Educate me on chainsaws

[James1979]

Blimey, my knob is at risk, I'm off to buy some chainsaw trousers.

Some of us just get away with reinforced wellies protects the end at least

 

[prepman]

Be interesting to know how many of those injured were professionals vs diy market. It’ll be a bit skewed as there’s pros and people who are paid to do it. Also, a lot of people who work in that environment don’t run to hospital with every scratch so it won’t be an accurate reflection but interesting none the less.

Stihl are very powerful in Germany and a lot of the EU chainsaw regs came from Germany which was influenced by stihl. They actively don’t seek stats of pro vs diy as it will affect the possibility of selling to a diy market. I was told at a dealer a while back. They sort of self regulate in the hope they’ll get left alone.

As for bar size. A bar will do a tree of 2 1/2 times bar length if you know what you’re doing with it

I certainly agree with that. Yes care is essential or just get the missus to to do the dangerous bits. 8-]
On a serious note...I've never been concerned with using the saw. The potential for injury is great as meat is no match for the blade. But as I said in previous thread (somewhere) my large angle grinder is one of my least favourite tools because of the gyroscopic effect. The Makita cordless is as good as my previous petrol ones. Swapping power packs is no biggy. For a forester that wouldn't be the case. But as a small-holder not an issue and it's pretty sporadic use. Can't imagine not having one especially with Ash die-backup and the gales.

 

[James1979]

The big saws like the 880 have the same gyro worse than a 9” grinder. When you put power on you can’t turn it from vertical very easily.

 

[prepman]

The big saws like the 880 have the same gyro worse than a 9” grinder. When you put power on you can’t turn it from vertical very easily.

That is scary.

 

[8ob]

That is scary.

Only if you shouldn't be using one

Bob

 

[Migmac]

Had a look at the statistics on an HSE site and the details are a big difficult to quantify. Few fatalities, most injuries to upper body (no surprise there) and caused by falling branches or kick-back and pull-in. So yes that means at any elevation. My saw is only 10" and tends to stall if jammed. Had chain come off guide lots of times when jammed. However some of the larger saws would be lethal when your talking 24" and up. One other thing is risk levels change when a 2nd person is involved. A 'helper' can often be the opposite. My trees are from bush size to >30ft 12" dia +. But a 10 inch saw used carefully can cope.

Don’t be fooled, all saws can be dangerous regardless of bar lengths. As said using the proper techniques you can cut 2 1/2 times the bar length. What is scary is being the second man on a two man saw, not a nice experience

 

[prepman]

Don’t be fooled, all saws can be dangerous regardless of bar lengths. As said using the proper techniques you can cut 2 1/2 times the bar length. What is scary is being the second man on a two man saw, not a nice experience

I appreciate that. Fortunately I've either been careful or lucky over the last 30yrs.

 

[Migmac]

I appreciate that. Fortunately I've either been careful or lucky over the last 30yrs.

I’ll go for careful

 

[plewlandsbob]

@8ob , @Migmac, @James1979 , I am looking for a chain brake /side cover assembly, for my brothers ,Johnsered 630 , chainsaw. He reckons the same saw was available as a Husqvarna , but doesn't know which model. Would any one , be able to confirm this?
Thanks

 

[8ob]

@8ob , @Migmac, @James1979 , I am looking for a chain brake /side cover assembly, for my brothers ,Johnsered 630 , chainsaw. He reckons the same saw was available as a Husqvarna , but doesn't know which model. Would any one , be able to confirm this?
Thanks

They are the same but different,basic engine parts interchange but I am not sure on the external plastics. That range of jonsered are loosely based on the husky 266, 268 272

​

Bob

 

[Migmac]

I do know parts were interchangeable between the brands.I think the 630 is based on the old Husqvarna 162.

 

[zeppelin builder]

a couple of years ago i did some radical tuning on an old efco saw
i turned a bit off the bottom of the barrel
and raised the exhaust port by 2mm transfers were opened up and the exhaust de restricted by starret hole saw . it howled like a banshee and
ate oak like a cheese grater

downside was drunk petrol like a tramp drinking soup! 1 gallon in 1 hr
ignition coil started packing in and thwarted further development
next move was a boost port
its at the bottom of the list for now

 

[zeppelin builder]

They are the same but different,basic engine parts interchange but I am not sure on the external plastics. That range of jonsered are loosely based on the husky 266, 268 272

​

Bob

johnsereds were always dead smooth on the base favoured by a lot for snedding ie cutting small braches off felled trees
yes most mechanical bits the same .
they had a gimmick that plugged into the cyl head that inserted into the back cut that inflated and tipped the tree over
dont know if it caught on
the local dealer /fixer took on the franchise for Echo then shindaiwa and rated them highly
electronic ignition was a great step forward any one remember the Atom unit

 

[zeppelin builder]

Without a doubt. Only dealt with one myself but it was the most unpredicable thing with all kinds of tension, compression, torsion. Every cut i made it'd move in a different way, twist and shift. Nerve wracking, but interesting none the less.



Beast of a saw! The big ones can have a habit of snatching the starter back if you don't fully commit when getting them going.

My 3120 isn't that loud, the 70cc 572 on the other hand is 120dB and bloody deafening!



Oooh! Tell us more!

battery drill starter conversion ??

 

[pedrobedro]

The big saws like the 880 have the same gyro worse than a 9” grinder. When you put power on you can’t turn it from vertical very easily.

Why would you want to ? You can't cut round corners..

Beast of a saw! The big ones can have a habit of snatching the starter back if you don't fully commit when getting them going.

Big saws have decompression buttons so you don't get snatch back. Even small saws snatch on compression that's why drop starting can be risky.

 

[Migmac]

Big saws have decompression buttons so you don't get snatch back. Even small saws snatch on compression that's why drop starting can be risky.

YoYo starting, fun with a cold saw !

 

[8ob]

Don’t think I have ever used a decompressor in my life, I pull them slightly over tdc and just go for it.

Bob

 

[Migmac]

Don’t think I have ever used a decompressor in my life, I pull them slightly over tdc and just go for it.

Bob

I occasionally used them but if you have the right technique pulling any saw over isn’t to bad.

 

[Robotstar5]

Just looking for a photo for another thread and thought this one be appropriate on this thread, I have a couple of the engines in the pic and I know the green one weighs the best part of 30kg on it's own, guessing the chainsaw and frame must be another 10kg, wouldn't fancy waving that lot about all day!

 

[dobbslc]