Proper and safe drop starting technique

[SawTroll]

In his thread, Chep asked that any drop starting discussion be taken elsewhere. Seems there is some confusion about 'saws flailing around out of control' when drop starting so I stepped out into the back yard and recorded a quick video. The saw is a Husky 346 straight off the work truck that I brought home to service and I didn't bother snugging up the chain to proper tension before recording the video. It will be cleaned, adjusted and sharpened before work tomorrow morning.

I reverse the hands, and that puts the bar pointing more away from me, to the front. Also, I use the chain brake only if there is a defined reason to do so, like thick underbrush, unknown saw, long bar, etc.

Hot starts mostly are done in just the "on" position (not "fast idle"), and then the chain won't move anyway, if the carb is correctly adjusted.

[Rocky_J]

The big problem with having the saw pointing straight away from you, especially if you aren't using the chain brake, is the kickback potential with your head directly in line with the bar and chain and only one hand on the saw. If the saw were to hit something and kick back, I'd much rather have it cartwheel harmlessly in front of me than coming straight back at me.

I realize it's a double redundancy and the risks are small, but in my experience accidents happen when two mistakes are made. If you're starting the saw with your body in line with the chain then you've already bypassed one measure of safety, meaning that only one screwup stands between you and injury. I like keeping a level of two screwups in between me and injury.

[SawTroll]

The big problem with having the saw pointing straight away from you, especially if you aren't using the chain brake, is the kickback potential with your head directly in line with the bar and chain and only one hand on the saw. If the saw were to hit something and kick back, I'd much rather have it cartwheel harmlessly in front of me than coming straight back at me.

I realize it's a double redundancy and the risks are small, but in my experience accidents happen when two mistakes are made. If you're starting the saw with your body in line with the chain then you've already bypassed one measure of safety, meaning that only one screwup stands between you and injury. I like keeping a level of two screwups in between me and injury.

I see your point, but I put the brake on if there is even a remote possibility that the bar could hit even a straw!

Forgot to say - I am right-handed.

[Warbird]

How NOT to start a chainsaw:



I repeat, do NOT try starting a chainsaw this way.  

[Shotgun]

Man, I couldn't even watch that gal start her saw. I watched no more than 6 seconds of that one.  Ouch.

[SawTroll]

Man, I couldn't even watch that gal start her saw. I watched no more than 6 seconds of that one.  Ouch.

Well, my wife ("SawWitch" on another site) didn't do it like that, when she still lived.

[Warbird]

No worries, Shotgun.  There is no violence/gore in that 10 second clip.  I found it by searching on how not to start a chainsaw. 

[barbender]

I had to go examine how I actually start a saw, I don't put it on the ground but I know I don't flail it all over either. I realized it's sort of like drop starting, but I anchor the rear handle on my thigh so saw is held firm. If that make any sense

[Dave Shepard]

Al makes a great point, if you're not comfortable with any method, then don't do it. On the ground with a foot in the handle is definitely a good way for most saws, but is also more time consuming and not an option if you aren't near the ground, i.e. in a bucket or hanging from a rope. I always start any saw with the brake on, this really reduces the chance of an injury. My Huskys really like this, the Stihls with their foolish one lever switch where you can start choked at low idle don't like it so much, but they don't have a choice. Just be quick to hit the trigger to get it off of high idle when it fires.

[SwampDonkey]

My opinion, and that's all it is, my saws are placed on the ground before starting. The whole drop start thing worries me a tad.  I've seen those "one hand on throttle and pull cord with opposite hand that is not dominant" episodes. I usually see scars, or get the sad story of where and how.