Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

This book just came out, I happen to know one of the people involved in the production of it...

They had a safety engineer go through and vet it, in addition to the fact that the authors know what they are doing.

If you are going to be doing some bugging out, you should know how to take care of your chainsaw, so it can take care of you.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

I've got mine ready to go, just waiting for the hockey mask....

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Am I getting old or are people just more stupid now-a-days. Who needs a book on how to operate a chain saw. If you don't know buy one and learn. Damn...

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

was out on a construction job installing signal systems for a railroad crossing. Had to borrow a knife from another guy there. Opened the knife and spotted some writing on the blade, my curiosity got to me and I decided to read it. It said, and I quote... "Caution: Sharp Blade"

I lost a lot of hope for humanity that day....

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Yeah come up to my place I got a couple saws and a log splitter. I'll put your fancy a$$ to work, when finished I'll have a class on treating blisters.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

My moment was when I saw "open here" on a KitKat.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

You could also just go out and buy a few chicks and experiment on how to raise them. See if the starve or freeze, then try again next year if they do.
Or maybe take that car apart and see if you can't just put it back together by instinct or logic.
Or try to slap up some crown molding by eyeballing it.
Nothing wrong with learning by trying, but there's nothing wrong with learning before trying either.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

But some just get into more and more trouble...

Reminds me of this:

http://site.despair.com/images/dpage/stupidity.jpg

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Yeah right..... been there done that more than I wish. Now I'm old, still fit, and hire some kid like you to do it for me.

You should not assume anything here. I know I don't.

:15_1_70v:

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Ah come on it will be fun. We could reminisce about when we were young and our backs weren't sore.

http://goldismoney.info/forums/pictu...&pictureid=244

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Not sure I see the connection with the photo, but i guess yeah there are those that learn about everything without ever doing them and that's sad.

If I have the time and inclination though, I'll learn as much about something as possible - and then give it a whirl, thanks. Diving in is fine, makes for some of the best discoveries in the world I'd wager.
But failure to prepare is maybe as big a cause of failure as failure to try.

I used to go fishing with my buddies every day as a kid. For years.
We'd grab our rods, more often poles, and fish anything bigger'n a puddle.
Difference is I became infatuated with it.
I'd ride my bike to the local library and check out every single book they had about fish and fishing.
And then beg my parents to drive me to the library in the next towns to do the same.
I could tell you the Latin names of the fish we caught at the time, what they fed on, how they bred, what the R&R world record was.

I always, always caught more fish than my buddies. Many times they were skunked I'd land at least something (say, knowing that if the water wasn't above 70 the Largemouth would be sluggish so maybe slow rubber on the bottom, or even a spinner for Perch would be more appropriate).

Not saying the stuff you learn in books is more valuable than the stuff you learn in the real world. Far from it.
For instance, we learned, due to financial constraints, that by far the best bait to land those monster carp was nothing more than a handful of Joey's parents' cornflakes squished up and balled on the hook, as opposed to the fancy cornmeal baits they gave you recipes for in the books.

But how-to books, on anything, books on anything, give you a head start. Give you the wisdom of other people's knowledge, and the lessons of their mistakes.
There is no substitute for real world knowledge, but imo there is also no excuse for not flattening your learning curve if you've the opportunity to do so.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

I have known a few people that had the attitude of i'll tear into it and learn it, only to render most of their mechanical and household items completely unsuable. Lost parts, broken during disassembly etc. Still they keep injecting themselves into projects they cannot possibly complete and never learn a damn thing from the experience.

In those cases, learn by trying is counterproductive.

They never win
They never quit
They are idiots.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

D'oh , got it. I misunderstood. Sorry for the long-winded preaching to the choir post.
I've had a Chianti.:bear_happy:

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Sort of related (rambling?) personal story:

Growing up we had little to NO money. Dad did construction work and when it was bad it was really bad (late 70's early 80's)

I had a couple of old worn out dirt bikes, that were 70cc 2cycle. If I wanted to ride them (I was 10,11 yo) I had to figure out how to maintain them... adjust the chains, replace the sprockets, clean the carb, etc.

