Gooserider
ArboristSite Operative
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2008
- Messages
- 101
- Reaction score
- 16
I've done a search, and haven't found anything useful...
While I appreciate the safety added by the chain brake, (though I do my best to never need it!) I don't use it in normal operation as much as the "safety guru's" advise...
I would say there are three main reasons -
1. My Dolmar manual (which I did actually READ ):jawdrop: seems to imply that one shouldn't run the saw much with the brake on - I think this mostly applies to starting at part throttle, as I don't see what harm it can do at idle, but...
2. A carryover from the shooting world, where Cooper's Third Law of firearm safety advises placing limited faith in mechanical devices, says I really shouldn't rely on the brake...
3. And really my biggest concern, is that I feel clumsy and awkward taking the brake OFF, and less in control of the saw... All my instinct and pre-brake days training says you should be hanging on to the two handles for dear life, and not letting go
While putting the brake on is easy, just rock forward with the left hand, I haven't found a way to DISENGAGE it that doesn't feel like it involves a bunch of fumbling around. (It doesn't seem saw specific, I find it the case on every saw I've used)
Part of the problem is that to disengage the brake you have to pull the lever back almost to the top bar before it "catches" and goes back to it's working position. - I don't really have clearance to hold the saw with my left hand on the top grip and pull the lever back with my right w/o hitting my knuckles.
The other option seems to be trying to "bounce" the saw up while letting go with the left hand to pull the lever back and then making another bounce and grab to get back on the bar... This feels unsafe as only my right hand is controlling the saw, from an unbalanced position.
So what I'm really asking is: What is the best technique for disengaging the brake while still controlling the saw?
Am I doing something wrong, or is this sort of the "nature of the beast"?
Gooserider
While I appreciate the safety added by the chain brake, (though I do my best to never need it!) I don't use it in normal operation as much as the "safety guru's" advise...
I would say there are three main reasons -
1. My Dolmar manual (which I did actually READ ):jawdrop: seems to imply that one shouldn't run the saw much with the brake on - I think this mostly applies to starting at part throttle, as I don't see what harm it can do at idle, but...
2. A carryover from the shooting world, where Cooper's Third Law of firearm safety advises placing limited faith in mechanical devices, says I really shouldn't rely on the brake...
3. And really my biggest concern, is that I feel clumsy and awkward taking the brake OFF, and less in control of the saw... All my instinct and pre-brake days training says you should be hanging on to the two handles for dear life, and not letting go
While putting the brake on is easy, just rock forward with the left hand, I haven't found a way to DISENGAGE it that doesn't feel like it involves a bunch of fumbling around. (It doesn't seem saw specific, I find it the case on every saw I've used)
Part of the problem is that to disengage the brake you have to pull the lever back almost to the top bar before it "catches" and goes back to it's working position. - I don't really have clearance to hold the saw with my left hand on the top grip and pull the lever back with my right w/o hitting my knuckles.
The other option seems to be trying to "bounce" the saw up while letting go with the left hand to pull the lever back and then making another bounce and grab to get back on the bar... This feels unsafe as only my right hand is controlling the saw, from an unbalanced position.
So what I'm really asking is: What is the best technique for disengaging the brake while still controlling the saw?
Am I doing something wrong, or is this sort of the "nature of the beast"?
Gooserider