Wood cutting instruction

[basswidow]

Other than trial and error, owners manual, and stuff I've learned here, I really have received no training in using a chainsaw and cutting wood.

Are there any books, video's, or seminars and such that can pass on skills and tips to beginners that are recommended? I really am interested to learn more. I don't need to go to climbing school. I do not intend to be a logger.

Most of my cutting is down. I've used felling wedges and I am mindful of pinching the bar, make back cuts. I feel fairly comfortable to size up how a tree will react to the spot I cut, but I wouldn't mind reading and learning alittle more.

Just wondering if there is a recommended book or other. Thanks.

 

[smokinj]

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=17377&catID;=


Best book ever produced!

 

[CTYank]

Other than trial and error, owners manual, and stuff I've learned here, I really have received no training in using a chainsaw and cutting wood.

Are there any books, video's, or seminars and such that can pass on skills and tips to beginners that are recommended? I really am interested to learn more. I don't need to go to climbing school. I do not intend to be a logger.

Most of my cutting is down. I've used felling wedges and I am mindful of pinching the bar, make back cuts. I feel fairly comfortable to size up how a tree will react to the spot I cut, but I wouldn't mind reading and learning alittle more.

Just wondering if there is a recommended book or other. Thanks.

If you search in Books on Amazon, for "chainsaws" or "firewood" you'll find many.

This really is an area where "book-learning" has its limitations. Show & tell, observing an expert in safe operation is highly recommended. The way things are going, I'd expect such courses to become available as local continuing education. Much preferable to amputations.

There are a few useful instructional videos on YouTube, and a lot of "Darwin's List" candidates.

 

[basswidow]

Thanks - I'll look into those.

A continuing education course would be a great thing, but I don't think something like that has been offered.

 

[Shari]

Stihl site: http://stihldealer.net/videolibrary/

Lots of goodies there!

Shari

 

[mainstation]

Look for a good experienced saw hand to help you and take a safety training course.

 

[wendell]

Find a Game of Logging class (there are 4 in the series, each one dealing with more complex situations). The absolute best money you will spend!

 

[Vic99]

The Backyard Lumberjack is a fantastic book. Frank & Stephen Philbrick (father & son). Books is only a couple of years old.

 

[golfandwoodnut]

Do you have any specific questions? We may be able to help, although many are hesitant to give cutting advice for obvious reasons.

 

[Beowulf]

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=17377&catID;=


Best book ever produced!

+1

 

[basswidow]

Do you have any specific questions? We may be able to help, although many are hesitant to give cutting advice for obvious reasons.

Not really, but Hearth.com is the first place I would ask. I usually don't do alot of reading and when I do, it's usually about fishing. But now that I am in to firewood, I feel like learning as much as I can and it's also a topic I enjoy reading. Christmas is coming up and I would enjoy a few books under the tree to read by the fire while snow piles up.

I just want to make sure that I am being safe when I am out cutting. Reading stories here - has alerted me to dangers I was ignorant of before. That's good. Just looking for ways to continue to learn.

Thanks.

 

[Bspring]

Thanks for the post. I think I will add that to my Christmas list also. The family is always asking what they could get me and I didn't think about it until it was mentioned that Christmas was just around the corner.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Do you have any specific questions? We may be able to help, although many are hesitant to give cutting advice for obvious reasons.

Not really, but Hearth.com is the first place I would ask. I usually don't do alot of reading and when I do, it's usually about fishing. But now that I am in to firewood, I feel like learning as much as I can and it's also a topic I enjoy reading. Christmas is coming up and I would enjoy a few books under the tree to read by the fire while snow piles up.

I just want to make sure that I am being safe when I am out cutting. Reading stories here - has alerted me to dangers I was ignorant of before. That's good. Just looking for ways to continue to learn.

Thanks.

basswidow, because of your interest and wanting to learn more plus your awareness of safety, methinks you will be one fine wood cutter. Get the books, watch the videos and by all means if you have the chance, work with someone who is experienced or at least observe them. Best of luck to you.

 

[maplewood]

If you get some advice from six-fingers McCoy, I'd listen!

 

[fjord]

If you get some advice from six-fingers McCoy, I'd listen!

