How to Get Started with Chainsaw Carving

Chainsaw carving has been steadily growing in popularity over the last couple of decades. The brute and power of a chainsaw mixed with the finesse of sculpture design are a unique match made in heaven. From a standard bear design to out of this world dragon or spaceships, the possibilities are endless in this art form.

If you are interested in trying chainsaw carving for yourself, below is a complete list of what you need to get started! It’s not as much as you think!

Chainsaw and All the Necessary Accessories

Selecting your first saw doesn’t have to break the bank or skimp on performance. Saw power is a huge factor when it comes to price. When you first set off to start carving, a less powerful saw is a better choice for a couple different reasons.

Price – Entry level saws come in the $170 to $200 price range. Much more affordable than the $1000+ more powerful saws. 

Handling Ability – The weight of the saw and speed of the chain increase as you move up in saw size, making it more difficult to control if you don’t have a lot of  experience. In order to safely operate a saw at different angles, smaller sizes are the place to start

Entry level gas chainsaws are the way to go if you are looking for one saw to get started in carving. They are the perfect combination of weight and power. The Stihl MS 170 and Husqvarna 240 are two saws that stand out in this category.

The nice thing about going with an entry level saw is they come standard with a chain and bar that work for carving. Usually a ⅜” pitch chain with a 12” – 14” bar. There are special bars created for carving but are not a necessity to get started. 

Once you have your saw picked out all you need is gas and bar oil. 

Most saws run with a 50:1 gas to oil ratio. Many manufacturers make pre-mixed fuel or you can buy individual oil bottles to be mixed with your own fuel, which is more cot effective if you plan on doing a lot of cutting.

Bar oil is a must and helps keep the friction down on the chain and bar when in motion. Just like fuel, many manufacturers make their own bar oil. There have also been

Check out what we think is the best chainsaw carving saw!

Wood Log or Stump

When starting out it is best to find a log that is manageable. Something that can be easily picked up and moved around and won’t be so intimidating of a carve. Ideally you also want something that doesn’t cost anything either! 

If you don’t have access to fallen trees or stumps, check out facebook marketplace and craigslist. There will more than likely be someone wanting to get rid of wood that is down in their yard… It might even be cut into manageable pieces for you. 

Hardwood vs. Softwood – Softwood is easier to carve. The blades get through easier, causing less kickback and a smoother finish. Hardwoods can chunk easier if your blades aren’t sharp. Hardwoods will last longer and won’t decay as fast as softwood through. Decay can be delayed if the carving is applied with a finish and stored out of the elements. 

Regardless of the type of wood you prefer to use, go for what’s free as you increase your carving skills!

Plans

It’s daunting to look at a fresh cut log and try to picture a shape that will come out of it. For that, follow a plan! The easiest way to get started is to follow a path someone else has planned out. Summarized here are several resources to get you started.

Chainsaw Bear Carving Plans (Coming Soon)

Chainsaw Mushroom Plans (Coming Soon)

Chainsaw Fox plans (Coming Soon)

Looking for more beginner carvings? Check out our full library of beginner carving plans from many great resources. (Coming Soon)

Protective Gear

The most important area for any beginner chainsaw carver is safety gear! After all, you are handling a dangerous machine at odd angles! You need to be thinking about your eyes, ears, feet, and legs. 

Eyes: Safety glasses are a no brainer when doing any type of tool work, especially if that tool throws wood chips at you at a high rate of speed. 

Ears: If you are running gas powered saws, having your ears protected is a must. There are many great noise reduction headphones on the market that won’t break the bank. 

Feet: Blocking a carving out is the first step to any carving, which means larger slices will be falling. Steel toed boots will protect your feet in the instance one of those large blocks falls on you.

Legs: Fast moving chains at weird angles… chaps are your answer. A slip up can happen in the blink of an eye and having your legs covered in a material that will stop the blade from hitting your skin is the best insurance you can get. 

Airing on the side of precaution can save you a lot of discomfort in the future. Make sure you are well protected when you pick up a saw.

Stand

It’s hard on your back if you are carving a log on the ground. Propping your piece up will create comfort for yourself which will give you the ability to work longer before fatigue sets in. It can be as simple as a stump with spikes/screws or you can invest in a jawhorse to get the job done.

The jawhorse is nice because it can accommodate many different size logs. It also allows you to angle the carving if you want to focus in on a specific area. With its easy locking mechanism, logs can be positioned in a snap. 

One common adjustment with the Jawhorse is to add pieces of wood around the clamping area to provide a buffer for your chain if you happen to cut too close to the base. Hitting your chain on the metal stand would cause more damage than brushing it through a piece of wood.

Our favorite one is the Rockwell JawHorse RK 9003 for its increased clamping power and larger diameter clamping area!

In Conclusion

This is not an exhaustive list but these are the items that will have you well prepared to start your first carving. It’s important to not get hung up on the gear and equipment. Be safe and start carving! You will get a feel along the way what will be must haves for you in your carving journey.