Five Basic Chainsaw Maintenance Tips for Beginners // How To

Keeping your chainsaw running in top condition will not only improve your wood cutting efficiency but keep you and your saw safe as well.
Featured is the Stihl MS261 Pro Chainsaw that I have been using for 10 years.
Here are five tips to keep your machine running in excellent condition.
How To:
- condition your bar
- clean and inspect
- sharpen your chain
- adjust chain tension
- store your chainsaw long term
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#stihlusa #chainsaw #maintenance

[@10acreplayground71]

As someone new to chainsaws, these are some great tips thank you.

[@endurancekennels]

Awesome 👍

[@robcrowley75]

Choke till first sputter . Push in choke pull and run saw . Wait nicely for saw to behave . Choose cuts and ( escape route first ) I've been trying to run away once , and some blackberry bush stopped me . Keep everything including yourself to one side of the machine . Prepared for the worse plan for the best . Ps always hold on with both hands . Leave saw Insitu and run away may happen always plan . R.C watch the chain tension all the time you refuel nose up on the front of the bar leave 8 mm slop on a 2ft bar 72 tooth . Oil , clean ,oil ,clean , then I buy two chains for under 20 squirrels and make sure you don't hit any fencing inside . My 2and a half pence worth .

[@lisa2stewart]

A nice easy way to get your brain ready for some serious maintenance. Someone with knowledge passing it on. Thanks a lot!

[@bradleycyrus4481]

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[@flynnvihaan289]

@Bradley Cyrus Instablaster =)

[@bradleycyrus4481]

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[@bradleycyrus4481]

@Flynn Vihaan It worked and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thanks so much, you saved my ass !

[@flynnvihaan289]

@Bradley Cyrus happy to help :)

[@atman3437]

Thank you. Love the patient, detailed explanations. I am new to the chainsaw and all these videos help. Yours are quality. I will start rotating my blade and proudly have it upside down (half the time) as a sign of good maintenance!

[@endurancekennels]

No prob just some basic maintenance that I've learned over the years.

[@deborahfairbanks4012]

Thank you! I have an electric Remington Chainsaw. I also need to sharpen the chain. I don't use it for work, just for sawing branches in my yard. So far you are the first person I've watched who has addressed the blade maintenance. I used a paperclip in the groves because I'm sitting at my computer watching your video! LOL

[@madsleonardholvik3040]

Thanks for these tips! On my chainsaw I use rapeseed oil as chain oil. I've done it for years and it works well and is cheap and no toxic gases.

[@endurancekennels]

Cool news!

[@bigcountry5520]

compressed air works amazing!

[@endurancekennels]

Use what you have. I don't like compressed air because it makes a mess and you need to wear lots of protective gear.

[@robcrowley75]

The chain slop on the first had me super worried. Cool tips old cards folded up , in half clean and oil the bar , like the other guy mentioned a few oiled paintbrushes are key to working inside the ( business end of the machine ) especially if the chain oil is flowing too much , keep safe everyone .

[@TolaTrucking]

All videos I've watched lately not one mentioned that the chain was directional.....thank you . Dumb me learned something new

[@DavidLong-zn3ih]

Thank you for the video

[@endurancekennels]

You're welcome 👌

[@frankie7508]

I think you need a stiff bristle Brush to clean out the sawdust from the chainsaw in the field, and not use the metal tools in the stihl Filing kit, As a helpful suggestion. By the way thanks for a great video with good tips all along the way; Your experience and knowledge really shows well. 👍👍👍

[@endurancekennels]

Use what you have 👌

[@silverbobcat1855]

A very useful and well explained video.

[@endurancekennels]

Thanks

[@DSH1LL]

Thanks for posting the tips

[@dscritter614]

New 2 chainsaws. Thx 4 helpful vid.

[@drohanp]

I use an old paint brush for debris removal in power head and elsewhere.

[@endurancekennels]

That works too bud 👍

[@robcrowley75]

And I was told an old business card folded up cleans the bar well

[@johncamps1337]

Thanks great tips. 👍🏻

[@endurancekennels]

No problem 👍

[@robertabyrd7794]

Thank you for information did not know that

[@carba8606]

Well done friend....

[@endurancekennels]

Thanks. I should do an update on this video 🍁

[@billbaber6653]

Thanks good tips don’t know much.

[@endurancekennels]

I'm always learning too. Have yet to meet someone who knows it all 😎

[@bamalongboat8193]

Thanks...good video

[@endurancekennels]

You are welcome.

[@inspectorjavert5563]

great video man thank you for the tips.

[@nsg_kuunda4786]

I haven't used my dad's old saw since before he died like 10 years ago. Checked it and the oil and gas are empty, oil all through the bottom of the case. - I thought I'd just fill it and try running it. But now I feel like I've got a little more to do than that.

[@endurancekennels]

Only one way to find out!

[@oopsiepoo]

How often do you clean and sharpen the bar? Howoften do you rotate the bar?

[@l-i-o-nslight9930]

One video one guy said he gives his chain a quick sharpen before every use.....Makes sense, just staying on top of it kinda deal...

[@robcrowley75]

Everytime the saw loses cutting power , new chain and reverse the bar , for even wear . Old cards folded in half clean up the bar and sprocket on the front with a paintbrush . I've sat and sharpened 72 tooth chains it's 40 minutes of work , they are never going to get better . 6 quid each that's my reason .you end up burning 4 times as much fuel and chain oil and hurting your arms and stressing the tiny 2 stroke engine .

