Chainsaw advice

[backwoodsman]

Slacken bar holding nuts, then tighten the chain tensioner screw so that when the saw is sitting flat, the nose of the bar just starts to rise, that's a useful indicator for correct chain tension. Then re-tighten the nuts holding the bar in place! Chain should not be coming off the bar! Also once tension is correct if the chain is moving whilst the engine is idling then the engine idling speed needs reduced, another little screw for that.

As a former frequent chainsaw user and an occasional one now, who's done several training courses and refreshers, I'd say take a course or at least shadow someone who is qualified for basic maintenance (sharpening/filter cleaning/bar replacement etc) and cutting techniques and definitely get PPE - protective trousers and boots most important for protection of limbs, helmet with visor and earguards for eyes/hearing.....obviously. Keep your thumb around the handle and not on top.
Most serious accidents with chainsaws in the industry at least these days are from hung up trees, i.e. the one being felled gets stuck in the neighbouring trees, people then start cutting the neighbouring tree which is holding the weight of the first one and all kinds of dangerous things can happen. It's crush injuries rather than cut injuries that are the most common serious injuries/fatalities in the industry. Kickback is largely protected by the chainbrake just ahead of the handle, older saws didn't offer that protection. Outside the industry stats for farmers having accidents with saws is bad, they tend to crack on with tasks without PPE or training, used to doing everything themselves.
Clearing windblown trees (fallen but still rooted) is also very dangerous especially if done incorrectly, tremendous stored forces in the stem of a rooted fallen or leaning tree can be released very quickly when cut.
Go to respect chainsaws, not saying dont use one or get one but get PPE and some basic training if you do.

Jeez... don't encourage him!

As a former chainsaw instructor, the simple advice is don't, don't, don't. Don't pick up a chainsaw without training and correct PPE.

And if one did do the training, one would know that trying to cut a sofa is a ludicrous idea. It will be made of a whole variety of materials unsuitable for cutting by chainsaw. The only certainty will be that both the user and the saw would come to grief.

Find something to get annoyed about, get a sledgehammer, get the sofa, and then just let the tension out ...

 

[Tashyboy]

Take no notice of what folk say on here, not saying any of them are wrong coz there not. There's an old saying " what I hear I forget, what I see I remember". With that in mind, just google " Chain saw injuries" images.
Once that's done buy a sodding great hammer and smash it to bits.
Of that don't convince you, ring Greg Norman. 👍

Have you had a look yet, coz I just have and wish I hadnt. 😖

 

[clubchamp98]

Sofas have lots of nails ,screws ,staples ,bolts .
These can really be dangerous.
Cut the fabric ,and cut it with a hand saw it’s easy.
When you go the tip take the chain saw with you and dump it.
The most dangerous thing in inexperienced hands.

 

[Slime]

Have you had a look yet, coz I just have and wish I hadnt. 😖

Aw Tashyboy .................................... you just made me look and now I need a bucket!!
I'll treat my chainsaw with even more respect in future.

 

[Rooter]

Saw the title and the poster and immediately thought NOOOOOO! then i saw what you were planning!! God NO!!

 

[Imurg]

It's far more fun smashing things with hammers.......

 

[Tashyboy]

Reminds me of a story one of the lads told me at the pit.

He and his gang was employed to trim back all the trees on the bankings whilst working on the railways. He was in Liverpol for the week and came across a gang of kids who had a den on the railways. He told them what they had to do re trim back the trees. " our dens in there mister"." Soz kids we have to trim back the trees". "If you do we will torch your van". He laughed it off as the eldest was about 12. An hour later he saw this thick black smoke about 200 yds away, thought nowt of it for about 10 seconds. Had an amble up and the van was indeed on fire.

 

[Rooter]

Reminds me of a story one of the lads told me at the pit.

He and his gang was employed to trim back all the trees on the bankings whilst working on the railways. He was in Liverpol for the week and came across a gang of kids who had a den on the railways. He told them what they had to do re trim back the trees. " our dens in there mister"." Soz kids we have to trim back the trees". "If you do we will torch your van". He laughed it off as the eldest was about 12. An hour later he saw this thick black smoke about 200 yds away, thought nowt of it for about 10 seconds. Had an amble up and the van was indeed on fire.

LOL always pay the kids a pound to watch your car!

 

[Tashyboy]

LOL always pay the kids a pound to watch your car!

