| Chainsaw safe usage Have used chainsaws some now. Shown a few time safe usage. However, now currently still in urban area. Not near my wife's family and land where others can show me more.
So using on small property for some out of control trees. Know the basics and basic safety.
However, to the point. Wish i was nearer the experienced users for more help. Problem I feel more comfortable using them now but it is almost a negative at this point. May overstep my still limited knowledge easily.
So to keep me scared stiff of them and safe plus maybe add to my knowledge any hints beyond the little manuals that come with them.
What can happen besides kick backs etc. Make sure work area is clear as possible etc. I am getting more into take limbs off. It just seems way more complex then cutting down a tree. Yes i have had the chance to see a few trees taken down and cut up. So have some knowledge. Just still seems complicated. If i cut here where will the limb go. If something happens make sure the saw will not kill me.
Saw the AX Men or similar show where they had the major storm in Oregon. Taking down the trees seemed simple compared to that. One of the loggers was walking in front of his wife and children in their SUV taking down and removing the storm damaged trees from the road.
That will be closer to what I need to do on property in New Mexico. Has had no tlc in years. Many acres with decent number of trees. Those trees near house and along river in fun areas will need to be cleaned up. Like said others there can help me when time comes.
However, do have some here I need to clean up still.Plus learning. Like said a stage. More comfortable but but need more knowledge.
Example. A mass of bushes and trees overgrown. Here trees say only 20 to 40 foot. Do not want to remove but clean up.
A few need removal also.
So I start with an electric pole saw and manual hand pruner to get a clear area as much as possible. Then if branches big enough go for gas chainsaw. But it is like a complex puzzle. Plus does not always seem as if you can get that textbook position to hold the chainsaw. No ladders. Perfect stance as in safety example.  |
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 mattmagPremium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-04-09
NW Illinois
kudos:3 |
One thing I know for sure, is that if you are "scared stiff of them" then you are liable to get hurt because of it. If something scares you, it will cause you to make mistakes, and not focus on the job at hand. You need to respect the tool, not be afraid of it.
I would strongly urge you to find training in your area (look at links available on saw manufacturer's websites) or possibly spend time with someone more knowledgeable who can show you what you need to know.
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Ok, not scared stiff. Wrong choice or words I guess. But still learning on a chainsaw. I would rather feel cautious. I am going thru a phase where I feel more comfortable. On most other things that is good. Chainsaws are to me are quirky to newbies. So feeling comfortable is not necessarily to me good.
You are right scared stiff is also bad.
I use a table saw. One thing I hate others to do is push a piece of wood thru by hand. Always they think this is not the one. Still???
I do not want to slip into any bad chainsaw habits thru lack of knowledge.
Still that perfect pose in the safety manual is not always usable. How do you plan for safety and failure. If I put the chainsaw here what may happen. The obvious would not to be take a close up view while sawing. What are some of the less obvious newbies have never run across in my limited experience?? Thanks,
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My chainsaw rules:
1-Don't get hurt - always wear safety glasses, never wear loose clothing or gloves (they can get caught in the chain, instead of a flesh wound you can end up with a missing finger or even worse)
2-know where the branch falls so it doesn't hurt anyone or destroy anything
3-never cut the branch you're sitting on...
4-keep the chain sharp - may take 15min to sharpen but saves aggravation and makes cutting much easier. |
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mattmagPremium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-04-09
NW Illinois
kudos:3 | reply to no_one
said by no_one :
Still that perfect pose in the safety manual is not always usable. How do you plan for safety and failure. If I put the chainsaw here what may happen. The obvious would not to be take a close up view while sawing. What are some of the less obvious newbies have never run across in my limited experience?? Thanks,
The best thing to keep in mind at all times is "where is the bar of the saw, and where is it going to go".
This is key. If you look at your potential cuts, and think about where the bar will be before, during and after the cut, it helps enhance safety. Watch the wood to see that you are not going to cause a "pinch" on the bar, which can be a dangerous situation to correct. Plan your cuts, plan where the pieces will drop as they are cut, and always put yourself as close as possible to the stationary piece as you cut.
