Stumpbusting options

[John Rumm]

on the same theme, the saw will also lop the stump to bits first to save having to deal with a great heavy lump once cut free.

[A.Lee]

What other uses have they got then? I've never been tempted, as I have a mains powered jigsaw, which does for my current requirements, but I may be going self-employed shortly, and any extra kit may be a bonus! Alan.

[John Rumm]

I've never been tempted, as I have a mains powered jigsaw, which does

Not everyone gets on with them, and they are fairly crude cutting tools. However they are very good at cutting stuff in hostile environments.

[The Medway Handyman]

Good weapon of mass destruction. Great for hacking out old door frames, stumps as mentioned, removing old fence posts, metal blade useful for bolts that won't shift. Mines on the van all the time.

[Cicero]

================================ And much safer than a chain saw in the particular situation in which the OP finds himself with regard to this tree stump. Chain saws need good solid footing for safe use.

Cic.

[Adrian]

Agreed. Not the most 'subtle' of tools - but a form of 'mechanised brute force' that can come in very handy.

I have one of the Screwfix ones - used it successfully to demolish about 50 really ugly, knobbly, badly-pruned leylandii at the last place - trunks up to 5 or 6 inches, and multiple tangled branches.

Felt a great deal safer than using a chainsaw !

Adrian

[The Medway Handyman]

What a perfect description! Absolutely sums it up!

[Matty F]

Have a look at this B&D Alligator:

for chopping branches, and very safe.

[John Rumm]

In the OPs case you would wreck the chainsaw long before you got a chance to fall over!

[John Rumm]

That is chainsaw based again, so no use at all for lopping roots embedded in soil. Safe and quick way of lopping branches though.

[dennis]

But not very big ones.

Anyway these reciprocating saws.. do they all take the same blades or do you have to buy the ones from the manufacturer?

[The Medway Handyman]

They all seem generic.

[John Rumm]

If you stick with the "standard" saws then the blades are interchangeable. The B&D scorpion (apart from being utter crap) uses a bespoke blade, as do some of the ones that have two counter oscillating ones.

The cheap saws need an allen key to actuate the blade clamp, the posh ones will have a SDS style mechanism.

For lopping trees and roots these work well:

[dennis]

I was looking at those but it didn't say what they fitted. I was contemplating removing 10 conifers and don't fancy using my bow saw for all that. A cheap saw should last long enough and will be money well spent.. I think.

[Chris]

Does this include the Axminster AW800SS (I take it this is the 'Axminster white' recommended previously in this thread)? The description says for extra blades "See Reciprocating or Sabre Saw Blades" but all the blades listed are Bosch ones (bar a single Makita one)

Thanks

Chris

[John Rumm]

Yup, that is the one I have. Its fairly tough and has plenty of power. The blade change needs an Allen key which is a shame, but it works well enough.

Bosch blades fit just fine. As do the elcheapo silverline ones I linked to before.

[Chris]

Thank John, one Axminster AW800SS and two Bosch green wood blades duly ordered.

Cheers

Chris

[dennis]

The man in the shop said they were the same. I just bought a crappy reconditioned PP one for £19 inc 5 240mm green wood blades. Should do the job before I ebay it or keep it if I like it.