A chainsaw is one of the most popular tools for cutting and trimming wood. The tool is one of the deadliest if misused and isn’t something just anyone should try handling.
It requires the user to have the necessary knowledge, experience, and strength to wield it correctly. However, did you know that wood wasn’t the purpose for inventing the tool? So, what was the chainsaw originally invented for?
I love knowing more about the tools I own, and this curiosity led me to discover an exciting detail about chainsaws. This blog will reveal the intention behind investing in the tool and mention things it is used for nowadays.
What Was the Chainsaw Originally Invented For?
What you’re about to read may surprise you, so I hope you’re ready. The original chainsaws were developed for aid during childbirth – humanity has done everything they could consider possible to surprise their future generations.
According to the data, doctors sometimes use this tool for complicated pregnancies. The purpose was to efficiently and cleanly remove part of the pelvic bone, to facilitate the birthing process. However, older chainsaws were a lot different from their current designs.
They were smaller, crudely designed, and looked like a knife with jagged edges.
Till When Was it Used for This Purpose?
Think again if you think chainsaws were used in the medical field centuries ago. Several medical healthcare officials used the tool till as late as the 1980s, so you can imagine how bad I felt about learning this fact.
What Is the Chainsaw Used For?
Although doctors and nurses continued using chainsaws in medicine, the tool found new uses in carpentry. Following are some of the things chainsaws are used for now:
1. Tree Felling
Traditional media and stories often depict a person hacking away at a tree with their ax to make it fall. Although that was the way to do things years ago, things have become slightly different nowadays. People now often use chainsaws to cut trees down.
Additionally, their methodology has also become different. Woodcutters now reach the upper part of the tree and cut it off first. The purpose is to avoid the tree causing too much damage to its surroundings once it falls.
Once they have removed as much as required from the top, they work on the base.
2. Firewood Harvesting
Firewood continues to remain in demand despite the prevalence of central heating systems. Several households rely on firewood to provide fuel for cooking and heating cold rooms during winter. Additionally, some businesses also use firewood to cut costs or get the smokiness they require.
Saws are the best tool to use for firewood harvesting. It makes quick work of the thick branches to be considered for the role.
3. Limbing, Bucking, and Pruning
You may have noticed piles of logs in cartoons and video games. They are also a standard part of the set when someone wants to depict the living conditions of a hermit in a cabin in the woods. However, cutting trees doesn’t automatically create logs.
It takes cutting techniques like limbing, bucking, and pruning to make logs out of large tree trunks. Chainsaws are the best tool for the job because you can adjust their power to achieve your desired results.
The abovementioned are some of the most common jobs chainsaws undertake.
How Has the Chainsaw Design Evolved in the Past Years?
Now that you have the answer to the question ‘what was the chainsaw originally invented for?’ let’s consider its design evolution. Chainsaws have evolved extensively over the years. The tool was initially meant to facilitate childbirth, so it was smaller and thinner than most modern designs.
The decision to use it for wood cutting led to several changes in the base design. The first electro-chainsaw debuted in 1926 and is the earliest predecessor for the modern version of the tool. The version weighed over 40Kgs and used gas to power up the tool.
While modern chainsaws are heavier than most tools, they are nowhere near this number. Modern variants are also entirely battery-powered, so you can use them without undergoing the consistent lever pulls that started the earlier models.
Tips for Using a Chainsaw
Chainsaws are a helpful tool for wood cutting and other DIY projects, but they also require care when handling. Following are some of my top tips for using a chainsaw:
1. Do Not Take More Than You Can Chew
Even if you are confident about your abilities on a small scale, do not take on more than you can chew. Always call a professional more difficult jobs because they will likely require tricky strategies that can put less experienced users at risk.
2. Inspect the Chainsaw Before Commencing Work
Latest chainsaw models have several indicators on their body to show factors like battery life, obstruction, etc. Look at the indicators before fully turning on the chainsaw. It is best to get the tool repaired if it shows the need for maintenance.
Neglecting it can cause malfunction, which can be incredibly dangerous.
3. Wear Safety Gear
The safety gear required for chainsaws is extensive. You will need safety goggles to protect your eyes again the wooden fragments. There are also gloves and mitts to prevent cuts and help you absorb some of the vibrations.
There are also foot, head, leg, and fall protection. Each is meant to safeguard its designated area to keep you safe.
4. Always Use it in Spacious Area Outdoors.
Lastly, always use a chainsaw in a spacious outdoor setting. Even the slightest contact with a chainsaw can cause severe consequences, so it is better to use it without humans and wildlife.
Our Final Thoughts
The surprising answer to ‘what was the chainsaw originally invented for?’ is childbirth, something unrelated to woodcutting entirely. It has since evolved extensively, getting better and more efficient versions due to technological development.
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog and check the rest for more information.
