But first, a bit of 'back story'....
My step-son came over today, went up on the roof with a hand axe, and dropped the big limb(s) that had broken off the ash tree in the last storm.
And drop it he did!
Right on the gate....
The Tree Guy was supposed to come next week, safely get it down, and cut it up for me into manageable sections, whereupon I'd strip the branches, and reduce it to fireplace-sized wood for our use next winter.
WELL.....Sweet Little Wife has "A Thing" about stuff like this. She wants it fixed ASAP, and that's generally a good idea if I can do the work. Stuff like removing large pieces of tree laying on the roof and house is outside my experience and comfort level. Seeing as I don't climb anymore above about 10' or so, that means I'm NOT going on the roof except under extreme duress, and this ain't it.
So the tree limb(s) came down, whacked the fence gate pretty good, and came *this close* to taking out my antenna, which I was going to get untangled from the tree, and coiled up out of the way for the Tree Guy.
So she "saved" $700 by canceling the tree guy, which necessitated buying a $500 chainsaw so I can cut up this YUGE pile of future firewood. When it comes to tools, I generally "Buy Big or Go Home", so since I'd been stealthily shopping since the storm did the damage, I had an idea what I wanted. Should be here (FREE Shipping!) on Wednesday.
Somehow I think the gate is going to be well over $200 to get properly repaired/replaced, but to her, it's moot....
So what, pray tell, instrument of Massive Wood Destruction did I buy?
A Makita cordless with a 16" bar:
Would I buy this if I were LL, out in the wilderness, or LSP in the wilds of Texas? No, but for a "homeowner in Colorado" it should be sufficient. It has 600 reviews on Home Depot, and they're almost all 4 and 5 stars. I have a cordless Makita 1/2" Impact Wrench, and I can't run it down. Even after removing and installing two sets of tires on two vehicles, and day-long sessions on the Supra, it had plenty of juice left, so I'm hoping my light-duty use of the chainsaw is similar.
But about that gate......
Nice!
ReplyDeleteAt least step-son wasn't injured, I hope? Other than perhaps his pride?
He was fine, thanks. I'm sure he doesn't realize what happened, but he's there for Mom and me, and that's the important thing.
DeleteAmen to that, drjim.
DeleteHe's a solid guy, and I'm very proud of him.
DeleteAlthough the experiences are decades old, I clearly remember felling trees rarely goes as planned. Even the most experienced loggers have their oh,s**t moments.
ReplyDeleteYep. Even the experienced residential tree removers we hired to take out the cotton had a few of those moments. A log can slip out of properly secured rigging for no reason, or a gust of wind comes along, and something swings the wrong way.
DeleteThere are several spot in the yard that look like craters from an ARCLIGHT run due to large limbs getting loose and falling 30 feet or so.
Good use of electrics, and the modern battery stuff is amazing.
ReplyDeleteGet yourself a pair of chain-saw chaps as your legs will thank you. (anti-chain cutting legs off chaps, also works with axes and hatchets and other semi-sharp implements of limb removal.)
Seriously. And a good set of eye protectors and ear protectors.
They make hard hats with attached brush/chain visors and ear muffs, but that may be going overboard in the protection racket.
Chain Saw Chaps. Get them. It's worth it.
I was a little hesitant after the electric snowblower experience, Beans! Makita makes good stuff, and if I don't buy Makita, I'll get Bosch or Ryobi. Milwaukee sells a good one but yikes!, it's "Milwaukee Priced".
DeleteI have more than enough suitable PPE, but I'll look into the chaps. Our Tree Carving Guy wore them and when I asked him about them he told me they'd saved him some good sized chunks of his hide!
They have a backpack battery if you're going to go out and do more damage.
ReplyDeleteHad a friend who did that, but he used a sawzall and an inverter....
DeleteI found my new Stihl to be cost-effective.
DeleteWas cheaper than the 30 year old exact same model it replaced.
I did upgrade to the new pull starter that won't wrench a shoulder.
I trust your Makita will serve you well.
I sure hope it works well, Ed.
DeleteWe gave away both gas fueled chain saws years and years ago.
ReplyDeleteThe corded saw worked great for our use, and I supplemented with with a Ryobi 40 volt last year. Other than testing, it's standing by.
Stow the saw in a drip tray because they will ooze oil.
Beans nailed it on all his points.
And hang your chain saw chaps on a wooden rack made for the purpose. Yep, a chap stick.
As Ed said, my shoulders aren't going to tolerate any more abuse.
New tool. Way cool!
I've got a drip pan that's big enough to hold the saw, so I'll use that.
DeleteHD has chaps, so that's another run. I'll hang them down in the basement in one of the unused closets.
Definitely chaps...
ReplyDeleteYep. I'm too old to bleed out on the way to the hospital!
DeleteLooks like a nice chain saw. If you haven't had an arborist saw before you will enjoy it. I have a couple of chain saws, a big one (18" Stihl) and a small arborist (14" Echo). I enjoy the arborist most of all for clearing my property (If you know my call sign you can look me up on QRZ.com). This place is a mess of dead cedar from the droughts in South Texas.
ReplyDeleteI've had excellent results with every Makita tool I've bought. I'd *like* a gas chainsaw, but I don't think I *need* one. This should have enough bar length to cut through about anything I'll encounter. It got very good reviews, and I'll post the progress of getting the tree cut up.
DeleteOh my, I've been forging along dirt roads to the range and boom, there's a tree fallen down across the path. I ask myself, "Chainsaw?" And don't have one.
ReplyDeleteThis post is helpful.
The no-name one my neighbor bought from Amazon seems pretty good. It's some bright green "40 Volt" thing. Not sure how well it's made, but for a truck saw it would be pretty good.
Delete.cool post and good brand. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
ReplyDelete