TurtleWoods72

no wonder you hoped I'd die of man flu so you could abuse my poor babies too!

Not be pedantic because "better safe than sorry" is correct... But really? I'm a 16 stone bloke holding on to a 50cc saw with both hands in suede gloves..squeezing a dead mans handle and pulling a trigger throttle in with my index finger. How do I drop it accidentally and cut my foot off?

I have a pair of Haix Tibet Forst boots. They're enormous, cumbersome, take ages to lace up snugly, dig into your shins a bit unless you wear mega long socks (which I don't) and I walk like Buster Gonad in them. Dancing, forget it, but I do feel safe as houses when sawing in them. If I'm using my saw horse or my new favourite the Superjaws with log jaws, I just wear some steelies. Reason is my saw never goes lower than waist height. I've got some Stihl chainsaw trousers which due to an elasticated waist expose a builders bum on every bend down, I will be buying the braces in due course to overcome this unsightly occurrence. I had a pair of chainsaw gloves which recently decided to hide themselves with my girlfriend's help no doubt. I now use some Stihl leather gloves I got from Countrywide for about a tenner. I always wear my Husqvarna helmet, ear defenders and face mesh set, always. I'm probably not the best protected, nor the least. Likewise I'm not the safest with a saw, nor the most dangerous. Due to my low cutting experience and low personal usage compared to the Arb pro's I probably 'concentrate' harder and am more 'nervous' about every cut than a guy whose work means he using a saw eight hours a day all week for years. A bit like a newly qualified driver having to over think every move, which later becomes second nature. As long as you take all the precautions you can afford, and don't get sloppy or rushed with the chainsaw, you should live and remain intact. My worst crime is forgetting to stand aside of the bar's arc, instead pitting my head dead centre in the aim of a kick back. I think this will be soemthing someone used to other power tools will potentially do out of habit. One wouldn't use a jigsaw with their head to one side normally. Just try to be safe. Work slowly, don't let the tip of the bar touch anything. Use both hands and hold on securely. Use the saw dogs to get some purchase and leverage and don't cut above chest height (preferably lower). Also try to get into the habit of actuating the chain brake between cuts where you might have to put the saw down, or move some wood out the way with your other hand. It might seem tedious but it's good practice for a noob in my humble opinion. Also you know that your chain brake works. Disclaimer: this information is BY NO MEANS PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION purely my own personal safety rules which may or may not be adequate. I welcome corrections or suggestions. P.S to answer your question, chainsaw boots have a material in that if sawn through will jam the chain and stall the saw, same as the trousers etc. Work boots don't have this feature.

Ok Jon, I'm sure some matheticions will be along soon to help mate. Maybe the lady off Countdown could help?

What surprises me is that people openly admit they'd snap up bygone chainsaws for almost unreasonable sums of money, yet the mainstream manufacturers don't seem to ever grasp the nettle and release a 'retro range' of 'nostalgia saws' to,satisfy the obvious public demand. Sad thing is. They probably will now I've suggested it, and some designer glasses wearing tosspot will get a bonus on his £100k salary for 'thinking of it' while I get no credit (or money) at all.. ArbTalk is my witness!

You're obviously bored Jon lol. Download the chess game on your iPad.

Just wow. Wow dude. I think there should be a gallery on ArbTalk of carvings for people to view when they need some 'quiet time' to chill out.

Predictably I'm going to say get a Makita DCS5121 18" promo pack in a nice steel box for around £335 delivered. See where you go from there and buy something bigger if you need to in due course. It's a well made saw for peanuts with a Magnesium crankcase and good power for firewood duties. Duncan_R has bought one which he's pleased with by all accounts, I own one and think it's a bargain. If you like orange saws there will be many recommending the ubiquitous Husqvarna and Stihl models, but if you want an orange Makita get a Dolmar off Shavey or TCD. I'll stand aside and wait for the mainstream suggestions to flood in. Almost forgot to mention, give Echo and Solo a look in too. Some swear by Mitox for occasional use as they're cheap and have Wahlbro carbs. They're chinese made though so longer term might not hold up.

