If you want to cut your own firewood, then you need a saw that’s up to the task. Whether you’re heating your home with a woodburning stove, want to cook over a fire pit in the backyard, or simply enjoy the look of a fire burning in your hearth on a cool evening, the right chainsaw can make all the difference.
Choosing a great chainsaw for cutting firewood isn’t just about getting a good brand. It’s also important to choose a saw with the right bar length and cutting power for the type of cutting you plan to do. You’ll also want to keep in mind the types of trees you’ll be cutting and how often you plan to use the saw.
We carry a wide range of chainsaws here at Richardson Saw & Lawnmower, and we can help you find the right one for your needs. Just keep reading to learn more about how to find the best saw for cutting firewood.
Gas or Electric?
One of the first questions to answer when you’re choosing a saw is what power source you’ll go with. When most people think of chainsaw, gasoline-powered models are the first ones that come to mind. Broadly speaking, they are more powerful and you can get them with longer cutting bars than battery-powered chainsaws. But that doesn’t necessarily make them the best choice.
Modern battery-powered chainsaws are powerful and reliable pieces of equipment. They’re quieter and lighter weight than gasoline-powered saws, which can make them easier and more comfortable to use. They also require less maintenance, which is a big thing for busy homeowners who don’t want to spend time maintaining an engine. Cutting bar lengths of 12-inches to 16-inches is standard for these saws.
Gasoline chainsaws the same size as battery saws tend to offer comparable levels of power. Sometimes, gasoline saws sized for light cutting and firewood are less expensive than the battery-versions. You can also get gas-powered saws that are far more powerful than any of the battery saws. They offer the option of cutting bars long enough for taking down mid-size trees, which just isn’t available with the battery-powered saws.
What size of wood are you cutting?
The size of wood you’re planning to cut is what determines the length of chainsaw bar that you’ll need. As a general rule, your chainsaw bar should be two inches longer than the diameter of the wood you’re cutting. That means to cut a 12-inch tree you’d need a 14-inch guide bar. You can cut larger wood in two passes. However, it’s best to choose a bar length that will let you cut the majority of the wood you’ll be handling in one pass.
Many homeowners find that a 14- to 16-inch chainsaw is a good length for them. That’s long enough to limb-up trees, cut down small trees, and cut most firewood, but it’s also short enough that it’s easy to control the saw. You’ll have plenty of options available for both battery-powered and gasoline saws in this bar-length.
You could also go with an 18- to 20-inch saw if you’re planning to cut down more trees and want to be able to handle larger pieces of wood. In that size-range, most of your choices will be gasoline-powered saws.
What if you’re cutting down a lot of trees?
If you’re doing a lot of heavy-duty cutting, then you’ll probably want one of the more powerful gasoline-saws. Battery-powered saws are wonderfully convenient, but they just don’t have the speed, power, and longer cutting bar lengths to handle mid-to-large size trees.
STIHL’s mid-range homeowner saws and their farm and ranch saws (for example) are great for tree felling, cleanup, and firewood cutting. The mid-range homeowner saws come with great features like anti-vibration technology and easy starting. If you’re going to be cutting a lot of firewood, the farm and ranch saws have the extra power and durability to work all day if necessary.
Does the type of wood make a difference?
There are a few different types of chainsaw chains. Some work best for hardwoods like oak, maple, and ash. Others are better suited for softwoods like cypress and pine.
Semi-chisel chains are the best choice for hardwoods, and they’ll also work on softwoods. Some websites recommend using full-chisel chains for softwoods because they cut more quickly. However, they also go dull more quickly and they are not as safe to use. If you’re not very experienced with chainsaws, you’ll be much better off sticking with semi-chisel chains.
If you’re only going to be cutting softwoods, low-profile chains are also an option. They’re designed with extra safety features for less experienced chainsaw users. In general, though, semi-chisel chains will be your best choice for all-purpose firewood cutting.
Which brand is the best choice?
Here at Richardson Saw, we carry Echo and STIHL chainsaws. They’re among the biggest names in chainsaws, and for good reason. Both are top-selling brands that cut well and last for years. Echo and STIHL both offer professional-quality chainsaws for homeowner use as well as commercial-grade saws for heavy-duty cutting. You really can’t go wrong choosing a saw from either of these two brands.
As you’re shopping for chainsaws, it can help to see the options in person and try out how the different models feel in your hands. You can visit our location in Richardson, Texas if you want to take a look at the models we have in stock. We can also answer any questions you have about the STIHL and Echo saws. Just stop by or give us a call! We’ll be happy to help you find the perfect saw to fit your firewood cutting needs.
