Barnacle Parp's CHAIN SAW GUIDE

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If you have a standard, full-sized chain saw with a rear handle, put the toe of your right work boot in the handle and press down, stepping on the handle. If you just kicked loose the throttle latch, reset it again. If yours is a mini-saw, steady the rear of the saw with your right knee. Keep all other parts of the body away from the saw.

Take hold of the starter rope handle with your left hand. Get a firm grip with a relaxed arm. Pull the starter rope out until you feel resistance. Without stopping, use more strength as you meet the resistance and briskly pull the rope to give the engine a swift, cranking spin. Don't pull the rope all the way out and don't let go. Hold onto the rope and it will rewind smoothly. Don't let it snap back.

After the engine has fired, move the choke control to half-choke whether or not the engine kept running. If the power plant stalled, repeat the starting procedure with the choke control at half-choke. If the engine continued to run, let it run at half-choke for half a minute and then move the choke to the OPEN position. Let the saw warm at half-throttle and half-choke for a few minutes. Do not race the engine.

Normally, a chain saw that has just been fueled will need three to five cranks of the starter rope to prime the engine. In cold weather it might take longer. A warm machine — one that has been operated recently — will often start with one crank, usually with the choke open (or OFF), and the throttle trigger at rest (undepressed).

After half a minute or so, be sure the choke is open. Keep your left hand firmly gripping the front handle. With your right hand, press the trigger a little . . . just enough to disengage the throttle latch. Release the trigger. Your chain saw is now idling.

If the engine stalled, try again. If the machine still won't idle, adjust its carburetor according to your owner's manual. Then repeat the starting procedure until the chain saw's engine idles properly, without the chain moving.

"Hey! This thing is shaking me to death and it's about to blow up." Yeah. Wait till you see what it does to wood.

FIRST CUT

After your saw is warmed and idling smoothly, turn it off. Get a good-sized log, at least 12 inches in diameter, and plan on cutting only part way into it, say a third or so. Don't cut more than halfway through the log until you know what you're doing.

Have the log firmly supported on the ground. Let there be no part of the log that is not fully supported. Stand on the uphill side of the log. If your saw or chain is new, add extra oil-the same kind that's in the saw's oil tank-by hand at this time. Start your saw on the ground, not on the log. Be sure the cutting attachment isn't touching anything. Never start a chain saw with the chain touching wood or resting on a log.

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