cleaning hand saws

[pbtree]

I have found good luck using Windex - it cuts the sap pretty quick. I use it to remove the pitch from the chainsaw handles as well, and have had no ill expierences with it. WD40 afterwards on the polesaw or hand saws seems to help prevent rust, and actually seems to make them cut better...

 

[fattyphatcakes]

Originally posted by Tree Trimmer
Charcoal lighter fluid or "Goo-Gone". After cleaning, I coat it with WD-40. Try it, you'll see why. Also, the Goo-Gone will easily take pine rosin off your hands without burning them so bad.

TT

I don't know what's in goo gone, but it doesn't sound like something I'd want to use to wash my hands. Vegetable oil works well for getting pitch off the skin. It doesn't burn my hands at all.

 

[Scars2prove-it]

I was told by an old timer that the best way to get Elm sap off your handsaw is to use plain water.

 

[Crispin Hoar]

Butter takes sap off saw and hands. Hands smell like corn on the cob afterwords though. This works great if you dissifect saws between trees.

 

[tshanefreeman]

Whenever you clean or dissinfect your pruning tools with a water based product, you are going to run into future pitting due to rust. As a result, I have learned to never use or recommend a water-bleach solution to clean or to dissinfect my chainsaws, handsaws, or hand pruners.

I use methyl hydrate to dissinfect. It also dissolves any residue that has built up on either my bar or handsaw. Denatured alcohol also works great.

If you are wanting to clean your hands of sap residue, 'Fast Orange' or 'Gojo' seems to work the best. Plus it moisturizes and smells great too!

 

[Nickrosis]

Post it up, Shane! Haven't heard from you enough lately.

 

[Yellowdog]

In all seriousness.

I work in Wilt areas. I tried disinfecting tree shears and grapples with bleach and water and the next day had a rust explosion. Same for a saw and we only used clorox cleanup. I was told Lysol will work on fungi???? Anyone have any information on that? I tried it. No rust.
What about using carbeurator cleaner? I use it on my saws and dirty parts and it works great for dissolving grime. Any thoughts? I wonder if fungus could survive that type of solvent??

Oh, air compressor is a great way to get most of the stuff off the saws..

 

[Stumper]

YellowDog, I'm a Lysol fan (actually I use the Dollar store knock-offs). The Ammonum chloride compounds are good bacteriacides/fungicides and the carrier is mostly ethanol which is a killer too.

 

[Nickrosis]

Originally posted by Stumper
YellowDog, I'm a Lysol fan (actually I use the Dollar store knock-offs). The Ammonum chloride compounds are good bacteriacides/fungicides and the carrier is mostly ethanol which is a killer too.

Lysol here, too. Sometimes hard to find name-brand Lysol unless you go to a supermarket (but I never do that. )

 

[Yellowdog]

So, Lysol good. do you slop it on if you are working with wilt trees? that's what I do, just to be sure... I also like to let the saw rest a day or two and use a different saw if i was working around sick trees.

 

[Stumper]

No wilt here. Evidence is mounting that fireblight is not transfered via pruning cuts but I still spray the blade frequently when working infected trees. Otherwise my policy is to sanitize between jobs-wet the blade at jobs end and rewet before commencing work at the next location.

 

[Nickrosis]

You can spray it on with the aerosol.

If you can't find the aerosol, they sell it in bottles of concentrate that you can wipe on/wipe off.

 

[fattyphatcakes]

lysol also works on athletes foot.

 

[glens]

How about jock itch?&nbsp; :<tt></tt>)

 

[M.D. Vaden]

I use carburator cleaner then a soft bristle brush.

The local sharpening service soaks all blades and chains in a container of lye and water (like drain cleaner lye).

Anyhow, they all come out sparkling after a quick rinse.

I've used that method myself, keeping the solution in a tough plastic container that has a good lid.