Chainsaw question

[MarkV]

Jeff,

Check out http://www.baileys-online.com for chaps. They are a good company and have chaps with 2 layers of KEVLAR for under $45.

MarkV

 

[Jeff396]

I like the dime idea but I just want to make sure I know what you mean. You take the dime and lift the chain on the top about mid bar and completely slide the dime under a drive tooth. This being done while the bar is in the lowered position. So then when you lift the tip and tighten the bar it will have the proper tension?

Jeff

Richard,

I didn't happen to see any shoeing chaps online. Do you have a site where I can find them and have a look?

 

[Jeff396]

Went there, got 'em....Thanks!!

Jeff

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Jeff & Cowboydoc: I have chaps that came with my Husky saw. I have fortunately not tested them. I have a recollection that they claim to be designed with layers of material that actually will strip, bunch and jam the saw to stop it. A friend in the shoe business says his company used similar design for boots specifically aimed at loggers and others using chain saws. If correct, those chaps may be different from riding or farriers chaps.

Charlie Iliff

 

[MarkV]

Jeff, good investment. I use mine everytime I pull out the saws. They also have a bunch of neat stuff in their catalog.

MarkV

 

[gmason]

Jeff, I got the same saw model a few years ago, and I have loved it...It has all the power I need and is a little lighter than the regular 55 model.
I keep mine a little looser than some of the posts. Just to the point where the chain sags not quite out of the channel(when warm).


A man just a 1/2 mile away sells the huskvarna line of mowers, saws, trimmers, and blowers. He's sells one of the highest volume of product anywhere in the state and has great prices(low overhead). Usually 20-30% off list.. A neighbor just bought a ZTR mower from him...Really cool and can it mow. It cuts twice as fast as I can walk.

gary

 

[art]

If your bar is loose, when you tighten the chain, it will pull the bar to the up position. The dime should fit tight. I normally when tightening will drop the tip onto the supporting surface that the saw is sitting on. That will also keep it in the up position. With the roller tips it is critical to keep the chain tight otherwise it will pull off the bar. I hold onto the top handle while doing this it's quite easy to do.

 

[beenthere]

I would recommend getting the correct chaps, with the kevlar fibers. They will immediately bunch up in the chain sprocket and stop the chain (personnaly tested this and not by choice). I couldn't believe how fast that chain stopped. I think with leather the chain saw teeth would eat through that like it was hot butter. True, if the chain wasn't running, the leather would take the abuse of the teeth. I had to dismantle the saw and remove the fibers - but a small price to pay when the alternative would have been major surgery on the left leg just above the knee cap.
Another 'tool' to have with you when using the chain saw is something to stop blood flow. Often a chain saw cut removes a lot of material, and will cause blood flow that is hard to stop. If alone, one may not have time to go to the truck and get something. I follow advice from a logger who told me he carries a womens sanitary napkin in his hard hat (above the straps inside) to use to stop blood flow. Hope I don't ever need it.
Another logger in Alaska uses a womens panty pad stuck to his head band to stop sweat from running down into his eyes. I tried that but also received complaints from my wife that it was embarassing (I don't know why). It's softer than the hard leather sweat band.

 

[MarkV]

Beenthere,

<font color=blue>personnaly tested this </font color=blue>

Man, that scares me just hearing it. Chain saws are about as dangerous as a tool can get. Things happen in a split second and the results are catastrophic. Looks like you made the best $50 investment of your life when you bought those chaps. Just a guess, but I bet you never pick up a saw without your chaps on.

MarkV

 

[beenthere]

Absolutely correct. I bought a new pair right away. I find them comfortable to wear and really great when walking through berry bushes and gooseberry bushes when in the woods. When I had the accident, it was one of those times that I was just going to do some quick cutting, nothing real serious. Knocking down some 1 and 2 inch saplings, I was bent over cutting them with the top of the bar (throwing the chips away from me rather than in my face). The handle caught on a stump as I rotated forward, and the saw pivoted back into my left leg which was moving forward. Not something I expected or even thought that I was standing that way. My first thought, was how it would have messed up my elk hunting trip that I was going on the following day. Worse thoughts after that, as the ligament repair, etc. would have been a long drawn out ordeal. Mostly because everything severed is about 1/4 inch too short. Chain saw chaps are always on when the saw is in hand.