Had an acacia log delivered that turns out is quite large, 50cm across. Looking to cut a couple of slabs off it.
Can pay in acacia or cold hard cash.
Will just eat a couple of cans of spinach and bowsaw it if not…
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Doesn’t look like anyone has a chainsaw so is there any appetite for us to get one for the space with a pledge drive maybe?
Obviously, we’d need to do a risk assessment etc if it were to be offered for general member use but also if a few members think we could use one we could buy it between us?
We could maybe just get a ‘mini’ chainsaw, cordless with multiple batteries and 6 inch blade or a ‘full size;’ one but just adding to this post here to see what people think.
Cost is about £150-200 (or loads more) for a standard size or around £70-100 for a mini chainsaw?
OK, let me have your thoughts and also if @woodtechs want to comment on this re: the space having a chainsaw, safety, etc please add your comments
Thanks, Steve
As long as there is a risk assessment and induction ( if needed) we can certainly get one! Corded may be even cheaper, unless that is too limiting?
I think a cordless is probably more useful especially if it ever gets taken to places where no easy power supply and also less cables to get tangled up which could be safer?
I was thinking that personally I’d be happy just to go ahead and use as might the others involved in the pledge drive but in terms of risk assessment and inductions that’s another discussion… I just wanted to see if there is much appetite for this from a few members. I have an immediate use for it and almost was going to buy a ‘mini’ chainsaw myself but seems a waste if we could have a better quality one for anyone to use…
If any members out there have experience of what would be good to purchase then please add your comments, I’m just searching on Amazon to be honest, I’m sure there are better places and better value/quality?
We can go super cheap for a ‘mini’ but then quality might not be good?
or something like this?
Like I say, just opening this up for discussion and if it proves popular then I can put a pledge drive together once we’ve agreed on what we’d like to get?
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Also, in terms of using, for example, the bandsaw to trim green wood down, this would introduce a lot of moisture to the machinery and require meticulous cleaning of the machine after use to prevent rust/corrosion of parts so the chainsaw would be a good alternative.
Myself and a few other members have some green wood that we’d like to prep for drying or as blanks for lathe turning and this could be the best way to achieve without risking damage using the other woodshop machines and tools?
In terms of turning green wood on the lathe, that is another discussion to be arranged/agreed with the @woodlathetechs but this is really just about being able to prep rough logs ready for next steps…
We’ve been using a bow saw to attempt to cut a slice of the log in the photo and it took the best part of about 3 hours for a single cut and we’re still not through… 
Would love a chainsaw…… but totally against it for the space.
To cut the log you are showing you would need a serious saw ideally petrol 4 stroke.
A battery one will need loads of changes to cut through that.
Look at any chainsaw safety information and requirements are
Gloves
Full face mask
Ear defenders
Safety boots
And here is the kicker
Full length safety trousers
We cannot supply a pair of these for every shaped member in the space.
Although you are talking about cutting green wood
If dried wood was cut with it there is no way of it complying with current dust regulations we are adhering to within the space.
As a woodtech, knowing the risks associated with chainsaws I would be totally opposed to this being used by members in or outside the space
If I had a veto I would use it
…. Sorry
A two handed bow saw would be more suitable for the space, but like the chain saw would probably be used once or twice initially then years of collecting dust and taking up space
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Hi Mark,
Thanks for the comprehensive reply, that’s sort of why I asked…
I would expect any chainsaw we had to not really be used to chop trunks/logs of that size but maybe a 6 inch mini chainsaw could be used to chop into from each side and if necessary finish off with a bow saw… That particular piece is almost sawn through with a one-handed bow saw so now it’s more about chopping some sections from it but I get your point.
I’m sure that for the mini chainsaws that are available online the full long safety trousers are not necessarily required, but obviously that would be a personal choice and I understand probably not something that we’d want to take responsibility for if used as a MakerSpace owned tool.
I’m still interested if others want to add their opinions on this because I wasn’t necessarily talking about a 4-stroke petrol chainsaw, something slightly less powerful which could still be used to chop down smaller items of branches and even chop up slabs which are already sliced from large trunks?
Anyway, I posted this to get exactly this sort of feedback so that I don’t bother with a pledge drive if everyone is completely against the idea…
Thanks, Steve
Do you have a library of things near you? They may have a chain saw you could rent to save you having to buy one.
Just a thought.
Hi Glenn,
Yes, we have a library of things in Crystal Palace but I’ve registered and searched and they don’t have a chainsaw unfortunately 
Thanks for the suggestion though, I only just found out abut that place a few days ago… 
A suggestion - there have been a couple of members who have posted recently advising that they have linked up with tree surgeons.
Is it worth trying to “cultivate” (apologies pun not intended but word fitted !) a further relationship directly with the Space and those surgeons, and make use of the kit/ expertise that the surgeons must have to be able to perform their jobs ?
Maybe once a quarter or something members collate the items that need chainsaws etc and “meet” the surgeons somewhere for a “fee” to have their work completed safely by experienced users following the proper protocols.
Just a thought…
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Hi Sally,
That sounds like a great idea to me, personally I’ve not ‘cultivated’ any relationships with tree surgeons but I’m sure other members have, it might be quite expensive though, I know tree surgeons are not cheap but a friendly one might be generous with their time…
I am a tree surgeon but I don’t have my own chainsaw (!). I do often drive past the space on the way to our yard in Kennington park. If someone needed something cutting, I could make a detour. We’re normally heading back to the yard for 2pm-ish Monday - Friday
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Hi @chaz,
That’s great to know, weekday daytimes are not good for me but I’m sure it would be for some people, I guess we’ll have to work out what we want doing and mark it up and then try to work ad-hoc with when you might be free… nice one, thanks for the offer
Thanks, Steve