Thread: Chainsaw Problem..insert expletives here!

heh..... That hurts.

Originally Posted by harry

sad, but most tools don't rip you apart when they decide that they want to do something different to what you have in mind.
i have seen way too many serious chain saw injuries, and on proffessional operators too - if they bite a skilled operator badly think what may happen if you aren't one.

I hate 9" angle grinders and feel they are potentially more dangerous than a good chainsaw with a sharp chain.

Originally Posted by harry

sad, but most tools don't rip you apart when they decide that they want to do something different to what you have in mind.
i have seen way too many serious chain saw injuries, and on proffessional operators too - if they bite a skilled operator badly think what may happen if you aren't one.

This is said many times, but the statistics don't really back it up. I personally know someone who chopped off all 5 fingers on one hand with a circular saw (a mechanical engineer who builds (real)aeroplanes for a hobby), another guy who chopped off his hand with a 9" grinder, and another guy who chopped off his thumb with an axe (the last 2 guys are very experienced tradies).

However, although I have heaps of friends and relatives who use chainsaws on a regular basis - some daily - I don't personally know anyone who has injured themselves that seriously with a chainsaw.

Not that I'm saying they aren't bloody dangerous. But they aren't any worse than plenty of other tools.

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevo68
Thanks again for the tips/ advice, will have a look on the weekend.

Good call....I dont know a hell of a lot. As far as I am aware it takes unleaded, so have put fuel in the tank and filled up the oil tank as it was low, so I'm figuring I've got at least that part right. For the oil part, that is for the chain...right?

I hope you're joshing Stevo, otherwise.....

They are a two stroke, so you have to mix two stroke oil at the appropriate ratio in with the fuel otherwise they seize.

<edit> and chain and bar lube goes into the oil tank. All this is in the operator/safety manual

Awwww man, nothing worse than potentially making yourself look like a complete noddy in front of peers . Me thinks I have found my problem. I bought the chainsaw about 18mths ago and I had the instructions etc then something happened to it and wouldnt work. Was going to sell it in a garage sale...no one would buy it. Ended up giving to a mate of mine...farmer....and he got it checked out for me...chain was on wrong way or something....anyway it worked now. Only started using it again..........thought I just put petrol in it as the cap says unleaded. Didnt even think about it being a 2 stroke......as I do mix the fuel/oil for my whipper snipper. Does that mean the chainsaw is toast or can I do something to fix it? Are they all 2 stroke...could there be some possibility that it can just take unleaded? Thanks

Regards

Stevo

Oooops !

Drain what's left in the tank, mix up some correct fuel, pull the plug, fill it up and with the plug out pull it over with the starter cord quite a few times.
Put the plug back in and see if it starts.
It may work, but the innards won't be too flash

Originally Posted by stevo68

could there be some possibility that it can just take unleaded? Thanks

Regards

Stevo

No - sorry. Only BIG 2-strokes have oil injection/premixing usually (like outboards and motorbikes).

The bore is likely scored/worn. But do what Rick said and see if you can get it to run.


(REAL saws like my husky have a FUEL+Oil symbol/pictogram next to the fuel filler)

If it were me, Id drop it of to a mower joint for them to break it down. Id say "Its not working" and leave it at that. If you mention "forgot oil part" they will say its screwed and nudge you towards the wall of shiny Stihls.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

This is said many times, but the statistics don't really back it up. I personally know someone who chopped off all 5 fingers on one hand with a circular saw (a mechanical engineer who builds (real)aeroplanes for a hobby), another guy who chopped off his hand with a 9" grinder, and another guy who chopped off his thumb with an axe (the last 2 guys are very experienced tradies).

However, although I have heaps of friends and relatives who use chainsaws on a regular basis - some daily - I don't personally know anyone who has injured themselves that seriously with a chainsaw.

Not that I'm saying they aren't bloody dangerous. But they aren't any worse than plenty of other tools.

I have to agree with you. Not only have I used a chainsaw (not for a living) for many years, but so have most of my neighbours. I cannot recall any case of a significant injury directly involving a chainsaw - but plenty of ones from other tools, with, as you say, angle grinders topping the list. But one of the most serious injuries I have seen using tools was with a butcher's knife!

The thing about chainsaws is they are capable of causing very serious injuries - with the result that most users are very careful with them, but the few that are not very careful show how dangerous they are. A bit like explosives - I have spent most of my life in an industry which, particularly in the sixties and seventies, used large quantities of explosives. But I have personal knowledge of only one explosive accident (with only minor injuries). During this time I know of quite a few deaths and serious injuries in operations - nearly all involving motor vehicle accidents!

John