Dale, I don't know if they're still being manufactured, but there used to be what was called a "Wells or Well, saw that would be perfect for what you're doing. This was a reciprocating saw, with a pretty long stroke , and the top of the blade fit into a track on a barthat extended forward from the motor housing. The one I remember was very well balanced, and probably had a twelve inch blade.
Obviously it was considerably slower than a chainsaw, but also pretty much fool-proof in terms of safety. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Dale Leavens Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 5:22 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Chain saws. It is true that these machines are totally unforgiving and often almost vicious when they do fight back. I have treated many unbelievably nasty chain saw injuries over the years. They are however far fewer now partly because they aren't much used in the forest industry these days except maybe for a bit of slashing and partly because the machines are much lighter and much better designed for safety. This means of course keeping the machine in good repair and all parts working well. There are a lot of chain saws out there being used by hobbyists, people bucking up fire wood and other non-professional users but still the injuries aren't appearing as they once did. I think that although the machines are dangerous enough the real danger for the blind is in the environment. How a tree falls, is there something hanging up in it, a series of escape routes should the thing fall in some unanticipated way. These are the patients I am seeing these days more than direct saw injuries. I don't have a chain saw but I don't have a lot of need for one as a urban warrior. A small one might be handy every couple of years to thin out some of my hedge and that wild lilac tree and some day I may do so but so far I have been making due with a monster blade in my reciprocal saw. It isn't as though I will be taking the pick-up into the bush and cutting up and loading logs for the winter any time soon. If ever I do go wood I'll buy the stuff delivered. So will most of us. Now a good splitting axe, that is another thing. Dale Leavens, Cochrane Ontario Canada [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:DLeavens%40puc.net> net Skype DaleLeavens Come and meet Aurora, Nakita and Nanook at our polar bear habitat. ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill Gallik To: blindhandyman@ <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, December 10, 2007 9:23 AM Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Chain saws. Chain saws are so bloody dangerous, I know people with excellent sight and years of experience with the machines that have been seriously torn up by one unlikely little happening. I'm myself am considering buying a chainsaw, but I know from previous experience with one that I will have to be triply cautious while using the darn thing. The thing about a chainsaw is that a kickback can result with those snarling teeth gashing a rip in your face and possibly skull. Also felling a tree safely is often a matter of "eye balling" the way the tree reaches to the sky and analyzing what obstacles may hinder the tree from falling cleanly to the ground. If a tree gets hung up after being cut down the danger merely increases. I'm not saying you should not have a chainsaw, but keep in mind that this is a dangerous tool that is used in an equally dangerous environment. There's a lot of variables that are simply out of our control. ---------------- Bill Gallik E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:BillGallik%40centurytel.net> el.net ~~~~~~ - "WHEN NAILS GET HAMMERED, THEY SERVE A USEFUL PURPOSE" -- The only argument for alcohol abuse. -- - Joe Martin [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
