Chainsaw maintenance: the workshop guide

Of all the machines that come into the workshop, the chainsaw takes the hardest beating — and repays good maintenance the most. Get into these habits and you will make it last longer and, above all, work more safely.

Before every use

• Check the chain tension: it should turn freely by hand without sagging off the bar.
• Check the chain oil level. Without oil, the bar and chain will burn out in minutes.
• Clean the air intakes and make sure the chain brake works.

Sharpening: 80% of the performance

A sharp chain cuts on its own, with no forcing. If you have to lean on it, if it throws fine sawdust instead of chips, or if the saw pulls to one side, it needs sharpening. You can do it yourself with the correct file diameter every two or three tanks, and leave the precision sharpening to us once the chain is well past its best.

Always use fresh fuel

Nine out of ten starting problems we see come down to stale petrol. Two-stroke mix loses its properties within weeks:

• Only mix what you will use within a month.
• Always use good-quality two-stroke oil at 2% (50:1), or whatever the manufacturer specifies.
• If the saw is going to sit unused for weeks, drain the tank and let the engine run itself dry.

A full service once a year

Air filter, spark plug, sprocket, wear tolerances and carburation: an annual tune-up in the workshop costs less than a breakdown halfway through the job. The workshop is at its quietest in winter — the perfect time.

Need a new chain, a bar or a service? Pop into the shop and we will get it sorted.