Four Fingers here.

YouTube, books, online "advice" will only get you so far. Most here won't discuss what their experience is, but give it as experts. :roll:

Savage's advice to find an experienced professional to work with is the better approach.

No mention of ANY safety gear or how to use it, by you or others here; it's vital for any chainsaw user with sense--online experts here are excepted. No help to read the theory of PPE online.

Training and programs are available over N. America and northern Europe. Look around for a School of Forestry at Land Grant universities; there are contests and user classes.
The GOL programs are scheduled regionally most of the year---nice web site. State woodlot owner groups also offer training.
And, the Workman's Comp insurance companies have programs mandated for professionals that you can join.

No Virginia, the insurance companies offer the safety programs for.........can you believe, safety. Not to make a buck, although they are profit corporations (like most of us ).

 

[smokinj]

If you get some advice from six-fingers McCoy, I'd listen!

Four Fingers here.

YouTube, books, online "advice" will only get you so far. Most here won't discuss what their experience is, but give it as experts. :roll:

Savage's advice to find an experienced professional to work with is the better approach.

No mention of ANY safety gear or how to use it, by you or others here; it's vital for any chainsaw user with sense--online experts here are excepted. No help to read the theory of PPE online.

Training and programs are available over N. America and northern Europe. Look around for a School of Forestry at Land Grant universities; there are contests and user classes.
The GOL programs are scheduled regionally most of the year---nice web site. State woodlot owner groups also offer training.
And, the Workman's Comp insurance companies have programs mandated for professionals that you can join.

No Virginia, the insurance companies offer the safety programs for.........can you believe, safety. Not to make a buck, although they are profit corporations (like most of us ).

I really cant see any pro letting a stranger on there work site..........................Not going to Happen! Now if you want to watch just listen for a saw running and keep your distance. Insurance classes never heard of one must be a big city thing or some place like Nelson's very very large companys Bucket work and or climbers.

 

[fjord]

If you get some advice from six-fingers McCoy, I'd listen!

Four Fingers here.

YouTube, books, online "advice" will only get you so far. Most here won't discuss what their experience is, but give it as experts. :roll:

Savage's advice to find an experienced professional to work with is the better approach.

No mention of ANY safety gear or how to use it, by you or others here; it's vital for any chainsaw user with sense--online experts here are excepted. No help to read the theory of PPE online.

Training and programs are available over N. America and northern Europe. Look around for a School of Forestry at Land Grant universities; there are contests and user classes.
The GOL programs are scheduled regionally most of the year---nice web site. State woodlot owner groups also offer training.
And, the Workman's Comp insurance companies have programs mandated for professionals that you can join.

No Virginia, the insurance companies offer the safety programs for.........can you believe, safety. Not to make a buck, although they are profit corporations (like most of us ).

I really cant see any pro letting a stranger on there work site..........................Not going to Happen! Now if you want to watch just listen for a saw running and keep your distance. Insurance classes never heard of one must be a big city thing or some place like Nelson's very very large companys Bucket work and or climbers.

Here goes Jay--what it is in the realworld of chainsaws. Didn't you say you were in sales/marketing ?

1. In northern N.E., MEMIC ( a large Workers Comp insurance firm) sponsors programs for their insured arborists, loggers, line crews. Check it out for all parts of North America for other insurance companies.

2. NEVER go near pro forest workers harvesting WITHOUT letting them know that you're around. It's not only stupid, but dangerous for both the pro and you Jay. Distance, hell.

3. Any professional logger, arborist, or any skilled chainsaw user would be glad to have someone look on, IF they asked and knew the distance rules.

4. And what is this "big city" you throw around ?

Again Jay, bad advice, badly given......though you got the chops online here ( where's the veritas ? ) for some reason. What's your C.V. ?

 

[Backwoods Savage]

You will notice that I did not mention professionals. I stated to work with someone who is experienced. For example, I by no means am a professional. However, I have had some pretty good experience from working in logging and a few years of wood cutting and I really don't mind working with folks who need a little help. As for working with a pro, that would have to be off-duty in most cases but would be excellent. But, one also has to consider, the pro is working with big logs whereas most wood cutters are cutting small stuff and doing some different cutting than what a logger will do. For example, not too many loggers will be buzzing up the tops...

