I like the double alpine knot tip! When I used the rope saw, I secured a second rope on a branch higher than the branch I was cutting. Then, after I had cut the branch about 1/2 way, I could pull on the other rope, and control the direction of the fall. This strategy also helped with the problem of the chain binding.
Hi, I found the black pouch works great to keep the chain in. Used an exercise weight to throw over the branch. It's padded so didn't hurt when it came down on me after a poor throw lol
I've used a Wrist Rocket slingshot and fishing line with football shaped lead weight. More accurate and the line isn't too strong, so you can break it and try again if it gets stuck. After the fishing line is where you want it, use it to pull up the real saw line. I'd use bright colored line (and paint the weight) so you can see it better up among the branches. Some times the chainsaw is too good and gets caught cause it bites too good. So, I cover some of the teeth with heavy copper wire (just stuck thru the chain and over the tooth.) Consider a chainsaw with teeth on both sides.(or make one) This kind of branch removal is not for the impatient. Just go slow and safe. I'd add that the sawing pull rope should have no stretch. Paracord would be bad. But heavier rope than you expect might be fine. One reason folks get the saw stuck is geometry. Both pull ropes close together under the branch is a sure way to get stuck. If you can have them wide apart it will help.. Might even try having one side of the pull rope go over a nearby tree branch. The straighter the chain the further it will cut before the bending branch might bind it.
I was wondering how I could do it solo. I was still figuring out what I might have that was sturdy enough to pull against. I have a very large shed I could put a large eye bolt into and then super long rope, making a triangle.
Eye bolt or pulley. Reduce as much friction on the pull line. On one tree in our yard, it was pretty tall, but we had other healthy trees nearby. (this took awhile)) I had a couple pulleys. I wanted to cut across the tree, not a branch, so i had to have the chainsaw horizontal. I got both pulleys about 20 feet up a nearby tree, My pull rope went up thru one pulley, to the chainsaw around the tree. And back over and down thru the other pulley. It was slow, but i couldn't climb. And it worked. The last effort was getting another rope way up the cut tree to pull it. That part of the tree was short enough to not hit anything when it fell. (yes, I'm a bit nuts) Think pulleys, and rope with NO stretch. B-) @@texasgemtree
I like the sling shot idea big time. I'm going to be trimming solo to make more sun for our garden. I'm going to drive a piece of angle iron out in the yard and hook up a garage door extension spring that's really stretchy for one side and be up on my deck sawing, sure hoping for success.
@@TheBlackSheepDiaries I found the teeth on the saw can cut too deep. It depends on the angles and the wood. So, i put a 3/4" piece of copper wire between the chain links and over some teeth. Those teeth don't cut or get caught. The copper doesn't hurt the teeth, and can be added or removed as needed.
@@CandC68 I think I understand what your saying and I will certainly keep that in mind. I've just ordered the saw and I'll know in about a week or so how it does. I'll let ya know how I do with it and greatly appreciate the advice friend.
Great video, thank fellas. I got a $50 rope saw to get a giant branch off of my maple tree rather than pay some company $500. Easy enough, right? well, as somewhat covered in this video, the rope saw can snag easily on big branches when it's just you. Instead, much better to have a second person (in this case, my 22-year-old daughter) to be on the other side of the branch with one rope in their hand. Still takes a while for big branches! But worth it.
I bought a 12 oz. 'throw bag' (that's what arborists use). It works well. Also, I made a 15' pole, such as what you show in the video, by bolting two 8' pieces that I bought at Home Depot. Instead of a hook at end (the throw bag gets stuck and does not come off easily), I cut 60% off of the hook so that a piece sticks up at a 45 degree angle (just enough to hold the throw bag by its ring). I put the throw bag on the hook and carefully go up ladder with the hook facing up. When I see the branch I want, I carefully put the throw bag over it, rotate and shake the pole.The throw bag drops off. I usually use this technique to put a rope on a branch to help control where it falls when I cut it with a rope saw. Its a little time consuming but it's taken the uncertainty out of cutting high branches, especially near a house.
Academy sells a 16 oz fishing weight. That might be helpful. I used that to break off dead limbs. You can start it with a thinner rope and then connect your heavier rope to the first throwing rope.
I put up antennas for radio all the time. I bought a sling shot and used a cheap fishing pole with a weight. I shoot the weight over the branch and then pull the rope over with the fishing line. Much more repeatable than trying to toss it over. Very quick.
This trick can be helpful: To avoid the weight pouch getting stuck or snug up on a branch make sure you either use a weight that can be metal or magnetic before throwing it up. You can also place any non-metal weight in the pouch and put a magnet inside the weight pouch. With this trick, if the weight pouch gets stuck, you could use a longer pole with a magnet at the end to pull the weight down. Viola!
Great video. Had to cut down some broken branches off of a maple tree. My wife bought a kit but had no instructions on how to set it up. Found your video and my son and I took the branches down.
