1921, Bens filed another patent (US patent number 1,617,565) for a portable chain saw. The main objective of this patent was to create a simple, compact, durable, and efficient machine that could be easily handled by two operators to quickly and efficiently cut logs or trees regardless of their position. Moreover, it could be readily transported from one place to another.
Advantages of chainsaws
Chainsaws offer several advantages over manual saws and other cutting tools. Some of the critical advantages of chainsaws include:
- Efficiency: Chainsaws are designed to quickly and efficiently cut through wood and other materials, making them an ideal tool for forestry work, tree trimming, and other tasks that involve cutting large quantities of wood.
- Speed: Chainsaws can cut through wood much faster than manual saws, which means they can help workers complete jobs more quickly and with less effort.
- Precision: Chainsaws are exact cutting tools that allow workers to make clean, accurate cuts with minimal effort.
- Portability: Chainsaws are highly portable and can be taken to remote locations for forestry work or other outdoor tasks.
- Safety: Modern chainsaws are designed with safety features that help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries. These features include safety guards, anti-kickback devices, and automatic shut-off systems.
- Versatility: Chainsaws can be used for various cutting tasks, from trimming small branches to felling large trees.
- Cost-effectiveness: While chainsaws can be expensive to purchase, they can ultimately be a cost-effective tool for many workers and businesses. Their speed, efficiency, and precision can help workers complete jobs faster and with less labour, ultimately saving money in the long run.
Disadvantages of chainsaws
While chainsaws offer many advantages, they also have several disadvantages. Some of the key disadvantages of chainsaws include:
- Noise: Chainsaws are notoriously loud, which can be a problem for workers and people in nearby areas. Prolonged exposure to the loud noise of a chainsaw can lead to hearing damage or loss.
- Vibration: Chainsaws generate a lot of vibration, which can be tiring and uncomfortable for workers who use them for extended periods. Prolonged exposure to chainsaw vibration can also cause nerve damage or other health problems.
- Exhaust fumes: Gas-powered chainsaws emit exhaust fumes that can harm workers who use them in enclosed spaces or for prolonged periods. These fumes can cause respiratory problems or other health issues.
- Maintenance: Chainsaws require regular maintenance to ensure they work correctly and safely.
- Kickback: Chainsaws can experience kickback when the cutting chain suddenly stops and throws the guide bar up and back towards the operator.
- Cost: Chainsaws, especially high-quality models with advanced features or larger engines, can be expensive. This can be a barrier for some workers or homeowners who need a chainsaw but need help to afford to invest in a high-end model.
- Safety: Chainsaws can be dangerous tools if not used properly, and workers must be trained in their safe operation to avoid accidents and injuries.
Chainsaws are a powerful and practical cutting tool, but they have disadvantages. Workers who use chainsaws should be aware of the risks involved and take appropriate precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them.