Chainsaw Training Ideas and Resources

[Philbert]

Just for comparison . . .

Hands-on experience is hard to beat for learning how to work on a chainsaw. Long ago, I obtained some 'dead' saws just to take apart and see how they work. Really see a difference in quality between brands and models.

When asking for some 'dead' saws, recently to cut open for display models, someone offered me some 'dead' string trimmers; I passed those along to a neighbor who works on them. Decided to 'open up' some of those not worth repairing to take a look inside. Really surprised to see stamped steel connecting rods, and laminated steel counter weights (multiple pieces stamped out of sheet metal, riveted together) in this 31cc Ryobi string trimmer motor. I guess that some designers got paid to 'value engineer' this product down to a certain price point, and did their jobs well!



A comparable 25cc Homelite string trimmer motor had solid connecting rods and counter weights, but no centrifugal clutch (flex shaft was connected directly to the fly wheel).



Very interesting and educational to do!

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

Thread Bump . . .

These are more for teaching about chainsaw operation and maintenance, which is related to safe use.
- worn sprockets to compare with new ones (several people did not understand when to replace them by a verbal description alone);
- nose sprockets: to describe different pitches, wear, etc. (*I need to make a cut-away model of a nose sprocket showing all of the bearings!*);
- scored piston: to discuss effects of straight gassing, lean seizures, etc.;
- carburetor: to explain choke versus throttle plates, idle adjustments, etc. *I also have all of the parts of a disassembled carb in a zip-lock baggie to show how how complicated they can be, as well as to mention gaskets, diaphragms, etc.:
fuel filter: to show how small the pores are in the ceramic element:
- etc..

Other items could include fouled spark plugs, or anything else of interest that is hard to show on an assembled saw (clutches, oil pumps, needle bearings, crank shafts, . . . ). These parts are essentially free, as they were intercepted on the way to the scrap / recycling bins. If you don't have what you need, most servicing dealers should be able to give some to you (might have to assure them that they are not for resale or warranty purposes).

I also have a partial pair of chaps that I bring, so that people can see what the protective fibers look like. These were retired chaps left over from doing a demo (*note: can really jam up the nose sprocket on the guide bar too - plan for this, or use a hard nose (no sprocket) bar: http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/nose-sprocket-rescue-illustrated.256640/ )

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) S212 Course Materials

I was able to order the course materials for the S212 chainsaw course, taught to wildland firefighters. This material is increasingly used by other agencies and organizations, even if not engaged in fire fighting. Lots of good stuff for training classes.

I am 'old school' and like paper copies, so I ordered the 3 items below (prices vary slightly from the printed catalog). But all of the materials (student guide, instructor guide, classroom Power Points, forms, and *videos) are on the DVD, which is the least expensive way to go. Lots of illustrations and videos that could be used for other, tailored classes (*had to download a WMV palyer 'Flip4Mac' to watch videos on my older Mac).

https://www.nwcg.gov/catalogs-ordering-quicklinks

S-212 Wildland Fire Chain Saws (2012)
S-212 Instructor Guide NFES 002660 (about $17)
S-212 Student Workbook NFES 002662 (about $6)
S-212 DVD Course Materials NFES 002661 (about$5)

https://www.nwcg.gov/sites/default/files/gbk_nfes_pms_pub_order_form_508.pdf
https://www.nwcg.gov/sites/default/files/publications/pms449-2.pdf

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

Simple Chain Angle Gauge for Sharpening

On 'another forum', a member posted a simple tool he made to verify chain angles when sharpening. Although, there are angle guides built into some depth gauge tools, his version was so simple that it appealed to me for training new sawyers how to sharpen.

Visited a local home center that sells aluminum channel and chainsaws. The 1/4" channel fit over 3/8 low profile ('Picco') chains, but the 3/8" channel also fit over .325 and full sized 3/8 pitch chains. About $6 for 4 feet. Cut them off at about 4" with a mitre / chop saw, and got 12 of them (about .50 each).









Philbert

 

[CR888]

A number of chain cutters filed ground to incorrect spec would be a good visual tool. Showing a tooth with poor gullet cleaning, incorrect side plate profile, inner top plate, different inner top plate tapers from 0° tilt compared to 10°, re-sharpened rocked chain that has not removed all the damage etc. I think visual aids are good in teaching all things chainsaw.

