What To Do with Old Chainsaw Chains? (18 Cool DIY Project Ideas)

Have some old chainsaw chains in your garage? Don’t know what to do with old chainsaw chains? Don’t worry at all, here are 18 cool DIY project ideas to help you recycle, repurpose and reuse them!

I have listed these DIY projects based on their level of difficulty i.e., easy, medium, and hard. You can start with the easy projects if you are a beginner and then gradually move on to the harder ones.

Some of them are more of an art project while some are useful household items. But all of them are creative and unique in their own way. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

What to do With Old Chainsaw Chains?

The very first thing that you can do with your old chainsaw chain is to sharpen it. You can do this with a sharpening stone or a file.

If the chain is still in good condition, then you can use it to cut firewood. If not, then you can use it for other purposes such as making jewelry, art projects, etc. Metal is a very versatile material and can be used in a variety of ways.

Therefore, I decided to mention some cool DIY projects that will help you recycle your old chainsaw chains.

18 Cool DIY Projects That You Can Make with Old Chainsaw Chains

1. Make a Wind Chime

This is a very easy project that anyone can do. All you need are some old chainsaw chains, some metal wire, and some pliers.

Simply take the metal wire and make a loop at one end. Then thread the chainsaw chains through the loop and make sure that they are of different lengths.

Once you have done that, twist the other end of the wire to secure the chains in place. You can then hang your new DIY wind chime anywhere you want! It will produce an amazing sound whenever the wind blows.

2. DIY Branch Pruner

If you have an old chainsaw chain that you don’t want to use anymore. You shouldn’t throw it away because it can still be a perfect tool for pruning tree branches. All you need to do is to buy a fishing weight and a steel cable and some wooden handles or paracord.

Attach the steel cable to both ends of the chain and attach the fishing weight too followed by the handle. Now throw the fishing weight around the branch that you want to cut and catch it. Next, you start sawing the branch but make sure it doesn’t fall on you.

3. Making Knives and Swords

As mentioned earlier, metal is a very versatile material and can be used to make a variety of things. One such thing is knives and swords.

If you are into blacksmithing or know someone who is, then you can easily make knives and swords out of old chainsaw chains.

One of the best things about a chainsaw chain is that it can turn into a beautiful-looking Damascus steel which gives a splendid look and strength to the knives. Similarly, you can also make Damascus steel swords too!

4. Survival Weapons

You can also turn the old chainsaw chains into reliable survival weapons with just a little bit of creativity and ingenuity. You will need to melt the chain first and then shape it to whatever weapon you want such as a spear, a machete, or a dagger.

You can even make a blowgun out of it and use it for self-defense or hunting small game. These DIY weapons can come in handy in a survival situation.

5. Garden Hose Holder

This is a very simple yet useful project that you can do with an old chainsaw chain. All you need is a length of chain and two hooks.

Simply take the chain and loop it through the two hooks. Make sure that the chain is long enough to hold your garden hose. Now you can hang your garden hose anywhere you want without having to worry about it falling down.

6. Garden Trellis

This is another great project for your garden. If you have some old chain that you don’t want to use anymore, then you can easily turn it into a garden trellis.

All you need is some chain and four posts. Simply loop the chain around the posts and secure it in place. You can then use the trellis to support your plants.

7. Decorate a Bird Feeder

This is another easy project that will help you recycle old chainsaw chains. All you need is an old chain, some wire, an old tin can, and some scissors along with glue.

Start by cutting the can to about half its height. Then make two holes at the top of the can using the scissors. These holes should be big enough to thread the wire through.

Next, take the chain and thread it through the holes in the can. Make sure that there is enough chain on each side so that you can easily hang the feeder. 

Also, wrap the chain around the can to make it look beautiful, and don’t forget to add some colorful beads.

And there you have it the DIY bird feeder that you can hang in your garden and attract beautiful birds to your garden.

8. Make a Candle Holder

If you are looking for a more challenging project, then this one is for you. For this, you will need an old chain, a candle, and some glue.

First of all, take the old chainsaw chain and shorten the links to the desired length. However, it is highly recommended to keep the links at least 5 inch long.

