Chainsaws

[Pheo]

The amount of crazy videos on tubebookface...people on ladders leaning out sawing one handed. Crazy!

Considering getting one for round the garden use but tbh I'm scared. And that's with a stepdad who worked in forestry and used one regularly!

[davgar]

maybe a reciprocating saw for smaller jobs is safer??

[Chris Type R]

davgar said:

maybe a reciprocating saw for smaller jobs is safer??

Recip would struggle with the OP's 600mm task. Once you've used a chainsaw, you'll not be reaching for the recip. in my experience.

[wjwren]

There is a chainsaw with a guard over it - cant think of the make now. It was only for smaller tasks but if that's all you need then would be a lot safer.
When ever i have tree blokes in to do large work I always ask them the same question 'ever had an accident' they normally always say yes or know of one of the other lads that has done.

There was a great video on youtube few years ago of an american who attached a chainsaw on to a piece of rope and was swinging it about. Pure nuts.

[hotchy]

Get some safety gear. I watched one bounce a bit off a tree, and nip a leg. Leg laid open like a filleted fish. Nearly no blood somehow, apparently the doctor said it was nearly the main artery and hed have bled out be the end of the garden. Stitched up, 1 hour later back on the job... Guy was a bit mental...

[C&C]

zombie said:

I'm also considering chainsaw pants but I suspect, as I'm 6'7" I'll find it difficult nee impossible to find any that fit.

Shouldn't be a problem, as they are available in a range of sizes, and as you should be wearing chainsaw boots (essentially strengthened wellies), if the trousers are a bit short, they'll still go well over the boots so you'll be protected. I'm about 6 foot, and the trousers go over the boots and right down pretty much to the floor.

If you're going to be chopping up a lot of logs for fuel, I'd also recommend a sawhorse with a clamp for the chainsaw - something like a Portek Logmaster.

It makes chopping logs up very quick, but also a lot safer as the chainsaw is tightly clamped.

Works fine with a range of chainsaw sizes - I use it without any problem with a Stihl MS261 with 16 inch bar.
Untitled by conradsphotos, on Flickr

It also enables repeatable parallel cuts if you want a bunch of oak disks for any reason....

Untitled by conradsphotos, on Flickr

Edited by C&C on Wednesday 7th June 11:29

[Hitch]

I had some overgrown hedges (i.e. hawthorn which for several years was untouched so very overgrown and woody) and small trees to get rid of so I bought a chainsaw and some PPE. Unless you're dicking around you're unlikely to hurt yourself. Plan out your task, do it, stop. Repeat. I always make sure the family know not to wander up and I don't take on anything too big. Avoid if you're tired or hungover.

Once you've done your first job there is no going back!

[V8RX7]

Depthhoar said:

but a 60cm diameter trunk indicates it's probably a big tree....which is well beyond the competence of someone who hasn't wielded a chainsaw before.

Pah

I'll admit I'm practical but I watched a couple of Youtube guides, bought a saw and helmet, put on my boots and cut down 20+ 6m conifers in my fairly average sized, corner plot garden.

I've since cut down many more.

If in doubt I tie a long rope high up the tree and get someone to give it a pull - I've never had a issue.

I'll admit I got a Pro in to fell the massive ash that needed taking down a piece at a time that overhung my new house - so I'll agree you should know your limits.

[LeadFarmer]

I wouldn't be buying a chainsaw for just two trees, unless you have further use for it.

Those cheap £100 petrol chainsaws are crap. My mate bought one and it hardly ever starts and cuts out for no reason.

If you don't want to spend £300 on an entry level Stihl/Husqvarna then get an electric one.

I have a £400 Husqvarna 440 which is great when away from home, but once I get the logs home I use my £60 Aldi electric chainsaw which is quieter for the neighbours and is brilliant at cutting.

So if I was you I'd be buying a £60 Aldi or Lidl electric chainsaw.

And pine isn't such a great wood to burn anyway.

My electric chainsaw has cut all of this...

Edited by LeadFarmer on Thursday 8th June 14:59

Edited by LeadFarmer on Thursday 8th June 15:00

[Zombie]

Thanks for all of the advice guys, much appreciated. Not helped me make up my mind though!

