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Old 04-03-10, 11:39 AM   #1
Xringer
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Default DIY pruning chain?

I've seen these high limb saws on the web..

Professional High Limb Rope Chain Saw — 48in., Model# CS-48 | Rope Chain Saws | Northern Tool + Equipment




They are basically a chainsaw chain with a rope on each end.

And, since I have some rope and a chainsaw chain costs about $20,
I'm wondering how hard it would be to roll my own?

Any of you guys ever use this type of saw?

Thanks,
Rich

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Old 04-05-10, 06:03 AM   #2
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Sounds like it should work...

BUT! Do you have a weight?
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Old 04-05-10, 08:24 AM   #3
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I just use a 1/2 nut on some mono-filament fish-line. Shoot it between the branches with a modern slingshot.

This tree was too close to the house and it was leaning towards the house (about 7 degrees).


There is a 3 foot drop-off just behind the tree which made it more unstable.
The two nylon ropes allowed me to drop the tree cleanly between the deck and my solar mount.
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Old 04-05-10, 05:44 PM   #4
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Default It works!

Got a chain($23) at Sears (and had lunch at Burlington Mall)..
It's about 51" long after removing one blade.


I attached two steel plates to the ends and drilled (1/2") them for the ropes..




These 100 foot ropes are really too long, but they worked okay.



The chain has so many blades (no long open spaces), that it's hard to pull.
It's extremely sharp. Once the cutting starts, the limb is down pretty quick.
I have my wife holding the other rope and doing the pull-back/ non-cutting stroke.
Also in the photo: Fishing line and Wrist-Rocket (w/o wrist brace).

Took down a few limbs today and will finish up tomorrow. The hard part
was shooting the fish line over the limbs in the wind..
It's very slow work using this tool, but a good workout for the arms.
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Old 04-08-10, 11:59 AM   #5
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If I might make a suggestion... I used to work in a lawn mower repair shop, and when I'd replace the nylon pull start rope, I'd make sure to burn the end of it to keep it from fraying. You have to be very careful though as you'd be amazed at how easy it is to burn yourself.

The way I did it was to get a clean cloth shop rag, wet it and hold it in one hand with the length of rope running through the middle of it. (I was also wearing leather gloves) Then I'd stand on the rope, and using a butane lighter, set the end on fire. As soon as the end of the rope catches fire, you can see the end melt, so pull the wet shop rag over the end of the rope. This puts out the fire and shapes the end of the rope a bit. It worked for me to prevent fraying.
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Old 04-08-10, 12:48 PM   #6
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A couple of weeks ago when I got those two ropes for the Big tree cutting project,
I melted the ends a bit, with a BBQ lighter when I unrolled them..

The ropes are stored away now, all the tree work is finished for this season.

I might loan the rig to my neighbor, so he can take down a leaner tree
that's aimed at the back of his house..

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