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Make It Easy:  Chain Saws?  |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 27 2006 : 04:30:15 AM
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My husband has a bunch of chain saws and he is good about making firewood out of any trees that come down in our neighborhood.
But I'd like to learn to use one because of all the pruning in the orchard that I can see needs to be done.
He laughed at me. Said I would hurt myself. Gave me his smallest chain saw and told me to start it. When I pulled the rope, the whole thing swung around and the engine didn't even begin to turn over.
I said, well, then I need an electric chain saw. He says, so where are you going to plug it in, in the orchard? Go ahead and put the generator in the truck. (It weighs about 150 pounds) so that isn't something I can do on my own either.
Is there such a thing as a girl-friendly chain saw? Or any tips for using a small saw?
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4429 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4429 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2006 : 05:05:11 AM
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| Don't give up. I start our chainsaw on the ground, and put my foot in the handle to hold it still. Works for me. They can be tough to pull. Good luck |
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Leezard
True Blue Farmgirl
950 Posts
Elizabeth
Novi
MI
USA
950 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2006 : 07:06:44 AM
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I agree with Michele, starting it on the ground works well for me too. It takes a little practice to figure out your method of starting...keep at it and I'm sure you'll get it! 
http://ruby--slippers.blogspot.com/ |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2006 : 08:05:42 AM
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Some brands are more girl friendly, too. Our Husqvarna starts much easier for me than that cheapo Craftsman.
And yes, I step on ours, too. But if I get it on the first three pulls, then I feel like Superwoman!
BTW, I'd rather have a big chainsaw than a small one. Small ones are lighter, but they're more vulnerable to getting the tip caught in the tree and giving you some kickback. Now that's dangerous. |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2006 : 6:12:53 PM
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He's out of town for a few days, maybe I can sneak out to the garage and try it out! Maybe I'll have to work up to it... Won't he be surprised! Maybe I should do some research online first (reading an owner's manual?) so that once I get it started (ha!) I'll be able to turn it off....
I think all of his are Stihl. It's probably a "manly" brand! LOL
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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clockwood3
Farmgirl at Heart
2 Posts
Carol
Buffalo
NY
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - Nov 27 2006 : 6:36:18 PM
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We own a stihl as well, good brand and I use it all of the time, more than my husband does. They aren't tough to start, as long as you know the sequence. Good idea to review the manual and practice. Just remember to give the chain saw the respect it is due. Chain saws aren't forgiving. Good luck
City Farmgirl |
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Woodswoman
True Blue Farmgirl
512 Posts
Jennifer
Altamont
NY
USA
512 Posts |
Posted - Nov 30 2006 : 05:19:27 AM
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We have a stihl also. It's not easy for me to start, but I can do it. Reading through the manual is a good idea. Is there maybe someone else close by that could show you how to use it? After I got divorced, a neighbor came over with her husband one day to show me how to use the chainsaw.
Good luck!
Jennifer |
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Anastasia
True Blue Farmgirl
56 Posts
Anastasia
Telkwa
BC
Canada
56 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 6:46:23 PM
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I'd like a woman-friendly one too, i.e. something light enough for me to handle! We have a couple but the cheapo ones that I can lift can't cut, and the great cutters are too big for me to handle. Sigh.
I always wear kevlar cutting pants, safety glasses, gloves, and hearing protection, at the bare minimum. Get steel-toed boots too! And cover yourself head-to-toe in clothing to protect from sawdust and chips. Good luck!
"Speciality is for insects." -Robert Heinlen |
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Runbikegrrl
True Blue Farmgirl
250 Posts
MaryAnn
Waterbury Ctr
VT
USA
250 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2007 : 03:40:26 AM
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Brenda you just gotta get that thing going while he is gone! Read the manual get a neighbor to teach you! I can't believe he laughted at you....you have to show him...never underestimate a woman! Figure it out girl...then one day when he is doing chores saunter out to that garage, start it up and chase him around with it LOL!
