Does Craftsman make an electric chainsaw?
Yes. Craftsman makes electric chainsaws; Craftsman model 35834020 is an electric chain saw covered in the 35834020 operator's manual. This model is designed for cutting wood and uses common electric-saw controls such as a trigger switch, lockout button, guide bar, and saw chain.
Use the saw’s identification label, not online photos or “similar model” listings. The manual notes the model and serial information is on the starting instructions decal.
- Find the model/serial label on the saw housing (often near the handle area)
- Match the model number exactly: 35834020
- Use the matching operator’s manual for assembly, operation, and maintenance
- Use the model number when ordering repair parts (bars, chains, sprockets, switches)
Because 35834020 is electric, safe handling and maintenance focus on power and moving-chain hazards.
- Unplug the saw before servicing or changing accessories
- Do not use the saw if the trigger switch does not turn the unit on and off properly
- Avoid body contact with the chain anytime the saw is plugged in; the chain can coast briefly after trigger release
- Keep the chain and guide bar clean and properly lubricated
- Cut wood only (use the saw only for purposes described in the manual)
Craftsman has produced multiple electric chainsaw models over time; they are not direct replacements for each other unless the model number matches.
| What to compare | Craftsman 35834020 | Another Craftsman electric model |
|---|---|---|
| What identifies it | Model number on the saw | Different model number on the saw |
| Parts fit | Model-specific | Not interchangeable unless specified |
| Best reference | 35834020 operator's manual | That model’s own manual |
Electric chainsaws can look similar, but parts and procedures are model-specific. Matching the exact model number 35834020 keeps you aligned with the correct safety instructions, maintenance steps, and repair parts.
Last updated: February 2026
How to tighten a Craftsman electric chainsaw chain?
To tighten the chain on a Craftsman electric chainsaw model 35834020, unplug the saw, loosen the bar clamp nuts slightly, then turn the adjusting screw clockwise until the chain lifts about 1/8 inch at mid-bar and still moves freely. Finish by tightening the bar clamp nuts and rechecking tension using the 35834020 owner's manual.
- Unplug the chainsaw from the power source (never adjust tension with the saw running).
- Loosen the bar clamp nuts slightly; they must be a bit loose for proper tensioning.
- Hold the tip of the guide bar up while you adjust.
- Turn the adjusting screw clockwise until the chain no longer sags under the guide bar.
- Check tension at the center of the bar; the chain should lift about 1/8 inch from the guide bar.
- Tighten the bar clamp nuts with a wrench while still holding the bar tip up.
- Recheck that the chain moves freely around the bar.
| Check | Correct result | What it prevents |
|---|---|---|
| Lift test at mid-bar | Chain lifts about 1/8 inch | Chain jumping off, fast bar wear |
| Hand movement | Chain moves freely around bar | Overheating, motor and sprocket strain |
| Bar clamp nuts | Fully tightened after adjustment | Tension drifting during cutting |
Chain stretch is normal, especially with a new chain. We recommend checking:
- Before each use
- More often when the chain is new
- After the chain warms up during cutting
A loose chain can wear the guide bar and chain quickly and can derail during a cut. A chain that is too tight can damage the saw or cause the chain to break. Proper tension helps cutting performance and reduces kickback risk.
Last updated: February 2026
Is there a 4-cycle chainsaw?
Yes. 4-cycle (4-stroke) chainsaws exist, but they are gas-powered; your Craftsman 35834020 is an electric chainsaw, so it does not use a 2-cycle or 4-cycle engine. If you want a 4-cycle saw, you would be switching to a different fuel type and maintenance routine (oil changes instead of mixing oil into gas).
| Type | Fuel/power | What you maintain most | Typical pros | Typical tradeoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cycle gas chainsaw | Straight gasoline (separate crankcase oil) | Engine oil, air filter, spark plug | No fuel mixing, often smoother running | Heavier, more parts to service |
| 2-cycle gas chainsaw | Gas + 2-cycle oil mix | Fuel mix, air filter, spark plug | High power-to-weight, common for pro use | Mixing fuel, more exhaust smoke |
| Electric (like Craftsman 35834020) | Corded electricity | Chain, bar, oiler, cord | Easy starts, lower routine engine maintenance | Limited by cord length and power source |
Because this model is electric, the key upkeep is bar and chain care, not engine cycles.
- Keep the chain properly tensioned; check tension with the saw stopped and unplugged.
- Keep the chain sharp and the guide bar in good condition to reduce rough cutting.
- Make sure the bar and chain are getting enough oil; low oil can cause rapid wear.
- If the chain does not move when you pull the trigger, check for overly tight tension and bar rail issues.
- For electrical-related repairs, we recommend service by a qualified technician.
Choosing between 4-cycle gas and electric affects how you work and what you maintain. With an electric chainsaw like the Craftsman 35834020, performance and safety depend heavily on chain sharpness, correct tension, and proper lubrication, which also helps reduce kickback risk.