 

[Philbert]

Bump

S-212 Wildland Fire Chain Saws - 10 YouTube videos

Wildland Fire Chain Saws - Part 1 - Spring Poles

Wildland Fire Chain Saws - Part 2 - Bucking: Top Bind

Wildland Fire Chain Saws - Part 3 - Bucking: Bottom Bind

Wildland Fire Chain Saws - Part 4 - Bucking: Blow Down

Wildland Fire Chain Saws - Part 5 - Bucking: Angle Cut

Wildland Fire Chain Saws - Part 6 - Situation Analysis

Wildland Fire Chain Saws - Part 7 - Boring

Wildland Fire Chain Saws - Part 8 - Tree Falling

Wildland Fire Chain Saws - Part 9 - Line Construction

Wildland Fire Chain Saws - Part 10 - Open Face Notch

 

[Shanesaw80]

Great thread Philbert! I’ve been a chainsaw/faller instructor through ENFORM and the BC Forest Safety Council here in Canada now for almost 15 years. You really seem to have a passion for wanting to produce the most informative course possible, it’s really great to see. Far to often we get guys out on a job site that have a basic chainsaw ticket but still no idea what they are doing because of a lack of proper instruction when they took the course.

Great job man and keep up the great work!!

 

[Philbert]

I’ve been a chainsaw/faller instructor through ENFORM and the BC Forest Safety Council here in Canada now for almost 15 years.

Thanks.

Please add any stuff that you can think of!
(Even if it is written in Canadian!).

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

Saw this recently at a trade show. Bar is from an ICS concrete cutting chainsaw.

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

Anyone have a copy of the training materials for the Boy Scouts of America Chain Saw Safety Training course, No. 20-136 ?

Just curious. I like to see how all these different courses fit together, or where they differ.

Thanks.

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

A general, easy to understand book, that is affordable and pretty popular:




Philbert

 

[Thumper88]

@waldorbigbill there is a wealth of information in this thread.

 

[davidwyby]

I have that book if anyone wants it.

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

Very informative thread. I'll try all the links for info, but if anyone knows of a formal training opportunity in Florida, please share. Thanks!

 

[Catbuster]

Anyone have a copy of the training materials for the Boy Scouts of America Chain Saw Safety Training course, No. 20-136 ?

Just curious. I like to see how all these different courses fit together, or where they differ.

Thanks.

Philbert

See this link

The course is meant to be hands-on, and it’s also meant to take up most of a day or two. It also is somewhat ambiguous about what the requirements for an instructor are.

BSA also recognizes US Federal chainsaw courses and certifications.

 

[Philbert]

Thanks!

(Not sure why the text is black in my quoted post: fixed it).

Philbert

 

[Catbuster]

Thanks!

(Not sure why the text is black in my quoted post: fixed it).

Philbert

Any time.

FWIW, I think S-212 is the gold standard for an all-around chainsaw program

I also have a book called Professional Timber Falling by Douglas Dent that is a good resource for west coast-style timber falling.

Roy Hauser (the architect of S-212) has written a book call The Art of Felling Timber that is very good, but aimed towards proficient fallers trying to refine their skillset in west coast-style falling operations in fire burned timber, oversized trees, hazards, etc.

 

[Philbert]

I also have a book called Professional Timber Falling by Douglas Dent that is a good resource for west coast-style timber falling.

Good, technical, book.

Often, people seem to focus on felling as the pinacle of chainsaw use. There is a lot to bucking, limbing, and untangling storm debris, including hang ups, trees leaning on structures, working safely and efficiently.

The owner’s manuals have some good, basic information in them, but feel like they were written by ‘lawyers’, rather than ‘sawyers’.

For example, I like when students get their saws stuck, during a class, because it’s going to happen in the field. It’s an opportunity to discuss: ‘OK, what happened?’; ‘How might that be prevented in the future?’; and ‘Here’s 5 ways to release that saw, depending on circumstances, without bending the bar or chain links.’

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

A couple of more, simple, things I made, to keep classes interesting.

A ’keychain’ of 1/4”, 3/8”, and 3/4” (harvester) pitch chains, to pass around for comparison:



Another of a few types of chain used on concrete cutting chainsaws:



Philbert