Always use a firm grip, keep your forward hand in position to properly activate the anti-kickback feature. NEVER cut with one hand...we have all seen chainsaw show-offs doing that move...
I could list many more, but if you just keep the first one in mind and watch what you are doing you can stay safe. |
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 KoilPremium
join:2002-09-10
Irmo, SC
1 edit | reply to no_one
I shouldn't bite on this, but..if it is real...please don't use the chainsaw if you have this many concerns. You're not going to learn much from a forum about the proper way to use a chainsaw. God...the very thought of it makes me think you're name next week is going to be "Ole Lefty" or "Lucky".
Check you tube, rent a video, search for some websites with pictures, but dear God don't run out and use a chainsaw after getting advise off of an internet forum.
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Is the glove thing real? is it like do not wear a wedding ring your finger is cut off?? Honey it is the truth I swear.
If this is truth all kidding thanks. Gloves to me always good. Will recheck if no reply. |
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said by Koil:I should bite on this, but..if it is real...please don't use the chainsaw if you have this many concerns. You're not going to learn much from a forum about the proper way to use a chainsaw. God...the very thought of it makes me think you're name next week is going to be "Ole Lefty" or "Lucky". Check you tube, rent a video, search for some websites with pictures, but dear God don't run out and use a chainsaw after getting advise off of an internet forum. Already had some advise and shown how to take down trees etc. Still well? More advice is always good. What has happened to you experienced users?
Plus admit it all chainsaw cuts are not the perfect textbook position. So besides telling me to rent a video what in real life is ok?? I have seen some yes. Plus actually some I do not agree with as well yes they have used a chainsaw but safety???
yes I have more resources have lived this long. hopefully even longer to torment this forum with supposedly dumb questions. |
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 yockTFTCPremium
join:2000-11-21
Miamisburg, OH
kudos:3 | reply to no_one
said by no_one :
Is the glove thing real? is it like do not wear a wedding ring your finger is cut off?? Honey it is the truth I swear.
If this is truth all kidding thanks. Gloves to me always good. Will recheck if no reply.
I can't imagine that rings would be a problem. If you're foolish enough to get your hand so close as to get a ring caught on the chain then you're plenty close for the rest of your hand as well.
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 hortnutHuh?
join:2005-09-25
Somewhere
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1 edit | reply to no_one
As has said, I will second.
But add: -Have a second chain available that is sharpened.
-Wear hearing protection
-Wear good Footwear
-Have a good stance in footing when cutting
-Use ropes to hold branches/limbs/trunks
-Have a spotter on the questionable cuts and have them
use a rope/s to guide the cut wood
-Take breaks, use time to study the next cuts
-Use good ladder and do not overload its rating
-Do not cut if tired or muscles cannot control saw
-Drink Beer after done cutting
-Consider hiring a logger to cut the more difficult cuts.
edit: Make sure the Chain is properly sharpened. When first using a chainsaw - the one I was using was not and it had the tendency to 'buck/jump' when hitting a knot or a harder piece ot the log. This is bad whether the wood is on the ground or you are cutting above ground or above head.
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Darn, its gettin that time to go to Wallymart to gits me picture taken agin.
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plus yes actually what is kickback? Some say nothing happen just a bump. Nothing. Other pamphlets
your whole body shredded.
Yet if you have this perfect stance. lol
I do know to a degree what it is. Had it happen .
Honestly does it kickback to death. I see other with chainsaws just use them. I mean throw them around and just cut what they want. Not pros. They have lived and cut, so now a pro. Send a rookie up in a palm tree to cut branches in Phoenix. maybe why the rookie.
I am looking for advice from experienced users. What can go wrong? Something odd or major happen to you? What would you do different. thanks. me |
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hortnutHuh?
join:2005-09-25
Somewhere Reviews:
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I do not like to wear gloves when sawing - it seems to take away from the ''feel'' of the cutting.
