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.

How to Clean a Chainsaw

You take pride in your work and you should also take pride in your tools. Regularly cleaning your chainsaw is important for keeping the chainsaw running smoothly, not mention keeping it from stalling in the middle of a job. Here's what you'll need to get your saw as clean as the day you bought it:

• Air compressor
• A set of chainsaw tools
• General cleaner
• Air filter cleaner
• A towel or rag

1. Remove the drivetrain cover and remove the chainsaw chain & bar: There's not a whole lot of room for sawdust to escape in the drivetrain, so it's likely this will be an area you will have to clean more often. Use an air compressor to blow out all the dirt, dust, and grime in both the sprocket and clutch area and on the drivetrain cover. It doesn't hurt to give the chainsaw bar a quick cleaning as well.

2. Remove the oil port plate: Some compressed air should clean this area out quickly.

3. Remove the clutch cover and clean the components: Carefully unscrew and pry off the plastic clutch cover and blow out the area. Remove the sprocket and clean it off. Disassemble the clutch being careful to keep track of all the pieces, and add some bearing lubrication to the clutch bearing axle. Carefully reassemble these parts when you're done cleaning.

4. Remove the muffler: Unscrew the muffler and clean out the screen. Reassemble when you're done.

5. Clean or replace the air filter: Remove the intake cover and blow off the air filter. Remove the air filter cover and check to make sure the filter isn't damaged. If it is, you'll have to replace it. If it isn't, blow out the air filter from the inside with compressed air, and use air filter cleaner to make sure you remove any stubborn pieces. Air filter lube will also ensure that air will flow freely through the filter and keep debris from sticking to it. Reassemble the intake when you're done.

6. Reassemble the bar and the chain: Finally, put the chainsaw bar and chain back on the saw. It's important to set up your saw with proper chain tension to avoid any mishaps while running your saw.

Now your saw should be ready for any job. If along the way you find any parts that are damaged or have excessive wear, HL Supply has a variety of chainsaw parts for just about any saw you might need.

Product Review: Stihl Chainsaw Parts

Stihl is one of the most trusted brands of chainsaws and is used around the world and is an official sponsor of the summer Timbersports, a compilation of competitions that use chainsaws and handsaws. While this is one of the most prestigious saw companies, there can still be occasional breakdowns and parts will need to be replaced. Those high quality parts should always be replaced with parts of the same caliber. That’s why HL Supply offers a vast variety of Stihl chainsaw parts. Some of those include chainsaw spark plugs, chainsaw fuel filters, and chainsaw starter rope with handle which we will talk about in this review.

Chainsaw Spark Plug

One of the most commonly replaced items on a machine—the spark plug—is the combustion starter for your engine. By creating an electric bolt a chainsaw spark plug is able to ignite the fuel and the engine can start. You don’t want to have an engine that doesn’t start. Find the right size spark plug for your Stihl chainsaw fast and easy today at HL Supply.

Stihl Chainsaw Fuel Filter

Chainsaw Fuel filters are absolutely essential to having a strong chainsaw. All the fuel pulled into the engine is filtered through the fuel filter. If the filter is clogged from dirt and grime, the fuel has a harder time passing through and engine power is decreased. When cutting with a saw, power is precision. Make sure that your engine is at full power with a custom aftermarket Stihl chainsaw fuel filter.

Starter Rope with Handle

If your starter rope is about to break don’t wait for that day to come. Our aftermarket starter rope with handle is both strong and inexpensive. These easy to replace ropes will fit all of your Stihl saws. Have a durable starter cord that you don’t have to worry about breaking.

When you need to repair your Sithl chainsaw or cut-off saw, you have to make sure that you buy the right parts. That is why searching for your parts at HL Supply is essential. Find everything you need, including products like spark plugs, fuel filters, starter ropes, and many more. If you have any questions about our Stihl products, please contact us and we will get back to you right away!

Meteor Pistons & Cylinders: Aftermarket Parts for Stihl & Husqvarna Engines

At HLSupply.com, we are always on the lookout for quality, aftermarket engine parts that we can offer you at a great price. Meteor Pistons are one of the aftermarket brands we carry, and they are a favorite among chainsaw and cut-off saw enthusiasts. These aftermarket parts offer quality and performance comparable to the original parts, and for a price you won’t see on genuine Stihl and Husqvarna parts. Let’s take a look at the company and how they became a leader in aftermarket parts for Stihl and Husqvarna small engines.

