Opinion- Drop Starting vs Starting On the Ground

[SawTroll]

I drop start the small saws and use the foot through the rear handle for the bigger saws. I've got a couple saws with high compression that I start with my knee on the top of the saw.

Surely, but drop starting is the safest way, with most saws, if you do it the right way (left hand on the pull handle). :msp_biggrin:

 

[NORMZILLA44]

Good call Nikko:yourock:

 

[SawTroll]

I do exactly the same things with my J'red920. It has a lot of compression, especially when cold, & has hurt my back, wrist & shoulder trying to use the foot through the handle method. This must be a problem with us old guys. I'm 74. I,m afraid that using the between the knees approach I might become a soprano!

If it has a chain brake, put it on and make sure it works - then rest the bar tip on a log or a stump, and drop start the rear end of the saw! :msp_wink:

 

[SawTroll]

Good call Nikko:yourock:

Somehow, you seem to catch my points, while some others think I cut very little, and are just blowing hot air - of course that isn't the case!

 

[a. palmer jr.]

One guy came to my shop and asked me about this. I told him how I do it (drop starting sort of) and he said he severely pulled a back muscle when he started the saw on the ground, which is supposedly (but isn't) safer.

I can easily start my Stihl 066's without compression releases, using my modified drop start method. I don't think I can start them on the ground without risking serious back or shoulder injury. If you are worried about safety put the chain brake on.
The key is to pull the rope with authority, not tentatively. If you don't pull with authority the compression will not be overcome, and that can be painful, especially on a cold day. By the way, I am 60 years old. I hold the handlebar with my left hand, and pull the rope with my right, exerting some downward force on the saw while pulling on the starter rope.

So, you're saying you're a young guy compared to some of us? It would be nice to be sixty again!

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Mike has a good idea if you want to go that route. If you do not have the elasto start you can ad one. I don't know man think I would leave it. I know they have a bite mine has no decomp either, but like he said I think you have to replace the cylinder.

I tried the elasto start thing on another saw and wasn't too impressed so probably just keep it the way it is. You guys are right, you have to pull the thing with some authority. I imagine if I used this saw much I'd probably keep a handful of the little starter pawls in my pocket also.

 

[Bowtie]

Drop start everything from 026's to 088's. Always have. Always will. If it hurts you too bad to drop start a saw, doesnt that present the idea maybe you shouldnt run that saw? think about that.

 

[bcorradi]

I drop start everything I own from 011 to 660. However, I use my right hand and not the left.

 

[SawTroll]

Drop start everything from 026's to 088's. Always have. Always will. If it hurts you too bad to drop start a saw, doesnt that present the idea maybe you shouldnt run that saw? think about that.

I like to rest the bar tip on something unabrasive with a 24" though, and never used anything larger than a 372xpg......

Also, using the left hand on the pull handle directs the bar away from your legs!

 

[Bowtie]

I like to rest the bar tip on something unabrasive with a 24" though, and never used anything larger than a 372xpg......

I can understand that. the 088 I had wore a 36" .404 setup and drop starting it was not real easy. I did that too on that saw. Fired a ton of 064/066's with a 28" setup with just the old drop start "air fire" technique though.

 

[SawTroll]

I drop start everything I own from 011 to 660. However, I use my right hand and not the left.

As "always", I disagree with you, my friend!

The saws are disigned to be drop started, with the left hand on the rope!

 

[NORMZILLA44]

Bowtie I agree. Palmer Jr my 44 has a little bite, my 372 does too 44 seems worse. 372 has a decomp I don't use it much. Should get in the habit. My 44 though has been rock solid on the starter assembly, and rope. My 660 will rip your hand off, even with the decomp it has serious compression. Had to replace the pulley inside that the pawls sit in, and rope. This one you have to hit it just right. I guess all saws should had a decomp though. My buddy has a 272 and no comp release that thing is a handfull too.

 

[Justsaws]

Drop start everything from 026's to 088's. Always have. Always will. If it hurts you too bad to drop start a saw, doesnt that present the idea maybe you shouldnt run that saw? think about that.

I would say the same about any one getting hurt starting them on the ground.

It is not a drop start if the arm is locked, can't lock the arm and start the saw, time for a different saw.

 

[NORMZILLA44]

As "always", I disagree with you, my friend!

I got to agree with you again! The left handed pull is not the easiest for me, back when I first started cutting I was shown the left pull rest on a log, and pull throttle, due to the old Macs, and homelites. Can do it all ways if needed but with ya on the hold handle with left, and pull right.

 

[Justsaws]

If you got to drop it then it is too much for you, sissies.

 

[NORMZILLA44]

Lol!

 

[bcorradi]

When it comes down to it everyone of us has a different technique that works for them starting their saws. I for one drop start them with my right hand on the pull rope. It may not work for you, but it has always worked for me

 

[SawTroll]

Bowtie I agree. Palmer Jr my 44 has a little bite, my 372 does too 44 seems worse. 372 has a decomp I don't use it much. Should get in the habit. My 44 though has been rock solid on the starter assembly, and rope. My 660 will rip your hand off, even with the decomp it has serious compression. Had to replace the pulley inside that the pawls sit in, and rope. This one you have to hit it just right. I guess all saws should had a decomp though. My buddy has a 272 and no comp release that thing is a handfull too.

I tend to use the decomps on 60cc saws and larger, but never on 50cc saws. My hands are weak from Arthritis, and the right one by far the worst - that is how I originally got the idea of pulling the rope with the left!

 

[NORMZILLA44]

LOL! All this left, right stuff I got confused! Guess I should learn to read better Nikko LOL! I can do the left pull, and drop on shorter bar saws, but got to use my right for the long ones. Don't know why I am ambadextrous I know I did not spell that right, but you get the picture. Some things though are natural with my right or left. Most things I can do with both. Makes sense with your hand I broke my right one 15, plus years ago. The left one broke about 3 years ago it does change things a little. Funny though I guess when we think about it this has been a good thread, and topic makes a guy remember how many ways there are to start a saw. And I can totally agree to what makes a person comfortable just makes good sense. Hmmm, I must be growing up! LOL!

 

[SawTroll]

I tend to use the decomps on 60cc saws and larger, but never on 50cc saws. My hands are weak from Arthritis, and the right one by far the worst - that is how I originally got the idea of pulling the rope with the left!

After doing that for a while, I realized that was the safest way to do it, and what the saws really were designed for!