Now bend the chain and give it any kind of shape using your creativity or help from the internet. Next glue all the pieces of the chain to make it stick together and prevent it from moving.

9. Make a Keychain

This is a very simple project that even kids can do. For this, you will need an old chain, a key ring, and some pliers.

First of all, take the old chainsaw chain and cut a small piece from it. Then use the pliers to open the link at one end of the chain and attach it to the key ring.

Your new DIY keychain is now ready to use!

10. Make a Bracelet

This is another simple project that anyone can do. All you need is an old chain and a clasp. Simply take the chain and attach the clasp to one end. Your new DIY bracelet is now ready to wear!

Although it may not look very fancy still it’s a cool way to recycle old chainsaw chains. However, you can make it attractive by adding a watch dial and turning it into a wristwatch.

11. Make a Necklace

This is a similar project to the one mentioned above. All you need is an old chain and a clasp.

Simply take the chain and attach the clasp to one end. Your new DIY necklace is now ready to wear! You can also add some pendants or charms to make it look more interesting.

12. Make a Belt

This is another simple but cool project that you can do with old chainsaw chains. All you need is an old chain and a buckle.

First, take the chain and thread it through the buckle. Then adjust the length of the chain according to your waist size and cut off the excess. Your new DIY belt is now ready to wear!

13. Make a purse or bag

This is a more challenging project but it’s definitely worth it. For this, you will need an old chain, some fabric, and a sewing machine.

First of all, take the old chainsaw chain and make a strap for the purse using the links. Then sew the fabric to make a bag and attach the strap to it. Your new DIY purse or bag is now ready to use!

14. Make Earrings

This is another simple project that even kids can do. All you need is an old chain and some earring hooks. Open the chain links and shorten it down until it feels light enough and comfortable t wear. You can also buff it with a buffer to make it shiny and look beautiful.

After that thread, it through the earring hooks. Your new DIY earrings are now ready to wear! However, you should be very careful otherwise the earrings might be too heavy and can be painful for your ears.

15. Make a Picture Frame

This is a slightly more challenging project than the ones mentioned above. For this, you will need an old chain, a picture frame, and some glue.

First, take the picture frame and glue the chain around it. Then allow the glue to dry completely. Your new DIY picture frame is now ready to use! This will give a completely new look to your old picture frame.

16. Make a Clock

This is another simple but cool project that you can do with old chainsaw chains. All you need is an old chain, a clock mechanism, and some glue.

The first thing that you need to do is to wrap the chain in a round O shape but make sure to leave a little bit of space right in the center. After that add the clock mechanism to the center and glue it to make it secure.

Once it is dry you can add clock arms and numbers to your new chainsaw chain clock. Be sure to add the extra pieces to the back in a slightly tilted shape to help it stand on a desk.

17. Chainsaw Chain Chandelier:

This is a beautiful and easy-to-make chandelier that is perfect for indoor or outdoor use. You will need an old chainsaw chain, a chandelier frame, and some wire.

The first thing you need to do is to make a loop at the top of the chain and then thread it through the chandelier frame.

After that twist the wire around the links to secure it in place. Once it is done you can add bulbs to your new chandelier and enjoy the beautiful light it emits.

18. Make a Dreamcatcher

This is a slightly more challenging project but it’s definitely worth it. For this, you will need an old chain, some feathers, beads, and a hoop.

The first thing you need to do is to make a web with the chain. To do that start from the center of the hoop and work your way out.

After that, add the feathers and beads to the web. Your new DIY dreamcatcher is now ready to use! Hang it above your bed and enjoy sweet dreams.

Final Words

There are many other creative things that you can do with old chainsaw chains. These are just a few ideas to get you started. So, go ahead and get creative!

Who knows, you might come up with something even better than what I have mentioned here. Also, don’t forget to let me know if you have some other cool project ideas that can help people who don’t know what to do with old chainsaw chains.

Thank you for reading and don’t forget to share it with your friends and family too!

References

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmRxZ-vKS6Q
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POtaw2MNaRc&vl=en
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX2_bcRA7c0