Chainsaw or tradesman?

[Roger465]

Tree surgeons are very experienced in using chainsaws and have all of the correct (very expensive) safety wear.

Cutting logs that are firmly clamped in place whilst standing on the ground is dangerous enough with a chainsaw. Using one to cut a trunk which is waving about whilst on a ladder with the chainsaw at waist height is beyond ridiculous for a new chainsaw user with none of the safety gear.

I have used a chainsaw for many years in a DIY capacity and I would still not use one to cut down a standing tree trunk.

You've persuaded me

 

[Roger465]

I always like to post how things turned out, as people have been kind enough to help me, so here's what happened...
I could not get a tree guy to do it, for love nor money. And I did feel that, being accident-prone, maybe a chainsaw wasn't the best plan - though they were temptingly cheap in LIDL

So I compromised, and bought one of these from SF:

- and it was a bit awkward in places, but I'm half way through the job, ie the more dangerous, higher bits are down

Thanks everybody

 

[Roger465]

Next day...

Got the b*strds

 

[foxhole]

I found a big blade useful for trimming mine.

1pc 373mm 6TPI HCS Reciprocating Pruning Saw Blade - SCRSG001 | SabreCut | Premium Multi Tool Blades | Impact Bits | Jigsaw Blades

1 x SabreCut Professional Reciprocating Saw Blade kit designed for working in high performance saws. Universal 1/5 inch shank systemSabreCut SCRSG001 Pruning & Lopping Blade features a 373mm extra long curved super fast coarse cut blade with an aggressive tooth profile which results in increased...

sabrecut.com

 

[Roger465]

I found a big blade useful for trimming mine.

1pc 373mm 6TPI HCS Reciprocating Pruning Saw Blade - SCRSG001 | SabreCut | Premium Multi Tool Blades | Impact Bits | Jigsaw Blades

1 x SabreCut Professional Reciprocating Saw Blade kit designed for working in high performance saws. Universal 1/5 inch shank systemSabreCut SCRSG001 Pruning & Lopping Blade features a 373mm extra long curved super fast coarse cut blade with an aggressive tooth profile which results in increased...

sabrecut.com

Looks good, yeah

 

[opps]

Cheers for the update.

I really should purchase a reciprocating saw at some point.

Did you use the original blade supplied with the machine? And was the timber still wet?

I ask because last year, I had to trim existing (proper) railway sleepers which had been used on an existing raised flower bed. I had considered buying an alligator saw but was advised against doing so. I then enquired about buying a reciprocating saw. Again, the general consensus was not to use one because of the dimensions of the sleeper. In the end I cut it with a low TPI hand saw and lots of candle wax.

 

[Roger465]

Cheers for the update.

I really should purchase a reciprocating saw at some point.

Did you use the original blade supplied with the machine? And was the timber still wet?

I ask because last year, I had to trim existing (proper) railway sleepers which had been used on an existing raised flower bed. I had considered buying an alligator saw but was advised against doing so. I then enquired about buying a reciprocating saw. Again, the general consensus was not to use one because of the dimensions of the sleeper. In the end I cut it with a low TPI hand saw and lots of candle wax.

I did, yes. You get two long blades (cut up to 1') and I think two short metal ones. At the end of the day, had I been able to get hold of a tree surgeon, he'd have charged more than I paid for it - the trees were in awkward positions, embedded in the middle of pyracantha bushes etc. So very hard work, and a little scary at times, but very satisfying to get done

The branches were cut off the Leylandiis nearly 7 years ago, and that particular kind of tree dies when you do this, so the wood has been drying over 6 years. So wet on the outside (perpetually - this is N Ireland ) but very solid on the inside, though not massively heavy.

I'd definitely recommend this kind of saw - the girlfriend used one to cut live trees down decades ago (she's under 5' tall ) - I'd never have thought of it!