Lots off different suggestions and techniques to get that damn first string/ rope over the branch , all good ideas ! What ever works 👍 mine was I used string that masons and carpenters use for setting up straight lines and edges. …… ( didn’t buy it, had it from my working days) it won’t break ever! It is rated at 1500# test line. You’ll cut your fingers off before it breaks Any way I tie it to about a 1” or bigger socket which makes a perfect throwing projectile but that is in the hand of my son-in-law, my arm and little league pitching days have long since passed. Other than that I never saw the rope saw technique before, pretty cool 👍 Just a little trivia question for you, does anyone know how they got the very first string/ rope/cable over the Niagara river so they could build the bridge…? ………………….. Kite😉
For a weight, I've had luck with a soda bottle (16 oz) half filled with water. If it accidently hits something like a car, it doesn't do much damage like a bag of rocks might. Then again, if you pay attention to your surroundings (unlike me) this might not be an issue. Hahaha! Edit: Great video... sorry, I should have lead with that.
Just posted the link to the chief of the tracks on the veteran railroad! Just wonder how You made sure the cutting side was made oriented towards the branch.
the thing that worries me on these "double-sided" blades is maintaining it. only takes a moment for the blade to become dull if it runs into the wrong thing and doesn't seem it'd fit into my Oregon sharpener as a traditional blade would. how are u putting a new edge on this when needed?
The saw itself was still fairly sharp after 20 or so branches. I think that the blades dulling, bending, and accumulating rust means that the whole assembly will need to be replaced after just a few seasons.
@@practicalhomeprojectsthat'd be 1 big advantage to repurposing a standard chainsaw blade is that u could sharpen it over time. granted there are drawbacks as well but may be worth it w/ careful planning.
No common sense youtubers DIY? No wife No friend, no Problem. Use a pully or a damn ring about twenty feet away on the other side of the limb, so you can pull both rope ends ALONE. If you have enough brain to figure that out. You could also pre pull the branch end with a ratchet [1000 lbs harbor frt.] $7 and a rope ahead of time to go a hopeful direction back to the trunk, and not your house or shed etc.
Great explanation of pro and cons. I especially like the discussion about pinching the chainsaw.
Thank you!
I like the double alpine knot tip! When I used the rope saw, I secured a second rope on a branch higher than the branch I was cutting. Then, after I had cut the branch about 1/2 way, I could pull on the other rope, and control the direction of the fall. This strategy also helped with the problem of the chain binding.
Good idea. Glad you found it helpful!
Thank you I appreciate your insite. I've decided to buy one of these for some high up branches on my property.
Hi, I found the black pouch works great to keep the chain in. Used an exercise weight to throw over the branch. It's padded so didn't hurt when it came down on me after a poor throw lol
I've used a Wrist Rocket slingshot and fishing line with football shaped lead weight. More accurate and the line isn't too strong, so you can break it and try again if it gets stuck. After the fishing line is where you want it, use it to pull up the real saw line. I'd use bright colored line (and paint the weight) so you can see it better up among the branches.
Some times the chainsaw is too good and gets caught cause it bites too good. So, I cover some of the teeth with heavy copper wire (just stuck thru the chain and over the tooth.) Consider a chainsaw with teeth on both sides.(or make one) This kind of branch removal is not for the impatient. Just go slow and safe.
I'd add that the sawing pull rope should have no stretch. Paracord would be bad. But heavier rope than you expect might be fine.
One reason folks get the saw stuck is geometry. Both pull ropes close together under the branch is a sure way to get stuck. If you can have them wide apart it will help.. Might even try having one side of the pull rope go over a nearby tree branch. The straighter the chain the further it will cut before the bending branch might bind it.
I was wondering how I could do it solo. I was still figuring out what I might have that was sturdy enough to pull against. I have a very large shed I could put a large eye bolt into and then super long rope, making a triangle.
Eye bolt or pulley. Reduce as much friction on the pull line. On one tree in our yard, it was pretty tall, but we had other healthy trees nearby. (this took awhile)) I had a couple pulleys. I wanted to cut across the tree, not a branch, so i had to have the chainsaw horizontal. I got both pulleys about 20 feet up a nearby tree, My pull rope went up thru one pulley, to the chainsaw around the tree. And back over and down thru the other pulley. It was slow, but i couldn't climb. And it worked. The last effort was getting another rope way up the cut tree to pull it. That part of the tree was short enough to not hit anything when it fell. (yes, I'm a bit nuts) Think pulleys, and rope with NO stretch. B-) @@texasgemtree
I like the sling shot idea big time. I'm going to be trimming solo to make more sun for our garden. I'm going to drive a piece of angle iron out in the yard and hook up a garage door extension spring that's really stretchy for one side and be up on my deck sawing, sure hoping for success.
@@TheBlackSheepDiaries I found the teeth on the saw can cut too deep. It depends on the angles and the wood. So, i put a 3/4" piece of copper wire between the chain links and over some teeth. Those teeth don't cut or get caught. The copper doesn't hurt the teeth, and can be added or removed as needed.
@@CandC68 I think I understand what your saying and I will certainly keep that in mind. I've just ordered the saw and I'll know in about a week or so how it does. I'll let ya know how I do with it and greatly appreciate the advice friend.
