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My husband wants a chainsaw for Christmas - any advice?
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A decent make second hand one would be more useful than A cheap new one. If he's serious about choping up enough to keep you warm over winter, a cheap one will need so much maintanance he'll give up. I know I've been there.
He'll also need a chain sharpening file, chains blunt quickly and it's no fun.
Maybe just get him the safety gear and (coz he propably never buy them himself). Once hes got the kit he'll buy the chainsaw. If it's a cheap naff one he's only got himself to blame.0 -
I wear stout steel toecapped boots, chainsaw trousers, thick quilted jacket and thick jumper, chainsaw gloves, hard hat and visor, before I even think about starting the chainsaw.
Work out how much it costs to buy the safety wear, then work out if it's worth your while.
Buying logs cut to size then splitting them yourself is a much better idea unless you have access to vast amounts of free wood.
A guy I know who uses a chainsaw for a living once showed me his helmet, it had a huge gash across one side, from where the saw had kicked back while cutting a log, since then I've always worn a helmet. It would have taken half his head off.
As have been said, chainsaws are really dangerous and they rip, not cut something, if they get to flesh it is truly horrific, please make sure he needs it and knows what he is doing.Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.0 -
I agree wholeheartedly with Lotus-eater. it may not be the advice you want to hear but I assure you it is the best. I also agree with getting a good make such as Stihl rather than the unreliable cheap rubbish hawked in discount saws. A good large, Bahco bowsaw cut cut logs faster than a cheap chainsawStill waiting for Parking Eye to send the court summons! Make my day!0
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Bahco bowsaws are brilliant, I use one to cut anything under about 8" wide, I have cut much bigger with one, especially if you have a half decent saw horse.
I much prefer using the saw tbh, no dressing up, no pollution, less sawdust wastage and no noise, but it is slower..... and harder on your muscles.Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.0 -
I would go for a decent axe and log splitter myself, like these guys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJCnsWJaAgM&feature=related
More fun than the wii fit.:D0 -
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You could always ignore the advice here and just insure him and his extremities for a lot of money. Depend how useful you are finding him, really.0
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Have a look at the Stihl 171 http://www.tomsgardenequipment.co.uk/category/Petrol/product/STIHL_MS171_Chainsaw/
Ive got 2 chainsaws and usually use the smaller one as its only a little slower easier. The stihl 181 is the same saw but with slightly more power.
They can be dangerous things though so he needs to follow the safety advice.
My golden tip - MAKE him learm/read how to sharpen it properly(more complicated than it sounds). A sharp saw is a joy to use ; a blunt one is dangerous 'cos you're pushing down hard and getting frustrated0 -
Our 7 year old grandson want's one too, he carries a screwfix catalogue around like most 7 year olds are glued to the Argos catalogue at this time of year.. You have to laugh, his dad said no so he tried grandad.
Just to set any minds at rest we have bought him some games LOL0
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