Things NOT to cut with your saw....

[Riggs]

So while bucking up a tree yesterday that had fallen during the hurricane...I had a slight lapse in concentration and this is the result. For whatever reason my hands just gravitated downward as I pulled the saw away to see how much deeper the cut would have to go. Finger was already off the throttle and in the fraction of a second it takes for the chain to stop I caught my knee cap.....and by the grace of God it didn't cut me. The saw just quit and as I looked down I realized what had happened. Chaps worked just like they're supposed to and stopped the chain instantly.

Lesson learned...DON'T BE STUPID, but if you're prone to being stupid from time to time like I am...wear your safety gear!!

Otherwise it was a great day...cut about 1.5 cords and split a little over half by hand.

Be safe,

Riggs

 

[gzecc]

I did a similar thing last week. Just grazed my theigh slightly. 3 holes in the pants nothing in the long underwear. It was close.

 

[Jack Straw]

Thank you for posting. We all need to be reminded how dangerous wood processing can be. Please, always wear your chaps. Thanks to a previous thread I have been engaging the chain brake when I am not cutting. There is no savings burning wood when you only have one leg left!

 

[thewoodlands]

Glad you had the chaps, my FIL always told me if you're getting tired when running the chainsaw, stop and rest.

 

[Riggs]

That's pretty good advice Zap... I'll keep that one in mind next time.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Definitely that is great advice and we've used that for years. Tired people make quick mistakes.

 

[milleo]

So while bucking up a tree yesterday that had fallen during the hurricane...I had a slight lapse in concentration and this is the result. For whatever reason my hands just gravitated downward as I pulled the saw away to see how much deeper the cut would have to go. Finger was already off the throttle and in the fraction of a second it takes for the chain to stop I caught my knee cap.....and by the grace of God it didn't cut me. The saw just quit and as I looked down I realized what had happened. Chaps worked just like they're supposed to and stopped the chain instantly.

Lesson learned...DON'T BE STUPID, but if you're prone to being stupid from time to time like I am...wear your safety gear!!

Otherwise it was a great day...cut about 1.5 cords and split a little over half by hand.

Be safe,

RiggsView attachment 97048 View attachment 97049View attachment 97050

Wow1 Welcome to the forums and thanks for the reminder, I really need to get some chaps, glad you didn't get hurt.

 

[ScotO]

Count your blessings bud......the Big Man was with you today, for sure! I agree with the others, when you are getting tired (be it cramped up back, arms, legs or just heat exhaustion), take a break. Get some water, rest, whatever. That wood can wait.

One other thing to remember is if your mind is going a mile a minute (you had a fight with the wife, you're kid has a baseball game in an hour, you have an errand to run, etc.), don't be running that saw. It takes every ounce of concentration to be runnin a chainsaw and felling trees. DON'T RUSH....there's no such thing as no time for safety....

 

[STICK]

RIGGS,

"slight lapse in concentration" Please do not be harsh on yourself. This is advise and warning only a true friend would share.
It is instructional to all of us. Who among us has not at least come close to this. Fatigue, hast, adverse conditions ....
Thank you for the visual, the image of frayed cloth on that chain will remain in my mind.
Thank you. And, Wow, were you lucky. Thankfully.

 

[fossil]

I'm pretty sure the list of "Things NOT to cut with your saw..." would include dang near everything in the universe other than wood. It most certainly would include you. Sure am glad this wasn't worse...it obviously could quite easily have been. Thanks for the reminder. Rick

 

[osagebow]

Glad to see ya made out ok - props for sharing the pics. I'll remember that next time I think "Well, I'm only gonna do a few cuts, forget the chaps..."

 

[Riggs]

While we're on the issue...what's the deal with the protective gloves?? Seem like a great idea but I'm left handed and it seems like they all place the protection in the left glove (for right handed people).

Is there anyone out there that places the protective material in BOTH gloves?

 

[fabsroman]

While we're on the issue...what's the deal with the protective gloves?? Seem like a great idea but I'm left handed and it seems like they all place the protection in the left glove (for right handed people).

Is there anyone out there that places the protective material in BOTH gloves?

While a lot of people will say you are lucky, I will say you are lucky, prepared, and safety conscious (to a degree). If you were not wearing those chaps, it might have been a lot worse. Thing is, nobody knows when an accident is going to happen, but we can all plan for it by wearing the proper safety gear.

My rule of thumb is usually cut enough early in the day to keep me busy the rest of the day splitting and loading the truck/stacking. So, I don't spend all day on the saw. I don't have a day job that requires physical labor, so it can get exhausting at times.

Glad to see you learned a lesson, and not the really hard way via blood, just dollars.

 

[Swedishchef]

Wow. Thanks for sharing. I now know why I wear my safety pants no matter how hot it is.

I have 2 seen to saw accidents and they are tough to deal with. It is nothing like a knife cut: you must pull HARD on the tissue to sew it shut, therefore, the scar is jagged back and forth. Like trying to sew rawhide.

Thanks for the safety reminder.

Andrew

 

[blacktail]

Timely thread. I picked up my chaps at the local Stihl dealer yesterday. I hope I never find out how effective they are and I'm glad your's did their job.

 

[Beer Belly]

Been meaning to get a pair...glad you had them on, could of been a helluva mess

 

[Jack Straw]

20 years ago my BIL cut his knee pretty bad with his saw. He hasn't cut wood since.

 

[Jags]

I know two people that have self inflicted chainsaw wounds to the knee. Both required a hospital visit. I won't even start the saw without chaps on. Momma only raised one stupid son...and thats my brother.

 

[Sisu]

I did a similar thing last week. Just grazed my theigh slightly. 3 holes in the pants nothing in the long underwear. It was close.

Are you sure about that?!

 

[PapaDave]

Well Sisu, if he didn't know yesterday, he sure as hell oughta know by now.

 

[KaptJaq]

I did a similar thing last week. Just grazed my thigh slightly. 3 holes in the pants nothing in the long underwear. It was close..

If I realized the chain was heading towards my legs there would definitely be something in the long-johns and it would not smell pretty.

KaptJaq

 

[gmule]

PPE for the win. Glad you were not injured. Chaps are ALWAYS cheaper than a visit to the ER. Thanks for sharing your lesson with us.

 

[Swedishchef]

I know two people that have self inflicted chainsaw wounds to the knee. Both required a hospital visit. I won't even start the saw without chaps on. Momma only raised one stupid son...and thats my brother.

I wonder what he would say to that....

 

[fossil]

Just like Car Talk...they'd both say, "Don't cut like my brother."

 

[midwestcoast]

Glad you had the chaps on & they did their job on that slip!
So when are you buying the new pair of chaps? The answer should be "before I start the saw again".