Whether you are a homeowner cleaning up a few trees and limbs in the yard, a farmer cutting firewood and keeping the pasture clear, or a firefighter cutting a firebreak for a forest fire, you know how handy a chain saw can be!

Chain saws are also great when you are interested in getting up close and personal with gasoline power. If you want to see a basic two-stroke engine in its simplest application, then a chain saw is the best place to start! In this article, we'll learn about chain saws and two-stroke engines by completely dismantling a typical 16-inch chain saw. You will also learn how magnetos, centrifugal clutches and carbs work in the process!

Videos The choke in operation (0.5 MB) Tour of the engine (10 MB) Explanation of the intake and exhaust ports (7.3 MB) The carburetor (5.1 MB) Explanation of the crankshaft and piston (3.7 MB)

 

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