What This Book Will Teach You:
Safely operating a chainsaw in your backyard
Potential problems and real solutions
Purchasing the chainsaw that will best meet your needs
Picking supplies and equipment you will need to safely operate your chainsaw
Cutting Firewood (Bucking)
Making and Using a Sawbuck
Splitting and Stacking Firewood
Trimming Overhead Branches
Trimming a Hedge
Felling a Small Tree
Felling a Large Tree with Wedges
Limbing a Downed Tree
Bucking a Downed Tree
Cutting Down a Stump
Milling Lumber From Logs
When to Bring in a Professional
Maintenance, Servicing, and Sharpening
CHAPTER 1
READ THIS CHAPTER!
(Safety Is Important)
Most power tool owner’s manuals, like most how-to books, start with a section about safety. The problem is, it’s a boring list that many readers skip right over. They want to start using their new machine and do not want to waste time reading the same old safety rules.
The chainsaw, however, is not like other power tools. It is an extremely effective tree-cutting and branch-cutting machine. It works because it is an engine driving a sharp-toothed chain around a long, exposed guide bar. The fast-moving cutters can’t be guarded, and consequently, the chainsaw is the most dangerous hand-held power tool in the world. Because of how the machine works, a chainsaw injury is liable to be a deep and ragged cut requiring many stitches and taking a long time to heal. You absolutely do not want to have a chainsaw accident.
That’s why I must discuss safety right up front in this book, so you can avoid an accident while you learn to use your saw. (Please see reader advisory here.)
Danger Zone
Along with the saw itself, successful chainsaw operators must also purchase and use personal protective equipment. It’s not optional and can’t be postponed until later. Personal protective equipment includes a hard hat, a face shield and goggles for eye protection, hearing protection, leather work gloves, Kevlar-reinforced chaps for leg protection, and steel-toed boots. Yes, you do need all of it. No kidding around.
The Risks
The risk of an accident or injury is always present, but actually having the mishap is entirely avoidable. It’s entirely up to you. Your attitude is key to not ever having a serious chainsaw accident. You have to decide to take seriously this business of learning how to use your chainsaw safely and well. You must put safety uppermost. In this chapter, I’ll tell you more about what that means.
With a new chainsaw in your hands, it’s very tempting to jump right over the obligatory pages of safety rules and exhortations and to get right into the “Assembly” or “Operating Your New Tool” sections of the owner’s manual.
Let me say right now that is not a good idea with a chainsaw. It’s OK if you don’t want to read the safety information first. Maybe you are itching to assemble your new tool, and read about how to operate it. OK good, but do not plug in the chainsaw (if it is electric) or put any fuel into it (if it is gas-powered) until you have gone back and completely read all of the safety information in the owner’s manual.