Pretty sure I’m gonna fail CS30/31

[CCTree]

After 3 cancelled courses, I’m finally on one that’s running!
 

Learnt all the maintenance on my shiny new Stihl MS212 on Monday, did crosscut on Tuesday - a little disappointed with the power, started felling on Wednesday and saw died 😭 Declared a warranty issue on Wednesday night, but will take a month to sort. 
 

Had to learn a new chainsaw this morning as well as most of the felling stuff 😵‍💫 head is completely spinning, can’t get cuts completely level… though all trees are landing in the right place, the stumps just aren’t pretty or I catch the hinge either the back cut on one side? 
 

Any tips? Starting to feel like I’m doomed. Assessment is next Tuesday 😫

[htb]

Just relax and practice as much as you can, you'll be fine

[Brushcutter]

Practice holding the saw level. Would you put a pint on it? Quite often people get the bar level end to end but not side to side so it cuts up or down hill.

 

Saw on the side use you thumb on the trigger helps reduce fatigue and keeps the saw level. 

 

Bend down get close to the work and it all works better. Take your time go step by step and don't rush. If you scarf isn't right change it. Got a Dutchman correct it.  Draw it all in crayon on the tree if it helps. Use a stick to help say parallel with the undercut to make a nice hinge. If you can get your body at 90 degrees to the direction of fell and your leg in line with the hinge things will be easy.

 

Did I mention don't panic. Listen and learn practice. Take mental notes track your progress. You will get better.. 

[peds]

3 minutes ago, Brushcutter said:

Practice holding the saw level. Would you put a pint on it? Quite often people get the bar level end to end but not side to side so it cuts up or down hill... 

 

Useful training aid, a pint glass! We carry one around on the stretcher to practice keeping it level.

 

Nothing to add CCTree, but best of luck with it. Stay hydrated on the day, and get an early night beforehand. Let us know how you get on 👍

[spuddog0507]

TBH not so many fail, i know a lot of guys with saw tickets and only know of one who failed and he wern,t safe near a saw yet alone use one, i take it you got 2 days left on felling and processing so you got plenty of time yet to correct things, just keep your cool and dont wind yourself up about it as thats when things get worse,, you will pass and as brushcutter said listen n learn,, I wish you the best of luck,,  

[Gordon S]

1 hour ago, CCTree said:

After 3 cancelled courses, I’m finally on one that’s running!
 

Learnt all the maintenance on my shiny new Stihl MS212 on Monday, did crosscut on Tuesday - a little disappointed with the power, started felling on Wednesday and saw died 😭 Declared a warranty issue on Wednesday night, but will take a month to sort. 
 

Had to learn a new chainsaw this morning as well as most of the felling stuff 😵‍💫 head is completely spinning, can’t get cuts completely level… though all trees are landing in the right place, the stumps just aren’t pretty or I catch the hinge either the back cut on one side? 
 

Any tips? Starting to feel like I’m doomed. Assessment is next Tuesday 😫

Hi,

 

Unfortunately like trying anything new (driving a car, playing guitar) it seams impossible at first and you think you will never be able to do it. Brushcutter has covered it but practice is the best method to get better, as previously mentioned getting the balance right to get horizontal cuts is tricky at first. We balanced a tennis ball on the bar, just get used to how the saw feels horizontal. When doing felling cuts, if you are allowed you could try to start with a high stump then once you have felled the tree you still have a few feet of stem left. You can then have another practice at a face cut and back cut on the same trunk. Moving the bar away and towards yourself during the back cut can also help to see your progress and you will have a better chance of meeting your face cut parallel.

Also read the notes and the assessment questions and practice the chainsaw maintenance over the weekend.  You will feel much better going into the felling if you haven't had to sweat and be constantly prompted through the questions by the assessor. 

 

Good luck, you clearly care about getting it right so you will be fine.

 

Also look at all the thickos on here who have passed (myself included) it can't be that hard

you got this.

 

[dan blocker]

You’ll crack it👍. What I’m not sure about is why the company you bought the saw off want a month to sort it? They need to replace it now😫, hasn’t exactly done much work as it and not exactly a good advert for Stihl? New bloke into the industry and his first saw’s a Friday afternoon production job? Tell your supplier your changing brands and supplier?

[Con]

They want to see you are safe and competent.  They are not going to get a spirit level on the stump.  If its not perfect, they might make comment, but not fail you. 

Remember all the safe working practices, chainbrake etc.

[CCTree]

Thank you ☺️

 

I’ve packed a crayon and a ball. It’s the final day of the course today, so hopefully I can sort getting everything straight. It gives me the weekend to practice. 

Hoping to identify a couple of nice trees in a flatish spot, rather than on a slop me in a bog for Tuesday 😅

 

As for the chainsaw, they weren’t available at my usual supplier and they couldn’t get one til after the course. I ordered one from a ground care company down south who then told me I had to use a local dealer for warranty. Usual dealer was pissed I couldn’t wait for them to get one… hence I’m at the back of the queue! 

[Vigen Tigen]

Pissed dealer! Who's doing who a favour here? You need to find a dealer who's going to appreciate your business as any business owner worth their salt will know, it takes between 5 to 10 times more effort to find a new customer than it does to keep an existing one. When you're in 'conscious incompetence' mode (the second of the four stages in the learning process) the last thing you need is defective equipment adding stress. Good luck

Edited Friday at 09:44 by Vigen Tigen
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