Chainsaw Information

Chainsaw buyer's guides and safety resources

This is an excellent buyer's guide from the University of Missouri Extension, complete with safety information.

ConsumerGuide.com has a great article showing each part of a chainsaw and explaining how it works and fits together with the others. The article includes a video, and the site also has an article on two-stroke engines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer a beginner's guide to chainsaw safety, with a link to a longer guide from the University of California.

A Wikipedia article, "Chainsaw Safety Clothing," explains what to look for and why. Other articles at Wikipedia on chainsaws, chainsaw safety features and chainsaw safety are also detailed and well illustrated.

Experts say it's much better to learn the basics of sharpening a chain and using a chainsaw from a dealer or training course. But we did find an online video demonstrating how to do the sharpening at VideoDo.com.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has worked with manufacturers to recall quite a few chainsaws over the years; in recent years they've all been gas models. None of the chainsaws discussed in our report have been recalled.

The most recent recall, in November 2006, included certain large (46 cc to 55 cc) Troy-Bilt and Craftsman chainsaws because the front handle could break. In the past five years, Stihl has implemented three chainsaw recalls, all for possible fuel leaks. In 2005, Makita and Dolmar recalled two high-end chainsaws because the flywheels can come apart during use.

Experts recommend registering any new chainsaw with the manufacturer and you can be notified promptly of any problems. You can also track recalls on the CPSC website.

Manufacturers' websites provide detailed information about their products:

Black & Decker

Echo (owned by Kioritz Corp. of Japan)

Homelite (owned by Ryobi/TTI, Techtronic Industries)

Husqvarna (owned by Electrolux)

Makita USA

Neuton (cordless)

Poulan (owned by Electrolux)

Ryobi (owned by TTI, Techtronic Industries)

Sears Craftsman (made by Poulan)

Stihl