Newbie

[Mightyoak]

Hi Everyone

 

I have just joined the forum and wanted to say "Hi"

I am also a complete beginner...and I mean beginner, I have never even picked up a chainsaw.

 

I really want to have ago at carving though and wondered how to go about getting some hands on experience before investing in my own equipment.

 

Are there any taster courses I could go on for the day?

 

Hope you can help

 

Phil

 

I am in West Sussex BTW

[Josh187]

I am relatively inexperienced myself both in spelling and chainsaws aparently

 

Regardless I would suggest some basic training on simple cuts and techniques before jumping the gun to carving things. A small lantra course or even an NPTC or maybe if you know someone who is quite experianced to give you some pointers.

 

Chainsaws are really dangerous bits of kit kickback can be really lethal so knowing if your chainbreaks are all working and so fourth is pretty important, I realise I may sound like a tool saying it but if you ever had one throw back at you will know what I am saying it is scary even more so if your some 60ft up in a tree.

[Josh187]

I spoke to a carver the other day actually and he also stated that aparently they sharpen there runners a little different meaning they run at a 15 degree angle instead of the usual 30 and they use really odd bits of the bar mainly the tip. The upper tip is probably the most dangerous part of the saw to use as well so be carefull mate.

[Mightyoak]

Thanks for your reply

 

I was going to do a basic chainsaw course first. Just so I know how to use one.

 

I thinks its the way to start.

 

What saws do you use Josh?

 

Phil

[Dan Earp]

Aye get ur self on a cs30/31 course. Urll be mainly using a 50cc saw 15"bar, and from reading other carving thread they use a ms150 upto a ms260/261

[Mightyoak]

Thanks Dan

 

I will google whats around in my area.

 

Just out of interest, is there much call for chainsaw opperators...just thinking, as I would have the appropriate paper work, maybe It could bring in a few extra pounds.

 

Phil

[Dan Earp]

Again that would be whats available in your area and with the basic tickets of cs 30/31 the pennies coming in after a good days work might be quite small. But again it depense on whats in your area etc 👍

Do the course and see how you feel after that. You might want to keep your day job and just relax doing some carvings. Who knows lol

[Mightyoak]

Good advice Dan

 

Thanks for your help

 

Phil

[NorfolknGood]

Do the course and see how you feel after that. You might want to keep your day job and just relax doing some carvings. Who knows lol

 

I just finished a 5 day course with Andy Campbell (Tree and Woodland Services in East Anglia) a great fella (no pun intended). After my 5 days I'm missing the woods like an old girlfriend! I learned so much yet touched only the tip of the iceberg. I had no idea I would find forestry management so interesting I only took the course so I could volunteer with a local social enterprise and maybe go to shows and carve but my eyes have really been opened now.

 

Respect what you carve it's not just a material

 

I know Luke Chapman (Luke Chapman - Woodcarver | Wood Sculptor | Designer) is or will be running chainsaw classes but certification is needed and I would think the same would go for anyone else due to insurance issues.

[hedgesparrow]

as above to all the other posts learn to be able to use a saw. go on any course you can go on cs30/31 for starters. then try and get some experience with a saw. see if you can find a coppicer or woodsman who would let you help out. then when you are confident in using a saw have a go on a carvers course. as need to be confident in using a saw to be able to carve as a different aproach used to do this