need qualification to buy a top handle

[peds]

I used one flipping loads when I was building the house, just a little 18v but still, and I'm starting to think I didn't give it the respect it deserved.

Always had the squint on, but I did a lot of work on this house in shorts and flipflops... I'd have made a perfect statistic.

[sime42]

Ummm. I need to check the guard is back on mine. I know I've taken it off a few times in the past for various things. I guess one handing them is a big no no as well, strictly speaking?

[AHPP]

I have a set of overalls with a patched up front from a knotted wire wheel chewing into it. That woke me up.

 

I treat the thin slitting disks with a lot of respect. Keep speed up, very careful to not get bound, try to stay off the line of fire. I like guards too. Something to rest thumb on. 

[Haironyourchest]

I have forgone the guard at times, but mostly like it. Main thing is the guard reduces dust and sparks flying around annoyingly. Disk failure protection is a bonus. Plus the guard kind of functions as a pivot point at times, for steadying and so on.. I just bought the Lidl Parkside battery grinder, just got it set up this evening, haven't used it yet. It's guard seems to be a quick adjust system with detents - no dismounting the disk to get at screws and all that. Pleasantly surprised by that. Will make life a bit easier, of it holds up and doesn't start to flop around. Also adjustable rpms. Nice feature, for some jobs, maybe. Grinder, two x 4ah batteries and the "fast" charger for €125 all in.

[scbk]

Toolstation sell a little top handle chainsaw, gets a mix of reviews, either terrible or fantastic

 

https://www.toolstation.com/hawksmoor-254cc-305cm-top-handle-petrol-chainsaw/p23253

 

 

5 out of 5 stars.

Lightweight easy to use compact chainsaw

3 months ago

Perfect for using when not so much strength in hands

 

 

4 out of 5 stars.

Hawksmoor top handle chain saw

5 months ago

Great little saw for the money, handy for heavy pruning and light logging, would recommend,

 

 

5 out of 5 stars.

Hawksmoor petrol chainsaw nice and light

2 years ago

Bought this for a gift as we were needing a few small trees and bushes cutting down. It is nice and light just what my husband needed. He has tried it out but never put it to any good work as yet, but thinks it should be ideal for him.

[Macpherson]

Recently bought a very little used 020T for £300, it's a wee cracker.

I couldn't resist it even although I'm getting on a bit to be up a tree..

All I can say is " We don't need no stinkin tickets " .... when you've got a bus pass 😁

 

And with a powerful angle grinder like a dewalt, these 1mm cutting discs can be explosive and need much respect and PPE, I've had many disintegrate when getting caught, so for me safety glasses and a visor particularly in thin plate.

[Dan Maynard]

21 hours ago, sime42 said:

Ummm. I need to check the guard is back on mine. I know I've taken it off a few times in the past for various things. I guess one handing them is a big no no as well, strictly speaking?

I've worked in factories where they tried to mandate side handle, two hands and leather gloves whenever angle grinding. The contract fabricators with us thought that was stupid, gloves just make it hard to hold the grinder and they lost the side handle as soon as they got the grinder anyway.

 

My brother is a blacksmith, he'll use a grinder one handed for all sorts even sharpen a pencil. No h&s department in his forge though.

[Decro]

If toppers should only be used off the ground why are they sold with carving bars?

It rather encourages "misuse".

 

[Mark Bolam]

And why are Toolstation exempt from ‘the law’?

[spudulike]

Horrible grippy grabby things angle grinders. I never feel happy using one but they are a means to an end. The last job was cutting a 60s cast iron bath in to three pieces...fecking thing.

I would rather use a chainsaw any day.