Chainsaw Training

£15

£15

£15

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As a recent multi-fuel stove & elec. chainsaw owner (Aldi one - not used yet) and with time on my hands, I'm considering some proper chainsaw training.

I appreciate the dangers of all chainsaws and already have the PPE, but I think some proper training wouldn't go amiss.

Can anyone recommend any training providers in the NW of England, N. Wales, S. Cumbria areas, i.e. within easy travelling from Liverpool? I don't mind staying over.

It's not a given, but if I am capable and enjoy it, it's possibly something I may want to get professional qualifications in with a view to a future career.
 
Just a heads up but this depends on the course.

Basic saw maintenance/safety and cross cutting is a 2 day course.

If you want to have the course for felling tree's its a 5 day course.

I'm not sure if there is a generic qualification, this was just through my own research with LANTRA.
 
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I expect the first thing they will say is get rid of the budget chainsaw, buy a small reasonable quality saw and learn how to maintain the blade and keep the right tension, there is a reason Aldi chainsaws are ¼ of the price a decent Stihl.
 
As maccapacca says. I used to use them for a living when I was doing tree surgery and landscaping, that was 20 years ago. I'd never consider an electric, mixing electricity and a chain spinning at high rpm seems a recipe for disaster.

Petrol saws, again, you get what you pay for. I'm just starting an extension at home, and needed to clear 20ft of hedge, a load of conifers and a 30ft silver birch. If I paid the builder to do it I would have paid a couple of days work and a couple of skips, so over £600.

Instead I bought a Sovereign 16" petrol chainsaw from Argos for £90. Still had all the PPE from years back. Got the saw home and brand new out of the box the chain was the wrong way round! Sorted that and started testing it to make sure it all worked ok. The chain kept hopping off at full revs. On closer inspection the underside of the chain that sits in the bar had a section with about 5 inches long with a load of burrs and imperfections, it took me a good 2hrs to make the chain safe to use. If I'd have been a novice I'd probably still be out there trying to cut the first tree or worse!

But a small Stihl or Husqvarna and they'll be a decent tool that will last rather than the cheap tat I bought that I'll probably throw away once all the jobs I need are done.
 
Biggest tip I can give you is that PPE doesn't mean you're safe - it will protect you from glances and the odd jump, but if the blade ends up squarely on your hand for any reason (as an example), it will still go through the PPE in the blink of an eye.
 
maccapacca said:
I expect the first thing they will say is get rid of the budget chainsaw, buy a small reasonable quality saw and learn how to maintain the blade and keep the right tension, there is a reason Aldi chainsaws are ¼ of the price a decent Stihl.
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Oh, yeah, that's a given. (There's no way I'd expect to use a cabled chainsaw on a course, or long term.) Many of the courses I've looked into require the student to provide or hire one - if I do it, I'll be buying a new one.

My wife got me the Aldi one for Christmas as a cheap 'starter', a toy (for want of a better word) even. I told her I wanted a petrol one, but £30 vs £400 there was always going to be a winner.
 
As above, the protection equipment wont do **** to protect against a blade. A good husqvar or Stihl will also make you safer along with being aware what wood not to cut.
 
You just need one of these leatherface masks
leatherface.jpg


And need to learn the dance
...then look for college/uni students to chase around, preferably female.

Training over
 
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Chainsaw trousers, boots, gloves, helmet and visor were purchased before I even opened the saw. I got a bit of a telling off by the missus when she saw the invoice, but she appreciates the need for the correct PPE.

I used it the day before yesterday and whilst I have no basis of comparison (and will no doubt be gobsmacked by a real 'saw) was quite impressed by the Aldi 'saw. Made light work of the small pile of wood I had.
 
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I did the two LANTRA courses above when I worked as an apprentice at the North York Moors National Park, great courses although fairly expensive, you'll be expected to turn up with chainsaw boots, trousers, gloves and a full face visor/ear protection.

You learn a lot and it is very informative.

Also, ditch the cheap saw.
 
All those saying PPE won't do anything against a saw, that's true for the most part but proper chainsaw leggings are excellent and will stop a saw in it's tracks in no time. I've seen this when I was doing tree surgery and working alongside Fountain forestry on a shutdown.

The leggings won't prevent cuts but the wool inside them tangles the blade extremely quick to the point the blade doesn't really get chance to get close to the skin.
 
SixTwoSix said:
All those saying PPE won't do anything against a saw, that's true for the most part but proper chainsaw leggings are excellent and will stop a saw in it's tracks in no time. I've seen this when I was doing tree surgery and working alongside Fountain forestry on a shutdown.

The leggings won't prevent cuts but the wool inside them tangles the blade extremely quick to the point the blade doesn't really get chance to get close to the skin.
Click to expand...

When I did my course the instructor cleaved through a pair of chainsaw boots and trousers, the trousers did stop it, but not quick enough.
 
I'm surprised by the amount of people implying PPE is a waste of time. The fact is, PPE, in any industry, will not provide 100% protection 100% of the time. People reading some of these replies could easily walk away thinking it's not worth using at all, in any circumstances, which is just plain dangerous.

Of course people need to appreciate the risks and what PPE can/cannot do, but it should always be used regardless of what ott demonstrations or stories people hear.
 
To clarify my first post given the posts that have followed it - PPE is essential and should always be worn. It will turn minor stuff into nothing, and (hopefully) major stuff into minor.

That said, PPE will never make you invulnerable, and you can still do yourself extremely nasty injuries whilst wearing it. ALWAYS wear it, and always act like you're NOT wearing it.
 
I had a cheapo electric as a first chainsaw and it didn't last long. I then bought a budget Stihl ms181 and after a couple of years it is still as good as the day I bought it. I have gone through a good few chains tho!

Always double check for any kick back obstacles and take your time as there is no need to rush. A couple of other tips, always check your chain oil tank as it fairly gets through it, and also the check chain tension frequently. I haven't had any formal training but OCD googled techniques.


Its a great saving cutting your own wood for the logburner :-)
You will probably be back asking for a log splitter. I bought a Handy 6 ton log splitter and it keeps your back free from axe pain!
 
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