Electric chainsaw?

Chainsaws are very dangerous, and should be treat with a lot more respect than many (including myself in the past) do.

Try cutting through a foot think very fresh piece of tree trunk with a very sharp rip saw. It can be done, but would take a while. Take even a cheap chainsaw to it, and it will zip through in about 30 seconds flat. Human flesh is going to offer approximately zero resistance.

Also, the one thing that always worries me when using the chainsaw, is the prospect of the chain snapping. Thankfully I've never seen that happen, and pray that I never will. The prospect of being whipped by a metal chain filled with tiny blades is quite scary.

 

thats what worries me too .... I'm not afraid of it slipping or falling etc .... I'm worried about the chain snapping

 

this video explains some of the hazards:

 

I've only used a chainsaw once, and I thought it a bit scary.

I use all kinds of wood cutting machinery most of the time daily, but I would put chainsaws top of the list when it comes to dangerous.

A fantastic tool in the right hands.
A death trap in the wrong hands.
Bit like a car really.

That said, if I had loads of logs to cut I'd get one and work it out, I wouldn't be put off.
But I would spend some time getting the feel of it and how best to use it.

 

Surely you just need some proper gear Dim? Helmet with "gauze" face mask, the special multi-fibre trousers, steel toe cap work boots (you probably already wear those to work in) and so on.

Going on a course would be a good idea too (when time & money permit), you'd then be properly certified to do such work on a client's site (and can charge accordingly!) although I expect you would need appropriate insurance too ...

 

Its nothing to do with our Health and safety laws that I think chainsaws should be banned, or as you say a hand full of idiots its simply because they are dangerous I think they should be licensed.

And as for my previous comment about a bloke cutting his wifes head off with a chain saw being (as you said) an "urban myth" I think not. You can read the article your self if you CLICK HERE

 

Another rule of mine is this, nobody may stand close to whoever is using the chainsaw. Common sense should prevail. If you're using a chainsaw and you lose your footing, reflexes and the overwhelming self preservation instinct will make the user do his/her best to save him/herself at all costs. Such reflex actions don't always allow for people standing nearby, so if you're falling with a chainsaw, you almost certainly wont think about who's in the way.

As for licensing, I was sure I heard a few years ago that you need some sort of certificate of 'competence' before you could buy a chainsaw. I know that's not the case now, but it was either proposed, or implemented for a time a few years back.

 

I pass on all the heavy tree surgeon work to a mate who has all the correct equipment such as harnesses, 3 tonne lorry, large chipper, crane hire etc etc .... and I get a very good commision

sometimes, it's best to leave specialist work to the specialists .... I'm too old to do this sort of thing:

 

My understanding is that a chainsaw certificate is the minimum requirement if you're using it for any paid employment, and that you'd also need one for trimming branches of your own tree(s) if they were overhanging a public highway (which includes verges, paths, etc.).

 

Fair enough - I don't fancy leaping around the tree tops like the pros do either!. Personally I would want all that safety gear just to fell a sapling with a chainsaw.

 

I've got an 18"/450mm bar Jonsered petrol chainsaw, but if you're really after an electric one, how about this?

450mm bar 2200W Tesco electric chainsaw (the ones above have 350mm bars and are 1800M):

http://www.tesco.com/direct/tesco-e...w**.UKTULLF53V_slot1?skuId=213-1141&pageLevel=

£49.97 less £5 using code TDR-FRTH at the checkout, so only £44.97 if collecting instore.

Check out reviews if thinking of buying.