Main trun of the 2 trees I want to fell is only 10 foot. I was planning on using the chain saw to chop the limbs (of the tree) off the dig out the roots then maybe ask a neighbour to pull it out with his tractor.

[hman]

I have recently rebuilt 3 x dead stihl chain saws - piece of cake... I love 2 stroke engines so it's more a labour of love than anything else..

Stihl seem to be the best saws but their dealer network suck at being able to fix dead saws (would rather sell a new one!)

[Brads67]

Buy a new Stihl, get the training they offer at point of sale then take more training at your local Agri college.
Buy the required PPE and get fired in. They aren`t hard to get to grips with and will eventually save you a fortune.

Oh, and STIHL. Nothing else.

[Zombie]

What about this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Husqvarna-Chainsaw-236-1...-UAAOSwc-tY6zd2

14" bar - based on some comments I'm assuming the level is risk is related to it's size? But also presumably a saw that's too small for the job is equally dangerous?

[dickymint]

TooMany2cvs said:

I remember a story from when I was a student - somebody was up a stepladder, pruning a tree with a chainsaw. His wife was holding the ladder. He dropped the saw...........and lived happily ever after

Finished your post for you

[Pheo]

Zombie said:

What about this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Husqvarna-Chainsaw-236-1...-UAAOSwc-tY6zd2

14" bar - based on some comments I'm assuming the level is risk is related to it's size? But also presumably a saw that's too small for the job is equally dangerous?

Although I guess engine power might make it slightly more likely to kickback, I very much doubt the length of the bar makes a difference... whether you hit yourself with a 14" one or an 18" one I can't imagine it's going to hurt you any less!

Looking at the huskies myself

[bazza white]

I got this for my brother for Christmas and it works great and starts every time. Chain oil channel needs clearing every now and then though.

http://www.sgs-engineering.com/garden-tools/chains...


They are scary tools though.

[captainzep]

Zombie said:

What about this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Husqvarna-Chainsaw-236-1...-UAAOSwc-tY6zd2

14" bar - based on some comments I'm assuming the level is risk is related to it's size? But also presumably a saw that's too small for the job is equally dangerous?

Husky 236 was my first saw!

Not a bad little thing, successfully felled and cross-cut piles of firewood for 2 or 3 years. Bit plasticky compared to pro saws but basically decent. Chain tensioner screw seats onto plastic and this broke with me, (not a major issue, just tensioned by levering bar and tightening bar bolts). Exhaust muffler shook itself to bits requiring me to source a 2nd hand part from US to avoid paying lots of money for new spare part. My fault for not keeping it tight probably. Arguably less temperamental oiler than on my 550XP. It's my back-up saw now although needs a service as it's got a fuelling issue after lack of use.

The risk with more powerful saws is like the risk with powerful cars or motorbikes; if you make a mistake bad things happen quicker and harder. That said the journey's over quicker, so potentially less fatigue. The 236 was a forgiving little saw in my beginner hands with a 38cc engine that went well enough but wasn't a manic log chewer.

[dickymint]

bazza white said:

I got this for my brother for Christmas and it works great and starts every time. Chain oil channel needs clearing every now and then though.

http://www.sgs-engineering.com/garden-tools/chains...


They are scary tools though.

A quick Google - That's a piece of cheap Chinese junk if i'm not mistaken. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy!

This guy likes it though but as he openly admits, and obviously shows, knows FA about chainsaws............

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGIGV80uiuo&in...

But fair play He has the sense (and will need) to wear PPE

Edited by dickymint on Friday 9th June 17:07

[V8RX7]

Zombie said:

What about this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Husqvarna-Chainsaw-236-1...-UAAOSwc-tY6zd2

14" bar - based on some comments I'm assuming the level is risk is related to it's size? But also presumably a saw that's too small for the job is equally dangerous?

Great little saw.

14" bar will do 28" timber but obviously won't be as fast as a larger saw.

I have one and it's my "go to" saw - I have a larger one that cost 3x the price and cuts 50% faster - which I use for logging but generally, smaller and lighter is the way to go IMO.

[TooMany2cvs]

Maybe I should keep the sodding saw (and PPE) in the boot... Ten mile detour this evening, because of a tree down blocking a road - I had to go back to find the previous bridge over the river.

(BTW, was the orange F-type anybody here? Making a bit of a meal of that u-turn...)