The chainsaw is one of the most amazing power tools ever invented. They are the main tools used in tree felling and lumbering. Although they are helpful to have around, they can be very difficult to store.
Due to the heavy-duty task it does, it can get rust if not stored in the right way. Storing your chainsaw the right way can be the difference between lasting for 20 years and less than a month.
When you find yourself in a situation where you have no place to keep your chainsaw, you might start wondering how it should be stored without sticking it into the garage or leaving it somewhere it shouldn’t be.
When storing a chainsaw, you must take a few precautions so that the machine will be in top condition when you next use it. This can greatly increase the time between servicing while preventing expensive problems.
You’ve probably wondered before how chainsaws should be stored. Unfortunately, many are unaware of how to properly store chainsaws to ensure their safekeeping against rust and maintain their quality.
If you have a chainsaw in the back of your shed, you will want to read this! In this article, we’ll be discussing different ways how you can store your chainsaw properly. Do you know how expensive a new one can be? Let me give you some tips on how best to preserve your chainsaw.
How Should Chainsaws Be Stored?
When storing a chainsaw, it has more to do with storing it in a cool and dry place. Some other components and steps must be taken to store your chainsaw properly.
Here’s a step-by-step on how to properly store your chainsaw.
Step One: Choosing The Right Environment
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The very first step when storing a chainsaw is looking for a cool, dry, and well-ventilated environment in storing the chainsaw. This is very important as chainsaw components are majorly metal, and if placed in the wrong conditions, rust can set in.
Step Two: Draining The Fuel
After getting the environment that meets the abovementioned conditions, the next step is to drain the carburetor.
Draining the carburetor is very important because storing a chainsaw with fuel in its carburetor can make the carburetor diaphragms stick together, which in turn can cause the engine to stiff.
After draining the fuel for the carburetor, make sure you clean the carburetor to get rid of excess fuel still stuck in the chainsaw engine.
Step Three: Getting Rid Of Dirt
Once the chainsaw is completely free of fuel, you can start taking the chainsaw apart to clean it.
You must get rid of wood chips and dried oil that might be stuck in the engine. Components like the chain drive gears and bars must be checked for dirt. Also, this might be a great time to sharpen your chainsaw’s blade.
Step Four: Oiling
After cleaning the chain and driver gear, attach them with protective oil. Make sure you attach the chain carefully.
Step Five: Cleaning The Air Breather
The next step is cleaning the air breather. However, cleaning your air breather varies. Ultimately it depends on the brand of your chainsaw. I’d suggest you check the manual the chainsaw came with to ensure the right way to clean the air breather.
Most air breathers, however, are cleaned using soapy water and allowed to dry.
Step Six: Removing The Spark Plug
The next step is removing the spark plug, which can be quite difficult for beginners or novices who don’t know how to take the spark plug off.
However, if you know how to remove sparkplugs from your chainsaw, after removing them, add about a teaspoon of oil into the opening of the spark plug. And if you want to change the spark plug, check the user manual to know the right spark plug suitable for your chainsaw.
Step Seven: Cleaning Or Replacing The Air Filter
The following process is cleaning your air filter or replacing it if it goes wrong. However, cleaning an air filter can be difficult, but this article will explain it below.
Step Eight: Tighten The Loosed Bolt
This next step is often overlooked. All you have to do is tighten the bolts you unscrewed and adjust the chain.
Step Nine: Store The Chainsaw
The last and final step is to store the chainsaw in a clean and dry place. Also, ensure that where you’ll store the chainsaw is not accessible to children.
What Do You Need To Clean Chainsaw Air Filter?
You do not need many materials to clean your air filter. You’ll need water (preferably warm) and soap (you can use regular dishwashing soap).
Here’s what you need to clean your air filter
1. Water And Soap
This is very important if you clean your filter with soapy water. All you have to do is have room temperature and warm water for rinsing it afterward.
- Mix the room-temperature water with the soap and soak the chainsaw’s air filter in it for a while.
- The soap and water mixture will untrap and unstuck lodged dirt and particles and the ones trapped by dried oil.
- After a while, remove it and rinse it with warm water to get rid of the soap and unclogged dirt and particles.
2. Compressed Air
You’ll need compressed air to flush out the dirt and particles. Ensure you remove it from the chainsaw before using the compressed air, so it doesn’t push the dirt further into the combustion compartment.
ALSO READ: What Should Chainsaw Shavings Look Like?
How To Clean a Chainsaw Air Filter
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When storing your chainsaw, you’ll need to clean the air filter to store it properly. However, most people usually have problems with cleaning a chainsaw air filter.
