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The chain saw , a portable mightiness tool that cuts Natalie Wood via a tight - propel range that rotate around a guide measure , can make short work of pruning , felling , limbing , and bucking trees . It also order as the most grave power prick available without a license .
While it ’s designed to slew with either the top or bottom of the sword , just about anything that come in striking with the top half of the closing peak of the steel ( jazz as the kickback zona ) can change the cutting momentum and make the byword to bang back against you . Kickback can lead to catastrophic injury , so users must take supererogatory precautions and always comply proper form for how to properly expend a chainsaw in order of magnitude to avoid catastrophe .
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Before you pick up any chain saw , whether it ’s in high spirits power or low , gasolene or electric automobile , take the risks very seriously .
Safety Tips for Chainsaw Users
you could operate a chainsaw more safely and minimize the luck of kickback by keep the chain knifelike and tensioned , and by following the steadfast rule of always cutting below articulatio humeri altitude .
As well , today ’s lower - power chainsaws ( includingelectric chainsaw ) , which were developed not for pro lumberjacks , but forchainsaw DIYerswho need toget their own firewoodand keep their attribute pruned , rely on a downcast - kickback concatenation that grabs less fiber as it lash out the kickback zone , minimizing the likelihood of kickback .
It ’s a skilful idea to familiarize yourself with these base hit condition before operating a chain saw , then adopt our practical summit for safe , effective cutting .
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Enlist a buddy.
Whether you ’re learning how to use a chainsaw for the first time or on a quotidian job , never run this power tool alone . When something goes incorrect , it happens tight . Having a supporter nearby can store your life . If you ’re working in the woods , set a dealings safety sword lily by your elevator car . check that someone knows where you are and when you intend to return . Have a gross first aid kit on hand with at least one roue - clotting patch .
Use protective equipment.
Wear all necessary personal protective equipment , including chaps , a chainsaw helmet with face guard , mitt , and either steel - toed or logging boots . Never wear lax vesture , as it can get catch in the dentition of the power saw .
Assume the correct position for holding the saw.
discover a comfortable stance , and keep both feet securely planted as you work . nurse the chain saw with two helping hand and at an slant or a little to one side rather than straight in front of you , in event of kickback .
Think before you cut.
Never operate a chainsaw on a ladder , and never cut arm that are gamy than your shoulder . ( If you ’re looking to reduce something higher , consider an altogether different tool : a manualrope power saw , often called apocket chainsaw . ) To remove lower branches and buttressing roots prior to felling a tree , slice downward and use the draw mountain chain — that ’s the portion of the chain as it wraps the bar ’s bottom . If the tree is on an incline , always turn uphill from it .
Also , be aware of the location of all power demarcation , and never fell a tree diagram where there are service program lines , vehicles , building , or especially people within two - and - a - half tree duration .
Use the correct chainsaw for the job.
employ theright - size of it chainsawfor the task . If you ’re renting a chainsaw , discuss the scope of the line of work with the staff to get word what size motor they recommend , as vane size is relative to railway locomotive horsepower . Generally , the blade should be 2 inches longer than the wood it ’s skip . Light - responsibility cutting of firewoodand such can be accomplished by a 14 - column inch blade , and 16- to 20 - inch leaf blade are appropriate for intermediate - duty cutting . The longer a sword , the harder it is to control , so novices should stupefy to blades less than 20 in in length .
Tools & Materials
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How to Use a Chainsaw Safely
Step 1: Scan your work area.
Familiarize yourself with your body of work area . Be cognisant of your “ dodging routes”—places you’re able to safely move to once the tree diagram commence to fall . Your tree could fall in an unexpected counselling , so it ’s best to be prepared for any possible scenario . Chainsaws are call “ widow woman - God Almighty ” for salutary reason — they can be hazardous to operate . Be certain to have a design and understand the terrain you ’re working on .
Step 2: Prepare yourself and the saw.
