Why I Have a Mini Chainsaw (and Maybe You Should Too)
Once you dive down the rabbit hole of home repair and maintenance (which will lead to a rabbit hole full of saved money!), you’ll start collecting tools . Some of them will be disposable and will sit in the garage or shed for decades, like museum pieces. But sometimes even these tools can surprise you, proving far more useful than you ever imagined.
For me, a mini chainsaw was one such tool. Specifically, this one (I considered other options, but I really wanted a cordless, one-handed version because I live in a small town house, not on a huge wood-and-steam-powered farm). I bought it specifically for landscaping and tree trimming, but it quickly proved to be one of the most useful tools in my collection—so useful that I think every DIYer should have one. Here are just a few ways I use it effectively.
Trimming
The initial use for the mini chainsaw was trimming invasive branches and vines in my neighbor’s yard, which is almost sensible in its determination to colonize my property. I love my neighbors, and this isn’t a point of contention, but if I don’t keep this situation under control, my entire house will be covered in creeping vines that have colonized their yard for so long it’s almost structural, and I’ll never see the sun again because of the encroaching tree branches in their backyard. The mini chainsaw is perfect for this job. It cuts straight through (surprisingly thick and durable) vines and tree branches. Since it’s a one-handed tool, I can safely wield it from a ladder without risking my fingers (or more vital body parts).
Cut not only branches
If you think chainsaws are only used for woodcutting—cutting firewood or clearing fallen trees—you’re wrong. The advantage of a chainsaw is that it easily cuts even dense, thick materials. I used my chainsaw to cut PVC when doing some minor plumbing work around the house, and it did a great job.
It’s also great for quickly cutting wood. While I wouldn’t use a chainsaw instead of a circular saw or table saw for precision cutting, it does save time by allowing for a few minor trims here and there, especially after I secured a 2×4 board with screws and discovered I’d missed the initial cut by a quarter inch. The mini chainsaw easily and effortlessly trims away the excess.
Some people online claim to have used mini chainsaws to cut drywall quickly, but I’m not sure I’d try that. I’m sure it works, but it seems a bit overkill.
Demonstration work
Every DIY project begins with disassembly and disassembly, and a mini chainsaw has become an indispensable tool. For example, when I recently remodeled my deck, I had to remove and haul away all the old boards and framing. The mini chainsaw made it easy to cut everything down to a more manageable size, eliminating the need to lug 10-foot-long boards around the house. It was a quick and easy way to get rid of a lot of bulky items and prevent the inevitable damage I caused (both to my back and to the house).
Enjoy creating your own art
This isn’t exactly a use case, but it’s worth noting: mini chainsaws are a joy to use. The ability to simply press a button and cut away whatever irritates you is worth the price alone. (If you’re like me, the ability to make chainsaw noises while you work is just an added bonus.)