"So many interests so little time!"
http://lovelifelivegrrl.blogspot.com/ |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2007 : 07:48:43 AM
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| We have a Husqvarna - I'm not sure of the size - but it's pretty small compared to the big logger ones you see around West. Washington. I love it - I can start it by myself and it's light. I use it all the time in Montana for pruning up all the pines around our cabin. I also cut small firewood with it. It's not our main chain saw, but it's perfect for me. |
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sewgirlie
True Blue Farmgirl
1894 Posts
Sheryl-lyn
Calverton
NY
USA
1894 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2007 : 5:09:52 PM
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| My husband says that Stihl makes several "easy start" models. He is a landscaper/tree guy and has only heavy duty saws, but he got his dad an easy start. He said to go online to stihl.com and look for easy start models. He says in general the Stihls are the easiest to start, so hope this will help. |
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smoothiejuice
True Blue Farmgirl
6309 Posts
Jessica
Bloomington
Indiana
USA
6309 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2007 : 11:29:22 PM
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| I love watching women with big saws...I always want to pull over and complement them at not being araid of men who might laugh...I just love saws, I have all kinds for all kinds of stuff, but chain saws scare the beejeebers out of me...my apple trees need a chain saw this year, but so far I am chicken...let us know how it goes, maybe you will be my inspiration!...jess |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Jul 08 2007 : 11:40:11 PM
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You can do it Brenda, of that I have no doubt, but BE CAREFUL! I use every piece of electric and gas-powered equipment and machinery around this place including the chainsaw, but it is the one piece of equipment I have the most respect for. It can and will play for keeps.
Di |
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FarmGirl~K
True Blue Farmgirl
512 Posts
Kelly
TX
USA
512 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2007 : 08:08:06 AM
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I watched a show the other day that had a chain saw that was called a pocket chainsaw or something to that effect. It actually fits in your pocket. It has some sort of string on each side & you just pull on each side while the cutting part cuts the branch you want to remove. If I can find the link to it, I will post later. Work breaks are too short!
"Work as if you were to live a hundred years, pray as if you were to die tomorrow." ~Benjamin Franklin~
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FarmGirl~K
True Blue Farmgirl
512 Posts
Kelly
TX
USA
512 Posts |
Posted - Jul 09 2007 : 10:37:41 AM
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Here is the link to the pocket chain saw. http://www.pocketchainsaw.com/
The show I watched had a lady using it & she seemed to have no trouble with it.
"Work as if you were to live a hundred years, pray as if you were to die tomorrow." ~Benjamin Franklin~
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brighteyesk9
Farmgirl in Training
35 Posts
Alta
Florida
USA
35 Posts |
Posted - Jul 30 2007 : 12:12:16 PM
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Darn it! I posted a long reply and it isn't here. Anyway - I have my own chain saw. I am 5 foot tall and weigh in at 125. The chain saw I have is a Stihl Mini Boss. I love it! I still have to crank it on the ground but I can run it for hours. It has an easy adjust chain also. I think you might want to take a look at it.
Visit my blog at http://lovecountryliving.blogspot.com |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
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Hideaway Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1553 Posts
Jo
Virginia
USA
1553 Posts |
Posted - Sep 21 2007 : 06:10:18 AM
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Brenda, if you have orchard trees that need pruning, maybe you could you handle a pole trimmer? It's a tiny chain saw at the end of a pole that extends out further when you need to get the higher branches. Just a thought...
Jo
"Wish I had time to work with herbs all day!" |
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brighteyesk9
Farmgirl in Training
35 Posts
Alta
Florida
USA
35 Posts |
Posted - Sep 21 2007 : 1:09:26 PM
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My husband has one of those pole saws. Of course he is a big man and had to buy the biggest one he could. It is all I can do to just carry the thing. LOL I think the pole saw may be way to big.
Visit my blog at http://lovecountryliving.blogspot.com |
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brightmeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
2045 Posts
Brenda
Lucas
Ohio
USA
2045 Posts |
Posted - Sep 21 2007 : 1:45:03 PM
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I haven't had much of a chance, haven't been up to the farm but one weekend in the last month and a half, and when I was there I was tied up with some other stuff.
Maybe with the fall coming it will be a good opportunity. I'll have to make sure DH puts the little saw in the back of the truck when we go next time.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
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Bonne
True Blue Farmgirl
3003 Posts
Bonne
Littleton
CO
USA
3003 Posts |
Posted - Oct 20 2007 : 1:56:59 PM
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#1 make sure the chains are newly sharpened. Dull blades make for a dangerous tool as well. And as was mentioned earlier, ear plugs and safety glasses.
Have hubby show you basic safe handling~you are serious about this and you shouldn't be blown off. Make sure you know where the bar oil goes and where the gas mixture goes. (can't use straight gas) My hubby insisted I learn how to use one.
Stihl's , hubby just got one for his B-Day and couldn't be more thrilled with it. Excellent saw!
Once you get the hang of your chainsaw, it will be your new best friend.
 http://bonne1313.blogspot.com/ Blog
http://www.bonne1313.homestead.com/soap.html Soap
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Make It Easy: Chain Saws? |
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Chain Saws?
