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from
Steve Nix
You should buy only the saw you feel comfortable with. Chainsaw manufacturers are using newer and lighter materials to build more powerful but durable machines. You need to search for the machine that is comfortable to you and that will not fatigue you too quickly. And do not forget to consider purchasing an electric saw if you are only an occasional user with light work requirements. |
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Your First Chainsaw
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| Making Your First Chainsaw Purchase the Best | |
| Not everyone needs a professional-sized chainsaw.
The best saw for you is one you can comfortably handle and is appropriate for
the type of work you do most often. Beginners should start with a lightweight
to midweight saw.
Lightweight saws are good for occasional use like cutting limbs, firewood and small trees. Midweight saws are better for more frequent use. Heavyweight saws should be for PROFESSIONAL use only. There are also many safety features you should look for -- NOTE that these features do not prevent accidents, they only reduce the risk to you. I have selected eight beginning saws for compactness, usability and performance. They are generally preferred by arborists who work in an urban environment but need plenty of compact sawing power. |
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| Sometimes You Just Don't Need Gas | |
| The Electric Chainsaw - The power and freedom
of a gas-operated chainsaw often influences people to purchase a saw that they
just don't need. Gas powered saws can be heavy, high maintenance and expensive
nightmares for people who only occasionally use saws for light work. For these
reasons many people just don't need the expense or power of a gas chainsaw...
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| The Essential Parts of a Chainsaw | |
| I have compiled an illustrated feature on parts of
a chainsaw essential to safety and operation. You really need to look here for
reference to material coming later in this course.
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A Tree
Faller's Terms
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| Logging and Timber Harvesting Glossary | |
| An A to Z glossary of terms used by the logging
industry. This glossary will be helpful as we discuss the operation of a
chainsaw.
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Discussions on Buying
Chainsaws
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| The Forestry Forum | |
| Remember that help is just a click away at
About's Forestry Forum. We have a large number of regulars ready to answer
any question you might have. You will feel welcome in our forums. Take a
look as a Guest. When you want to post, choose a login and then become an
active member. |
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| Discussion: What's Your Favorite Chainsaw? | |
| "I've used all the major brands over the years
and feel Stihl has the best anti-vibration system. I used to go for the power
hogs regardless of brand, but after carpel tunnel surgery in both wrist, I'm
now into comfort. Besides, your chain sharpening skills have more bearing on
cutting efficiency than the saw." - Woodsguy1
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The
Frequently Asked Questions
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| A Chainsaw FAQ | |
| Here are answers to some of the most frequently
ask questions about tree felling and chainsaws.
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Chainsaws - Not Just for
Guys
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| Discussion: Women and Chainsaws | |
| "Does anyone have any suggestions for a good
chainsaw for a woman to use? We have several different makes and models and
I can run the smaller to medium ones but my biggest problem is getting them
started! I just can't seem to yank hard enough." - Brushcutting |
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| Steve Nix About Forestry | |
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from
Steve Nix
"If you place your hands on a chain saw, you must keep in mind that it is like grabbing a hand grenade without a pin in it. It is very likely to go off in your face. From the moment that you take it out of storage to the time that it goes back to the same place, you can be hurt by either it, or by whatever you will be cutting." - Carl Smith |
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Kickback, Throw Back and
Widow Makers
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| The Carl Smith Chainsaw Safety Interview | |
| Carl Smith is a fifth generation logger who
received a forest technician degree from Green River. Smith has a personal
business that trains chainsaw operators for timber companies and is also in
the process of writing a book on this subject as well as making a video.
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| Manage Your Backyard Forest - Work Safely With a Chainsaw | |
| To become skilled enough to safely drop a tree
in a desired direction requires hands-on chainsaw training. Here is basic
chain saw instruction for tree owners and tips on becoming more familiar with
a saw and keeping safe. |
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| What is kickback and how can I prevent it? | |
| Should I buy safety chaps and hat? Do I really need them? | |
| What other items should I get to go with my new saw? | |
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Great
Safety Resource!
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| Logging eTool | |
| The Department of Labor's OSHA has developed a
great tutorial on logging and has a wealth of information on chainsaws. This
eTool outlines the required and recommended work practices that can reduce
logging hazards and directly relates even to the causal user.
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Discussions on Chainsaw
Safety
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| The Forestry Forum | |
| Remember that help is just a click away at
About's Forestry Forum. We have a large number of regulars ready to answer
any question you might have. You will feel welcome in our forums. Take a
look as a Guest. When you want to post, choose a login and then become an
active member.
