Re: recommend a chain saw?

**A*@aol.com**

Kate mentioned two important points:

1.  Don't trim anything above your shoulders, and preferably trim only  
things that are lower.

2.  Always make sure someone is at home (and close enough to witness  an 
accident) to call for help.

Chris's mention of helmets and anti-vibration gloves are also  right-on.

Further, I would add: make sure you keep BOTH feet solidly on dry  ground.  
Don't use on wet grass or any other wet surface where your foot  could 
slip. And don't use if you are even slightly off balance.

Also, try to lead with the heel of your hand into the cut, i.e., with the  
saw blade at an angle, with the tip higher than your hand, as opposed to 
cutting  down with the blade, cutting away from you, not toward your legs.  
(Does  that make sense?  I know what I mean but this may not be a good 
description  of it.)

And, finally, don't under any circumstances use after taking any medication 
 which may impair your reactions or cognition; and don't use after having 
even  one drink.  Reaction time can be significantly reduced, especially in 
those  over 60, by even one glass of wine at dinner. Don't take this risk.

Lina

In a message dated 1/30/2010 4:54:29 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
KTCopsey@aol.com writes:

Nan and  others
A chain saw is great asset in many gardens, and I wouldn't be  without one. 

My little one is not the best deal in town, but was  cheap, light  weight 
without a gas starter, and I had walmart handy,  plus a large  number of 
overgrown shrubs to deal with. Remington is  not a bad name, but the  chain 
does 
slip. It is very lightweight and  runs on a chord not gas. I think it  is 
too 
lightweight for some  jobs, which is why it slips but it is now 5 yrs old  
and 
still perks  into action when I need it.

Others gave some great cautions, which I  would adhere to - eye protection  
etc. I do not trim anything above  my head (probably shoulders) and i also 
make  sure that someone else  is home when I use it. 

It is truly amazing how much you can get done  with it though - I  
eradicated 6 overgrown burning bushes in 90  minutes! - well not entirely 
as they  
re-grew from the stumps, but it  made a dint in their survival.

Kate
Kate  Copsey
Garden  Writer
_www.katecopsey.com_ (http://www.katecopsey.com/)  
_www.radiosandysprings.com_ (http://www.radiosandysprings.com/)  
blog:  _www.katesgardenjournal.com  

_  (http://www.katesgardenjournal.com )  
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