NOT a project from DaveO: overhead tree limb cutter

I was going to post this before I found out the latest contest had started, just by way of staying in touch with the forum, and it has so little welding in it I couldn't count it as a project and look anyone in the eye.

There was a dead limb overhanging the playset and I couldn't live with the idea of it coming down on kiddos. The limb was too high to reach with a ladder and I considered climbing the tree for about a nanosecond before I decided against it.

I'd seen "manual chainsaws" for sale online but they are too light for the task- so I made my own. I hacksawed through a spare chainsaw chain (my brother's, even better) and just touched it with the welder to form the loops at the ends. Tied ropes on the loops and done, right?!

Wrong. The limb in question was about 40 feet up so I tied a string to a weighted bag and after a number of tries got the bag over the limb. The weight caused the bag to fall, so I tied the string to the rope and pulled the rope up and over the limb... and got lucky on the first try, the cutting side of the blade was facing the dead limb.

It turns out to be a workout, because the blade only cuts in one direction. If I can get my brother to donate another chain I may make a "side by side" model that cuts both directions.

I thought this was above average clever, so I'm presenting here for your consideration. If you try it, remember to stand off to the side, rather than directly underneath!

Success at the end of the day: dead limb down, not on top of kids or playset.
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Ever try one of these http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CMMBEPMCMAg#

I had one almost exactly like that in Scouts- broke on the first try, because the tensile strength just wasn't there. I'd seen different models at around $10, never for $2, but for this one the parts were in my garage, calling my name.

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Originally Posted by zoama585

Ever try one of these http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CMMBEPMCMAg#

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lol, "cuts through bone...NATO approved.."

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Originally Posted by jerky

lol, "cuts through bone...NATO approved.."

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Ya never know when you're gonna have to amputate a torso or something. :)

That is a clever idea, but I prefer the high powered cutter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvAI7-Qa2Io

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Originally Posted by DaveO

I may make a "side by side" model that cuts both directions.

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The only thing with that design is that you would be almost doubling your kerf, so the savings in sawing effort might not be that much. If you a have a lot of time and a chain breaker, you could turn half the teeth around... ;):D

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Originally Posted by redbeard

If you a have a lot of time and a chain breaker, you could turn half the teeth around... ;):D

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LOL! I can't even imagine having that much free time and nothing else higher on the to do list. Maybe if I was shipwrecked, or something.