[@FarahAbdul]

I have a 3 question sir. I want to purchase two chainsaws and travel with it to overseas. 1. Will they allow me to put it in my luggage? 2. How much do they weigh? 3. Will they fit in a luggage bag or do they have bag that are designed for them like guitars. Thank you very much I learned a lot from you. 😁😁😁

[@xijinpingsfavoritehemorrho1328]

Saws will have to be teansported in the cargo hold as they are quite heavy, and have sharp edges. They weigh in the range of 10 to 25 pounds, and you can purchase cases at a farm store. Ive had good luck with the box that husqvarna sells to fit larger saws easily. It will be relatively expensive to bring them with you because of weight and the large size when in the box. You might be able to carry the saw itself without the chain as carry on luggage, but you wont be able to fit it overhead easily and will be riding with a stinky saw in your lap all the way. In any case, drain all flyids and rjnse with straight gas and allow to dry, they womt let you bring a saw with flammable gas or leaky oil in it, as they hate liquids and bringing gas on a plane is definitely not allowed.

[@scottymathews2730]

Good video

[@dorothysmith2681]

Good info

[@suziehartwright]

Thanks 😉👍

[@lalruatkima7751]

Thanks for the video. Any lubrication required?

[@endurancekennels]

No, your bar oil will solve that. You could grease your clutch bearing once a year though depending on how much you use it.

[@randyscott990]

Excellent video. Only thing I saw needing a correction. You were using your file for removing burrs from bar in the wrong direction. Files only cut in one direction.

[@endurancekennels]

I only applied pressure in one direction but thanks for the tip!

[@guysolis5843]

Great video, very thorough. I don't use gas powered saws any more. I've done my major work already but I bought a nice Echo battery saw, it seems to work nice and here's one thing you didn't cover in your video. How to repair a pinching guide bar. My saw is brand new and the first time I used it I wacked it and now the chain binds...any thoughts? Thanks..

[@endurancekennels]

Oh I haven't heard of that. I'd bring it back to the dealership and have them look at it or just get a new bar and chain.

[@xijinpingsfavoritehemorrho1328]

Ypu might be able to true up the bar with a lead hammer, but if youre not an experienced diyer with a good strightedge, a new bar is probably the way to go. Cant imagine that little bar costs much. i wouldnt bother fixing anything under 18".

[@guysolis5843]

@@xijinpingsfavoritehemorrho1328 Agreed..

[@danieloakley3051]

Generally if it just pinched, take a flat head screwdriver or you scrench an twist it a little where the chain is pinching. The chain should drop back in the groove.

[@user-gi3xj8nz3s]

Great video keep up the good work.👍👍. Do you have links for the chainsaw sharpener and the tools you used for this video

[@endurancekennels]

That's a great question! I'll check for you 😁

[@TheGoodLife6671]

@@endurancekennels me too please, especially the oregon file vise (bar burr remover), I can't find it anywhere 😥

[@jessegiltamag4220]

i use paint brush for cleaning and if still needed then the rag

[@endurancekennels]

That works too!

[@LoganHarner-gt9hl]

How come the round spots on the bar

[@endurancekennels]

The paint has worn off from many hours and cuts.

[@imresaareleht3285]

Theres nothing better for cleaning than good old toothbrush..

[@l-i-o-nslight9930]

Can use a toothbrush too to clean off the saw dust! :) Thanks for the video!!!

[@endurancekennels]

Good tip!

[@muhash50]

NO! NO NO NO NOOOOO. No tooth brush. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@l-i-o-nslight9930]

@@muhash50 really? I did it at home, seem to work good?

[@waynejohnson9855]

someone gave me a timber line and by the time you get it set up i can hand sharpen my chain, glad i never bought one.

[@john0johno650]

You didn't explain on how to grease the sprocket at the end of the bar. Shouldn't that be maintained ?

[@endurancekennels]

Stihl bars and many others don't need to be greased the bar oil takes care of it.

[@Brian.Milligan]

Stihl removed the grease port from their proprietary bars. (Parts sales is huge business) If you run any standard or professional bar you will have a grease port, and yes.. grease your sprocket! This lowers the friction and heat while running and will help remove dirt and debris when pushing the new grease through. Many argue this point, but, it is a foolish argument, grease at a friction point is never a bad idea. Don’t rely on bar oil to do this job, your bar (sprocket) will last longer.

[@UNDEADtRoLlInG]

What about the oil and gas? What's best for that

[@endurancekennels]

Basic knowledge.

[@UNDEADtRoLlInG]

@@endurancekennels two stroke engine oil And two stroke gas right???!

[@moewells100]

You know the source is legit as he’s got a chainsaw tattoo on his wrist. I believe what he’s selling

[@deniseroy589]

My husband wont do it,... so i got to do it.

[@endurancekennels]

You mean your wife? 🤣

[@rotgut14]

Embarrassing.....

[@diamondfirst9956]

Nope... too loose

[@muhash50]

I think you are on vacation. I dont have that much time. Bye now.

[@endurancekennels]

See ya 👍

[@tufailshaikh7884]

You need to improve on your cinematography

[@endurancekennels]

Says the blank profile 🤣