Safety and projects

Press, 24 May 1988, Page 37

Safety and projects

A chainsaw can be a real asset, especially if it can be used to its full potential. If you are intending to add a chainsaw to your garage tools find a retailer who is going to check you out before you leave the premises proudly clutching the “new toy” under your arm.

Foster Chainsaws in Lincoln Road have what is known as a pre-delivery instruction session.

Once a client has decided that a particular model will be suitable, the chainsaw is taken out of its box and assembled. It is fuelled and the salesperson makes sure the customer knows what

servicing is required. The machine is run and the customer is shown how to make the various adjustments. This is usually followed by a practical demonstration on a log of wood at the back of the workshop. At one time a person buying a chainsaw for domestic use would go for a 30cc saw with a bar up to 300 mm in length. Now people are going for a more professional saw of 40-50 cc with a bar up to 500 mm. The larger saws are usually much higher quality and are more likely to be suitable for a variety of tasks. Most chainsaws are powered by a petrol engine. Some, however, are powered from the electric mains. An electric saw could be worth considering for domestic use. It can be ideal for carpentry and garden work. Obviously, an electric saw will need to be used with suitable safety equipment such as an isolating transformer. Any good modern chainsaw will have a chainbrake to mechanically stop the chain if a kickback occurs. Kickback usually occurs when the tip area hits a knot or some other obstruction. The chain, which is moving at a high speed, kicks back and has a very good chance of striking the operator. One way of preventing a kickback is to hold the saw straight and keep the entire tip area clear of the wood until the cut is .established. Kickback is one major cause of serious or fatal injury when using a chainsaw. The chainbrake on some modern saws, such as the Stihl and Husqvarna models, has been further refined. These now have a chainbrake that is tripped by inertia rather than mechanical means.

It is important to remember that even when the saw is equipped with an efficient chainbrake, a kickback situation should always be avoided. The saw will still have a good chance of causing an injury to its operator. The only difference is that if the chain is tripped, the operator will be hit with a stationary chain rather than a moving one. Once a chainsaw can be used safely, some of its many uses can be considered.

Chainsaw carpentry is becoming increasingly popular in New Zealand. To be successful, however, the chainsaw needs to be operated with considerable skill.

Precision cutting techniques are required so it is best to practise on

unwanted pieces of wood. Chainsaws are also ideal to cut up ponga logs. The saw cuts through the fibres quickly and makes an even surface. Another project could be cutting log discs to make a patio, path or steps. For maximum stability, the logs should be around 300 mm in diameter and about 100 mm thick. The chainsaw will make the work very easy and leave a good smooth cut. It is best to use treated timber or, alternately, treat the cut discs.

These projects, and others, will help to justify the purchase of a chainsaw.