Me dad told me a story when he used to go to Maine rd Citys old ground. A kid said to me dads mate " a quid to look after your car mate". Bloke said " no your alright, me Alsatian in the car will look after it". Kid said " can it put out fires". He paid the quid

 

[clubchamp98]

Reminds me of a story one of the lads told me at the pit.

He and his gang was employed to trim back all the trees on the bankings whilst working on the railways. He was in Liverpol for the week and came across a gang of kids who had a den on the railways. He told them what they had to do re trim back the trees. " our dens in there mister"." Soz kids we have to trim back the trees". "If you do we will torch your van". He laughed it off as the eldest was about 12. An hour later he saw this thick black smoke about 200 yds away, thought nowt of it for about 10 seconds. Had an amble up and the van was indeed on fire.

A Den is your castle.
You have to say they did give him fair warning.

 

[Tashyboy]

He said he felt sorry for the kids as it was a proper den.

 

[JoeyStyles]

Oh, a chainsaw is a dangerous tool in the wrong hands. I remember when my younger brother tried to "play" with dad's chainsaw and almost cut his own leg. He was lucky that the doctors were able to save his leg. Honestly, I think that you shouldn't risk with a chainsaw and it's better to get another instrument. A good working scroll saw would be the best option to cut your sofa just the way you need it. I discovered at https://mitersawjudge.com/best-scroll-saw-reviews-and-buying-guide/ that this instrument can cut almost every material. This is a pretty useful tool for everyone's house I think.

 

[Rlburnside]

Jeez... don't encourage him!

As a former chainsaw instructor, the simple advice is don't, don't, don't. Don't pick up a chainsaw without training and correct PPE.

And if one did do the training, one would know that trying to cut a sofa is a ludicrous idea. It will be made of a whole variety of materials unsuitable for cutting by chainsaw. The only certainty will be that both the user and the saw would come to grief.

Find something to get annoyed about, get a sledgehammer, get the sofa, and then just let the tension out ...

Wish I had a sofa to smash up after last nights football?

 

[Fade and Die]

You know, chainsaw is a dangerous tool in the wrong hands. I remember when my younger brother tried to "play" with dad's chainsaw and almost sawed up his own leg. He was lucky that the doctors were able to save his leg out of amputation.

 

[Smiffy]

i still have images of me cutting my foot of every time i see it in the shed....

Make it your left foot and you'd get rid of that slice.....

 

[Mandofred]

I'm from a logging community. My father and one of his brothers dead while working. I ran cross country and track in high school with a fellow that only had part of his knee left from a chainsaw accident in his yard.....still not sure how he ran...huge scar, he was a decent 800 runner. Lots of people I knew used chainsaws. I wouldn't use one without some training and ONLY on guaranteed wood with no "other things" in it. Trees yes, sofa's no.

 

[Tashyboy]

I'm from a logging community. My father and one of his brothers dead while working. I ran cross country and track in high school with a fellow that only had part of his knee left from a chainsaw accident in his yard.....still not sure how he ran...huge scar, he was a decent 800 runner. Lots of people I knew used chainsaws. I wouldn't use one without some training and ONLY on guaranteed wood with no "other things" in it. Trees yes, sofa's no.

Re things in wood, a pal of mine( joiner) at the pit was asked to cut down an old railway sleeper for a home job. He asked if the bolts had been taken out. He was assured they had been removed. Later that day a big circular saw blade found one. He said he had never been so scared in his life when the blade hit the bolt.

 

[Mandofred]

Re things in wood, a pal of mine( joiner) at the pit was asked to cut down an old railway sleeper for a home job. He asked if the bolts had been taken out. He was assured they had been removed. Later that day a big circular saw blade found one. He said he had never been so scared in his life when the blade hit the bolt.

I think if I was regularly doing work like this I would have a decent metal detector I could run over the wood just to double check. Even a lot of trees often have bits of nails etc in them, especially in rural/town areas. If you are a faller/cutter where I grew up (Castle Rock, WA) you probably wouldn't see much crap in the trees......but cutting an old sleeper.....I'd want to be careful.

 

[User62651]

If you are chainsawing dirty wood you're going to use an old chain or two kept back for just that purpose and not ruin a new one. Otherwise just be aware.

 

[Captainron]

I use my chainsaw often. Just test it like it’s a venomous snake. Hold tight, aim it away from me and only pick it up when I absolutely have to