Any of you hardy girls wield a chainsaw ?

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BBH

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Was just wondering how hard / easy it is as I was debating whether to buy a lightweight saw and give it a go. I have someone who could train me.
 
I've used one. I'm far from being a sturdy build, but I am suprisingly stronger than I look. I've used one for smaller quick jobs without a problem, but I think if it was a job that required using it for long periods without being able to do a bit at a time I'd struggle.
 
I have a Husqvarna 55. It's not a heavy-duty saw but it is a decent middle of the road saw. Easy to use and not clumsy. Mine likes to come inside when it's really cold outside because otherwise it won't start when the temperatures get down beyond -20. It has an 18 inch blade (I wouldn't have a smaller blade than that tbh). The chains need sharpening regularly if you are cutting a lot of wood.

http://www.husqvarna.com/za/products/chainsaws/55/
 
Don't do it without proper safety gear on and get someone to show you the safety points (don't want it to kick back at you with no warning of why or what's happening).

I wouldn't ever use one without someone else being around either (and neither will trained OH) have seen someone come off a ladder with one and thankfully it went through the fence not him. OH has also nearly blinded himself whilst wearing safety gear (had very fetching green and orange eye stuff for a week and fuzzy vision for several months).

They're fine for short intervals but knackering if using for a while.
 
Spring Feather said:
I have a Husqvarna 55. It's not a heavy-duty saw but it is a decent middle of the road saw. Easy to use and not clumsy. Mine likes to come inside when it's really cold outside because otherwise it won't start when the temperatures get down beyond -20. It has an 18 inch blade (I wouldn't have a smaller blade than that tbh). The chains need sharpening regularly if you are cutting a lot of wood.

http://www.husqvarna.com/za/products/chainsaws/55/
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Thankyou.

Not starting below -20 is not a problem as neither do I.

Will look into it.
 
BBH said:
Tree and Branch chopping only.
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You're going to chop the branches once they've been cut down from the tree right? You seriously do not want to be chopping branches off the trees if you are a chainsaw newbie. It is very dangerous to do this even if you have experience. Chainsaws have a kick-back and you could easily end up losing some bodyparts! If you're chopping wood up for firewood or suchlike where the log is on the ground it's safer but you do still need to be very careful. A friend of mine actually made a heck of a mess of his hand with a chainsaw. Seriously! Thankfully the person he was with called the ambulance and packed his hand in bags of frozen peas and they were able to stitch the hand back together. He still doesn't have proper mobility of it even though he did this a few years ago. Be safe!
 
Hmmm....think I would prefer to hire myself a nice hunky gardener to do it for me. Much safer.

I you do decide to DIY, our local agri college runs "safe chainsaw use" classes - maybe there would be one near you?
 
Sorry to clarify it wouldn't be 100ft oaks lol as I realise these saws are dangerous but I have some self seeded weedlings that are about 2" thick and 10ft tall and also some gorse type stuff.

Its a pain waiting for the tree surgeon all the time as he's very busy and I'm wanting to just get on and do it. .
 
God no! I managed to practically sever the top off a finger in a door recently, no way would I go anywhere near a chainsaw! I stabbed myself really badly in the leg with a pitchfork FGS, I'd amputate something with a saw.

Totally verboten for me to use a chainsaw especially as I am generally by myself on the property for 8 hours a day. I have an over-reactive nervous system, passed out at the finger :o pathetic :mad: If I did myself real damage I would be unconscious before I could even get my phone out, I'd bleed to death.

BB, if the saplings are only a couple of inches at the base, some good hefty loppers will do the job, slower work but they'll do it. That is what I use for our aspens, that or our heavy duty weedwhacker (strimmer) has a rather nasty blade that does it too.
 
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I do own a chainsaw. I will use a chainsaw but I usually get a professional in - they have really BIG tools:eek: and know how to use several at once in big trees.

For saplings either loppers or something like these are pretty useful.
 
BBH said:
Sorry to clarify it wouldn't be 100ft oaks lol as I realise these saws are dangerous but I have some self seeded weedlings that are about 2" thick and 10ft tall and also some gorse type stuff.

Its a pain waiting for the tree surgeon all the time as he's very busy and I'm wanting to just get on and do it. .
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I would go with a bow saw and do it by hand, I have cleared an overgrown garden and farmyard of self seeded Ash/Damsons/Elder prob 5 - 8" thick with one. I only had one mishap when felled an Ash on to OH's car :eek: luckily he was inside watching cricket - serves him right!
 
Actually the more I think about it the more I'll leave alone. Too much could go wrong. I hadn't thought of loppers so thankyou for that. I'll look into them.
 
Dee O'Dorant said:
I do own a chainsaw. I will use a chainsaw but I usually get a professional in - they have really BIG tools:eek: and know how to use several at once in big trees.

For saplings either loppers or something like these are pretty useful.
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Just opened your link :D

They are brilliant things. I helped OH remove some overgrown bits in our garden a while back and couldn't believe how easy these were to use, went through like butter!
 
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