When moving wood, then I will wear. Usually I will have cut enough to make this switch worthwhile. Plus it is another break.
I am currently using a Stihl and its weight is 16 pounds and it seems to get heavier the more I cut in the session.
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Darn, its gettin that time to go to Wallymart to gits me picture taken agin.
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said by yock:said by no_one :
Is the glove thing real? is it like do not wear a wedding ring your finger is cut off?? Honey it is the truth I swear.
If this is truth all kidding thanks. Gloves to me always good. Will recheck if no reply.
I can't imagine that rings would be a problem. If you're foolish enough to get your hand so close as to get a ring caught on the chain then you're plenty close for the rest of your hand as well. Ring as to other work environments sorry. Glove to chainsaw as ring to other. Some work environments get ring caught finger gone. So is glove caught hand gone. |
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hortnutHuh?
join:2005-09-25
Somewhere Reviews:
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Not a real good Youtube, but something. Wait to the end and see the demonstration of kickback. @ 35 seconds or so
»www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoyyjuG0K-A
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Darn, its gettin that time to go to Wallymart to gits me picture taken agin.
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There are special chainsaw gloves if you want extra protection. One would be foolish to believe that the thin piece of leather of a regular glove will insure any cutting protection against the chain. Anyway your hand should never, ever get close to the moving chain. |
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| Gloves to me would be for wood chips etc. thrown back. I have bought decent saws and keep hand where supposed to be chain should not get there.
What the safety manuals do not say and what I have learned from some others is how a chainsaw kills. It just kicks back and kills you. Saws thru important parts. That is my problem urban now for awhile no rural folks to teach me right or wrong. . Plus some that have shown me throw chainsaws around like butter knifes.
So not to get killed by a kickback to the brain?? Or a chainsaw blade slipping. How? |
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 cdruGo ColtsPremium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:5
·Frontier FiOS
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My additional chainsawing tips:
1. Wear a hard hat if you are cutting anything that will be above you, along with goggles/face shield and other appropriate clothing/gloves.
2. Be ready for something bad to happen
3. Have someone nearby that can help in an emergency
4. Take your time and and be safe.
It's not hard to use a chainsaw, but don't try to do more then what it's designed for. If you have to "work" to get the saw to cut how you want, you're doing it wrong or the equipment isn't suited to do the job. |
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 davidgGood Bye My FriendPremium,MVM
join:2002-06-15
none | reply to no_one
ESPECIALLY since you don't know enough to know better, never cut alone. have someone there even if they ain't doing anything but reading a book far enough away to be out of danger but close enough to help.
i find it best to cut a few trees, then clean up, then cut some more. if you are trying to trim too many limbs between hauling them off, the clean up gets to be a B!@#. this is also a good job fo rthe helper, let them haul the limbs out of your way so you trip and run the saw thru your gut.
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Lack of Preparation on YOUR Part does NOT Constitute an Emergency on Mine! |
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 DaarkenRara AvisesPremium
join:2005-01-12
Southwest LA
kudos:1 | reply to no_one
I'm just gonna shake my head at this one.
Google
Youtube
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www.pointofexistence.com |
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 tschmidtPremium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
kudos:4
 ·Fairpoint Commun..
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1 edit | reply to no_one
Chainsaws are inherently dangerous. As mattmag  posted if you are "scared stiff" you will make mistakes, it is also dangerous to be overly cavalier. Need a healthy dose of respect.
1) Kick back is a problem - Should never use nose to cut.
2) Have two escape routes. Nothing like making the felling cut and have tree fall in direction you did not expect.
3) Bucking downed trees is dangerous. Be careful of branches in tension.
4) Wear hardhat, ear protectors and eg protectors.
5) Don't work alone.
6) Chose optimum bar length and saw size. Back when we first purchased our property got an old chainsaw as a barter. It was so big I never had the courage to turn it on. Been using midsized Jonsereds ever since.
6) Read some books on Chainsaw use and safety.
/tom |
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