Eventually, from working on that, and many days of NOT riding, but rather tinkering, I learned 2 cycle engines. Same for lawn mowers and cars. We always had cars or lawn stuff breaking or broken.

Pretty much same for everything else.

1. if we got something nice, better take care of it, won't get another.
2. if we got something nice, it was prob because I worked my ass off to get it (thanks dad, seriously)
3. you'd better learn how to fix it, because it wasn't going to fix itself (thanks again, i didn't like it much at the time, but sure appreciate it now)


I can fix, build, repair, almost anything. I have a garage full of tools and know how to use them. Mostly by trying, then learning. Not always successful..

Heck, even today, not always successful, or as perfect as I want it to turn out, but I just cannot see paying someone to do work that i am fully capable of doing myself...albeit a little slower. But hey, my time is a lot cheaper than hired help.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Hell I moved to Fl. so's I wouldn't have to split anymore firewood.:biggrin:

Then I bought 3 acres that was little more than a overgrown swamp with about 300 stick pines and all kinds of cabbage palms. That was twelve years ago and I was 'over 50' then. Here is the end product.

http://home.gmorinllc.com/pictures/fromstreet.jpg

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Damn , you've been busy Mayhem, that is beautiful. Sure you put some hours on a chainsaw there!
TechGuy- I hear you, had a yz80 back as a teen and learned much the same lessons, either from my own dad, or from the same experiences I'm sure.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Holy grail of chainsaw info
http://www.arboristsite.com/

best online store
http://www.baileysonline.com/

Best Chainsaw
http://www.usa.jonsered.com/

(just to mess with you Stilh People)

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

BullionCubed , thanks for remembering the idea of the thread! I don't want to "learn by doing" with a chainsaw.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

We use paralytic agents in our ICU, and while using a vial the other day, I happened to notice the warning label. WARNING - MAY CAUSE RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION. No duh! I guess you might just have a wee bit of trouble breathing if you're paralyzed...you think? Lawyers/FDA!

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Arboristsite is great - friendly people, they like to mess with newbies but it's all fun.
Best chainsaw - well, a Jonsered would probably cut some wood, but you really need a Stihl if you want to be serious about it...:biggrin:

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Learing by doing is awesome!!!
http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=55303

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242261

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Hahaha.......good one!
But if you have blisters you are still not doing something right especially having a log splitter.
I have an 8lbs mull I use to split wood.............wish I had a splitter!

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

OH NO YOU DIDNT!

When i first started looking for a real chainsaw and decided to stop buying a chainsaw at lowes or home depot and returning it:s9: I wanted a stihl.

I visited my local stihl dealer and he was very unfriendly, acting like i was wasting his time. He had no saws in stock. Then after some research on Arboristsite forum i found that husqvarna/jonsered are a tad better and cheaper than stihl. I ended up buying a new jonsered 2186 off ebay for $700, the same size stihl would have been $1000

Stihl has more dealers and are geared towards the homeowner. If you are not going to service the saw yourself then look at Stihl.

Husky/jonsered are prefered by Pro loggers and are a little cheaper, much better choice for the do it yourselfer. :tongue_ma:

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Uh the blisters would be on the greenhorn's hand not mine.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

http://www.vipukirves.fi/english/index.htm

i have one of these. takes half the effort to split than a maul. very pricey but if you live in the boonies and split alot of wood then its worth it.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

I hear ya..........I can never keep any green horns around much past getting out the mull.
They always have an excuse that they are late being somewhere or its too cold outside.
I dont mind doing it myself. Its relaxing to get out and destroy a tree.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

You can do some damage with the right tools.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...y/DSC00693.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...y/DSC00694.jpg

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Nice find.
where would a guy in the US find one of these?
And they look like they would twist your wrist if you do not know what you are doing. I guess thats why it says to release your grip a bit as it hits the wood.
The site looks like the guy is splitting soft wood which the offset weight of the axe helps to seperate the wood.
Have you used this with a stringy wood like hickory or oak?
I burn mainly black locust which is very easy to split spite its hardness. But hey why not!

