Yorkshire Pudding Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I have developed an arrangement with our roofer - when he takes down trees for access, or removes spars or lats from a roof, he drops them off with the nearest person he knows with a woodburner, rather than tip them. This week I have been given a couple of newly felled fruit trees and a heap of 300 year old roof timbers for my woodburner. Now I need a way to cut them up. I know one or two Omleteers have chainsaws - can you advise me please? Petrol or electric? New or secondhand? What length of blade do I need? And what safety equipment to prevent me from cutting off parts of my anatomy rather than just chopping up the wood? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 My Hubby uses one of these to chop wood for our coal fire. http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9219045&fh_view_size=10&fh_start_index=10&fh_eds=%3f&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB%2fcategories%3C{9372012}%2fcategories%3C{9372021}%2fcategories%3C{9372064}%2fspecificationsProductType%3dchainsaws___loppers&fh_refview=lister&ts=1249414958693&isSearch=false He wanted a "proper" chainsaw, but he's so accident prone I wouldn't trust him with one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted August 4, 2009 Author Share Posted August 4, 2009 Thanks Debs, I saw that but it isn't long enough to cut up the tree trunks! I see what you mean though, even I would have trouble cutting my leg off with that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Chainsaw expert here! If you're doing lots of heavy sawing then you'll need a petrol one, an electric one with a decent motor and blade/chain will be fine for small and medium jobs. The chains can be sharpened for about £6 a time and done 5 times before you need a new chain, which can cost £15-20. You will also need a workmate or saw horse and all the protective gubbins to go with it... gauntlets, goggles, boots, earplugs and thick trousers. DO NOT do what I do and chainsaw in your bikini... it' far easier to get clean, but not at all safe as I am always being reminded (I do wear my gauntlets and goggles though I'd suggest that you hire one first to get the hang opf it and see if it's something that you want to get into; not everyone is happy using a chainsaw. I'm sure that you know this, but any felled tree wood will need to season for at least a year before you can burn it. I now have a whole winter's stock on my woodpile, thanks to friends, scabbing from skips and Freecycle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 i use a Reciprocating Saw at work for cutting window frames out it cope with wood up to 4 inch i've cut branches and small trees up to about 6inch but you'll need to chance the blades quite offten but a lot safer than a chain saw on old beams with hidden metal in them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 DO NOT do what I do and chainsaw in your bikini... it' far easier to get clean, but not at all safe as I am always being reminded (I do wear my gauntlets and goggles though I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 DO NOT do what I do and chainsaw in your bikini... it' far easier to get clean, but not at all safe as I am always being reminded (I do wear my gauntlets and goggles though I I have visions of magicians assistants now, don't climb into the box Claret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I honestly think if you've never used one before, it might be safer (and cheaper) to try and find someone local who already has one, and get them to saw the trees up. If you used a chainsaw in a work environment, you wouldn't be allowed near it without a training course and proper safety gear - I say this because I have a friend who works in woodland, and she has been trained to use one. She would definitely not recommend them for novices. As far as the roof-timbers and any other wood are concerned, I just use a good old handsaw, cost about £9.99. It keeps me warm in the winter while I'm chicken-supervising, and it's fantastic for losing weight, I couldn't believe how it peeled off when I spent an hour sawing every Saturday and Sunday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I've got an Alligator 'chainsaw' its excellent but not good for thick stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted August 5, 2009 Author Share Posted August 5, 2009 Thanks all - as always you are a great source of advice and common sense! I am not about to rush out and buy one, and I have used one at work (although that was 20 years ago and only briefly) I am cautious about the safety issues. I will have a look at reciprocating saws too, are they just like a powered back-and-forth action? I have a good handsaw in the garage and plan to start out with that - it will cope fine with the seasoned timbers and branches (some have been dead for well over a year!), it is the 'green' tree trunks that were worrying me. Olly makes a good point though - it'll be good exercise and I could do with that! and Claret - I don't even own a bikini, so no danger of chainsawing in one.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Do you have a bowsaw? I find that best for smaller stuff. I got a whole load of smaller timbers this time, and clamped them together before sawing - got through loads quite quickly like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Chainsaw expert here! DO NOT do what I do and chainsaw in your bikini... it' far easier to get clean, but not at all safe as I am always being reminded (I do wear my gauntlets and goggles though My hubby chainsaws our wood up wearing shorts and sandals. No head protection at all. Daft beggar won't listen to me. You can sharpen your own chain with a special file that costs very little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 I tried one of those files DA, but if was such a faff that I was happy to pay £6 each time to get someone else to do it. New chains are easy to fit and tension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Claret shame we've not really had any bikini weather summer yet *sigh* I wouldn't even go near the woodworking equipment at school ( got other people to do my drilling & stuff for me!) so the thought of a chain saw makes me shudder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 I know, the weather has been total pants, hasn't it? I can understand people not wanting to use one; they have the potential for causing nasty injuries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Chainsaw expert here! DO NOT do what I do and chainsaw in your bikini... it' far easier to get clean, but not at all safe as I am always being reminded (I do wear my gauntlets and goggles though My hubby chainsaws our wood up wearing shorts and sandals. No head protection at all. Daft beggar won't listen to me. You can sharpen your own chain with a special file that costs very little. My hubby does this for his work and would NEVER cut anything without the chainsaw trousers protection, helmet, boots, earmuffs and facial protection . Its just not worth the risk! He has a saw with heated handles too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 We pay someone to saw our wood - he has all the protective gear and we are insured for any problems - I've already spent over 6 years with a crocked knee and don't need any other injuries........and Carl is sooooo accident prone...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
