Buy online with STIHL today
Find a Dealer
Email icon alternative text
  1. Homepage
  2. Garden ideas and advice
  3. Garden power tool maintenance and operation
  4. Chainsaw tips

Chainsaw tips

Advice on everything from starting your chainsaw and sawing firewood, right through to winter maintenance and much more.

As the chainsaw experts we have plenty of advice to offer. Our collection includes invaluable tips on chainsaw safety, maintenance and operation.

A STIHL MS 261 C-M petrol chainsaw with Light 04 guide bar clamped to a workbench, and bottle of STIHL MotoMix behind it

How to sharpen a saw chain

Even the best saw chains become blunt over time, and a blunt chain means reduced performance and more strain on you and your tool. Find out what you need to do to keep your chainsaw cutting effectively.
How to sharpen your chainsaw
Workbench with sharpening tools and saw chain

How to tighten your chainsaw chain

Whether your chainsaw comes with quick, side or frontal chain tensioning, we’ll show you how to adjust it correctly.
Tensioning your chainsaw

CHAINSAW CUTTING ATTACHMENTS GUIDE

We've put together a useful guide which shows you all the saw chain & guide bar combinations for STIHL chainsaws in our current range. Click the link below to download!

Close-up of the chain sprocket cover being removed from a STIHL MS 261 C-M petrol chainsaw

Chainsaw maintenance

For your chainsaw to always give you the best cutting performance and a long service life, it needs regular maintenance and care. We’ve put together all the information you need to keep your tool in perfect order.
Tool care and maintenance
A STIHL MS 500i W petrol chainsaw on a workbench with tools hanging on the wall behind

Chainsaw storage and care tips

If you’re not going to be using your chainsaw for an extended period of time, it’s important that you store it correctly. Follow our advice to ensure your tool is ready when you need it.
How to store it
Close-up of STIHL ADVANCE Ergo MS protective gloves for chainsaw work being worn by someone holding a chainsaw

Chainsaw PPE

For your safety we strongly recommend the right protective clothing and equipment when working with powerful tools. We’ve put together information on everything you need to stay safe when you use a chainsaw.
Protective clothing for chainsaw work
A combination canister on a tool bench in between canisters of STIHL MotoMix and BioPlus chain oil

The right fuel mix for my chainsaw

Your chainsaw runs on a mixture of petrol and engine oil that you can make up yourself. Consult our guide to find out the products to include and how to get the mix right for optimum performance.
Fuel mixture
A STIHL MS 180 C-BE chainsaw on the ground, with a person wearing protective gloves holding the handle.

How to start a STIHL chainsaw

Before you get to work with your STIHL chainsaw, you need to know how to start it safely and effectively. We’ve put together clear instructions and videos to make it easy.
How to start your STIHL chainsaw
Log stack after cutting firewood

Cutting firewood

Cutting your own firewood can save you money if you have a tree to dispose of. Our practical advice breaks down the best way to do it, and gives you some handy tricks along the way.
Cutting firewood
A workbench with several STIHL products on it: a chainsaw, Varioclean, Multispray and Superclean resin solvent

How to clean a chainsaw

Find out why you should clean your chainsaw, as well as what tools might help you get the job done, whether you have a cordless or petrol chainsaw.
Cleaning
A STIHL MSA 120 cordless chainsaw on a workbench, with someone inspecting it

Replacing a chainsaw chain

The process for replacing the chain on your tool will depend on which tensioning system your STIHL chainsaw has. Whether it uses quick chain tensioning, or a front / side mounted tensioner, our step-by-step instructions make the task easy.
replacing a chainsaw chain

STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® SERIES: a competition for professional lumberjacks

A lumberjack cuts slices from a trunk on-stage at the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship 2018 in Liverpool

Back in 1985, ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG launched the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Series championship in the USA. Since then, the competition has come to represent the very pinnacle of lumberjack sports globally, including in Europe.

More for technology enthusiasts