Metal In Trees

[crokett]

Last night I was cutting up a tree that blew over in the weekend storm we had and the chain caught some old wire that was buried in the trunk. It got between the chain and the bar and jumped the chain off the bar. I think the chain is ruined - at least two links are bent enough that they don't swivel and two of the teeth that go in the bar slot got the tips busted off. I will take the chain in today but I think it is toast. It was my best chain too.

[dbhost]

Sorry to hear that... I actually need to replace the chain on my little Rem electric as it is beyond sharpening any more...

[cgallery]

How much do you think a replacement chain will cost?

I'm just curious because I don't have a chainsaw.

[Tom Slick]

That sucks! is the tree small enough to cut with a sawzall?

replacement chains cost between $10-20 depending on style and length.

[Ed62]

Count your blessings, David. That chain could have done some real damage to your hands/arms.

Ed

[Shep]

David,

sorry to hear about the chain. At least you're safe. I've seen chains do crazy things. $20 for a new chain is a small price to pay for safety.

[crokett]

Count your blessings, David. That chain could have done some real damage to your hands/arms.

Ed

I know this and I am counting my blessings.

This chain cost a little over 20 bucks IIRC. New saws for the last several years have come with anti-kickback chains that limit the depth the teeth can cut on each pass. It means they cut slower. I've heard them called a pu$$y chain. After I got my saw I went to a pro shop and got one of their best chains - harder teeth so stays sharp longer and it is not anti-kickback. Yes, I am aware it is also more dangerous. This is the one that got ruined.

[shoottx]

Last night I was cutting up a tree that blew over in the weekend storm we had and the chain caught some old wire that was buried in the trunk.

That is the reason it is almost impossible to get a sawyer to make lumber out of urban trees

[Tom Slick]

The main way an anti-kickback chain works is by limiting the depth of cut at the nose of the bar, which is where/how kickback happens. As the chain goes around the curve a small piece sticks out to limit the cut then folds back down on the straight section of the bar. These chains are also low vibration which I think also affects cutting performance.

I prefer the pro chains also.

[crokett]

That is the reason it is almost impossible to get a sawyer to make lumber out of urban trees

Yeah but I'm not urban. Actually I am not really surprised that was in there. There are other trees on the property with remnants of barbed wire in them and even one where the tree is growing around an old hose bib:

[BigguyZ]

That's one of the many things that worry me about using a chainsaw. I'm interested in getting one to cut down small junk trees that grow near my house, and to rough cut larger logs into pieces I can turn into turning blanks. However, if I do get one I'll probably stick to an electric. I would imagine it's less likely to do any real damage to me if something happens...

[jking]

That's one of the many things that worry me about using a chainsaw. I'm interested in getting one to cut down small junk trees that grow near my house, and to rough cut larger logs into pieces I can turn into turning blanks. However, if I do get one I'll probably stick to an electric. I would imagine it's less likely to do any real damage to me if something happens...

Unless you find an electric with a brake, it won't make much difference. Gas or electric, if a chainsaw kicks back on you, it can hurt you -- or worse. Gas powered chainsaws actually tend to have more safety features on them.

Now, for small stuff, electrics make a lot of sense because they tend to be less expensive to buy, lighter weight, less maintenance. They do, however, have that cord to drag around (and watch out for).

[crokett]

Bigguy,

Gas powered saws have more safety features available. Also IMO electric ones are one step from useless unless all you ever do is limb trees. My neighbor has an electric that he quit using the day he was struggling to cut up a 6" tree that was down. I brought my saw over and had the job done in a few minutes. Now the few times he's needed something cut up I do it for him.

If you are worried about safety on the saw, remember that like any other tool there is a dumb way to use it and a correct way. Any power tool can hurt you, you just have to use it in a way that minimizes risk. An electric will cut you just as fast as a gas saw.

[germdoc]

Yep, you're lucky you didn't get hurt. I wear full protective gear, including chaps, whenever I'm using the chainsaw. (No jokes, please)

[bruce hylton]

I don't always wear protective gear if I am doing a small job and I have the scars to prove it. I cut shake bolts and timber for more than ten years steady and you learn or die by your mistakes. Never believe that an electric chain saw is less dangerous than a gas one. They will do every bit as much as a gas driven saw of the same size. Wear that safty gear.