Don your protective gear , from pass to toe . Check your saw to insure that the chain has good tension . If you may push the chain up from the guide bar and withdraw the chain links from the guide or the “ nose , ” it ’s too loose . You ’ll demand to reduce the tension to prevent trauma .
Check your political machine ’s upkeep guide for education on fasten the chemical chain . Most of the meter , you ’ll use the “ scrench ” ( screwdriver / wrench ) that come in with the car . Aproperly tighten up chainsaw chainshould give slightly when draw in but should not become disengaged from the templet .
Step 3: Check the gas and oil levels.
If you have a gas automobile , discipline the gun levels and satisfy the armoured combat vehicle before you originate . With a two - Hz engine , the gun and oil will likely require mixing in the tank . Buy two - stroke petroleum and add it to the tankful at the manufacturer ’s recommended proportion ( usually a ratio of 50:1 , or about 2.6 apothecaries' ounce of oil to a gallon of gas pedal ) . Fill the chain lube reservoir with mountain chain crude oil .
Step 4: Engage the chain brake.
gear up your chain saw flat on the ground , with the bottom down . fight the chain Pteridium aquilinum forward until it locks . The chain brake , which is usually a disjoined lever located between the top handgrip on the chainsaw and the blade , prevents the chain from whirl until you release the brake and practice the throttle .
It should go without saying , but we ’ll say it anyway : You should always be stone - cold sober when operating a chainsaw .
Step 5: Choke and prime the saw.
If you ’re using a gas - power saw and it has a choke , reverse it on . If there ’s a primer button , promote it four to six times to displume gas into the carburettor , then press the decompression valve . If your chainsaw is galvanizing , all you need to do is depress the rubber electric switch and flip the power flip on .
Step 6: Secure the saw and pull the starter handle.
Those with electric chainsaws can move on to Step 7 . For those with gas chainsaws , put your correct foot through the back hold and put your system of weights down on the handle to guarantee the saw . Use your left hired man to take the front handgrip firmly in seat . With your correct handwriting , pull the starter roofy out acutely to its full distance . It will usually take four or five pull to take off the engine . If the engine is “ open fire ” but not engaging , adjust the choke by pulling it out halfway .
Step 7: Brace yourself to make a cut.
Even after the locomotive engine has started , the chemical chain wo n’t be turn . You ’ll need to press the trigger or strangulate to get the chain go . But first , position yourself properly with feet implant firmly and a warm bag on the saw . Always cut with the saw off to the side or angled away from you to minimize injury in the event of kickback .
Tried-and-True Advice
“ apply a log stand or sawbuck for stability .
If you ’re cutting log for firewood , a sawbuck or log bandstand can make the process safer and more effective . It keeps the logarithm off the undercoat , keep the range of mountains from accidentally hitting dirt or careen , which can quickly muffle it . I learned this the voiceless fashion when I ruined a nearly raw chain by cut too close to the earth . ”
Step 8: Make the cut.
When you ’re quick to cut , release the chain brake and amply engage the throttle . Lay the saw where you want to trim . Do n’t apply force per unit area — the momentum of the range and brand will reap the Sir Henry Joseph Wood in . Never , ever force it . If you ’re using a corded electric saw , always ensure you ’re cognizant of the cord , and do n’t permit it get in your path .
Step 9: Finish the cut.
Maintain a firm , unbendable bag and keep the throttle fully employ for the duration of the cut . Release the accelerator only after you have cut through or move out the vane from the cut ( if you ’re making cut up - in cuts for tree diagram felling ) .
Step 10: Turn off the saw.
To power off the saw , but flip-flop it to “ off . ” Let the see to it cool down before storing it .
If you ’re using a gas saw , now ’s the time to decide what you ’ll do with the fuel left in the armoured combat vehicle before you stow the saw . If you ’re plan on using the chain saw again in the near futurity , it ’s okay to impart remnant fuel in the tank for up to 4 week . However , if you leave the power saw for a long stop of time you will need to drain the fuel or add a fuel stabiliser , otherwise the ethanol in the fuel could clog or gum up the works ( have in mind you ’ll want to disassemble and soundly scavenge the carburetor before your next use ) .
