Used for 1st time today although purchased 2 years ago. If I am holding the chainsaw in front of me with the `chain` pointing away. So on the righthand side the chain moves away from me, then coming down the other side the `chain` is moving towards me. Does it make any difference from a safety point of view which side I cut with left or right?
My cuts are mostly at waist height and horizontal.
Youtube is your freind
the following suggests stand to the left.
How to Safely Operate Your Electric Chainsaw
I'm not sure I follow your description but generally the top handle only goes round one side (left) so you would typically cut horizontally from right to left with your left hand supporting the saw by the left side of top / side handle and your right hand on the back handle / trigger. If the back handle doesn't rotate you may end up using the trigger with your thumb. I'm not sure if they are set up for cack handers? ;-)
I believe you would do most cuts using the bottom of the bar (where it comes towards you) and the spikes that are normally there to help it all stay in place are generally more at the bottom than the top.
You might only used the top of the saw for 'snedding' and undercutting but I wouldn't recommend a novice ever doing either without the right training and PPE.
I think you also want to stand as far back as you can from the saw but without overstretching. Keeping away whilst being in full control. You really don't want to be within reach of the bar or chain if it comes off the bar.
But please don't take any of the above as a recommendation you just give it a go. ;-(
Cheers, T i m
I will try and clarify. Chain travels in a loop. up one side and down the other, So one side is travelling away from me the other towards me. Does it matter if I cut from either side of the `loop`.
If you are holding a traditional "right hander" saw with the chain bar pointing away from you and vertical, then on the top of the bar the chain will be moving away from you, and on the underside of the bar toward you.
If you were say cutting logs from a section of trunk supported horizontally, you would use the under side of the bar. Because of the "handedness" of the saw it will normally be a little to your right in these cases. Ideally you want to keep out of a direct line of the chain, so it it were to snap and whip round under the saw your body or legs would not be in the way.
Likewise be careful what you do with the tip of the bar - it the top quadrant of the nosewheel snags on something, it will flick the bar up and toward you. Not being directly behind it is again very worthwhile! (forestry helmet with a visor will also keep your head in one piece should a kickback hit your head or face).
If you are felling a tree - and so need to hold the saw horizontally, then you will typically cut from right to left with the bottom of the bar again.
The only time you would normally use the top of the bar is when cutting through a branch that has load on it, and there is a danger of it splitting and ripping a section off the underside of the branch before you manage to cut right through. In that case you could use the top of the bar to make partial cut to the underside of the branch before reverting to cutting from the top. That will let you do a clean cut without splitting the underside of the branch.
All in all, take a moment to think through each cut. Clear stuff that might trip you out of the way before each cut. Plan an escape route. If it goes pear shaped, let go of the saw and move! Wear PPE. Don't forget electric chainsaws still need bar oil to work properly.
coming toward you.
Yes it does. If you use the moving-away side to cut the saw will tend to push out of the cut and if it reaches the saw tip the saw will kick out. When cutting with a vertical blade this can result in a chain in your face.
So it is definitely not recommended. Having said this I've been using my little petrol saw for 20 years and do it all the time. BUT I have a profound respect for power tools. After cars, they are probably the most lethal things people use on a regular basis.
With mine held that way, there is a "chain catcher" on the underside.
yes stop asking stupid questions......troll
So like a router where going in one direction pushes it off the cut.
Ok, thanks all I think I get it now. I only need to use it every couple of years so wont be extensive use.
I'd have thought that one way would cover you in chippings and also pull you into the tree if it jammed, but most Electric ones do not have the oomph for that sort of thing. I've only handled one once, frightened the daylights out of me, even when I could see. Brian
wimp
Brian Gaff (Sofa) explained :
I had to buy a petrol version and use it to deal with a fallen tree a couple of years ago. Buying one and cutting it up myself, was the cheaper/ simpler / quicker option. I bought a long bladed one, because the trunk was quite thick.
I must admit I was at first very wary of it at first, with all the stories of injury and risk of death, so I made sure I had someone with me when using it. In fact it was much easier to use, than I expected, it jammed several times and the clutch slipped to prevent any injury, as it was designed to do. Tree had been blown down, so I only needed to use it on the ground - I doubt I would have the confidence to use it off the ground.
Ok ...
It does indeed. ;-)
Well yes, but you had it on it's side so it was left and right but no, all the man cutting is done with the bottom of the bar (where the chain is coming towards you).
Ok ..
No, if you know what, when and how you are doing but yes, if you are just using a chainsaw for the first time.
However, I believe I answered your question the first time anyway. ;-)
(Sorry, can't open that for some reason).
Cheers, T i m
Unfortunately, with things like chainsaws that intermittent level of use makes it even more dangerous.
If you were to get the training, got the relevant ticket (CS30):
As others have mentioned, chainsaws can be very dangerous things (as many 'professionals' can attest (and some that now can't)) and part of that reason is because how they cut, removing a fair chunk of you, should something go wrong (eg, not like a knife cut).
As other have also mentioned, if you know and use some basic techniques, specifically around what you *don't* do, you could be ok.
They are similar in their risk factor to a grenade. If you read the instructions and follow them to the letter ... and don't try to take short cuts or try anything (that turns out to be) silly .... ;-)
Cheers, T i m
Dont be afraid to use it the 'wrong' way - for example when cutting a heavy horizontal piece that is supported at the ends, the blade will jam if you do it from above so you can either turn the thing over or cut the last bit from underneath,assuming you cant get a support in to jack up the area you are cutting.
Pulling you into the work piece is the safer option - the other way sends the chain saw towards you.
I once attended a agriculture and woodland show where representatives from Stihl were demonstrating their product range. One message was that even their small electric range could inflict serious personal damage if used incorrectly.
You always (well, very nearly always) cut with the 'bottom' of the saw such that the saw is pulled away from you.
It's (just about) permissable to cut with the top side for making a small groove in the underside of a branch which you are lopping so that when you cut it off in the normal way from the top it breaks off reasonably neatly rather than tearing. Be extra careful when doing this cutting with the 'wrong' side of the saw.
You can as much damage to yourself with an electric chainsaw as a petrol one.
Is there any reason why you cannot simply use a hand saw ?. One with a good quality blade, intended for cutting timber across the grain, will go through sappy wood quite easily.
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