 

['bert]

fjord, what do you cut with (saws) and do you do it professionally? Just curious. I for one (my own opinion) find your rudeness to us recreational chainsaw users appalling. Maybe it's just the Canadian in me or something. But I would like to know where your coming from. You seem to contribute very little here except for trumpeting on about safety and how no one here is qualified to run a saw. Did you witness or were you the cause of a horrific accident once, like what gives? Hearth.com has been one of the best most polite forums I have found on the net. The floor is open for you, I and i think many others want to know.

 

[JustWood]

fjord, what do you cut with (saws) and do you do it professionally? Just curious. I for one (my own opinion) find your rudeness to us recreational chainsaw users appalling. Maybe it's just the Canadian in me or something. But I would like to know where your coming from. You seem to contribute very little here except for trumpeting on about safety and how no one here is qualified to run a saw. Did you witness or were you the cause of a horrific accident once, like what gives? Hearth.com has been one of the best most polite forums I have found on the net. The floor is open for you, I and i think many others want to know.

....... eeek,uuuuhht, aaaaaarrrrggg ! Nope,,, not gonna dew it! Eye'll take the wait and C approach on this one.

 

[fjord]

fjord, what do you cut with (saws) and do you do it professionally? Just curious. I for one (my own opinion) find your rudeness to us recreational chainsaw users appalling. Maybe it's just the Canadian in me or something. But I would like to know where your coming from. You seem to contribute very little here except for trumpeting on about safety and how no one here is qualified to run a saw. Did you witness or were you the cause of a horrific accident once, like what gives? Hearth.com has been one of the best most polite forums I have found on the net. The floor is open for you, I and i think many others want to know.

No pro, butt this one does use saws to harvest, manage owned woodlots ( TSI), cut pulp, clean blowdowns, clear, and....fell enough for 6-8 cords each year here at least for the past 10 years. Having done and been trained to do too many dangerous jobs in the past, I realised that I needed some learning about using the saw. Took it and learned. The true C.V. Bert. I find the poor advice given by many here "appalling", based on little but an avatar reality.

Now to your rant query (kind of un-Canadian rude in itself ):
No rudeness. Tell us some honest advice based on experience, not found on YouTube or some online Google for building oneself into a macho chainsaw boy. Some of the advice (sic) given is dangerous, some plain wrong, some just blowing out hubris ( self esteem problems ?). "Look at mine...bigger, faster, stronger ." Called malware, misinformation, or plain B.S.
Read carefully the posts you disdain. Any bad advice or not from the real world ? Read. Get out off the PC chair and use the tools, fell, harvest....even learn.

Example: Jay once asked (sarcastically) after boasting about this 60" bar he said he had, "...how can you cut a tree larger than the bar ? " It's done most of the time, but JaY had no interest in knowing how it's done. In fact most professionals and experienced users use a bar often 1/2 the length of the average DBH of what they work. Want to know how ? No ? Did not think you did. There is the problem of what you call "rude".

Example: one little boy with chaos living in his mom's basement, said "you lied". Why ? He (she) could not believe that I actually heated our home 99 44/100 % with wood stoves without a central furnace. Why anyone would want to lie about this is unanswered. And too typical of many here.

Since you asked and were told, what is your C.V. Bert ? And where is the "moderation" ? Veritas indeed Bert.

 

[fjord]

....... eeek,uuuuhht, aaaaaarrrrggg ! Nope,,, not gonna dew it! Eye'll take the wait and C approach on this one.

What happened to your communication Mr. Lee ? Sounds like you got a mouse in there. It is cute. Very.

Calling Mr. Moderator.

 

[BrotherBart]

Can the sanctimonious babble fjord/downeast. If you want to joust with people trying to learn something, take it to aboristsite.com. If you want to joust with me, take to PMs.

 

[webbie]

Or me....you don't want to mess with my "button" power...beats ANY chainsaw over the internet, I guarantee you!

I can even do some wonders with your posts, your avatar, your profiles.......and, I AM a pro.

Rudeness can cut, or saw, in various directions. Let me take a quick guess......you are not a social director down at the local council on aging?