Kevin

I like Oregon RA chain if you can find it. It's full skip factory ground to 10o on the top plate. The problem with most custom ground chains is they take the hardness out of them when grinding the top plate and you can't keep them sharp. Use maximum bar lube and wear a dust mask to protect yourself from fumes. Get your log up off the ground when you can so you aren't all humped over.

I have the titaniums and the gaffs are steel and require the same hone or file to sharpen them. Can you tell me why you think the gaffs are titanium?

Sign a waiver and bring it with you, I'd ask permission unless the land is public.

Have you checked the screen on the spark arrest? If it gets plugged with carbon it will cause you grief as well.

They had problem with the carb boot sucking air at the mount.

I bought a pair of Royer chainsaw boots and they have lots of support for climbing.

Bill, not sure what a letter cut is but you should never cut through the hinge when felling a tree, it's the only control you have. The greater the better to reduce the bending moment. You want the top to leave the stem soon as possible, the longer it hangs on the greater the bending moment. That's correct.

Ken, is the leverage not greater when placing the hinge aft? Less weight to lift promting the tree over. Too far back and the tree falls prematurely due to excess weight ahead of the hinge. This is why that open face notch was used ...

Would this be the open face notch or something different?

Matt, I have some pictures here ... http://community.webshots.com/album/13012199FerMiAUOtI I have since bought a bandsaw mill but still use the Alaskan to get big timber off the unbeaten path.

Brion Toss, Making Your Own Eye Splices DVD is very good.

They could be live wires but use a photo cell to switch the light on and off at the fixture.

That's interesting. When the 088 became stuck in the cut was it during the felling cut on a head leaner? To continue in this manner is putting you at great risk. Are these trees splitting prematurely during the felling cut before a proper hinge can be set up? Have you tried using the bore and leaving a back strap, maybe the hinge is too wide or too high? Can you get a rope in the top and take some of the weight off the lean and still use a narrow hinge?

What voltage are we talking about? I suspect it is insulated conductor under 750volts in which case I say yes. 750+ gets at least ten feet safe limit of approach. Unless you are certified and equipped you can't work within 10 feet of power in excess of 750volts AC.

That would be the proper way to cut it. Add cuts to the stump just below the hinge to prevent pulling at the stump. In extreme cases cinch the trunk with a strap or chain and center bore the hinge. The lay will be just as important so that the tree doesn't split on impact.