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Show Take care when buying, operating a chainsaw Before using a chainsaw, read the instruction manual from cover to cover. Pay special attention to safety precautions, such as correct By GENE AUSTIN Knight-Ridd- er Newspapers caused by kickback, which can occur if the tip of the blade strikes a hard surface or object or becomes pinched in wood and kicks the bar of the saw back toward the operator. Many manufacturers offer special bars and chains designed to reduce kickback. It's another good point to check when shopping for a chainsaw. Correct chain tension is another important safety feature, and can also affect the saw's cutting ability. removing or tensioning a chain. is too loose, it can slip Electric saws should be unplugged! Chainsaws of any size should off the bar and cause an accident. If too tight, the saw can be damaged always be held with two hands, or the chain might break. Manuals one on the rear handle, the other on the handle that crosses the top 0f give specific directions for tenthe saw directly behind the bar. in the it but chain, general sioning should be snug against the bar but The forefinger of the hand that loose enough to be easily pulled holds the rear handle controls the around the bar by hand. If a saw is throttle trigger and the speed of the chain. Using the correct grip is gasoline powered, always disconnect the sparkplug and wear proextremely important in helping to tective gloves when installing, prevent kickback. If the chain Chainsaws are dangerous to use, extremely noisy, and very clothing. Goggles, heavy-dut- y popular. gloves and shoes, earplugs or an The main attraction of these earmuff-typ- e hearing protector, tools is their ability to and shirt and pants are snug-fittin- g swiftly cut through extremely thick minimum protection for chain-sawinwood tree trunks, big limbs, For best protection, also railroad ties and other heavy tim- wear a hard hat and chaps with bers. Many find d leg fronts. chainsaws indispensable for cutMany chainsaw accidents are ting firewood, pruning, landscaping, storm-damacleanup, and rough carpentry. My first rule for chainsaws is: Don't use a chainsaw if another type of saw will do the job in a reasonable amount of time with a reasonable amount of work. Almost any other saw is safer than a chain-sawith its exposed, whirling chain. But when there is no other reasonable choice, a chainsaw is a tool to treasure. The first decision for a preparing to buy a chainsaw is whether to buy a owered or electric saw. Electric saws are cheaper, make less noise, weigh less, don't give off smelly fumes, and are easier to prepare for use. If the saw will be used mainly in a relatively small area, such as for cutting firewood, an electric saw is a good choice. A extension cord can, of heavy-dut- y course, extend the range of an electric saw. While electric chainsaws need no fuel, they require oil to lubricate the chain. Special chain oil is available, or SAE 30 automotive oil can be used in a pinch. The oil is poured into a small reservoir in the saw's housing. A good quality gasoline chain-sacan be bought for less than $150, an electric saw for less than $75. chainAll gasoline-powere- d saws have a small engine that mixture. requires a gasoline-oi- l The mixture fuels and lubricates the engine simultaneously. These saws also have a separate reservoir for oil to lubricate the chain. An owner of a gasoline chainsaw who uses the saw only occasionally might find that mixing small quantities of fuel and oil is one of the Realty Associates is changing its name. Because we've made a rock solid1 association. We're now part of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates. This solid most annoying aspects of these relationship lets us offer saws. Storing extra fuel is dangerand access to buyers and sellers through more than ,200 different expanded sen-iceyou ous, and it can become stale in offices. Plus a name that's widely recognized across the United States and Canada. time and make the saw difficult to A name we'te proud to have associated with us. Of course, everything else about us start. remains the same. F.verything from our ownerhsip, Guide-ba- r length is another conmanagement and persona! service to sideration when buying a chain-saour professional agents. So for all your real estate needs, be sure to take advantage of us. The longer the guide-ba- r, which holds the chain, the larger the sawing capacity of the saw. saws generBars for ally range from 12 to 20 inches increments. A 14-long in two-inc- h bar is a good choice for general use, such as pruning and cutting firewood. g. leather-reinforce- ge REALTY ASSOCIATES gasoline-p- w s 1 1 ch ThePrudentia! Realty Associates Rock solid in real estate"1". 251 East 1200 South, Orem, Utah 224-901- 1 V. |