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Women and Chain Saws I am a well know oddity at the local Home Depot. All of my “creations” are original, meaning that I build them from the ground up. For most there are no such things as instructions. Fortunately my early years on the farm allowed me to develop a good understanding of how to put the basics together. My larger projects require using construction materials in different ways or “off label uses”. Even if they don’t the ones I do in large quantities, such as stepping stones, would be way too costly if I used the smaller quantity attractively packaged material from the arts and crafts store. Yesterday I went to Home Depot for something usual. As I mentioned in a blog a couple of weeks ago my new primary doctor recommended more weight baring exercise. I figured out that even light yard and home repair work provides far more opportunities than classes in the exercise disciplines that are popular at the moment. My first act is to do all of the yard work myself. I am perfectly capable and love the creating aspect of gardening and yard work plus I love anything I can do outside. I just don’t like the maintenance. This week I started tackling cutting back some very overgrown hedges. They are some sort of evergreen. In the 30 years or so they have been around they developed some really sturdy branches up to 5 inches in diameter. It took me over an hour to clear out a 4 foot area. The results are acceptable but using the light weight hand tools I have came out looking a bit ragged. It became obvious I needed to use a chain saw. The ones at my house in town were purchased for use by my husband and then my who are / were both over 6 feet tall and weight around 240. I’m 5’5, weigh around 140 and have severe arthritis. I doubt I could even get the huge gas powered chain saws started and definitely could not hold them over my head and cut tree branches. Halloween is over so no need to reenact the Texas Chain Saw Massacre. I knew exactly what I needed. A small electric (plug in not battery operated) light weight chain saw. A bit of quick on line research to see what is available then off to prowl Home Depot. Logically the first stop was the tool department. All sorts of saws, many I never even heard of but no chain saws. They were in the garden department. I found them and began looking and comparing the ones that met my needs. Then, as often happens, seeing an old woman looking at socially inappropriate items, one of the staff tried to help. A woman staff person is usually very helpful but most are men. This would be great if any of the helpful men listened to what I was asking for. First he assumes I am buying the item for a man. No, it’s for me to use. I explained what I am doing and what I need to do it. He tried to convince me I really needed a hedge trimmer since I was working on a hedge. I explained that I have and use one but some of the branches are 5 inches in diameter. He agreed on a chain saw. OK but then comes his “advice” from a male perspective. I need a bigger, faster, fancier and no doubt more expensive model with all of the extras. I explained that I am not contemplating working on a logging crew, just want to do some heavier yard work. Back and forth we go and I have to get assertive about what I want. I get it but the helpful staff person is still reluctant. When I shop for cars or go to get my car worked on this phenomenon is worse. We women have made great inroads into the traditionally male world in the past 50 years but the old stereotypical thinking that we cannot possibly understand anything mechanical is alive and well. I have no intention of invading the construction business and really do not even like mechanics but that does not mean I am not able to understand and apply the basics well enough to figure out what I want and need. Yes, the job could definitely be done better by someone who is a foot taller and 100 pounds heavier than me and actually enjoys what they are doing but that does not mean I can’t get it done in different way. I am slower and need to take 3 steps to their 1 but the end results are the same. And most of all I am the one in need of the work out. Spiritwoman ^i^ |
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I had the same thing happen when I took the farm tractor in for some small repairs. The young man couldn't believe that I knew what I was talking about....LOLOL.
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11/4/2015 6:14 pm |
I had the same thing happen when I took the farm tractor in for some small repairs. The young man couldn't believe that I knew what I was talking about....LOLOL. Spiritwoman ^i^
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11/4/2015 6:16 pm |
Sadly even blond beach bunnies age. When that happens all of the admires who uses to jump to do things for them disappear. Spiritwoman ^i^
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11/4/2015 6:23 pm |
Now you know how I feel when I wander aimlessly around JoAnns or one of the fabric marts while Lucy is shopping. I don't have to tell you what assumptions make when they see a man admiring the flannel. I have a 14" electric chain saw that I use for smaller branches - 5" is not unreasonable. Just take the common precautions like gloves and maybe goggles to protect your eyes. Safety is a huge issue with chain saws but you'll be carving grizzly bears out of tree stumps in no time. The 14" & 16" models usually have self-oilers for the chain. One less problem. Good luck and be safe! Fossil As for carving - I wish. I have a yard full of yard, full of huge pieces at my house in town. The remains of my 60 year old pine tree that became a victim of our current drought. Spiritwoman ^i^
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11/4/2015 6:25 pm |
Maybe I should get a granny clamped costume to wear when I go to home depot. I do have one flannel shirt but I embroidered flowers on it. Spiritwoman ^i^
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You could do some ice sculpting with it as well being artistic.  Judgment Day will be interesting - and all paths lead there.
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11/5/2015 10:01 am |
Actually this comes from the days when I drove an 18 wheeler. I even wore skirts if I was not going to be loading or unloading myself. The message is that I may do a man's work but I do it as a woman, not a male clone. Spiritwoman ^i^
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11/5/2015 10:03 am |
You could do some ice sculpting with it as well being artistic. Spiritwoman ^i^
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11/5/2015 10:06 am |
Protective gear is important, good boots being critical even though I often neglect some of these. I am pron to being outside in my flip flops and shorts when I have an ADD moment and find myself doing things that require full safety gear! I need to pay more attention. Spiritwoman ^i^
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11/6/2015 9:43 am |
Thank you for sharing your experience. We'll see how mine compares when I take the new saw out for a spin later today. Spiritwoman ^i^
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