As I said earlier, cleaning an air filter is difficult, but I’ll explain it as simply as possible.
You need to clean your air filter before storing it because an air filter’s main purpose is to allow clean air to go into the combustion chamber and decrease fuel consumption. However, if your air filter is clogged, the amount of clean air the combustion chamber receives will decrease and increase fuel consumption.
There are different ways you can clean your chainsaw air filter, which we’ll explain extensively below.
However, I’d recommend you replace your air filter if, after removing it, you find out it’s damaged or extremely dirty.
Here are different ways to clean your air filter;
1. By Tapping The Air Filter On A Hard Surface
For people that use their chainsaw once in a while or for a short period, there is a strong possibility that the filter hasn’t gathered a lot of dirt.
If your chainsaw is in similar condition, all you have to do to clean the air filter is tap it gently on a hard surface. If the dust in the air filter is not much, this method will allow the dust to fall off easily.
Make sure you tap the air filter on the hard surface gently, do not use excessive force, as this might damage the air filter. You can also use this method occasionally as opposed to when you want to store it alone.
This method, however, will be very effective on new air filters. It might not be as effective on older air filters as on newer ones. The reason is that older air filters might have oil in them, making dirt stick to them.
2. Use an Air Compressor To Clean the Air Filter
This method is one of the most effective ways to clean your air filter. The compressed air will force out trapped or stuck in the filter.
However, remove the engine air filter before using the air compressor. If you use the air compressor on the air filter while it’s still attached to the chainsaw, it might push particles deep into the filter, damaging the engine after it gets into the combustion chamber.
3. Use Soapy Water To Wash The Air Filter
You can also clean the air filter by soaking it in soapy water. Most manufacturers recommend this method. However, it only works on foam air filters, and this method will not work on paper air filters.
Using soapy water will untrap and unstuck lodged dirt and particles. You must soak the soapy water and rinse it with warm water to remove the dirt and soap.
Ensure the filter is completely dry before attaching it back to the chainsaw. Also, add some oil before attaching it.
Using a wet air filter will only result in the air filter lodging more dirt and particles.
Can Chainsaws Be Stored Vertically?
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Yes, you can store your chainsaw vertically as long as you’ve taken the necessary steps, such as draining the fuel and storing it in a place that prevents it from getting direct contact with sunlight.
However, if you do not drain the fuel before hanging it vertically, it might start leaking after a while and cause rust. If you want to store it vertically for a long time, drain the fuel before storing it vertically.
On the other hand, if you don’t want to drain the chainsaw’s fuel but want to store it vertically. You can hang it with the fuel and return it after a few days to release some pressure in the gas tank.
If fuel is left in an enclosed place for a long time, it starts building pressure which might cause it to leak. Releasing the pressure being built after a few days will stop that.
What Is The Best Position To Store Chainsaw?
The best position to store a chainsaw is horizontal. Storing it horizontally will reduce the rate at which oil or fuel might drip. It also prevents engine oil or fuel from dripping into the wrong place.
However, whether horizontally or vertically, ensure it is appropriately stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated environment. Ultimately, there is no one best position to store your chainsaw. The most important thing about storing chainsaws is following necessary instructions and precautions.
Can You Hang a Chainsaw On The Wall?
Yes, you can hang a chainsaw on the wall. All you need is to have a strong and durable wall that will be able to withstand the weight of the chainsaw. And also, you’ll need a rack to hang the chainsaw on.
We’d recommend a wooden chainsaw rack or a Stihl chainsaw rack.
Conclusion
Chainsaws should always be stored inside when not in use. This applies in winter as well. If you store your chainsaw outside or in the garage, it will be exposed to harmful elements such as moisture (from rain, snow, or hosing), UV damage from sunlight, and dust that could settle on the engine parts.
Storing chainsaws properly has to be done correctly to avoid the engine spoiling or lubricants in the chainsaw dripping into the wrong place. To store a chainsaw, no method is the right one. All you have to do is follow the proper instructions and safety guidelines.
While chainsaws are sometimes used to do delicate work, they can be dangerous if proper care is not given to their storage. Make sure you have a safe, dry area to store your chainsaws. If they get wet, ensure they are completely dried before using them again. Please make sure you store it in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated environment, and also make sure the chainsaw location isn’t accessible to children.
In summary, locking storage is the best way to store your chainsaw. It’s easy, convenient, and safe. If you own more than one saw, consider using a classic storage locker for convenience. Hopefully, from these tips, you can find an easy way to store your chainsaws safely until you are ready to use them again.