Hall of Fame golfer Greg Norman survived a major scare this weekend while trimming trees at his Florida home. The blade cut into Norman's left wrist and came within a fraction of an inch of severing an artery.
People around the country will be firing up their chainsaws this fall to cut back branches and stockpile their firewood for the winter. But as we've noted countless times over the years, you want to make absolutely sure you know the right techniques and have the right gear before you think about turing on the tool.
Every time you pull your saw out of the garage, remember these seven things:
Rule Number 1: Stand properly using the boxer stance. For right-handed people, that means putting the left foot slightly in front and at a 45-degree angle, with the right foot slightly in back. Keep your feet approximately shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees.
Rule Number 2: Keep both hands on the saw, and never take your eyes off the bar as you cut.
Rule Number 3: Plan your cut so you know exactly where the saw's bar (note: it's called the bar, not the blade) will exit the log. As the old timers used to say: It's not where you start the cut that counts—it's where you finish. That is, you don't want to sweep right through the log, out the other side, and into your leg or foot.
Rule Number 4: Don't be caught by surprise when you feel the saw's pull. Cutting on the bottom of the bar pulls you toward the log, cutting on the top of the bar pushes you away.
Rule Number 5: Beware the kickback zone. Don't dig the bar into that zone.
Rule Number 6: Unless they're formally trained in chainsaw use, homeowners should always use a reduced kickback saw chain. Yes, it cuts more slowly than what the pros use, but it's much safer.
Rule Number 7: Wear appropriate safety gear: chaps, boots, gloves, and eye and hearing protection. Learn more here.
Roy Berendsohn has worked for more than 25 years at Popular Mechanics, where he has written on carpentry, masonry, painting, plumbing, electrical, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding, lawn care, chainsaw use, and outdoor power equipment. When he’s not working on his own house, he volunteers with Sovereign Grace Church doing home repair for families in rural, suburban and urban locations throughout central and southern New Jersey.
