chainsaw common sense

[Blinky]

Not yet maybe but development seems to be going rapidly. I'm thinking at some point we get a 3 or 4 pound powerhead with a remote source.

Without ever having actually used one I think one would have to approach things differently, taking advantage of torque over chain speed, different cutting chain designs, skinny bars, I don't know. The potential is there.

 

[HolmenTree]

If we go back to some old technology from 1957 where Wright power blade saws with their reciprocating blade changed the chain saw mentality.
Now go back to 2010 and build a battery powered "Wright Saw" that weighs about 8- 10 lbs equipped with a reinforced Silky Yamabico 330 style blade but in 18" length like the 1957 saw had for blade length. A 36" log can be cut.
No kickback ,smooth cutting action, straight square V cut notches, no rocking out all the teeth.
Batteries are going to get alot stronger in the very near future and blades take alot less power to cut then chain, especially these Japanese blades. And yes they can be sharpened.
Willard

 

[sotc]

Could you cut from both sides with a recip saw? I think you would lose alot of blades that way. No doubt something will be developed

 

[TreeDimensional]

My "white knuckle" flares up just thinkin' about the vibration!

 

[Bermy]

We use electrical tape to join the plugs...

 

[MasterBlaster]

That's one weird saw.

 

[Blinky]

I have a customer who's a pretty sophisticated gardener and she uses a lithion makita reciprosaw to prune small trees. Makes beautiful cuts.

 

[Tree Reb]

There was one on ebay here last year. I was thinking of buying it just to see how it went.

Can't remember the price but it was too much for me.

 

[HolmenTree]

I have a customer who's a pretty sophisticated gardener and she uses a lithion makita reciprosaw to prune small trees. Makes beautiful cuts.

Makita would be a good company to develop a commercial reciprosaw for arboriculture. The 2 major chainsaw and sawchain companies [Stihl, Oregon] may be against it.
My idea of this saw would have a 360 degree wrap tophandle for cutting in all directions. Steel spring anti-vibe. The most powerfull compact detachable battery available with a spare battery in the ditty bag. [if you run out of power the saw can still be used as a handsaw] A Silky handsaw style blade.
You will notice on the Wright saw the blade is 2 piece [top guidebar blade is solidly mounted] and they claim the toothed blade can be changed in seconds. This is technology from the 1950s! also no clutch, no chainbrake.


Willard.

 

[Bounce]

You couldn't make a bore cut with one of those.

 

[Bounce]

You'd also be much more limited in diameter capacity with one of those. Whereas a chainsaw with a 18" bar can cut trees up to 36" in diameter, a reciprocating saw would only be able to cut things that were slightly smaller than it's blade length. I also have this picture in my head of what would happen if you got the blade pinched in a back cut and the user started to get shaken back and forth instead of the blade. But then again, maybe it wouldn't get pinched as easily if the blade was a lot thinner. Interesting possibilities....

 

[woodworkingboy]

.And yes they can be sharpened.
WillardView attachment 26516

The rule of thumb with regard to proper learning to sharpen multi bevel Japanese blades, is an apprenticeship requires ten years. Only young guys need apply.

Thin blades are only good on the pull stroke.

 

[Newfie]

And then you couldn't play the "Game of Logging".

 

[HolmenTree]

True you can't bore cut, but how many times do you bore cut in aerial use. Bore cut in felling yes. But the advantages are there over sawchain.
Cutting oversized logs you do like a chainsaw cutting a oversized log you roll over or around the log / tree with the cut.
The Wright Saw also cuts on the backstroke only, too bad they didn't have our modern Japanese tooth design or close to it in 1957, the saw might still have been be around today.
I have sharpened my Silky handsaws and I'm new at it. Might not be as sharp as new but its not rocket science.

Willard.

 

[woodworkingboy]

Ya, those big teeth saws aren't such a big deal to reasonably sharpen, but I have saws that at your age you could hardly see the teeth. 'Metate' free hand sharpen them and set each individual tooth by tapping on an anvil with a fine pointed hammer, in accordance with how much set is requested. They tap the area behind the teeth as well, moving around steel to take out warp, and to give the blade the desired resiliency that gets displaced during use, things only they know about, much beyond the user. It's a very high skill, equally so to rocket science. Ten year apprenticeship, no lie. Those cheapo blades you sharpen are something else entirely.

 

[HolmenTree]

Well if my Silky blades are cheap then that might be a good thing, I just touch them up once if needed then throw them away when dull again. Same would go for use on a recipo saw.
At my 1 man operation pruning and removal rates of $150-$200 hr who cares.

Willard.

 

[woodworkingboy]

If you have never used a 'good' saw with a fine steel blade that is properly hand sharpened, there is really not much discussion that can happen about the pros and cons of the differences. The disposable blades have their place, and have become the mainstay in the market due to cost. I can buy one for what a metate charges to sharpen. Something that you use and throw away is a somewhat different mindset from a renewable resource that can get back to basically good as new every time, perhaps best not to confuse them. In this battle between history and modern technology there isn't a clear cut winner, but without a doubt, I can tell you which type of blade is more pleasurable to use and keeps it's edge better.

There is also the atmosphere of an old sharpening place, and maybe the guy's wife serving you a cup of tea while you sit there. It somehow is conducive to a good perspective into your occupation. The sharpeners are becoming rare, due to disposable blades....alas.

 

[TreeDimensional]

Jay, you sound Japanese!!!!

 

[Newfie]

he clazy!

 

[TreeDimensional]

From the Japanese I have known, they still are commited to be as perfect as possible at one thing. I might even call it obsesive, but they are a comitted to seeing things through. Their culture is waning away from old traditional ways, and I would say in a couple generations the old ways will be a things written about in history books.

 

[HolmenTree]

Its Jay, right?
Jay let me say I have been in timbersports for years and I own a couple of 42" bow saw blades built by a guy from Quebec and no one makes a faster blade then him. Me and my older brothers have filing equipment some from back from the 1930s. I have some Japanese gold water stones and slips which do a fine job. Our crosscuts and bowsaws in competiton is the most enjoyment a man can get out of a sharp fast saw.
But when it comes to making an honest dollar with a saw there is only so much time you can have to be efficient. My energy goes into my chainsaws, chipper, stump grinder, period.
Hell my daughters figure skates take a $150 sharpening job.

Willard.

 

[HolmenTree]

You wrote an excellent thread about the saw sharpener shop and blades Jay, I'd rep you here if I could.
Lets say if a high powered lightweight reciprocating battery powered powersaw could be developed for aerial treework. I'm trying to be realistic here so lets first introduce a small saw that will cut smaller stems and be dulled alot less while cutting up in a tree. Then in time a larger tougher ground saw can be developed in this design.
Then maybe its safe to say the sharpening shops and that lost art will come back strong again.

Willard.

 

[MasterBlaster]

LOL @ 'rep'

 

[HolmenTree]

Thanks ,I'm waiting for my star or was it called a "nova"?

Willard.

 

[Newfie]

A bolo badge.