Think chainsaws are just for felling trees? Think again. These rugged, noisy tools can do a lot more than hack through trunks. In fact, with the right blade and a bit of know-how, they’re handy for a whole range of creative, practical, and downright surprising tasks—none of which involve trees at all.
Whether you’re into DIY, home upgrades, or outdoor builds, here’s how a chainsaw might earn a permanent spot in your toolkit.
1. Carving Timber for Furniture or Decor
Chainsaw carving isn’t just for artists who sculpt bears out of logs. It’s a legit way to rough out timber slabs or shape custom pieces for furniture. If you’re building something like a bench, rustic table, or timber planter box, a chainsaw can handle the initial shaping far faster than traditional saws.
You don’t need to get fancy with carvings—just straight cuts and basic shaping can go a long way. Clean it up later with a sander or planer.
For live-edge designs or that chunky farmhouse style? Chainsaws are your friend.
2. Cutting Sleepers for Landscaping Projects
Landscaping with sleepers is popular for raised garden beds, retaining walls, and garden edging. But those thick hardwood or treated pine sleepers? They’re heavy-duty. Circular saws often aren’t deep enough for a clean cut, and hand sawing is a mission.
Chainsaws, on the other hand, power through in seconds. You can cut to size, angle ends, or even notch out sections for a snug fit. It’s fast, effective, and ideal for big outdoor builds.
3. Trimming Fence Posts and Beams
If you’re building a fence, pergola, or even a shed frame, you’ll probably need to trim posts or square off beams at some point. A chainsaw handles thick posts like a breeze, and you can use it to quickly rough-cut timber onsite without dragging it to a workshop.
It’s especially useful for those jobs where the timber’s already cemented into the ground and can’t be easily moved. It’s not perfect for fine finish work, but for rough sizing? Absolutely.
4. Demolition Jobs
Tearing down an old cubby, garden structure, or even part of a timber-framed wall? A chainsaw might be the fastest way through. It cuts through wood and nails (if you’ve got the right chain), which makes it useful when you’re not too worried about precision.
Old sheds, rotten decking, or worn-out pergolas can be chopped up into manageable pieces for removal or burning. Of course, it’s not a demolition tool for every situation, but when brute force is needed, chainsaws deliver.
5. Milling Your Own Timber
Got access to felled logs but don’t want to turn them into firewood? A chainsaw mill can turn them into usable planks. This isn’t beginner-level work, but for those who want to produce their own slabs for benches, counters, or custom builds, it’s an option worth exploring.
It’s not fast. It’s not tidy. But it works, and gives you access to raw timber you can’t find at your local hardware store.
You’ll need a special mill attachment, and it’ll test your patience. But the reward? Custom timber and a pretty satisfying DIY tick-off.
6. Ice Sculpting (Yes, Really)
Not your average backyard project, but chainsaws are actually used in competitive and commercial ice sculpting. If you’ve ever seen a giant ice bar or dramatic frozen centrepiece, chances are a chainsaw helped carve it.
You probably won’t be pulling out a block of ice at home, but it’s proof that chainsaws have a creative side, too. And if you live somewhere cold enough to give it a go? Well, now you’ve got a new party trick.
7. Creative Outdoor Projects That Aren’t Just Practical
Some people use chainsaws to create timber stools, outdoor signs, or custom letter carvings. Others rough out shapes for garden sculptures or totem-style poles. If you’re the kind of person who sees a timber offcut and thinks “I could make something with that,” then a chainsaw opens up some big options.
Just a heads up; if you go down the creative route, you’ll need a steady hand and good safety gear. But once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to see why so many people swear by chainsaw carving for outdoor decor.
8. Prepping Firewood for Pizza Ovens or Camping
While chopping firewood technically still involves trees, this one makes the list because it’s not about tree removal; it’s about making firewood useful.
If you’ve got logs or timber offcuts, a chainsaw is the fastest way to size them down for a fire pit or pizza oven. You can cut them to the right length, split larger chunks, or even tidy up scrap wood from other projects.
Perfect if you’ve got a fire-hungry setup or just want a stash ready for cooler nights.
9. Upcycling Salvaged Timber
Old timber doors, beams, or planks can be a goldmine for DIY builders, but they’re rarely the right shape or size straight off the bat. A chainsaw can trim them down, cut off damaged edges, or split large pieces for easier handling.
Sure, you’ll need to finish things properly with sanding or planing, but the hard part—breaking it down into workable chunks—is done quickly with a chainsaw. It’s a smart way to breathe new life into old materials.
10. Helping with Formwork or Concrete Boxing
If you’ve ever done a concrete pour for a shed slab or path, you’ll know how fiddly the boxing setup can be. Chainsaws make quick work of trimming formwork timber onsite, especially when you need long cuts or angle adjustments.
Not everyone uses a chainsaw for this, but once you do, it’s hard to go back.
Just don’t forget to switch to a clean chain if you’ve been cutting around sand or dirt. It’ll dull your blade fast.
More Versatile Than You’d Think
Chainsaws aren’t just for loggers or emergency storm clean-ups. They’re incredibly useful tools for a range of backyard, building, and creative projects. The trick is knowing where they fit and making sure you’re using the right blade, safety gear, and technique for the job.
Used with care, a chainsaw can save time, reduce physical effort, and open the door to projects you might’ve written off as too hard.
