I finally did it.
Ian has asked me on several times to consider trying to use a chainsaw and I have always pointblank refused. But after spending two years of being around the mill site and Ians workshop something must have rubbed off on me. Ian asked me to join him at an OSH course on chainsaws and intially I pointblank refused however after thinking about it I changed my mind. Although some of the theory went over my head (I know I have a good teacher here whose brain I can pick if I need to know more) I stuck with it and yesterday I PICKED UP AND USED A CHAINSAW FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME. I managed to start the chainsaw, do an up cut, down cut and bore cut.
What I learnt was:
SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT
Chainsaws aren't scary.
Know your limits - Ian borrowed a friends Oleo Mac (39 CC) for me to use. Very Small - not too big.
Im not ready to bore cut yet - but I can do it.
I wont be afraid to use a chainsaw again.
Unfortunately it was really rainy so there werent any opportunities for pics. I know you all love them and im sure next time we will get some.
LIL
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to you, LIL 8) 8)
I've always been scared of chainsaws ( too many friends with scars :o ) It took alot for me to get past that and I'm still hesitant about larger saws.
Keep practicing with the smaller saws and don't lose all your fear ;) ;D
Good to hear you are into the chainsaws now.
And I recall my first few trials with a chainsaw, in about '59. NO safety gear, NO training. When the training came about 20 years later ('80) I realized how fortunate I had been for 20 years.
But I find the bigger (20" bar size if that can be 'big' for the moment ) are less 'jumpy' than the small bar saws. More 'mass' to move around slower in reaction to the teeth biting in.
Enjoy and pics would be great.
Oooh, must be the day for it!
I drove the Ute for the first time today. Andy's away and I had to go pick up some stuff. It wasn't as hard as I had talked myself into thinking it would be...
Also, last week, I put up Architraving for the first time, and tomorrow, I'll be laying flooring for the first time. (Am renovating a house). By the end of this process I'll be able to put a whole house up by myself, just about.
At least it feels that way...
But... You are still braver than I am, I haven't got close to a chain saw yet...
asy :D
Congrats Lil 8).....you have a great instructor in your midst there.
Tell Ian I want a picture of your grin when you give the first biggen a dirt nap. 8) :)
Well done Lil 8) You are one step higher on the ladder of fulfilment :)
I see a partnership coming on......you cuts 'em down and Ian cuts 'em up ;D
Just keep complacency at bay when you become more familiar. I'm sure Ian will keep you on your 'chainsaw' toes.
Leweee....don't you mean WE want a picture ;D
Tim
Hey Guys,
Thanks for all the positive comments. Yes I do plan on using a chainsaw again - however I think that initial fear will always be there - which I think can only be a good thing. As for hitting the dirt - I've seen that done before and lets just say "I dont want to go there"! :D
And Asy - well done - sounds like you've been busy.
Quote from: LIL on September 19, 2005, 07:09:47 PM
As for hitting the dirt - I've seen that done before and lets just say "I dont want to go there"! :D
Tim....Yes
WE want pics of Lil felling her first big(20+") tree 8)
Lil......Come on now we know you wanna yell
TIMBER
LIL,
Good for you!
I remember when I was in college (Marine and Small Engine Repair) I had to rebuild a chainsaw engine. Our instructor required the machine to start in one pull when we were done. I had always been terrified of chainsaws, so I tried to con one of my mostly male class into starting it for me. :-\ One of the guys offered to help me get over my fear. Long story short, I learned how to start a chainsaw that day (it even started on the first pull).
Several years later we bought our sawmill and then a Stihl 021. I was still pretty nervous about running a chainsaw, but grew to love running the little Stihl. ElectricAl always called it "my" saw.
Unfortunately, I developed an allergy to petroleum products and can no longer run "my" little saw. I have to settle for a cheap electric chainsaw. :( No comparison to the Stihl. ::)
Oh well, I can still run our sawmill and edger, I let ElectricAl run "my" chainsaw. ;)
Linda :)
Fear is a good thing in moderation. If it makes you think twice, it's a good thing to harness. If it makes you tense up and contort yourself, or the fear makes you focus on what "could happen" versus what "is happening", then it is a bad thing.
I've only been running a 36" bar for a couple of years now, and they still give me the "willies" when it's off the Alaskan. I'm getting more used to it, but that is a lot of spinning "disaster waiting to happen" on that bar, and I'm in the gray area when it comes to harnessing the fear sometimes. I don't mind it felling and bucking, but I'll still start up my little Homelite when I'm trimming some little stuff up during the process. More control, I'm safer, but I should be more comfortable with the longer bar. That will come in time. 28 years of "weekend warrior" stuff with nothing bigger than a 20" bar...things change when the bar is nearly twice as long, and the horsepower driving it has nearly tripled. In a sense, I'm back to where you are a bit, but with the small saw experience behind me. The feelings, however, are exactly the same.
Harness the fear, but don't ever lose it.