Can a Chainsaw Cut Through Bone?
Chainsaws are among the most powerful saws available. This is the reason they are often portrayed in zombie movies and other stuff. A question arises, however; can a chainsaw cut through bone?
Yes, chainsaws can cut through bone easily because of how strong and sharp they are. The chain of the saw possesses cutters in a zigzag style that reinforces the cutting effect during the motion. The powerful motor of the saw is another reason why it can cut through bone.
While a chainsaw can cut through bone, the chain of the saw will get dull quickly as it is not made for cutting through the bone. We know, that nobody will use their saw for cutting bones unless and until you are working in a butchery shop.
However, there are a lot of interesting things when it comes to knowing about how a chainsaw can cut through bone and other things. If you are interested in learning about all this then keep reading!
Can a Chainsaw Cut Through Bone?
As mentioned earlier, chainsaws can cut through bone because of how strong they are. The chain of the saw has zigzag cutters that help to reinforce the cutting effect. You might be interested in learning more about the structure of the chain now.
This is because as a woodworker this will help you learn what type of chainsaw chains are out there and which one will be perfect for the job you are working on.
Well according to my research, there used to be two types of chainsaw chains in the early days. These two types of chains include:
Scratcher Teeth
This is the first type of chain and it was used mainly for felling trees. The teeth on this type of chain are not as sharp as the ones you see today.
Scratcher’s teeth were designed in a way that they would catch on the bark of the tree and help to cut through it. These were very simple teeth with a wave pattern and not cutting depth gauge as such.
Chipper Teeth
The second type of chain is the chipper teeth and this type of chain was used for cutting through branches and smaller pieces of wood.
Chipper teeth are much sharper than the scratcher teeth and they also have a cutting depth gauge. This type of chain is still being used today and you will find them on most chainsaws.
But nowadays, the chainsaw chain’s teeth structure has completely evolved and there are chains for different purposes such as tree felling, tree surgery, and firewood. These modern chainsaw chains teeth include:
Full Chisel Saw Chains
Full chisel chipper chains are the most popular type of chainsaw chain as they offer a good cutting performance and they are also very durable.
The teeth on these chains are very sharp and they have a beveled edge. The beveled edge helps to increase the cutting speed and also makes it easier to sharpen the chain.
These types of chains are mainly used for cutting softwoods and they are not recommended for cutting hardwoods.
Semi-Chisel Saw Chains
The semi-chisel chain is the most versatile type of chain as it can be used for cutting both softwoods and hardwoods.
The teeth on these chains are not as sharp as the full chisel teeth but they are still very effective. The main advantage of these chains is that they are much easier to sharpen.
If you are looking for a chain that can be used for general purposes then the semi-chisel chain is the best option.
Chipper Saw Chains
The chipper chain is mainly used for cutting firewood and branches. The teeth on these chains are very sharp and they have a cutting depth gauge.
The main advantage of these chains is that they are very easy to sharpen. However, they are not as durable as the full chisel or semi-chisel chains.
Low-Profile Chains
Low-profile chains are mainly used for tree surgery as they offer a good cutting performance and they are also very maneuverable.
The teeth on these chains are very sharp and they have a beveled edge. The main advantage of these chains is that they are very easy to sharpen.
However, they are not as durable as the full chisel or semi-chisel chains.
So this was a little bit of historical background as well as info on what type of chainsaw chains are available out there. But you were here to get an answer to your question i.e. can a chainsaw cut through bone right?
Since you’ve learned about different types of cutters used on chainsaw chains, I think it will be easy for you to understand whether a chainsaw can cut through bone or not.
What Type Of Chainsaw Tooth Design Can Cut Through Bone?
Basically, any type of chainsaw tooth design can cut through bone if the chain is sharp enough. However, full chisel and semi-chisel teeth are more effective in cutting through bone than chipper teeth.
This is because the full chisel and semi-chisel teeth have a beveled edge which helps to increase the cutting speed.
Can A Chainsaw Cut Off An Arm?
Of course, you might also be wondering whether a chainsaw can completely cut off your arm or it can just hurt you very bad. People mostly think about this when they want to learn how bad an accident can happen when working with chainsaws.
Yes, a chainsaw can cut off an arm without any issue because of the powerful engine and the aggressive tooth design used on the chain of the saw.
There are many accidents in the record where chainsaws have killed the operators or have chopped off their arms and legs completely.
For example, Aaron Gandolfi, a man from McMinnville who lost his arm after cutting it off with a chainsaw back in 2020, has been discharged from the hospital and is recuperating. “I’m grateful to be alive,” Aaron Gandolfi told the Standard in an interview on Friday.
This is just one example and there are definitely hundreds or even thousands of them out there. Therefore, whenever you are working with a chainsaw, make sure you are using it with proper safety precautions otherwise you may end up getting yourself permanently injured.
What Can A Chainsaw Not Cut?
While it’s true a chainsaw is one of the most powerful tools used for cutting wood and stuff. There are some limitations of the saw. You might be interested to know what a chainsaw can’t cut through.
A chainsaw can’t cut through metal, for example. This is because the chain of the saw is designed to cut through wood only. The same goes for concrete, bricks, and other hard materials.
A chainsaw is also not effective in cutting through ice. This is because the chain of the saw will just slip on the ice and it will not be able to make any cuts.
To sum it up, a chainsaw is a powerful tool that can be used for cutting through wood, bone, and other materials. However, there are some limitations of the saw as well which you should be aware of.
Last Minute Thoughts
So can a chainsaw cut through bone? Well, the answer is yes it can. But I would not recommend doing it because it’s extremely dangerous.
If you still insist on doing it, make sure you are using the proper safety precautions and you know what you are doing. Otherwise, you may end up seriously injuring yourself.
I hope this article was helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them down below and I will be more than happy to help you out.
