Buying a chain saw: Measure once, cut safely

It was the downed limbs, broken branches, and yard debris strewn by Hurricane Bob that led Robert Maffei to really appreciate the functionality of chain saws.

Maffei, 33, was only in the 11th grade when the 1991 hurricane hit, but he used the opportunity to start a landscaping business, cleaning up yards and cutting down trees. "I got a real baptism in chain saws that week," said Maffei, owner of Maffei Landscape Contractors on Cape Cod, which has more than 100 employees and can deploy more than 50 chain saws.

The chain saw is a suburban homeowner's undercover toy that carries the mystique of a professional tool, said Mike Dawson, a West Kingston, R.I., homeowner, who, like Maffei, has been using chain saws since adolescence. Once a heavy, cumbersome hand tool, chain saws are now lightweight powerhouses, but still one of the most dangerous tools on the market. According to the US Centers for Disease Control, approximately 36,000 people are treated annually in emergency rooms for injuries involving chain saws.

"It is a great utilitarian tool, but you have to know what you're doing," Maffei said. Although it might be tempting to conduct your own chain saw massacre on the trees in your backyard, ask yourself what you'll be using the chain saw for before you buy the biggest bully in the store, said Dawson, who has worked on summer logging crews. A saw with too little power can cause user fatigue, possibly leading to accidents, while an oversized saw can be overkill.

"The point is to let the machine do the work for you," Dawson said. "When you have the right chain saw, you should be able to get the saw started and simply guide it through the cut." Experts say that for most homeowners, a saw with a 16 to 18 inch bar -- or blade length --should be adequate. And if all you will be doing is light pruning or trim work, consider an electric chain saw, which is cheaper, lighter, and easier to maintain than a gas-powered model.

Gas chain saws have two-stroke engines, running on a mixture of gas and oil. Today's top-end models produce more horsepower than older saws of the same size and weight. They also feature anti-vibration handles with springs and rubber coils to dampen repetitive shaking, which can stress hands and arms.

Chain saws also have many built-in safeguards, such as chain brakes that halt the chain if kickback occurs; latches that prevent the throttle from activating inadvertently; hand guards, shields that protect fingers; and chain catchers, which prevent broken or derailed chains from swinging back and striking the operator.

Top chainsaw brands include Husqvarna and Stihl. Expect to pay $200-$350 for "power" models; lighter-duty models are $150-$250.

Maffei recommends against buying from department stores, which may not be able to service the chain saw and tend to sell lower-performance equipment. Instead, shop for chain saws at lawn-and-garden equipment outlets or home-improvement suppliers.

Chain maintenance is key to safe and effective sawing. "Chains lose their edge easily, especially when you're cutting wood that's on the ground," said Dawson, who said that homeowners can learn to sharpen their own chains or take them to a shop and have them sharpened. Keep a stock of "bar oil" to keep the chain lubricated.

Of course, don't expect to cut any Sequoias down, warned Maffei, who said that if a tree is wider than 18 inches in diameter, perhaps it's time to call in a pro.

"The chain saw is the most dangerous piece of equipment we use on a day-to-day basis, and we treat it with great respect," he said.