My husband wants a chainsaw for Christmas - any advice?

Farway

Agree about the safety wear

"A man who cut his arm off with a chainsaw is recovering in hospital after having the severed limb reconnected in 14 hours of surgery."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/7644404.stm

greyteam1959

I would also check up on the law..........
Cos methinks you have to have some sort of a Certificate or something.
Might be wrong........

Mrsmoneypenny

I think you can go on a course, they are extremely dangerous and you need to know what you are doing.

pippitypip_2

**Upsy_Daisy** wrote: »

My husband wants a chainsaw for Christmas - any advice?

Yup - RUN!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

pippitypip

(sorry, I couldn't help myself)

olbas_oil

I've had a few of these - normal domestic use, and also the Alligator.
I'd agree with what people have said about the Alligator - it is much safer and surprisingly good at thick branches.

I also have an electric and a petrol chainsaw (quite a few trees in the garden). In almost every case I've bought the 'budget' or 'own' brand from Homebase or B&Q. I've never had an issue with burned out motors, but it is important to have a sharp, and correctly tensioned chain. I used to get the chain sharpened at about £6 - but now the local man has disappeared I tend to buy replacement chains@ £13.

The petrol one is more convenient - no long extension cords - but is heavier (more tiring) and if it is a cold morning, and I need to mix some 2 stroke fuel, then I'll use the electric one (or Alligator). If hubby is felling trees in the forest he needs a petrol one. If he's chopping branches near the house, electric is fine.

You do have to take safety very seriously - but my near accidents have been about things falling from above (sheer carelessness) and leaning out too far (too lazy to move platform to safe position) rather than the blade itself.

In your shoes I'd go for the Alligator (but keep the receipt in case he prefers a different choice).

unluckychappie

The Aligator is a very handy tool and works very well up to the 4" width as already stated. Very easy to tension and obvious where the oil goes in. The advice concerning the safety equipment is very pertinent and worth every penny.

I also bought an electric chainsaw, a Bosch, which is very efficient.

Sharpening the chain blades frequently is advisable as it is easier to keep to the right angles.

A wooden log horse can be made very easily and helps to stop the logs spinning. Really need a helper to load up the logs, move them along the horse and kick the product out of the way.

The best bit of kit however is a long handled wood splitting axe. Like a standard choping axe but with a wedge built into the blade. One on two strikes on a green or dry logs splits them effortlessly.

The chainsaw and Aligator will produce huge amounts of sawdust.

Enjoy.

glasgowdan

You don't need a certificate or any training to use a chainsaw at home, but you do if you are charging money for your services.

Why not buy him an axe and a good bow saw? It will still get the job done and let him become more of a man at the same time! Besides, splitting logs with an axe is often quicker than using a chainsaw, and infinitely more satisfying.

I wear chainsaw trousers, gloves, ear defenders and visor when using one. I check it before every use to ensure the chain is sharp, tight and the controls are all ok.

I would honestly buy any petrol chainsaw if it's just the odd use at home. Stihl make the best professional models but you don't want or need to spend £600 on a chainsaw to chop up some logs now and then. The other option is ebay. You can get very good used models (e.g. the Stihl MS260, any bar size) for about £200.

Avoid Ryobi, McCulloch and anything in Argos or Halfords. Try a local tool hire shop for end of season clearances.

bromsgrovebarry

My advice is to go on a course, I did and it was very valuable. You need to be able to tension and sharpen the chain and the learn basics of chainsaw use before using these machines.

Rolandtheroadie

I just bought an 89.99 ebay special. It works fine, cut down my very large conifer and 2 rowan trees (something about they keep witches away?) and not a penny spent on safety equipment.
Was going to pay the forestry commission £60 for a (3 month) licence to gather wood but you cant use power anything on their land so that was a bit of a non starter.
Then I discovered a local farmer sold seasoned hardwood for £50 a ton delivered to your door. Paid £250, got a mass of wood (tractor trailer that they use to collect the wheat/barley in full to the top) and havent even made a dent in it yet.
Also discovered the local quarry has hit a seam of coal and is selling it at around £85 a ton (20 bags) so have bought a coal box as well.
Wont burn coal much (multi fuel stove we have) just a shovel full or 2 now and again.
Oh, the chainsaw? Up the loft in the garage, like new.

Smoffi

Make sure he is mentally stable..
dont let him carve the meat on christmas day
dont let him near the christmas tree
dont let him offer to do any hair cuts

always read the instructions..