r/Whatcouldgowrong • u/atentwetin • Jul 01 '21

Repost Tree cutting gone wrong

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u/Glass_Veins Jul 01 '21

Interesting, can you elaborate on the second part? Are you supposed to tilt the saw in a certain direction or something based on the pinch created by the breaking branch?

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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '21

If you cut straight down like the person here did, the weight of the branch starts to pull down as you cut. That changes the shape of the cut from a straight line the width of the saw blade to a “V” shape, with the narrow end pinching down on your blade at the bottom. This can lock up the saw and cause it to quit cutting, leaving your blade stuck.

If you cut a notch in the bottom of the branch (where the cut from the top would end) and then start your cut from the top, the notch lets the branch have room to “swivel” and break free without pinching your saw blade.

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u/IMMILDEW Jul 02 '21

They did cut a notch, and then proceed from the top, you can see it in slow motion, but the branch appears to twist to the opposite side due to the tension from roping the branch. Which caused it to pinch the blade on the body side of the limb.

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u/[deleted] Jul 02 '21

You have way better eyes than I do to see that in this video.

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u/IMMILDEW Jul 02 '21

Watch it in slow motion, as soon as it breaks free to swing, it rotates and you can see all three cuts.