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

I have a younger brother who's building me a log splitter. He knows how to weld better then me. I cant weld for shyt :fan: and gave up long ago.
Just waiting for him to get it done..............if he ever gets it down :bawling:.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Yeah I bought mine at HD for about $1100. I'd be buying split wood without it. The only problem with home made splitters is they're generally not made to stand up. (for example see the picture of the splitter earlier in the thread).

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Hell that's a fine looking house, could I stop by for a visit sometime (bout 20 years)?

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Then of course you need the ATV and Ox cart to haul to the wood to the wood pile location.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...y/DSC00632.jpg

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

i had to order it directly from the site. once you get used to it it works great, does not twist your wrist. i have only used it on juniper. will not split a huge round in the middle. you have to work your way around like peeling an onion. using an old tire like in the video works great.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

A 4 wheeler hauling a little cart of wood ? Surely you jest.... :biggrin:

Cord at a time is the only way to go:

http://www.digistash.com/data/026a39...3_p125594.jpeg

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

I love splitting wood by hand w/ an axe, but I only split wood for burning at our camp, which is weekend leisure.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Unfortunately I am all too familiar with those babies. We hauled our logs in 15-25 foot lengths this year. I have about 4-5 cords split and stacked and probably 5-6 cords in logs in the yard. Will be doing some more today.

Some logs were cut and stacked last spring in lengths, a couple were fallen trees, and one huge dead standing we took down.

Thank goodness for hydraulic splitters.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

That looks like the same splitter I use. And the man uses a Husqua saw. Good choice. Right now I'm using a 20" craftsman 46cc which is a surprisingly good saw and a little 16" homelite for small jobs.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

You go daddy!

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

put 2 more cores up today , it took 3 of us 6 hours not to bad

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Hehe, Oh yes I did! - http://www.arboristsite.com/poll.php...lts&pollid=620
They argue CONSTANTLY on that site about which is best! Everyone has their own loyalties... apparently a Stihl 361 will cut, split and stack the wood for you, as well as cure cancer or any other disease. I'm a Stihl man myself (5 of them of varying ages and sizes) but also have a couple of Huskys. My favourite saw is still my old 1979 Stihl 041AV - nothing like it, and all magnesium, none of this modern plastic crap!

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

I use a Fiskar's Super Splitter. If you have a look on Arboristsite, they love it. So do I! Saves the shoulders, compared to a log maul.
One tip, which you probably already know - get a bunch of logs, and either wrap a bungee cord around them or stuff them inside a truck tyre. That way you can split a whole lot at once, without having to put a new log on the block each time and them flying over the yard as they split.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

I have a stihl and that is the hardest little engine to get started I have ever had. Runs good once it is started but super easy to flood. I really wish I had bought something else.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Get a carb rebuild kit, $12. Easy work with a screwdriver. All you should need to do after that is pull it on choke and throttle lock for 2-3 pulls max until it pops, then push the choke back in and another couple of pulls will have it running. What model do you have?

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

We have a couple of wedges and a maul here. What I'll probably do is put them on the mantle with a tag that says something to the effect of "Tools of Early Man in the Twentieth Century" in order to honor the struggles of man during that point in history. :biggrin:

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Not firewood, but I got about 3-4000' of logs downed and stacked yesterday. Church camp across the valley is clearing a spot for a new pool, and I get the logs for getting them out of the way. Probably be about 10,000 feet in there all together. Guess I'll build a cabin.

http://www.digistash.com/data/026a39...3_p125606.jpeg

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Cool Andy, that's how I got a lot of my logs... from a park they thinned out and stacked for the taking. Those are some really nice logs.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Such a gorgeous day. I need to get outside and do some more splittin', it's that time o' day.

But first..

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Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Yeah....once you get up about 5-6 feet, most of them are OK....they've damaged a lot of the bases, probably from mowing over the years, and driven nails in down at "people" height....so I was cutting off 3-8' of many, and tossing it.

