5 Best Chainsaw Modifications & Hacks

Gas chainsaws are versatile—considering they are powered by small engines, there are dozens of ways you can modify them by removing the engine and using it for some other application. We searched around the web for the coolest chainsaw modifications we could find and came up with 4 cool hacks from creative tinkerers. Check out our list and let us know in the comments if you have seen any other cool mods!

5. Chainsaw Flashlight

This chainsaw hack that we found on Instructables.com is an alternative to a gas powered generator flashlight. While it might not be the most practical flashlight for nighttime due to how loud chainsaw engines are, it's still a cool mod that you can do at home yourself if you’re handy. Obviously a chainsaw drives a bit more power than is needed to power a light bulb, so this hack takes some significant modifications to a chainsaw engine.

4. Chainsaw Scooter

A chainsaw scooter makes a little bit more sense—with a small engine motor, you can get enough power to get a scooter moving pretty quickly. This particular mod was done using a 27cc chainsaw engine and is powerful enough for an adult to ride. We can’t promise this one is street legal in your town, though.

3. Chainsaw Twin Engine Go Kart

Add another engine, and you have a serious go kart. Again, chainsaw engines are loud, but this modified chainsaw engine go kart looks like it drives and handles almost as well as any other go kart.

2. Chainsaw Bayonett

This is the only modification on the list that actually uses the saw bar and chain. You may have seen this modification in movies and videogames, but firearms accessories company Double Star created a functioning chainsaw bayonet. The modification is intended in case of a zombie apocalypse, of course.

1. Chainsaw Motorcycle

One or two chainsaw engines seems like a reasonable amount to make a modded chainsaw engine vehicle, but how many more can you actually add? Dolmette managed to make a chainsaw motorcycle using 24 of their engines. This makes for an extra-long motorcycle with 170 horsepower and a tedious visit to the gas station.

HLSupply.com provides aftermarket chainsaw parts for leading brands including Stihl, Husqvarna, Partner & more. Visit their store for the complete selection of power tool parts, supplies & accessories.

Fall Yard Maintenance Tips

Even though summer just ended, it's the perfect time to start getting your lawn in shape so it looks better than the last year. Fall brings with it beautiful leaves and cooler temperatures that are perfect for getting some yard work done and repairing blemishes won't look as noticeable against the browning grass and leaves. Here are a few tips for maintaining your lawn in the fall.

Rake the Leaves: This should go without saying, but raking the leaves will ensure that you grass continues to get sunlight throughout the fall. It's especially important to rake them before it rains because fungus could form and kill your grass. Dry leaves are also easy to clean up with a leaf blower.

Mow Your Lawn: Keeping up with mowing your lawn is important during the autumn months because it will continue to grow until it gets very cold. You'll also want to lower the height of your mower so that the grass doesn’t have to supply nutrients to long blades. This will also help prevent any rodents from forming homes underneath the snow in the winter.

Aerate the Soil: Fall is a great time to aerate your lawn since you won't be using it as much over the next few months. It will give your soil more oxygen and help bring new layers of soil up to the surface.

Fertilize: Fertilizing your lawn in the fall will ensure that your grass has proper nutrients throughout the cold winter months when those nutrients are scarce.

Fix Bald Spots: Similar to fertilizing, getting a head start on fixing any blemishes or bald spots in the early fall will get those spots growing now and looking perfect in the spring.

Get Rid of Weeds: Weeds will be sucking up all the nutrients they can to prepare for winter, so giving them a few sprays of weed killer will be most effective in the fall. Pair that with a few months of cold temperatures, and you won't be seeing those weeds the following year.

Winterize Trees & Shrubs: Don't forget your landscaping! Trees and shrubs need some care to prepare for winter as well. Doing a bit of pruning will help your trees look ready in the spring. Limiting their water intake is also a good idea to encourage the leaves to fall off and your plants to get ready for winter.

HLSupply.com carries a wide selection of parts and supplies for power lawn care tools including chainsaws, blowers, and lawn mowers. Visit our store for our complete selection of aftermarket parts.

How to Choose a Gas Chainsaw

If you're serious about your power tools, you have already decided that an electric chainsaw won't provide enough power for the jobs you have in mind. Using a chainsaw regularly, whether it's on trees, shrubs, or any number of woodworking jobs, requires the power a gas engine provides, and also gives you the added benefit of being able to move around without the restrictions of power cords.

Gas powered chainsaws also tend to be a bit more expensive than their electric cousins, so choosing the correct saw for your application is important. While the best brand of chainsaw is open for debate, there are number of technical specifications that should be considered no matter the brand you eventually decide on purchasing.

Engine Size

The first thing you have to determine is the engine size, also known as engine displacement, you need in a chainsaw. Obviously, larger engines provide more power and are generally required for bigger jobs. Most homeowners will require a saw under 60cc, and the most common homeowner saws will be between 30cc and 45cc (such as Stihl's line of homeowner saws). Lower engine displacements are generally used for trimming and pruning, and higher engine displacements can be used for small to medium trees and cutting firewood.

Bar Length

Bar length is another measurement that is typically determined by the type of work you're doing. Homeowner chainsaws are usually available with bars that range between 14 and 18 inches. If you won't be cutting trees or logs, you should make sure to go with a smaller bar. A 14" bar will not only minimize chances of injury, but it will also be easier to handle which will allow you to get the job done more quickly.

Chain Type

There are two different kinds of chains that you need to be aware of when purchasing a saw: full-chisel teeth and semi-chisel teeth. Full-chisel teeth are great for quickly chipping away large amounts of wood, but this causes them to become dull rather quickly so it's best to use a full-chisel chain on woods such as pine and cedar. The opposite is true for semi-chisel teeth. They won't dull as quickly and therefore can cut through hardwoods such as maple and oak for longer periods of time (though each individual cut may take a bit longer).

Safety Features

Finally, you'll want to consider the safety options that your saw offers. If you're a novice chainsaw user, you should make sure your saw has features that will protect you from injury. Look for a chain break lever, which can be combined with the front handguard so that if for any reason the chainsaw kicks back, the guard will hit your hand and stop the chain. Other safety features to look for include a safety throttle, chain catcher, and stop switch. Wikipedia offers a good overview of many of the safety features available on a chainsaw.

We hope this gave a good overview of the features you need to look for when purchasing a gas powered chainsaw and will help you along the way when you’re talking to salespeople. Finally, remember to purchase the proper safety gear before you start working and you'll be on your way to a beautifully kept yard!

HLSupply.com sells aftermarket chainsaw parts for a chainsaws from Stihl, Husqvarna, Partner and many more. Visit our store for the best deals on power tool parts and equipment.