First, work out if you need a chainsaw at all. 

See our introduction to chainsaws for basic information, benefits and what you can do.

But you might be able to use a felling axe / crosscut saw instead.

When it comes to using a chainsaw, you need a modicum of practical skills and at least an average level of strength and fitness; and when it comes to looking after a chainsaw, you need to be at least a little bit mechanically minded. If none of that applies to you, then I really wouldn’t go near a chainsaw.

If you do, then you might need a chainsaw to cut cordwood to length to split for firewood (see our wood stoves topic for more information on this). Or you might want to fell and process trees if you have some land, or a smallholding. There are other reasons too – you may want to get into chainsaw carving, or to cut wood for fence posts, or for cutting out pieces of wood for green woodworking, or making rustic furniture or for round wood building.

A chainsaw is much too coarse for joinery or conventional woodworking, however.