Hand-powered chainsaw -- for emergency use

[profdant139]

When we boondock, we sometimes come upon fallen logs blocking the forest roads (especially in the wake of the bark beetle epidemic), and I usually use a bow saw to cut them (if we can't just move them out of the way by hand). This only comes up once a year or so -- if it were every time, I would bring a chainsaw!

But a chainsaw is bulky and messy -- I do not have unlimited room in the cargo bed of my truck.

So I am going to give this project a try -- I have several old saw chains sitting around, ones that do not fit my current chainsaw. This video shows how to attach handles to a chain and then use it manually to cut wood.

Not sure it is much better than a bow saw, but it is certainly easier to store and carry! Plus it gives me something to do while I am busy practicing my "anti-social distancing." 😉

Video

[Bumpyroad]

just saw a trimmer at sam's club that said could reach up to 15?? ft. didn't pay any real attention to it however.
bumpy

[Grit_dog]

There are a plethora of very capable cordless chainsaws out now. For sure.
But they have their place, and "cuts better than a small gas saw" is very subjective and sounds like a pride of ownership thing.

[badsix]

Bumpyroad wrote:

drsteve wrote:

pnichols wrote:
I once tried an electric chain saw but found it to be useless because of it's lack of power as compared to gas chain saws.

How long ago was that? I have an electric pruning saw on a pole with an 8 inch bar, the thing cuts fast and effortlessly.

me too
bumpy

my boy just bought a Ryobi battery powered chain saw it cuts better than a small gas saw and runs for hours. and NO PROBLEMS STARTING IT.. i'd like to watch the o/p cut a dry 6-8" log into with the chain. i'd be sure and have my cell with me ready to call 911. why not just a good sharp ax or hatchet.
Jay D.

[Bumpyroad]

drsteve wrote:

pnichols wrote:
I once tried an electric chain saw but found it to be useless because of it's lack of power as compared to gas chain saws.

How long ago was that? I have an electric pruning saw on a pole with an 8 inch bar, the thing cuts fast and effortlessly.

me too
bumpy

[drsteve]

pnichols wrote:
I once tried an electric chain saw but found it to be useless because of it's lack of power as compared to gas chain saws.

How long ago was that? I have an electric pruning saw on a pole with an 8 inch bar, the thing cuts fast and effortlessly.

[pnichols]

We live on property with all kinds of trees which requires me to use various pruning tools, such as: Hand saws, extension hand saws, regular chain saws, extension chain saws. I once tried an electric chain saw but found it to be useless because of it's lack of power as compared to gas chain saws.

I found a Corona hand saw to be the best hand saw for small to large tree limbs, and even sometimes use one around home instead of a chain saw.

I carry a Corona hand saw in the motorhome just like the one use at home (mine have wooden handles, but new versions have composite handles): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00221Q3GA?ie=UTF8&tag=bestcoverycom-20&linkCode=xm2

[time2roll]

While a noble cause I would carry a battery electric.

[drsteve]

wa8yxm wrote:

jkwilson wrote:
If only they made folding bow saws...

They do but it has been a long time since I saw one.

Another thing they make is what I will call a "Cable saw" it's thinner than a chain saw (so less effort) and may well cut both ways.. Flexible cable with teeth between handles.. Google Pocket Saw.

One of the Amazon hits.

I used to carry a similar thing in my backpacking days. Mine was more like a piece of barbed wire made of cable, than a saw chain. Checked all the boxes: Worked well enough, weighed nothing, took up no room.

[jkwilson]

wa8yxm wrote:

jkwilson wrote:
If only they made folding bow saws...

They do but it has been a long time since I saw one.

Another thing they make is what I will call a "Cable saw" it's thinner than a chain saw (so less effort) and may well cut both ways.. Flexible cable with teeth between handles.. Google Pocket Saw.

One of the Amazon hits.

I’ve had one for many years. Carried it in my toolbox when I had cattle and fences to take care of away from home.

[profdant139]

OP here: Well, I made a "manual chainsaw" like in the video and tried it out -- it does work, but it's a lot of work. Nevertheless, I am going to carry it in my truck -- it packs up into a very small size, and there are times when it might come in handy.

Plus it gave me something to do this morning. We are stuck at home -- I am in a "vulnerable category," so I am forced to go into my garage with a mask on. Which describes a lot of my usual non-camping leisure time! 😉

[wa8yxm]

jkwilson wrote:
If only they made folding bow saws...

They do but it has been a long time since I saw one.

Another thing they make is what I will call a "Cable saw" it's thinner than a chain saw (so less effort) and may well cut both ways.. Flexible cable with teeth between handles.. Google Pocket Saw.

One of the Amazon hits.

[Grit_dog]

Lwiddis wrote:
Newer trucks and SUVs have 110 volts plugs for low powered stuff including electric chain saws. My 2015 Tahoe was limited to 300 watts, the 2020 Silverado has 400 available.

Bad intel here. Unless you can show us an electric chainsaw that draws less than 3 or 4 amps.

Cordless and use the inverter to charge batteries maybe, but can't run a saw off of them.

[shum02]

naturist wrote:
Fun fact: the amount of elbow grease needed to make a saw cut is proportional to the width of the kerf.

This suggests to me that a bow saw with a suitably aggressive blade will always be easier to use than anything short of a chain saw motor using a chain.

Please do feel free to prove me wrong via actual experience.

You would be correct. I have used a hand powered chainsaw for interior canoe camping only because of it's small dimensions/weight but would use a bow saw if I had a choice between the two.

[Horsedoc]

LOL!! An exercise in futility if you want to cut anything that has any weight. Looks like something from Popular Mechanics when I was a kid. Hope someone is with you that knows CPR if you try this.

[drsteve]

Battery powered chainsaws are light, powerful, and easily carried.