The good part was is was all grass like you see around them, so I felled them into a pile of tops and was able to get the logs bucked up and piled fairly quick.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Good show Andy. So you're not gonna burn the bases?

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdet...6401+20&catID=

you can pick these up at home depot as used rental saws for $200 or so

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthre...highlight=6401

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Makitas are Dolmar saws, rebranded. I would have a very close look at an ex-rental before buying it - you could end up having to buy a new bar, chain, sprocket, clutch etc. because most people who rent chainsaws don't know how to use chainsaws. You might find a bargain, you might find a shitter. Take the bar off and have a good look. Check the air filter, has it been cleaned, and is the carb clean underneath the filter? Any signs of burning on the edges of the bar?
A lot of halfwits don't realise that you need bar oil as well as 2t mix - I got an MS200t super-cheap from ebay because the guy said it just didn't cut anymore. Went to fill it with chain oil, and the tank had never been used. Spotless. I emailed him, and he thought it was the front fuel tank, and he'd never needed to cut for long at one time so had never used it, he just used the rear tank.:biggrin:
Needed a new bar and chain, sprocket still looks OK. Not bad for �50...

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Those look good for milling, if you have a sawmill nearby, might make a bit of cash from them...

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

http://www.peninsulamowers.com.au/cw...0_FarmBoss.jpg

That's my baby. Farm Boss 290. I believe it's 56cc, going off the top of my head.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

About half way there. Well, maybe 45%. There's some double stack there. That's average about 5 ft. high.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

And how can a guy NOT love this... somebody please explain.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

KRUNCH!!!!:biggrin::applause_

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Yeah, I've got a sawmill located pretty close.....about 500 yards from the house when it's parked in the shed....other places around the farm when I move it.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

husqvarna 61

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Hmmm... we used Stihl saws exclusively at a "Haunted Forest" Halloween project some years back because they were the only ones we found could be trusted to start on the first pull every time - very important when you want to scare the living crap out of an unsuspecting "victim". No chain on the saw, of course, but one tends not to think of that when you're "lost in the woods at night", and someone/something you didn't know was there starts up a chainsaw in the dark, right behind/beside you... ah, that's some serious scare factor! :36_1_25:
(It helped just a little that the guy swinging the saw (one-handed) was 6'-8'', 300+ lbs. and wore a drilled hockey mask a la Jason... dang, "Big Don", we miss you...)

R.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Hahaha, why am I not surprised?:biggrin:

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Gonna look good when you get it done Andy. Whatever it turns out to be. :biggrin:

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

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Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

That thing is terrifyingly dangerous, yet fantastically effective - I may have to look in to building one.:biggrin:

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

Attachment 80040
.....and 2 350's
Attachment 80041
Pulling sticks from the slash pile. Productive enough this year. The pile at home is big enough, I like to replace a little more than I used.

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

I'm checking out craigslist in my local area what do you guys think about these?

Partner 350 with 24 inch bar. Everything works. $50
http://images.craigslist.org/3n63p43...a4aa161560.jpg


Almost new Craftsman Chainsaw In EXCELLENT CONDITION! $85
http://72.55.191.214/b3/690/173971/1253575557-956.jpg


Farm Boss Chainsaw.
Practically new bar and chain.
Saw is in great shape for it's age-but needs a carb rebuild. Starts and runs, but I can not seem to get it dialed in. (Trade)
http://images.craigslist.org/3na3ke3...a48cfd1795.jpg


what do you all think??

Re: Homeowner's Complete Guide to the Chainsaw
 

I'd have to agree to that, more so than saying go and learn by trying, ESPECIALLY with a chainsaw. IMO, chainsaws are WAY under appreciated for thier inherent hazards.

I have done a lot of felling, limbing and bucking and feel very comfortable with a saw, but I never lose respect for it. My father taught me what to do, and what not to do, and what to watch out for. Had it not been for that, I may have busted a jawbone or something while 'learning'. It amazes me more people don't get seriously injured with chainsaws, seeing as how anyone can go buy one at home depot. Oh, and kevlar pants......wear 'em.