Sorry for the late reply guys, been pretty busy! Thanks for all the info (and yes, I'll keep the kickguard on), and I'm still just waiting for that ebay bargain on some PPE. I think possibly some sort of cast iron forehead protection may be in order too, I'm not in the market for a lobotomy quite yet...Despite what others say.
Chainsaw advice
- Thread starter iotarho
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A smallish chainsaw, which from the sound of it is all you need, has a fairly controllable kick back (especially as they often use a low kick back chain). I still treat my MS181 with respect as it's capable of being very dangerous but it's not the scary beast I'd feared. I wear a helmet when sawing because it has the mesh visor & hearing protection. If you aren't doing any felling then goggles & ear defenders will suffice. I've felled a few small trees and the odd branch fell on my head as a result but was deflected by the helmet.
Don't be scared of the tool, but at the minimum look at some chainsaw safety videos online
As all the others have said don't scrimp on saftey as this link will show what the "old school" knows is often better than new light weight PPE kit.
:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pequmgt21Lw
This is why the old School still use steel than plastic also we use plastic wedges or cut our own while limbing.
Firefly1
:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pequmgt21Lw
This is why the old School still use steel than plastic also we use plastic wedges or cut our own while limbing.
Firefly1
Just cut some logs. A large one fell on my foot & missed the steel toe-cap of my rigger boots. Despite my loud yelp my wife didn't come out to check if it was something more serious 
The minimum should be to go and get some proper first hand training in the safe use of the tool, the internet is no substitute im afraid, many agricultural colleges do short courses in chainsaw safety for home users these days, it's money well spent and basically could save your life.
Yes, it should be but chainsaw safety courses aren't free and if someone isn't prepared to pay for one then the online videos are better than no preparation at all
Sound advice. I took my saw along when I did the Lantra course and learnt loads about how to set it up and that it needed a new bar and chain.
Listen to people that are trained and have gained knowledge from experts, not from people recommending the bloody internet!
I wish people would not send people down the dangerous route!
You would not buy a car and drive it without training just cos you don't have the money!
If you heard the stories I have, mostly about people that think they know how to use a chainsaw, and then lose a limb or worse, this post would not even have been started!
If fully trained and qualified professionals can still have accidents then why take the risk as an amateur? Please get some practical one to one training.
RM
I wish people would not send people down the dangerous route!
You would not buy a car and drive it without training just cos you don't have the money!
If you heard the stories I have, mostly about people that think they know how to use a chainsaw, and then lose a limb or worse, this post would not even have been started!
If fully trained and qualified professionals can still have accidents then why take the risk as an amateur? Please get some practical one to one training.
RM