Any update on the DCS5121? What do you reckon to the extra oomph, weight and dare I say build quality?

Glad you like it! Wait till you've put a couple of tanks through it, it will free up a bit and be even more pokey.

Sportsmans Bum Centre lol. Good prices on most things but they're very much the Asda of guns. The blokes in the Newport shop knew less about guns than my dog....

I could have bought a mid terrace house in Manchester for £5000 going back twenty years. The problem was, all the houses were damp, derelict slums, boarded up and full of junkies and squatters. More hassle than it's worth to buy a place nobody will ever want to live in. Unless they're fans of Escape From New York and fancy a Snake Pliskin des-res. Buy something nice, or spend 90% of it on chainsaws and waste the rest on property and investment.

Lol, luv ya Spud

In my former life as a happy self employed pauper I tried a combination of the above (for an unrelated industry). Flyers are good, but I wouldn't trust a postie to deliver them 'on the sly' as it's probably a sackable offence so he'll just take your money and bin the lot in the nearest wheelie bin. Although I've used vistaprint with no regrets. Having said that if you can strike up a good relationship with a local print shop with a keen young graphic designer you'll get better looking (unique) results. Negotiate, impress upon them you want to form a working relationship and ask for a competitive price. I've worked for myself and had to resort to knocking doors to get work in the past. Whilst I agree that this is now frowned upon and I HATE people disturbing me at home to offer to buy or sell things, this worked. Maybe it's how you come across. Stand back from the door, smile and look professional. If it's elderly people be even more considerate and perhaps just hand them the leaflet, introduce yourself by name and explain you're available for work should they need it. There are so many scrap collectors, burglars, con artists, ****** etc out there now that I wouldn't want to use this approach nowadays. However done politely at a sociable hour, with a sign written van, company branded clothing and an introduction by name ( supported by driving licence, certificates etc) I think it could be done. If anyone here wants any advice on marketing, I'll happily give free advice, although I can't offer guaranteed results! Mr D, you're fairly local so if you want to rack my minuscule brain, feel free.

About 5 years ago one of our lorry drivers offered me one of their coats. It fitted nicely, was quite well made, but then he blew the deal by telling me it was the 'go to brand' for football hooligans. Not wanting to be associated with such throbbers I declined and bought another Craghoppers jacket

I'm stockpiling saws I feel will be worth a mint in future. Details will follow when they're worth something!

1000th reply. Booyacka!

Lol. Great answer. Perversely I like my blue saws, but I do have a niggling love for ORIGINALITY Dolmar offers. You're right though, prices vary wildly for Makita stuff. My first Makita saw was bought because the salesman gave me a ridiculous discount vs a slightly rubbish one on a lesser Stihl model. Never looked back, love the saws and will probably buy a Dolmar in due course just to scratch the itch. If you have a price list, forward it to me and I'll try to justify another saw I don't need lol.

Just ordered a brand new Dolkita. Much better than the crappy Dolmar and Makita saws apparently.

And all us Blue Saw owners can now breathe easy. Thanks Shavey dude. Very informative. P.s I'd rather have Dolmar stuff but it just seems to work out cheaper to buy Makita.

Can't remeber what model it is since it's about 20 years old lol. Can't vouch for how they're made these days but Uttings have a good selection with reviews from customers too!

There are two vendors of Dolmar active in the site. They are best placed to answer this. TimberCutterDartmoor and Shavey iirc. In my humble opinion the main difference is the colour, however I belive the Dolmars have better carburettors. Wouldn't want to bet my next pay cheque on it though as I've only owned the blue flavour.

Nikko Sterling for me. Just avoid 'Hawke', they're shite.

Only me it seems since it's the wrong colour for these pro guys to be seen cutting about holding. Yes it's a bloody bargain, well made and good value. Chainsawbars.com have bars ranging from 13" to 20" for the Dolmar equivalent. Knock yourself out. Duncan might be along to tell you where he ordered his from in a minute. Mine was from Toolstop where using a promo code (expired now sadly) it was twenty quid less than he paid, delivered.

Lol, you miserable old bugger! love it. Enjoy your ale dude!