For model-specific operating and maintenance details, use the Craftsman 35834020 operator’s manual.
Last updated: February 2026
What are the parts of a chainsaw?
A chainsaw is made up of a power source (motor/engine), a drive system, and the cutting system (guide bar and chain), plus controls and safety features. On the Craftsman 35834020 electric chainsaw, key parts include the powerhead, guide bar, chain, trigger switch, lock-out button, and oiler system (manual and automatic). See the 35834020 operator’s manual for the labeled diagram and terminology.
- Powerhead/motor housing: contains the electric motor and internal drive components
- Trigger switch and lock-out button: controls that start the saw and help prevent unintended operation
- Front handle and rear handle: support and control points for safe handling
- Guide bar (Lo-Kick guide bar): the railed bar that supports and guides the chain
- Saw chain (guard link chain): the cutting loop that rides on the guide bar
- Oiler system (oiler activator): supplies bar-and-chain oil to reduce friction and wear
- Power cord: supplies power from the outlet (often used with an extension cord)
| System | What it includes | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Power and controls | Power cord, trigger switch, lock-out button | Delivers power and controls on/off operation |
| Drive system | Sprocket (and clutch on some designs) | Transfers motor power to move the chain |
| Cutting system | Guide bar, chain | Guides the chain and performs the cut |
| Lubrication | Oiler activator, oil passages | Oils the bar and chain to prevent overheating |
Knowing the names of the guide bar, chain, sprocket, and oiler parts helps you troubleshoot issues like poor cutting, chain not moving, or rapid bar wear. It also helps you match the correct replacement bar and chain type for safer operation.
Last updated: February 2026
What is a 404 chainsaw chain?
A .404 chainsaw chain is a chain size defined by its pitch: the distance between drive links measured across three rivets, divided by two. It is a heavy-duty pitch commonly used on larger, higher-power saws for big timber; it is not the standard size for most homeowner electric saws like the Craftsman 35834020.
The “.404” refers to pitch, not the gauge or the bar length. To match a chain correctly, we always verify multiple specs.
- Pitch: .404 inch
- Gauge: the thickness of the drive links (varies by chain)
- Drive link count: must match the guide bar and sprocket setup
- Bar mount and sprocket compatibility: must match the saw’s drive system
Your Craftsman 35834020 is designed to use a specific low-kickback guide bar and matching chain. When replacing the bar or chain, use the exact chain type recommended for this saw to help reduce kickback and ensure proper fit. See the 35834020 owner's manual for the recommended chain and guide bar pairing.
- Confirm the pitch and gauge listed for your guide bar
- Count the drive links on your current chain
- Make sure the chain seats fully in the bar groove and around the sprocket
- Set correct chain tension (too tight can prevent movement; too loose can derail)
| Chain pitch | Typical use | Common on electric saws? |
|---|---|---|
| 3/8 low profile | Light to medium cutting | Yes |
| .325 | Mid-range saws | Sometimes |
| .404 | Heavy-duty, large saws | Rare |
Using the wrong pitch can cause poor cutting, rapid wear, or the chain not fitting the sprocket and bar correctly. For this model, sticking with the specified low-kickback bar and chain combination improves safety and performance.
Last updated: February 2026
Why is my Craftsman electric chainsaw not cutting?
If your Craftsman electric chainsaw model 35834020 runs but will not cut well, the most common causes are a dull chain, incorrect chain tension, or cutting technique that pinches or stalls the chain. Keeping the chain properly tensioned and sharp restores normal cutting and helps reduce kickback risk.
- Unplug the saw before touching the chain or bar.
- Check chain tension; it should be snug on the guide bar but still move freely by hand (with gloves).
- Look for dull-chain symptoms: powdery sawdust, the saw pulls to one side, or you have to force the cut.
- Confirm you are cutting at full chain speed before the chain enters the wood.
- Inspect for bar/chain contamination; dirt and sand dull a chain quickly.
Proper tension matters because a loose chain can ride up and cut poorly, while an over-tight chain can slow down and bind.
- Unplug the saw.
- Loosen the bar clamp nuts slightly.
- Turn the chain adjustment screw until the chain sits tight against the bar rails.
- Verify the chain still slides around the bar by hand (wear gloves).
- Tighten the bar clamp nuts securely.
- Recheck tension at regular intervals with the motor stopped.
For the exact adjustment points and safety notes, follow the 35834020 owner's manual.
Pinching and reactive forces can stall the chain and make it feel like the saw is not cutting.
| What you notice | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Chain stops in the kerf | Wood pinches the bar | Use plastic/wood wedges to hold the cut open |
| Saw must be forced | Dull chain or dirty chain | Sharpen or replace chain; keep chain out of dirt |
| Cuts curve to one side | Unevenly sharpened cutters | Sharpen evenly; check bar condition |
A chain that is dull, too loose, or getting pinched increases the chance of kickback and loss of control. Keeping the chain sharp, properly tensioned, and cutting at full speed improves performance and safety.
Last updated: February 2026


