It's even more exciting if you're a southpaw. Remember: a properly sharpened chainsaw is a machine that will cut right through your leg before you're even aware of what just happened
I owned a chain saw. A fairly small one, when I lived in ND. I first bought it to cut firewood after I bought a cast iron stove to heat the basement and keep the pipes from freezing. Later, when I replaced the pot-type oil burner with a propane heater for the house, I had a smaller propane heater installed in the basement and the cast iron stove went into the yard as a summer stove. After that I only used the chain saw for cutting out dead wood and felling the occasional dead tree. It's really surprising that I never cut any of my own body parts off with it. Do be careful, Dave.
If owners manual fails to impress you, I recommend renting "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre". Plenty of tips what to, and not to do when handling a chainsaw! I believe there are several follow up movies. They have advanced techniques that with practice anyone can master For chain saw trivia buffs.... "It's a Poo Lan Ed"
I had 3 chainsaws last year, but I sold 2 of them at a garage sale. My dad used to have several chainsaws since he was a timber faller (aka lumberjack). He never let me operate any of them until after I went to college because he didn't want me to work as a timber faller (not likely). He used to have a McCulloch chainsaw with a 72" bar (the part that the chain follows was 6 feet long). His last big saw was a Husqvarna with a 48" bar.
I bought a chainsaw 6 months ago just in case I need it some day. I borrowed mums a couple years ago and haven't needed one since. I only paid $130AU for it which is CHEAP for a new 14 inch petrol chainsaw. I have started it but never used it.
If you have started it you are ahead of the game. Knowing that they need to be started makes for faster cutting. Tom
Reminds me of the irish lumberjack joke. Did you hear about Patty and Michael who were out of work lumberjacks wandering through town when Patty saw a notice in a shop window which he read out loud to Michael, "Tree fellers wanted, apply within." Michael said, "Dat's no good to us Patty, dere's only da two of us." Not that lumberjack joke, a chainsaw one.
Mine is an electric. A tiny 16 inch Homelite model. I'm not manly enough for a REAL chain saw. I used it today and still have all my appendages. There are fewer small trees on the side of the house than I expected to end with but it was easy. I even picked up a stray cat while I was doing it. How can I not adopt a 6 month old kitten that's willing to approach someone using a chains saw. My next project. De-fleaing.
The electric ones work really well on small stuff as long as the chain is sharp. It could still cut your arm off. Also, its really bad to cut the cord, so try to avoid that. :madgrin:
I'm not cutting any real trees, just some limbs that have fallen and were too large to fit in my garbage plus a few very small trees. The cat's not deaf althought that's common in Angora's with different color eyes. (intertubes expert). This one has 2 very blue eyes and can hear pretty well. When I went out for kitty litter, food and de-fleaing chemicals she was asleep on the couch. When I got back she as up on the wet bar hiding behind a beam from the noise of me openning the doors. The local cat adoption/fostering agency isn't open till Weds so I have a visitor till then. She'll get adopted quickly. She's a beautiful friendly adolescent. I'll probably be getting the fleas out of the house for months.
My chainsaw will see regular use 1-2x a year, cutting firewood. Once I know I'm done using it, I drain the gas out and run it until it quits. No worry about gum/varnish that way
Folks in Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Manitoba wouldn't understand that. You'd have to phrase it like this Wife to her friend: Real cold out there Friend: Ja, you betcha! Wife: Dat lutefisk almost ready? Friend: Oh ja, you betcha, she's almost ready! Wife: Ver is Hans and Ole? Friend: Out in de voodshed yerkin off ... Wife: Ja, dat's Hans an Ole for ya
Awwwww that's cute. How about a photo? Fleas. Hint: Selamectin, which is available online and from your vet. It's made by Pfizer and the trade name is Revolution. Controls fleas, earmites, ticks, hookworm, heartworm, and roundworm I like to dose my two cats once every two months, costs me $20 for both cats. That's cheap insurance to ensure the health of your pet Note: Selamectin will NOT control cestodes (Tapeworms). I can almost guarantee the stray kitten has cestodes. Look for what appear to be little grains of white rice around the anus, or in a fresh bowel movement. It's NOT white rice, but mature segments of cestode. You will need a product like Bayer's Drontal to erradicate the cestode infestation. Even though my cats are never allowed outside, I dose them with Drontal twice a year. Since the cats like to sleep with me, I'll be damned if I pick up an infestation off them