To empty the cooler , take the chainsaw to a well - vent position and drain any remaining fuel into a plastic container . you could oftendispose of remnant fuelat a local automotive workshop , but never pour this flammable substance into the stain , tempest drain , or garbage , as these practice are dangerous and illegal . Once the fuel has been enfeeble , force out up the engine once more ( as in Steps 4 and 5 ) and run it until it dies , just to expend up the last of the fuel in the carburetor .
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No matter whether your chain saw is gas or electric , stack away it in a slip or with a bar screen to keep it safely stowed away and to forestall dust and junk from settling on the chain .
Tips for Chainsaw Maintenance
Tomaintain a chainsawand keep it feed well , refer to your machine ’s command manual of arms for specific advice about your make and model . more often than not verbalise , these are good practice to fall out :
FAQs
There are many things that you should not do with a chain saw , such as cutting in the kickback zone , abridge above your shoulder superlative , or operating a chainsaw under the influence of drug or alcohol . believe these other safety caution when operating a chainsaw:• keep off walking around with a chain saw while the chain is moving.• Never pull up stakes a chainsaw running unattended.• Do not attempt to cut anything other than wood.• Do n’t trim two or more arm at a time.• You should not operate a chainsaw if you are fatigued.• Keep fossil oil and fuels off the handles.
As far as safety precautions and the act of cutting goes , electric chainsaws should be used in the same manner as their gas - power counterparts . The chief difference is starting the instrument . To start an electrical chainsaw , you simply plug it in or click in a shelling ; then follow the individual tool ’s manual of arms for turn on the motor .
acquire how to use a chain saw properly is necessary to remain secure while you work . The safest and most controlled mode to use a chain saw is to cut forest down from the top to the bottom .
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The position of your handwriting is of import when learning how to habituate a chain saw safely . The chain saw has a chain Pteridium aquilinum that may not protect the user if they are holding it the wrong way . Chainsaws are right - handed , so you should hold it with two hands , with the left handwriting on the top and the right helping hand on the rear . Using a chainsaw left handed can lead to trauma if the chainsaw kicking back , draw the chain back into your body .
If the chainsaw is not switch off square it may be due to cutting proficiency or a trouble with the chain and channelise bar . When cutting , you should avoid pushing the chainsaw sideways and complete the total cut in a uncoiled line . If your proficiency is good , then you may need to sharpen the tooth on the mountain chain for a more unvarying cutting , check and conform the chain of mountains tenseness , and view flipping over the usher bar periodically to even out the wear .
The easy type of chain saw to start is an electric chainsaw . These tools start up with the push of a release , so you do n’t need to worry about yanking on a pull corduroy to bulge the engine .
Some DIYers may feel comfortable sharpen the chainsaw on their own . Others might opt to take the tool to a local home plate improvement store that offers sharpen service . If you ’re doing it yourself , surveil these step to taper the chainsaw:1 . Use extra files based on the size of the strand . Check the owner ’s manual to square off the correct filing cabinet size.2 . unplug the powerfulness informant if you are working with an galvanic chainsaw to prevent an accidental start , then clamp the saw in a bench vise.3 . Hold the handle of the filing cabinet in one hand and use the other to guide the data file through advancing strokes along each tooth . If done right , the file should only sharpen on the forward cam stroke , then perpetrate the filing cabinet out and reinsert it at the front of the tooth before push through again.4 . Start with the maestro tooth , steer the file along the tooth , while applying pressure from the inside outwards . Make certain to file at a 90 - degree angle to the usher railing and splay the filing cabinet on a regular basis to avoid one - sided wear.5 . double this process until all dentition have been sharpened . If necessary , use a filing attention , like a file angle plate , to help observe the correct slant .
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