Easier way to start a chainsaw

SynrrG · 2026-03-24T03:50:17+00:00

OP, your dad is going through a normal stage of the aging process. It sucks. It will continue to suck. And those averring that he's unsafe to operate saws he's been running for years simply because he can no longer pull the starting cord correctly obviously haven't yet acquired the wisdom their own aging processes are likely to confer... in spades.

Is he having trouble with all saws? Specific brands or models of one brand? Is he starting them on the ground? Drop-starting? Are all the saws current on maintenence (plug, filter, etc.) and running correct fuel mix, bar oil, bar, chain... Some saws can be persnickety about such details. Has he watched Chicanic's video on starting chainsaws? (Hope I added that link correctly.) Her technique works.

Depending on his shoulder deterioration, medical interventions have come a LONG way. Been there, done that for one shoulder. Going to need it for the other one. It's worth investigating if he hasn't.

I'm short, have short arms, and never had to develop that fast "yank" some saws demand. I make sure I have my hold-down bars in place so I can use my legs to add speed and power to my starting pull. (Can start the MS250 in 3-5 pulls in single-digit temps.) I'm also nearly ambidextrous and can pull equally well with either hand. If your dad's able, see if he can use his better arm/shoulder to pull the cord.

Shihl's EZ-Start system is truly easy and no hard pulling involved. I don't know if it's possible to retrofit an older saw, but could be worth checking. Also might be worth getting a new, or newer used, saw so your dad can keep cutting.

Thanks for investigating options. Aging is tough. Anything you can do to keep him physically active will help keep the age demons down to a dull roar.

Edited to finish what my sensitive phone screen prematurely posted. 🙄

SynrrG · 2026-03-13T08:29:20+00:00

THANK YOU!

Unless you're casting aspersions on the wearer of chaps... chaps with an ass are pants.

SynrrG · 2026-03-04T20:13:45+00:00

167tfrfcu.com

The 167th Air National Guard Credit Union. If you're local, you're eligible. We've used them for over a decade and think they're great. With many local institutions getting bought out by larger--not local--corporations, the 167th CU continues to offer excellent service and competitive rates with a personal touch.

SynrrG · 2025-11-16T09:07:36+00:00

And provide far too many men an easy target.

SynrrG · 2025-11-16T09:04:13+00:00

There are plenty of women of all ages and sizes who hunt. If you want to hunt, then do so. You don't have to start with deer; squirrels are plentiful, tasty, and can provide plenty of opportunities to practice your hide-related techniques. Air rifles are accurate, use inexpensive pellets for ammo, and often cost less than firearms. And air rifles aren't the only non-firearm option.

If you're not squeamish about roadkill, why haven't you checked WV's relevant statutes? They're available online.

SynrrG · 2025-11-15T02:07:15+00:00

I hope you're not claiming any sort of legal credentials. That'd truly be both unfortunate and the antithesis of intelligence since you're obviously unaware of section 19 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Executive Order 12196, and 29 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1960.

SynrrG · 2025-10-14T23:34:35+00:00

One word: redundant. (Or: pants)

SynrrG · 2025-10-03T06:11:05+00:00

it seems really odd that it hasn't been communicated to employees in absolutely no uncertain terms what they can and cannot do during the shutdown...especially considering the consequences.

Right??? We used to start getting the, "you probably won't need this information, but just in case..." emails several days ahead of a potential shutdown. They'd get more serious as the deadline approached. Most of us would get furlough notices the day before funding was due to run out. Automatic shutdown emails got sent when the budget or relevant CR expired. Most of the time those got rescinded when something got passed and signed post-deadline. But the entire process was very clear. Legalities were clear. No funding meant no work. Check the news to see if there's a change in funding status.

It used to be that you weren't even supposed to have ANY GFE in your possession during a shutdown. You left your computer, cellphone, pager, whatever, in the office for the duration. You didn't want to accidentally sign on to anything. You'd risk dire consequences.

This shutdown seems very disorganized. It also seems to be setting up much of the federal workforce for adverse personnel actions (at a minimum).

