Many people are experts at using regular-sized chainsaws; they can cut anything in any shape or design using a mini chainsaw. However, they also think using a mini chainsaw is similar to a regular-sized chainsaw and requires no learning.
If you also share similar thoughts, I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but using a mini chainsaw is a different ball game than using a regular one. It requires more focus, care, and a whole bunch of different things to keep a check of.
If you are also planning on using a mini chainsaw and don’t want the hassle of surfing through ten different websites and gathering fragments of information, then you have come to the right place.
Read this guide until the end to get all the information in one place:
How to Use a Mini Chainsaw in the Most Practical Way
Following is a step-by-step guide on how to use a mini chainsaw:
Preparation:
First and foremost, you should prepare yourself to use the chainsaw. Don’t operate the tool before reading the user manual. Each chainsaw is unique and comes with a certain set of instructions; follow them to prevent any unforeseen incident.
Next, wear your safety equipment, including gloves, safety glasses, ear protection mufflers, and a hard hat.
Starting Up The Mini Chainsaw:
Before using, it’s important to know how to start mini chainsaw as well properly. To do so, select a smooth and flat surface to place the chainsaw on; next, ensure that the chain isn’t in any sort of contact with any surface or component.
After that, pick up the chainsaw firmly with both hands and get your body in a balanced position to minimize the effects of a kickback. Although the kickback on a mini chainsaw will be significantly lower than that of a regular-sized one, you should still be prepared beforehand.
Tuck in the battery and turn it on using the ignition button. The mini chainsaw will thus be up and running without any hassle. In case it fails to start, check whether the battery is properly charged or not. If not, charge it and then attach it to the tool accordingly.
Related: How Much is a Cord of Wood?
Using The Mini Chainsaw:
To properly use a mini chainsaw, first hold the chainsaw properly with both of your hands and balance your body, as stated above.
After that, start the process of cutting wood. Push the chainsaw away from yourself and towards the material you want to cut, cut through the lines of cut, and don’t jerk your hand often as this will affect the accuracy of the cut.
If you feel tired at any point, switch off the chainsaw, rest your arms, and resume later. This is beneficial for the quality of your work as well as your health.
After you have finished work or want to call it a day, you can turn the chainsaw off by pressing the power button.
What Is Different In a Mini Chainsaw?
As compared to a regular-sized chainsaw, a mini cordless chainsaw, as the name suggests, is smaller in size and power. It is targeted at completing tasks that are too small for a normal chainsaw and too big for manual loppers.
As they are smaller, their cutting capabilities are also limited to certain lightweight tasks like DIY wood projects and cutting small trees. As far as their precision is concerned, they are quite precise; however, results will mostly depend on the user’s skill.
Maintaining A Mini Chainsaw
The maintenance of a mini chainsaw should be done frequently as it is comparatively more fragile than a standard chainsaw. This way, you can extend the life of your chainsaw and save yourself money on replacement parts in the long term.
You should periodically clean the chainsaw to keep it up and running. Try cleaning it thoroughly after every use, but if you are too busy and can’t take the time to do so, you should clean it at least once a week.
Combine brushes and pieces of cloth to remove all the debris and sawdust from its body.
You should also lubricate the chainsaw’s guide bar and chain with chain oil. This prevents rust and ensures that the chain rotates as seamlessly as possible. For further info, read the guide on how to oil a mini chainsaw.
Lastly, store your machine in a place away from moisture and flammable substances.
Mini Chainsaw Parts Replacement
If your chainsaw malfunctions or drops in performance abruptly, it might be due to a faulty or broken part, and the first thing you should do is disconnect it from the power source. Next, start a physical diagnosis of the chainsaw and look for loose screws, and broken or burnt parts.
The most common things to check after a malfunction are guide bars, chain nuts, and batteries. If you have successfully identified the part, check if the warranty of your chainsaw covers it.
