acquiring a certificate in chainsaw usage

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 31 Dec 2008, 16:33

Thanks for all the replies, lads. Very, errmmm, diverse.

A local workman (here in Ireland) was saying that he's been using chainsaws since being 9 years old (now in his thirties), always taken down trees down as part of his living and I've seen him work, he's very good, bit of an all-rounder and a useful man to know.

Recently he had to go on a 'proper' course to get insurance cover. The course was for a week, cost (deep breath) €950, had a written exam at the end which he passed and he says he "learnt loads - well worth it", so there you go.

He can now confidently charge more for his time and be covered if something does go wrong.

no1birdman · Post by **no1birdman** » 01 Jan 2009, 09:57

Hello, I do not want a chainsaw has I have only small wood to cut in the garden. The one in argos says 3 saws in one, are they any good. Thanks

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 01 Jan 2009, 11:21

no1birdman wrote:Hello, I do not want a chainsaw has I have only small wood to cut in the garden. The one in argos says 3 saws in one, are they any good. Thanks

What about a good old fashioned bow saw? Gets you fit, is cheaper to run and more reliable.

stumuz · Post by **stumuz** » 01 Jan 2009, 11:38

emordnilap wrote: He can now confidently charge more for his time and be covered if something does go wrong.

You may want to ponder on the fact that when things start getting a bit tight, what and whom would you choose to cut down your tree, a person with a shiny certificate in chainsaw use who will charge maybe £250 or someone who explains how he is going to cut down your tree and will do it for FREE, Just for the wood.

Since getting my chainsaw 18 months ago I have chopped down three different peoples trees, all for free and taken away many tons of lovely wood to store.

I placed a little card in the local Post Office window explaining the ‘chop down for free’ service and had five replies. Two of the replies came from more than five miles away. The three I accepted were in the village and a day’s work resulted in many months of free fuel and great satisfaction. All legal and both parties happy.

There are many things calling on the finances to get ready for PO. Courses are pretty low on my list, preferring to just getting on with things after reading an instruction book, googling or asking a knowledgeable friend.

So far the preparations I have invested in which are returning the greatest use and thus the greatest savings/preparation are;

Flat plate solar panels
Wood stove
Insulation
Land rover defender with 3 ton trailer
14ft fishing boat.

All bought and used without the need for a course.

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 01 Jan 2009, 15:04

That's fine stumuz.

I'll assume that you have the sense to leave difficult situations to those with the necessary qualifications and adequate insurance.

stumuz · Post by **stumuz** » 01 Jan 2009, 15:16

Yes, absolutely.

But it will be nice to know I could undercut (excuse the pun!) if the need arises.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 01 Jan 2009, 17:34

Nice, but I hope at least you "took a course and got a certificate" for the Land Rover

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 01 Jan 2009, 19:05

Bought a Black & Decker 400 watt electric saw today ... it's like a handsaw ... but electric!

I was expecting it to be total shite ... but in fact I have already cut up a stack of plum tree branches into logs with it.

Much slower than a chainsaw ... but less scary!

Quite pleased so far.

no1birdman · Post by **no1birdman** » 02 Jan 2009, 11:43

Hello, yes that is the kind I was thinking off. In Argos they have those and a cheaper one are they any good. Thanks.

DominicJ · Post by **DominicJ** » 02 Jan 2009, 14:51

Cheap tools are just that, cheap.
A £30 saw will be fine for occaisional use, it wont keep a wood stove fed.

Personaly, I ignore some rules and follow others.
I am perfectly capable of wiring an electric oven, its no more difficult than wiring any other plug, but its highly illegal for me to do it, apparently.
Same goes for putting lights in the loft.

I wouldnt want to play with a chainsaw without some training, or a circular saw for that matter, I'm not that comfortable using my angle grinder.

MisterE · Post by **MisterE** » 02 Jan 2009, 16:03

DominicJ wrote:Cheap tools are just that, cheap.
A £30 saw will be fine for occaisional use, it wont keep a wood stove fed.

Personaly, I ignore some rules and follow others.
I am perfectly capable of wiring an electric oven, its no more difficult than wiring any other plug, but its highly illegal for me to do it, apparently.
Same goes for putting lights in the loft.

I wouldnt want to play with a chainsaw without some training, or a circular saw for that matter, I'm not that comfortable using my angle grinder.

I had some awesome training for a full on petrol disc cutter when I was 17 and started my life in construction it went like this, my boss "Oi young hard-on, get down there and cut me 20 cuts at 175mm, and don't be all f***ing day about it!" Same went for the circular saw and every other power tool, bar the chain saw that was the one you were told to stay away from - which was soon banned from construction sites

Also I dont think its illegal to wire up a cooker or do your own electrics providing you are competent and have it signed off by a sparky or checked by the local authority. I'm also sure that you can work on gas in your own home providing you are competent, again in this I think they judge it by house blows up, not competent hence fine, jail and no insurance

I'm not 100% but I remember research the laws on these a while back, to which like many I have happily breeched

no1birdman · Post by **no1birdman** » 17 Jan 2009, 12:25

Hi, bought a sabre saw from liddl 30 pounds today, brilliant tool cuts upto 195mm in wood aprox 8in depth, feel much safer than using a chainsaw.

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 17 Jan 2009, 17:07

no1birdman wrote:Hi, bought a sabre saw from liddl 30 pounds today, brilliant tool cuts upto 195mm in wood aprox 8in depth, feel much safer than using a chainsaw.

Picture or link pls!

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 17 Jan 2009, 19:48

I bought a sabre saw from Liddle a couple of years ago. It's a very useful tool and good value for money but not the same as a chain saw. I use it for carpentry. I have a big Makita for tree work.

no1birdman · Post by **no1birdman** » 18 Jan 2009, 14:16

Hi, I cut a lot of window frames containing the sills, they are to big for my mitre saw, my ex electric chainsaw had difficulty cutting these but this sabre saw cuts them like a knife through butter.