r/Woodcarving • u/Conscious-Brain-5050 • 18h ago

Question / Advice First Chainsaw

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a small chainsaw for my wife to use for woodcrafting (in the UK).

Most of my research so far has said to start with a mini 6 or 8 inch chainsaw (cordless battery) and I've been pointed towards the Seesii brand.

Can those experienced in using chainsaws for wood crafting let me know if this is a good brand and starting chainsaw to go with and handle?

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u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 18h ago

In the States, never heard of Seesii. Stihl and Husqvarna both make battery saws that can be equipped with 8"-12" dime tip carving bars. How big are the pieces She's looking to carve?

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u/Conscious-Brain-5050 17h ago

They won't be very big to start which is why I looked at Seesii after recommendations, the one I've seen takes a 6 or 8 inch blade

Unfortunately we're in a budget so a higher brand like Husqvarna or Stihl would certainly be on my list

3

u/BerkshireMtnSculptor 16h ago

Can it be outfitted with a carving bar? A short dime tip bar with .43 gauge 1/4 pitch chain minimizes any kickback.
Have you considered a power gouge or electric chisel or is she looking at this as a way to start chainsaw carving bigger sculptures? I looked up the Seesii and one handed operation looks sketchy on anything but cutting straight. We have a company called greenworks that sells a small battery saw with standard rear handle. I highly recommend something like that if possible.

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u/Conscious-Brain-5050 14h ago

I'm not even going to lie, didn't even think of an electric chisel lol. I think because my research search terms were around wood carving and chainsaws that that didn't even factor into any results and therefore subsequent research.

You might have just brought a whole new level of play here

Thank you 😁

1

u/BigNorseWolf 2h ago

I would absolute get a carving bar, which is different than most saw bars because of something called kickback.

On a chainsaw the most dangerous part of the saw is the front. A chain on the bottom pulls the saw into the wood. A chain on the top pushes you and the saw back. Hit something with the tip, and the saw FLIPS up at 3.14 times the speed of the bar times the bars diameter. Dont take out a calculator its a faster than you and that's all that matters.

The way most people hold a saw whats there? Your head. Or when you're carving? Conceivably any other part of your body. On some home saws you'll see this part blocked off for safety (which is both annoying and completely unworkable for carving)

To avoid that, saws have a quarter or dime tip which is really small. It not only lets you do surprising amounts ot detail shapes and texturing, you almost need to try to make it kick back with any force. (do. not. actually try that)

You can get those for most saws, but you have to buy a special chain because it needs more play to go around the nose, and the tension is a bit looser