Great video, thank fellas. I got a $50 rope saw to get a giant branch off of my maple tree rather than pay some company $500. Easy enough, right? well, as somewhat covered in this video, the rope saw can snag easily on big branches when it's just you. Instead, much better to have a second person (in this case, my 22-year-old daughter) to be on the other side of the branch with one rope in their hand. Still takes a while for big branches! But worth it.
I bought a 12 oz. 'throw bag' (that's what arborists use). It works well.
Also, I made a 15' pole, such as what you show in the video, by bolting two 8' pieces that I bought at Home Depot. Instead of a hook at end (the throw bag gets stuck and does not come off easily), I cut 60% off of the hook so that a piece sticks up at a 45 degree angle (just enough to hold the throw bag by its ring). I put the throw bag on the hook and carefully go up ladder with the hook facing up. When I see the branch I want, I carefully put the throw bag over it, rotate and shake the pole.The throw bag drops off. I usually use this technique to put a rope on a branch to help control where it falls when I cut it with a rope saw. Its a little time consuming but it's taken the uncertainty out of cutting high branches, especially near a house.
Academy sells a 16 oz fishing weight. That might be helpful. I used that to break off dead limbs. You can start it with a thinner rope and then connect your heavier rope to the first throwing rope.
I put up antennas for radio all the time. I bought a sling shot and used a cheap fishing pole with a weight. I shoot the weight over the branch and then pull the rope over with the fishing line. Much more repeatable than trying to toss it over. Very quick.
This trick can be helpful: To avoid the weight pouch getting stuck or snug up on a branch make sure you either use a weight that can be metal or magnetic before throwing it up. You can also place any non-metal weight in the pouch and put a magnet inside the weight pouch. With this trick, if the weight pouch gets stuck, you could use a longer pole with a magnet at the end to pull the weight down. Viola!
Great demo...thank you for taking the time to make the video
No problem. Thanks for watching.
Great video. Had to cut down some broken branches off of a maple tree. My wife bought a kit but had no instructions on how to set it up. Found your video and my son and I took the branches down.
Great! Glad you found it helpful.
Lots off different suggestions and techniques to get that damn first string/ rope over the branch , all good ideas ! What ever works 👍 mine was I used string that masons and carpenters use for setting up straight lines and edges. …… ( didn’t buy it, had it from my working days) it won’t break ever! It is rated at 1500# test line. You’ll cut your fingers off before it breaks
Any way I tie it to about a 1” or bigger socket which makes a perfect throwing projectile but that is in the hand of my son-in-law, my arm and little league pitching days have long since passed. Other than that I never saw the rope saw technique before, pretty cool 👍
Just a little trivia question for you, does anyone know how they got the very first string/ rope/cable over the Niagara river so they could build the bridge…? …………………..
Kite😉
For a weight, I've had luck with a soda bottle (16 oz) half filled with water. If it accidently hits something like a car, it doesn't do much damage like a bag of rocks might. Then again, if you pay attention to your surroundings (unlike me) this might not be an issue. Hahaha!
Edit: Great video... sorry, I should have lead with that.
Thanks for the idea, and glad you liked the video!
Great video. Nice breakdown of the process. Thanks!
I NEED to do this! Thanks.
Just posted the link to the chief of the tracks on the veteran railroad!
Just wonder how You made sure the cutting side was made oriented towards the branch.
Hey there. This rope saw is double sided so you don't have to worry about getting the blades facing down.
@@practicalhomeprojects Specially made? It isn't used on any conventional saw as far as I've seen yet.
Lots of good tips!
Thanks for watching!
very good 👍
Thank you!
the thing that worries me on these "double-sided" blades is maintaining it. only takes a moment for the blade to become dull if it runs into the wrong thing and doesn't seem it'd fit into my Oregon sharpener as a traditional blade would. how are u putting a new edge on this when needed?
The saw itself was still fairly sharp after 20 or so branches. I think that the blades dulling, bending, and accumulating rust means that the whole assembly will need to be replaced after just a few seasons.
@@practicalhomeprojectsthat'd be 1 big advantage to repurposing a standard chainsaw blade is that u could sharpen it over time. granted there are drawbacks as well but may be worth it w/ careful planning.
Firewood that lasts the whole ... summer?! 5:52
Thanks buddy.
You are very welcome!
I use a dog toy called a Kong ball to throw a weight. It is rubber like and has a hole through the middle for rope.
Thank you for this video. I am convinced I need a 2nd pair of hands to make the entire process easier.
No problem. An extra person definitely makes it easier.
Good way to get some exercise!
It sure is!
i think you mean Winter
Cheapest .223 ammo you can find 🙂
No common sense youtubers DIY? No wife No friend, no Problem. Use a pully or a damn ring about twenty feet away on the other side of the limb, so you can pull both rope ends ALONE. If you have enough brain to figure that out. You could also pre pull the branch end with a ratchet [1000 lbs harbor frt.] $7 and a rope ahead of time to go a hopeful direction back to the trunk, and not your house or shed etc.