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|
| Chainsaw Safety Class | |
| "Did anyone know that the chain on a saw that is
producing around 12,000-13,000 rpms is moving at 75 miles per hour? I didn't.
In one second 50 chain teeth will have run over your leg if you are careless.
I thought that was pretty amazing." - Jackson131 |
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| Steve Nix About Forestry | |
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|
from
Steve Nix
The Department of Labor says that more people are killed while felling trees than during any other logging activity. A trained feller can avoid accidents. To "fell a tree" means more than just cutting it down. Felling means to cut the tree in such a way that it falls in the desired direction and results in the least damage to the tree. let's find out more... |
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How to Fell Trees
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| Falling a Tree With Tyson Schultz | |
| Tyson Schultz is an Oregon logger. Tyson was
kind enough to demonstrate how a tree is felled and helped compile this
illustrated "how to". All pictures were taken by his wife Rochana.
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| OSHA - Felling Trees Manual | |
| First eliminate potential hazards, determine
the felling direction and plan for a retreat. Then, and only then, should
you cut the tree. |
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Technical Felling Terms
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| Chainsaw and Timber Felling Glossary | |
| Some of the terms used in this discussion will
be made a little easier if you use this glossary. |
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Discussions on Tree
Falling
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|
| The Forestry Forum | |
| Remember that help is just a click away at
About's Forestry Forum. We have a large number of regulars ready to answer
any question you might have. You will feel welcome in our forums. Take a
look as a Guest. When you want to post, choose a login and then become an
active member.
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|
| Discussion: How to Fell a Tree | |
| READ THIS: There is just too much information
here to pass up. A group of foresters and loggers come together to discuss
the subject of tree falling and how to develop a "how to" on cutting down a
tree. |
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| About Forestry Forum: The Resulting "How -To" | |
| Printing and studing this "how to" will make
felling a tree a little easier. Following its instructions may also save
your life. Disclaimer: You will using this "how to" at your own risk! But
not abiding by it just might be risker... |
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The Frequently Asked Questions
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| A Chainsaw FAQ | |
| Here are answers to some of the most frequently
asked questions about tree felling and chainsaws.
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| Steve Nix About Forestry | |
| |
from
Steve Nix
I am deferring this section to folks who know maintenance and trouble shooting. Most of the lesson is brought to you by Madsen's Shop and Supply and the kind posters on About's Forestry Forum. |
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Some Questions of Importance
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| Starting Your Chainsaw | ||||
| Small engines, including chainsaws, can be frustrating to start. This is especially true when starting a saw that needs a tune-up or when engine temperatures are extremely cold. Here is a step by step set of instructions that can make starting a chainsaw less of a chore. | ||||
| How often do I need to stop and file the chain? | ||||
| A dull chain can make operating a chainsaw
miserable work. Nothing works right when your saw chain is dull or sharpened
incorrectly.
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| How do I keep my saw in top condition? | ||||
| All you really need to do, in addition to an
annual dealer tune-up, is follow this spruce up checklist as often as
practical. Along with your chainsaw manual, this quick step-by-step saw
inspection will keep your saw running great for years. |
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Madsen's Maintenance Manual
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| Maintain Your Chain, Sprocket and Bar | ||||
| Madsen's Shop and Supply, Inc. has developed one
of the best maintenance manuals on the Internet. This link will give you clear
and concise information on working with bar and chain.
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Discussions on
Chainsaw Maintenance
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| The Forestry Forum | ||||
| Remember that help is just a click away at
About's Forestry Forum. We have a large number of regulars ready to answer
any question you might have. You will feel welcome in our forums. Take a
look as a Guest. When you want to post, choose a login and then become an
active member.
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| Dull Saw | ||||
| "Several things, often working together, can make
a chainsaw cut crooked. Improper sharpening, or different depth gauge heights
will do it. These also wear the bar more on one side, so even if you put a new
chain on it may still cut to one side." - TREEMAN2
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| Bow versus Bar | ||||
| "I have found bow bars to be very safe. Has
anyone seen any good satistical data on bow bars verses straight bars? I have
used a bow bar for 25 years and have never come close to having an accident
with them and I can't say the same for straight bar saw." - Trees10
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The Frequently Asked
Questions
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| A Chainsaw FAQ | ||||
| Here are answers to some of the most frequently ask
questions about tree felling and chainsaws. |
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| Steve Nix About Forestry | ||||
| Learn Something New Every Day | ||||
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Enroll at About U
for More Online Learning About U is our collection of free online courses on About.com. Each online course is sent to you via email on a daily or weekly basis and will help you learn new skills, solve common problems, find shortcuts and quick tricks to simplify your busy life, or just learn more about your world. |
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