Aldi Chainsaw

Its all what you are used to, ive been using saw regularly for 4 years now (whilst climbing as well) and never even come close to cutting myself. Yes it does happen but its very rare if you are being sensible and using it with respect in the right way.

Justa few questions?

You have what training?
You refresh it how often?
You are covered in kevlar material why?
You have used a chainsaw for how many hours?
Like the MTB anology yes most of us "experts" can do it easily but send a novice out who has never/rarely ridden a bike and what do you think the outcome will be? Ditto Chainsaw
I do use a chainsaw but it is the only tool I use that I wish I did not have to use.

Blimey, I'd be more concearned that they weren't wearing chainsaw gloves than starting the saw between their legs for no reason!

(saying that I always do the cold start between my legs as I'm tall and it's more comfortable)

I use a Lidl electric one – £50 IIRC. Maybe because it's not so powerful but never had a scare with it. Chopped down some trees in my garden and then to chop into logs. Got a 6lb splitting maul to complete the rugged guy image….

They are very good and guaranteed for 3 years!!!! I've had mine for over 2 years and used it quite a bit with no trouble and only sharpened the blade once. Great!

You sharpened the blade once in 2 years, I reckon you quite a bit is very different to mine.

Hire one for about that if not less with all the gear, you'll get through a lot quicker and easier.

I tried to find a company that would hire me one and failed. All the people I spoke to said they didn't hire these out due to safety concerns.

So I borrowed a cheap one from a mate which was infact brand new. Going very gently at a tree trunk no more than 8" thick, I blunted the chain. So I went and bought a needle file and resharpened it. This lasted another 10-15 mins. I re-sharpened the chain and returned it telling my mate about the problem. He experienced the same issue, so bought a new chain. The guy in the shop said the chains on cheap chainsaws are rubbish and matey confirmed that he cut loads of stuff before the new chain needed a resharpen.

I tried to find a company that would hire me one and failed. All the people I spoke to said they didn't hire these out due to safety concerns.

Took me 5 seconds with Google.

That said as others have said they may want to see a licence.

Justa few questions?

You have what training?

You have to do NPTC to use a chainsaw comercially (which obivously i need for work).

You refresh it how often?

They recommend every 4 years

You are covered in kevlar material why?

Its not kevlar, more like the nylon you find in sleeping bags. The idea is that it clogs up the sprocket in the chainsaw so it wont rotate, thereby stopping the chain.

This is only protection on your legs (you can buy jackets but i have never used them) and is another failsafe i guess. Although saying that i have never needed them

You have used a chainsaw for how many hours?

I dont know now, probably over 1000 hours, but you have to start somewhere!

Like the MTB anology yes most of us "experts" can do it easily but send a novice out who has never/rarely ridden a bike and what do you think the outcome will be? Ditto Chainsaw
I do use a chainsaw but it is the only tool I use that I wish I did not have to use.

The analogy with the chainsaw doesnt quite compare like that. What you will find is that the vast majority of "skilled" people's accidents are unrelated to the chainsaw cutting them. More often its bad practise whilst felling a tree, cutting their ropes, so the thing that kills them is the tree, falling from height etc..

When people do cut themselves, its normally with a top handled saw (just for tree climbers where you only NEED 1 hand to cut) some tree surgeons make a habit out of doing cut and hold, where you cut with one hand and hold the wood with the other. The people i know who have had accidents have cut themselves whilst doing this……i personally am more careful

What i meant to be saying is that chainsaws can be dangerous yes, but so can a car if you put them into the wrong hands……….

tflb speaks a lot of sence!

I've qualified this year to drop small tree and cross cut (CS30-31 if your interested) and still look at a saw with a lot of respect. I've turned down a few jobs were people want you to take risks just to save them paying someone who knows what they're doing to do a proper job. I won't climb (yet, maybe after training but no desire to train yet)

My safety equipment is worth the same as my saw. I don't like the idea of a mistake costing me my fun time with my family or on my MTB.

Tim

I use an electric chainsaw I got from Aldi or Lidl (can't remember which) and it cost about £45.

If all you are doing is chopping logs for firewood once a year then I'd recommend getting a cheap electric saw like that.

Petrol ones are more fuss than you need and expensive ones are not worth it for your level of use.

I chopped 12 tons this year (3 years) supply and it coped fine. I've had it 3 years and it's on its third chain now. It doesn't owe me anything.

12 tons of logs