How to sharpen a chainsaw

If a chainsaw blade gets dull it will end up burning and bucking when it cuts through wood. This is both a slower and more dangerous way to cut so here is how to sharpen a chainsaw blade.

Is it needed?

The easiest way to tell if your chain is on its way out is to examine the waste from saw cuts. If it is very fine and dusty it is time to sharpen whereas if its bulkier and mainly chips its fine. Remember that a dull chain greatly increases the risk of kickback.

Sharpening

The cutters on the chain have semicircular cutting edges with specific diameters so to sharpen them you need a round file of the same diameter. In front of each cutter is the depth gauge which controls how deep the cutter can get into wood. these depth gauges need to be a tiny bit shorter than the cutters but over time the cutters can be worn down from both use and sharpening so you will need to lower the gauges to the right height with a flat file. Sharpening like this isn't too difficult if it is worn down from use however if the cutters have been damaged or nicked by stone or anything hard you may need to take it to be professionally sharpened or you might even have to buy a new one.

Safety

Make sure the chainsaw cannot be turned on while disassembling it and at least wear gloves and safety googles while working with a chainsaw.

Preventing Rust on Tools

Preventing rust on tools is way easier than getting rid of the rust once it has set in (not to mention the possible permanent damage this can cause). With that in mind here are a few tips and tricks to keep your tools in peak, physical, non-rust condition.

Micro Climates

Micro climates allow you to store tools in an enclosed location with specific settings that help prevent rust. One of the best examples of this is a toolchest. This prevents hygroscopic dust from clinging to the blades as well as providing easy to control humidity. Essentially we are minimising our tools contact with water to prevent rusting.

Cleanliness

 Having a clean storage place is vital for the above mentioned reason of hygroscopic dust. This will speed up the rusting process and cause your tools to fall into disrepair far quicker than they normally would. Being thorough with dusting and cleanliness will help prevent this.

Coating

 

Coating tools in non-oxidising mineral oil works as an excellent rust inhibitor though some brands work better than others. With that in mind be sure to check out reviews and ensure you are getting the best mineral oil for your money.

Generator Maintenance Tips

Buying and maintaining a generator can be a confusing process for those not in the know so I'm going to give you some tips on what to look for in a generator and how to maintain one properly.

Watt ratings

Every generator will have two capacity ratings. One is for continuous watts and this shows what the generator can output on an extended basis and is the more important of he two by far. The other rating is how much power it can put out for a few seconds when it starts up.

Stock up on oil and filters

Pumping out all those watts can be hard on the engine oil and it needs to be changed regularly so you'll need to stock up on oil and filters if you want it to last through a long power outage. Most new generators will need their first oil change after about one day after that you'll need to change about every fife or so hours.

Refilling

Its a good idea to wear a headlight when refilling the tank so you can see what you're doing a lot easier and fill it to the brim. Make sure the engine has cooled before you pour anything. The tank is normally on top of the engine so the fuel can be gravity fed and if the engine is hot and you spill any while holding a canister of it there's a chance you will go up in flames which isn't good for anybody.

Don't let it completely run out

Some generators can get damaged generator coils if you let it run on empty as the electrical load from your house drains the magnetic field. It will seem to run fine but wont generate power and you'll have to take I to a repair shop to reenergised.

How To Split Hardwood

Using a splitting maul

When it comes to splitting hardwood a splitting maul is essentially a mix of splitting axe and sledgehammer. They are normally heavier than normal splitting axes but the added few pounds makes the job easier on you. The axe side is used for chopping wood not splitting it. Do not use this side. Essentially what you want to do is use the maul side to drive a splitting wedge into your wood. This means you can get it to go with the grain of the wood so its a much easier job for you and repeat until the wood splits.

Length of wood

Most stoves only take wood of about 20 to 50 cm. to save time make sure you cut your wood to size before trying to split it. The added benefit of this is the shorter the log is the easier it will split.

Set up a chopping block

This is normally a large section of a former tree and this is where you will put your wood to split it. This helps with swinging your axe  and causing less strain on your back. The block shouldn't be high or low enough for ricochets to be dangerous in case of a glancing blow.

Making Compost with Garden Waste

Turning garden waste into something other than waste to be supposed is one of the easiest things you can do and it will probably end up saving up time and effort in the fact that otherwise you would have to dispose of it. Lets take a look at just how easy it is.
 

 

Compost Bins

Finding the right site for a compost bin is vitally important in breaking down the garden waste into useable food for your garden. The bin should be set somewhere sunny, which will help the chemical processes, on compost or soil. This will allow the worms to colonise and not die out or move on to ensure your compost heap is a success.

    

As well as adding garden waste to the compost bin remember that there are a whole lot of household items than can also go in there such as vegetable peelings, fruit, teabags, cardboard and a whole bunch more. Just remember to keep out all cooked food leftovers!

    

Keep adding to the compost bin for 9 - 12 monthes and once it turns into a dark crumbly material representing moist soil with an earthy, fresh aroma you know your good to go to add that stuff to the garden.

How to Store a Chainsaw in Winter

Emptying the Fuel

Chemical degradation & the risk of fuel freezing during the cold months of winter can irreparably damage a chainsaw. This is why it is absolutely vital to empty the fuel tank. If you would like more information on safely removing the fuel from a chainsaw tank you can check it out right here.

Storage Area

Always store a chainsaw in a dry, and if possible warm, place. This will prevent rust, freezing and a host of other problems that are caused if stored in a wet area.

Covering the Chainsaw

Most chainsaw manufactures will provide storage equipment such as a chainsaw bag or sleeve for the chainsaw blade. Be sure to use these as a further means of protection.

Aftercare Treatment

No matter how careful you are during the winter month it Is always good to have replacement parts as well as the means of sharpening a dull chainsaw blade when the time comes to dig the chainsaw out. For tips on sharpening a chainsaw check out this blog. 

  

  

Christmas Logging

Logging was always traditionally done in winter as this was the least busy time of the year for farmers & people who lived in the country where logging was a necessity. Nowadays we can log in whatever season we want but traditions die hard and winter is still the most popular time for cutting down trees for many.

Cutting Trees in Winter

Cutting in the cold presents its own challenges unique to this season. The wood will be a lot harder due to the cold and therefore more difficult to cut and the risk of damage to the chainsaw is a lot higher. Therefore make sure you are using a top quality chainsaw that is properly sharpened.