Last week was a noisily productive week. I’d say we were buzzing. And roaring, cursing and sweating through a few days of chainsaw training. By “we” I mean me. The cursing and sweating part anyway.
If you’re familiar with gas powered chainsaws, you’ll know you have to yank a cord to get the saw fired up. Looks easy when a professional shows you. And, the first time I tried, hey presto, the chainsaw roared into life. Mostly because the chainsaw was new, and had warmed up. I like those new ones.
You should have seen me later, on a cold start older saw. Could I get it going? Nope. Must have been a really old saw, one of the ones that runs not on gas, but something from an earlier era. Coal? Dinosaur poop?
I’d paid attention during the basic maintenance and upkeep session. It was probably dirty, clogged up and needed cleaning. Oh yeah, I can handle some basic maintenance and pre-op checks. And on the chainsaw too. It was totally clean. So, probably a major repair was required, something that couldn’t be fixed in the field. Yeah, that was it.
J, one of the young people I was learning alongside, offered to take a look.
“Seems alright – let’s give it a go!”
Well, you can guess the rest… I must have warmed it up.
My sweating, cursing, and weedy biceps aside, we had a great – and safe – few days. No fingers or toes were lost, and we’re better equipped to tackle some of the more challenging sections on the trail being built. We are back to that next week, and I’ll be there, ready to fire it up and get buzzing – if someone passes me a chainsaw that has been running recently.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
Ya,those older models have a personality to be sure Adam! I sometimes take the plug out and heat it up. I than hold the throttle all the way open while trying to start it. This is a bit tricky as when it fires up that chain is going to be doing mach speed!
Good luck!
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Well, it works for you so far – all fingers and toes accounted for?!
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I can still count to nine
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Better than eight, not as good as ten. Hold on to the ones you’ve still got!
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I find the partially red-dyed shirt on that person a little disconcerting. It is as if there was an accident. I am so much weaker than in my younger years, so I “get” the dose of humble pie. I am glad you are working with the youth on this project, as there is so much for everyone to learn.
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Thanks, Jane! The work keeps me young at heart, even if the physical reality is a different story…
I hope all is well with you!
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Wonderful to read you still feel young enough to risk dislocating an elbow or shoulder trying to start an old chainsaw!! I have switched to all battery operated yard equipment where possible and have always stayed away from chainsaws due to my ridiculous failures over the years of trying to operate a simple drill. Not only is it depressing when a youngster easily accomplishes what feels like an impossible task, but equally depressing when you realize due to your aging memory that you forgot to properly place all the necessary buttons in the starting position after almost dislocating your elbow. We could have used your help this weekend as a large portion of a tree fell over our driveway and the battery ran out on the chainsaw. Enjoyed laughing over your noisily productive week and loved that great shot of the wood pile! Hope the Maple Leafs join the Flames in the next round after tonight!!
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Thank you! We used to have an electric chainsaw for turning delivered logs into wood burner friendly rounds and halves. Never sawed through the cord, more by luck than judgement – a battery powered one sounds safer (and easier to start!) Can you switch the power pack to keep working or is it built in? I’m tempted…
Flames will win the Stanley Cup – you read it here first and won’t see that prediction anywhere else. As an Everton football fan, I know my sports and- oh, right. I can dream, just for a short while?
Have a good week, and I hope the tree has been chopped and removed. Sounds like there’s a story here?
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I am impressed, Adam. I can’t even imagine what it’s like starting one of those babies up and using it! 🙂
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Once it gets going, it’s great fun!
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