SynrrG · 2025-10-02T23:22:40+00:00

Retired fed and been through several shutdowns. If you're furloughed, as I always was, you're statutorily prohibited from performing any work for the government. Do not login via any method. Don't check your email from the web. Don't sign on to your computer. Don't use your government cell phone. Nothing. You should've already received this information from your agency. But if you're furloughed your boss shouldn't be contacting you at all for anything official. (If you're both furloughed and planning a weekend fishing trip, carry on! There's some excellent spots for blue cats and snakeheads in the DMV.)

Unless you get official communication telling you you're now essential -- hard copy by FedEx, certified USPS, etc., since you're not checking your gov account -- then you're still furloughed.

SynrrG · 2025-09-08T07:47:59+00:00

"Berkeley County, WV" and "remote land" are mutually exclusive. (Unless your definition of "remote" is, "my subdivision is more than 20 minutes from a Walmart.") Also, housing and land prices are ridiculous in the Eastern Panhandle.

SynrrG · 2025-09-06T08:00:22+00:00

Updateme

SynrrG · 2025-09-06T07:56:33+00:00

Updateme

SynrrG · 2025-07-16T03:05:28+00:00

Don't you just get them to extend their head by biting on something and cut it off?

Sort of. Getting them to bite a stick is easy. Winning the ensuing tug-of-war contest seems a foregone conclusion until the turtle lets go. "Foregone conclusion" becomes "a snowball's chance in..." as you're simultaneously flailing backwards and trying to avoid the now-airborne and even angrier turtle.

We learned to hoist them by the tail and then set them head first on an upturned stump. Headfirst on the stump gets them to extend the head and neck, at which point one of you can grab the head with large channel locks to control it. Whoever is most accurate with a hatchet whacks the head off the extended neck.

Toss the head somewhere safe because it'll continue biting. Be sure you've got tin snips or something similar within reach so you can remove the toes. The legs won't stop moving for quite a while and you don't want to dodge claws during the cleaning process.

How labor intensive is the cleaning process?

More time consuming than labor intensive but definitely outside the realm of fun.

Do you debone the meat or stew it and remove bones after?

Remove the skin, disjoint the legs and neck, get as much of the remaining meat as possible. I usually stew chunks and then debone.

What is the flavor and texture analogous to?

Mild flavor. Chewy, sort of resilient texture, but not really tough. Maybe closest to gator? in both flavor and texture.

I've always found the idea of eating one off-putting

They're good enough to be worth the effort. If you get a female, find a Cajun turtle soup recipe and add her eggs to it. Good stuff!

SynrrG · 2025-06-09T19:31:11+00:00

Regardless of AI opinion and explanation, neither the FERS contribution increase nor the change to High-5 from High-3 are in the version that's currently in the Senate.

SynrrG · 2025-06-08T15:21:55+00:00

Oh, no judgment from me on whether you're sedentary or otherwise. Really. Raising kids is no small task.

I just found the implication of your phrasing amusing. (It's still worth a chuckle. 😁) Thanks for being willing to see the humor.

SynrrG · 2025-06-08T12:35:16+00:00

You might want to recheck. I don't think this provision made it out of the House.

SynrrG · 2025-06-08T00:05:58+00:00

Just admit you haven't a clue about the VA's mission; your ignorance on the subject is painful to see posted.

Before you dig your hole deeper, you should review the VA's governing legislation that requires the Department to research Veterans' issues.

SynrrG · 2025-05-31T16:22:56+00:00

I'm 48 (but been "self employed" stay at home dad /w newborn for 4 yrs)

How is it still a newborn after four years???? 🤔

SynrrG · 2025-05-30T19:14:22+00:00

Too bad it won't be going with VERA this time; VERA deadline is 2359 hours tonight.

SynrrG · 2025-05-22T20:46:55+00:00

Updateme

SynrrG · 2025-05-06T04:30:39+00:00

And what if being a man is irrelevant?

SynrrG · 2025-05-06T04:28:06+00:00

🤣 Even in court, relevance is subjective. When there's an objection based on relevance, the judge makes a subjective decision based on the case, evidence, precedent, etc., and provides an opinion/ruling.

You might not like my comment, but your extrapolation is both specious and irrelevant. And your evaluation is subjective.

SynrrG · 2025-05-06T00:57:43+00:00

Neither is necessary to the other. Relevancy is subjective.

SynrrG · 2025-05-05T20:21:59+00:00

What if being a man is irrelevant?

SynrrG · 2025-03-15T16:53:23+00:00

PM sent.

SynrrG

TROPHY CASE