A slipping chainsaw clutch is easy to fix.

The engine revs but the chain barely moves or stops completely — that’s a slipping clutch. Feels like the chain is trying to catch but can’t get a grip.

The fix is usually the clutch drum or the clutch shoes. Over time, the drum wears down or the shoes get glazed. Pull the clutch cover, take off the drum, and inspect. If the drum has a shiny groove worn into it, replace it. If the shoes look smooth and shiny, sand them lightly or replace them.

Most chainsaws let you swap both parts in under 20 minutes with just a socket and a flathead screwdriver.

Don’t keep running it — you’ll cook the clutch. Better to spend thirty bucks now than a hundred on new parts later.