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Chainsaw Carving How To
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Safety Gear
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Chainsaws and Chainsaw carving is dangerous business -- shards of wood can fly off
the saw at up to 50 miles per hour, impaling themselves in you or bystanders. Even when they aren't running, saws are very
sharp; they kick-back quickly, and can be unwieldy. So please, do not attempt any carving without wearing the appropriate
protective gear.
Essential gear consists of Head, Eye, Ear, Body, Hand, and Foot protection. Please review the Safety Gear information,
and make sure you wear your Safety Gear at ALL times.
We also recommend having a basic First Aid Kit handy...and keeping a cell phone within reach just in case you need
to call 911.
| Decked out from head to toe in Safety Gear |
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| Freddie Kruger is alive and well |
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Please click on a picture to enlarge.
BODY PROTECTION
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Kevlar, baby, Kevlar...it ain't just for law enforcement.
One of the most crucial pieces of protective equipment is pants (pictured on the carver). These Safety Pants come
with a front shell of ultra-tough 400 denier nylon (very tightly woven nylon), and a lightweight polyester vented back. Protection
comprises two layers of DuPont Kevlar and two layers of polyester felt. Protection extends from the front of thighs down to
the ankles and from the back of knees to back of the ankles for maximum leg coverage. A zipper at the bottom of each pant
leg allows you to simply slip on pants over other clothing and boots. These pants are lightweight and comfortable to wear.
Pants come in green or orange. They run about $70 and are worth every penny.
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An alternative to full pants are chaps. The chaps pictured are made of the same DuPont
Kevlar that the pants are. Straps are adjustable, and can be a little cooler to work in during hot weather. Chaps come in
green or orange, and run about $50.
A Note about Chaps: Motorcycle or Equestrian chaps can be useful for protecting the legs from flying debris, but they will
NOT stop your chainsaw from slicing through your legs; only Kevlar will do that.
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Fortunately, the Upper Body area is least likely to come in contact with an out-of-control
saw. Upper body wear is a personal choice, much of it depending upon comfort and climatic conditions.
A padded jacket, or even an Umpire's vest can offer a lot of protection. However, whatever type you feel most comfortable
in and offers a full range of movement is the best choice. Choose a jacket that has a 300 denier or higher nylon (outer)
shell, as this will reduce tears from flying debris, and is much, much, MUCH easier to clean off. The cost of your jacket
will depend upon what kind you choose and where you purchase it.
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FOOTWEAR
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...And this little piggy cried OW! OW! OW! all the way to the Emergency Room...
There are a plethora of work boots out on the market in a variety of styles and price-ranges, but when it comes to
chainsaw carving, follow these guidelines:
- Steel or Safety Toe is a MUST (to avoid crushed toes from heavy logs and shearing your toes off with the chainsaw)
- Thick, durable LEATHER (sorry, man-made materials just don't cut it...or actually, they cut and tear way too easily!)
- Thick, deeply treaded soles for comfort and safety
- Purchase your safety boots from a reputable Outfitter, and not from a discount or sporting goods store.
The boots pictured here are leather, Safety Toe boots and are an excellent value at about $85.
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These Steel Toe boots run about $110. Steel/Safety Toe boots can cost upwards of $250
depending on style and features.
A note to the Ladies: Ladies, do NOT purchase a work boot designed for men or boys -- our pretty little feet and bodies
are designed differently than men.
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HEAD PROTECTION
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Many people are going to think you must already be brain damaged for wanting to chainsaw
carve, so let's not make it any worse.
Head gear consists of anything that will sufficiently protect your head from wood shrapnel or a saw that has kicked-back
out of control. While most any plastic or aluminum hard hat will suffice, the unit pictured here is an all-in-one high-impact
plastic piece (the same one the carver is wearing) that was specifically designed for the logging industry. The quick-flip
metal mesh screen face plate on these hats protect the entire face as well as the eyes, and won't fog up. The ear protection
is incorporated in the hat, is adjustable and very cushy. A unit like this runs about $45 to $50 -- well worth the investment
if you plan to do some serious carving.
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The Pro-Safety all-in-one hat pictured here is a little smaller, and more economical,
while still incorporating and meeting OSHA-compliant safety features. This hat runs about $25 to $30.
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These are simple hard hats. The top one pictured is standard orange high-impact plastic,
and runs about $12 to $15.
The second picture, the "Skull Bucket" (not to be confused with a motorcyclist's "Brain Bucket"), is an all-aluminum hat,
and probably is a little overkill. This hat comes in bright orange or natural aluminum color, and runs about $60 to $65.
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HEARING PROTECTION
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WHAT??? WAZZAT YOU SAY?
It's your choice...hearing protection now, or a hearing aid later. The high decibels from a gas-powered
chainsaw are deafening -- literally.
Pictured first is an ear muff unit that provides maximum hearing protection. Ear muffs like this run about $20.
(Hearing aids cost way more).
Soft foam ear plugs are also an option, but do NOT provide the best hearing protection -- good for observers or your
finishing work with a grinder or sander, but not really recommended for a lot of carving. These type of plugs run about $1.00
for two pair.
Please note: Many hearing protection ear muffs can feature a built-in radio for tunes, but we do NOT recommend these as it
can distract you from your dangerous work.
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ADDITIONAL SAFETY GEAR
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EYE WEAR
Invest in a pair of safety goggles or glasses that provide good peripheral vision. While the choices are many and
purely up to you, make sure they fit closely to the head and won't fall off easily. Even though you may have a hard hat with
face plate for carving, you will need protective eye wear when grinding and sanding, and super-fine saw dust can occasionally
find their way through even the finest mesh.
The first pair pictured are standard plastic lens, suitable for most applications. However, plastic lenses can fog
up. These type of glasses are available most everywhere and run about $4 to $8 per pair, depending on style and quality.
Be aware that these type of glasses are NOT high-impact and will scratch up over time.
The second pair pictured have screen mesh "lenses" and are suitable for all applications. The adjustable band keeps
them securely on your head. These run about $20, and are generally only available from a replutable Outfitter.
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BREATHING PROTECTION
A protective Dust Mask or Respirator is an important
addition to your gear, particularly if you want to avoid "Carver's Cough." Your chainsaw, grinder, and sander is going to
cough up lots of fine saw dust; your chainsaw will spew out a fine spray of oil, and, of course, the gasoline exhaust. Protect
your nose and lungs. Dust Masks and Respirators don't need to be fancy -- but the best quality you can afford is always advised.
Masks are readily available everywhere and can run from $1 for 5 at the Dollar Store, to more at hardware and Outfitter stores,
depending on quality.
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HAND (and manicure) PROTECTION
Work gloves are important in carving
to protect your hands from dirt, oil, wood chips, and blisters. Gloves are a personal choice, but they should be made of
leather, and they should fit comfortably.
The gloves in the top picture are inexpensive leather gloves available most everywhere. They run about $2 a pair.
The second pair of gloves pictured are designed specifically for chainsaw carving. The patented, high quality gloves
are made from calf leather and nylon. The back of the left hand glove has layers of ballistic nylon that helps reduce or prevent
an accidental cut by a chain saw. Plus, gloves are double-palmed giving you added anti-vibration comfort. The bad news on
these gloves is: They only come in one size - Large; they are best suited for Right-Handed carvers (sorry, Southpaws); they
GENERALLY are only available by the dozen...and they run about $180 per dozen.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Protective gloves are not represented as a shield against injury, but
as an aid to help prevent more severe damage in extreme cases.
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