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Chainsaw Carving How To
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Chainsaws
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In order to chainsaw carve you need a good, reliable chainsaw.
There are many out on the market, and you probably have one in your tool shed or workshop that will work for you for
a while. In fact, the first piece the carver did was with a Poulan borrowed from the Artist/WebMistress (me). The Poulan
still gets pulled into service.
If you find yourself liking chainsaw carving, we recommend purchasing a Husqvarna (probably one of the best, most
reliable on the market for heavy use) with a 14" or 16" bar, and, an Echo with a 14" standard and 12" Dime-Tip bar, or Makita
with a 12" stanadrd and 12" Dime-Tip blade (see information below for more details). How much a saw is going to cost depends
upon the size, style, and whether it is purchased new or refurbished.
An electric chainsaw is often used for finishing carving, and an acceptable option for some carving (although not.
And, unlike gas-powered chainsaws, can be used in an enclosed area.
Do NOT use a chainsaw that is too heavy or big for you to handle. If you are smaller in stature, lightweight, or
lack a lot of upper-body strength, we recommend the Echo. Remember, while a saw might not feel heavy when you lift it off
the shelf at the store, it will mysteriously get heavier and weightier as you carve. We also recommend a bar that is 16"
or less, as 18" and larger can be unwieldy for carving.
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Please click on a picture to enlarge.
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ECHO 360 GAS POWERED CARVING SAW
If you are interested in a great carving package, here it is. Both professional and amateur carvers enjoy using this
easy starting, low maintenance saw.
The Echo 306 saw is very light (7.5 pounds without bar, chain, gas or oil), has a great anti-vibration system, and a longer
tail for easier carving. This dual-purpose package includes an Echo 306 chainsaw with the standard 14" bar, chain, and sprocket
PLUS a 12" Woodsman Carver Dime-Tip Bar, a carving chain loop, and 1/4" drive sprocket.
"Dime-Tip" refers to the very
small size of the point of the saw, which is tapered, and considerably smaller than a standard chainsaw. This smaller tip
is excellent for tight spaces, small detail work, and smaller carvings. This saw comes with two bars and chains, and runs
about $325 brand new.
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HUSQVARNA ALL-PURPOSE GAS POWERED SAW
There is a very good reason Husqvarna saws are affectionally called "Huskys" by folks who own them. They are very high
quality, reliable, and designed for long-lasting performance.
The saw pictured here is a mid-range 338 Series with a 16" blade. It weighs about 11 pounds (without bar, chains, gas,
or oil) and can accommodate both a smaller 14" and larger 16" bar. The saw offers easy start, low vibration, and all-around
power. This saw runs around $425 brand new. Other Husqvarna saws range from $325 to $1,300.
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MAKITA ELECTRIC CARVING SAW
If you want to carve indoors or just get away from the exhaust of conventional chainsaw carving, this carving saw is for you.
Fast and light, the saw runs at an impressive 5,000 rpm. This electric Makita is a full carving package, and comes with a
12" regular bar and chain, as well as a 12" Dime-Tip bar and chain. This saw weighs about 12 pounds without bar or chain,
and runs about $325 for the full package.
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