Meteor Pistons Overview

Meteor Piston was founded in 1952 in Italy, and the company continues to operate out of Italy. Their original focus was on scooters, including the world-renowned Italian Vespa, and the company has been focused on small engine parts ever since. The company also worked with industrial small engines around this time.

Eventually in the 70s, Meteor Pistons began making pistons for agricultural, gardening, and forestry engines. This marked the beginning of Meteor’s manufacturing of cut-off saw, brushcutter, blower, and chainsaw pistons, which are regarded today as some of the best aftermarket parts available for Stihl and Husqvarna chainsaws and cut-off saws.

At the beginning of the new millennium, Meteor Piston was an established name in piston manufacturing and began to move into cylinder manufacturing. They began offering Nikasil plated cylinders for forestry equipment.

Today, Meteor offers pistons for a wide range of engines including forestry equipment, scooters, 4-stroke small engines, ATV engines, go-karts, and more. With over 60 years of experience manufacturing pistons in a wide range of engine types, Meteor remains a trusted name in aftermarket pistons and cylinders.

HL Supply’s Wide Selection of Meteor Pistons & Cylinders

HL Supply carries a wide range of Meteor piston kits and cylinder kits. Whether you are a Stihl user or a Huqvarna user, you will find piston assembly kits for your chainsaw model. Stihl piston kits include pistons for 026, MS260, MS250, MS230, MS210, and other models. Husqvarna piston kits include Husqvarna 346XP, 55 & 55 Rancher, 357, 359, and many more. Visit our Meteor parts page, our Stihl parts page, or our Husqvarna parts page for the entire selection of Meteor parts for your particular chainsaw or cut-off saw.

Chainsaw Parts Buyer’s Guide Part 1: Chainsaw Chains

While there are many components important to a properly running chainsaw, the chain could mean the difference between a clean, quick cut and dangerous kickback. Chainsaws utilize a chain with sharp teeth that runs around the chainsaw bar. The chain’s teeth cut through wood with ease when the proper chain is used. Modern chainsaws use one of two types of teeth: full chisel teeth or semi-chisel teeth.

Full-Chisel Teeth

Chains with full chisel teeth are generally used on soft woods. "Full chisel" means that these teeth have sharp, square corners which are designed to cut quickly by splitting large amounts of wood. Because of the design of the teeth, these chains can cut away soft woods with ease and speed. The sharpness of the square design means that these chains are more susceptible to becoming dull quickly when used for more heavy-duty jobs. These types of chains are best for soft and "green" wood.

Semi-Chisel Teeth

Semi-chisel are rounded teeth that don't dull as quickly, and are therefore better for cutting hard, dry, or frozen wood. Chains with semi-chisel teeth cut more slowly because of the rounded design, but in the long-run, they will save you time because you won’t have to stop to sharpen your chain.

Finding the Right Chain for Your Saw

Choosing the correct chain for your individual saw requires a bit of measuring. There are three main measurements that you need to determine the right chain for your saw: the pitch, the gauge, and the number of links.

1. Chain Pitch

The "pitch" of your chain is the measurement of how close the links on your chain are to each other. To get this measurement, you want to measure the length between any three rivets on your old chain, and then divide that number by 2. Most chainsaws will have a 3/8" pitch or 3/8" low profile pitch. Luckily, this number is usually displayed on the chainsaw bar. If you can't determine the pitch, it's best to bring you saw into a respected chainsaw service shop to be sure you're getting the correct measurement.

2. Chain Gauge

Gauge is the thickness of the chain, or the link width. This is important because if you get the wrong gauge, the chain won't fit into the bar properly. Again, this is a measurement that should be found on the chainsaw's bar, and could be .043", .050", .058", or .063". If you can't find it, bring your saw to a reputable service shop.

3. Chain Drive Links

Figuring out the amount of chain drive links is a bit trickier than simply looking for a number on your saw. Most likely, you won't find this number on your saw, so you will have to manually count the amount of drive links on your chain. The actually length of the chain doesn't help, because the length is determined by both the pitch and the number of links present on the chain, so it's possible to have two chains with the same length that have different amounts of links and different pitches.

As always, if you're unsure of what you're doing, it's best to bring your saw into a respected dealer and have them tell you what size chain you need.

HL Supply offers a variety of small engine parts for chainsaws, cut-off saws, and other power equipment. Visit our store for our complete selection of aftermarket small engine parts.