CARELESS KNUCKLEHEAD + CHAINSAW = EMERGENCY ROOM

Varmintmist · Oct 6, 2005

Not a problem, it is the only place that I have seen them outside of a saw shop and most of them are the same nationwide.

1 suggestion. Dont lay them on the saw right after you are done cutting. Like in the bucket of the loader or on the carryall and then go stack wood. Nylon melts. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Luckily, it got a piece right at the belt, if it had burned the protection part I would have been out another 50.00.

Cottonhawk · Oct 10, 2005

beenthere,
I don't own a chap but after reading this thread I will wear one from now on. The Kevlar chaps seem to be an excellent choice especially that it worked for you. They have different types of chaps and different lengths. I'd appreciate a suggestion or two to what is a good one to buy?

beenthere · Oct 10, 2005

Cottonhawk
I can only say what I buy, and that is the 'chap' I made the link to (third pair now, as I damaged two /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif )
I was at a Forestry Field Day this past weekend, and the chaps discussed were a wide variety. Some liked the 'pant' type that were nylon, some the chaps with a wide flap that covered the back of the leg at the calf (said then the belts didn't catch), and some liked the chaps like mine.
A good place to purchase may be your chainsaw dealer, or try other on-line sales.
Does this help?

dmccarty · Oct 10, 2005

Cottonhawk,

I bought my chaps and helmet at my Stihl dealer.

This weekend I was in Lowes and the had chaps for $56 and the helmet for less than $50. Cheap insurance.

My chaps don't fully cover the back of my calves. I wish they did. I have had the straps get hung up on stuff when working. Not a big deal but something you have to be carefull about since you don't want to trip with a running chainsaw. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Later,
Dan

Cottonhawk · Oct 10, 2005

Thank you beenthere and Dan.
For safety issues, I need all the help I can get. Equipped with your advice and the information I got from the web sites suggested by the posters in this thread I was able to carry a discussion with my Stihl dealer. I was there this morning to pick up a chain and I end up buying a Stihl chap. My dealer suggested that one should wear the chap whenever a Chainsaw is being used even when just trimming tree branches.
Thank you again, I am sure glad that I read this thread. Like Dan said wisely, "cheap insurance".

beenthere · Oct 10, 2005

I wear them whenever the saw is running, and find they are great when splitting firewood for leg protection and comfort, as well as great when just busting through the woods when not on trails. Prickly ash, gooseberry bushes, and blackberry stalks are much easier to take.

Jstpssng · Oct 10, 2005

I know the shop mechanics around here who started as wood cutters won't even start a saw up to work on it without leg protection. Bear in mind though that while chaps are good, they won't necessarily stop a chain if the engine is running full bore.

Don't ask me how I know that. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

beenthere · Oct 10, 2005

( .....they won't necessarily stop a chain if the engine is running full bore ) /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Mine did stop it, and I was impressed. The kevlar wrapped up in the clutch and I couldn't figure out what stopped the chain. I was pushing on the bottom of the saw (cutting 2-3" stems with the top of the bar) with my leg when the saw moved a bit and I ended up pushing on the returning chain just above my left knee. Chain stopped fast, just as if I had set the brake. The teeth didn't get through the inside layer of the chaps, but peeled out most of the kevlar fibers in between.

I have seen demo's of dropping the full running chain onto the chaps, and sometimes they make it through the inside layer. How far past that did the chain go in your test /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif?

Cottonhawk · Oct 10, 2005

My new Chainsaw chap will definitely find more use than just Chainsawing. Back in my woods there are tons of Blackberries. May be I can now clear few more places with my chap on.
".....they won't necessarily stop a chain if the engine is running full bore.......Don't ask me how I know that....."
I won't ask and I will take your words for it.....no testing.

Jstpssng · Oct 10, 2005

( How far past that did the chain go in your test )

Through the chaps... Through my jeans...

I felt something pulling at my leg and pulled the saw off just as it broke the skin on my kneecap.
We were cutting brush under a powerline right-of-way in NH; afterwards I walked up to the foreman with my saw in one hand, the chaps in the other; he simply said "We'll see you tonight at the motel."

That was 17 years ago though, probably today's chaps are better? I recently replaced the pair I bought to replace the pair I wrecked back then.