If it’s a part of your warranty plan, call the customer service center and claim your warranty. In case it’s not, then you will have to remove the part, purchase a new one and install it in the chainsaw to get it working.
After replacing the faulty part, check if the chainsaw functions correctly. If you have failed to identify the faulty part or the chainsaw still doesn’t work after replacing it, then it is suggested to get your appliance checked by a professional.
Learn the facts and figures behind the original use of chainsaws and how it evolved since then!
Mini Chainsaw Attachments
Accept it or not, all chainsaw lovers like you and me love to upgrade them to test their limits. These upgrades are done by adding more and more attachments to our favorite saws. The good news is that you can upgrade a mini chainsaw just like a regular one.
These upgrades include
- Changing between guide bars of different lengths: Longer bars are suitable for cutting, whereas the short ones are for pruning.
- Upgrading Chains for multi-purpose use. You can go through different types of chainsaw chains to make better decision.
- Adding different types of noses to have different cutting options.
- Installing extension poles on a chainsaw to have better access to out-of-reach trees and branches.
- Oilers automatically lubricate the bar and chain of the chainsaw without having to do anything.
It is important to note that you should only use the attachments approved by the manufacturer as they fit the compatibility criteria of your chainsaw.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you use a small chainsaw?
Using a small saw is way easier in terms of handling and operating. However, you should take all the safety measures because after all chainsaws are dangerous. Check your small chainsaw by looking for its perfect tension and lubrication as well.
Then, make sure that wood that you want to cut is placed properly. Also, look for nails and other hard materials in wood. If there are any, remove them. If you do not care for these things, it can damage your tool. Simply turn it on and start working.
2. What can you cut with a mini chainsaw?
Within mini saws, there are different versions. Some are more powerful such as the Saker Mini Chainsaw while others are less. So the efficiency and what a mini tool can cut through varies. Generally, it can cut branches, wood, and maybe small trees as well with one hand easy operation.
3. How do you use a mini chainsaw for the first time?
When using it for the first time, you need to be cautious about various aspects. Firstly, set up the tool by assembling its parts. Make sure that you assemble all the parts perfectly. This includes bars and chains mainly.
Tension the chain properly. The too-tight chain will cause wear and tear while a loose chain can cause chain slips and it can harm you to a greater extent. Thus, it needs to be perfectly tensioned. Then, lubricate the chain properly and always use the recommended oil.
4. Can a mini chainsaw cut wood?
Yes, a mini chainsaw can cut wood efficiently. A 6 inches mini chainsaw can cut through a 10 cm diameter of wood in 5 to 10 seconds. A mini chainsaw can have small trees and bigger branches too but it depends upon the power of the mini chainsaw you are using.
5. Do pocket chainsaws really work?
Yes, pocket saws are very useful and they work quite efficiently. However, you should be having a high-quality pocket saw if you want to get good results. A good quality tool can help you a lot in making firewood while camping. Also, it is very useful for clearing fallen trees.
6. How thick of wood can a mini chainsaw cut through?
There is no absolute answer to how thick wood can a mini chainsaw cut through. The higher the quality, the more efficient the mini chainsaw would be. While it is said that a battery-operated mini saw takes about 8 seconds to cut through wood of 10 cm diameter.
7. How tight a mini chainsaw chain should be?
The chain tension for a mini saw chain is the same as that of other tools. Thus, your chain should not be too tight or too loose. Perform the snap test and if the chain does not leave the guide gauge of the bar, it makes a little space between the chain and the bar. It is the perfect chain tension for your mini cutting tool.
Final Thoughts: How to Use a Mini Chainsaw?
Although the basic operation of a mini chainsaw is almost identical to a standard chainsaw, its maintenance and technique of use differ a lot. Make sure to follow the tips mentioned in this guide to transition from a regular chainsaw to a mini chainsaw with ease.
This was all you needed to know about a mini chainsaw. I hope you find this article helpful and will benefit from it. If you have any queries or feedback feel free to let me know. Until we meet again, have a good time cutting!
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