Chainsaw Repair

The question: "I hear people talk about some saws that do or don't have anti vibe. Is this something to do with the engine or some other part of the saw?"

The answer:
Anti vibe is short for anti vibration. Simply put it is a system of isolating the handles of the chainsaw from the engine and bar to reduce felt vibration. This is done with either rubber parts of some sort or with coil springs. Almost all late model saws will have some type of anti vibe. Almost all antique saws will not.

Chain saw vibration has been found to cause health problems and the anti vibration systems are a means to reduce that. There are also special gloves available to give additional protection from vibration.

Looked into a number of these.

A lot of the gloves sold as 'anti-vibration' are not: they are actually 'impact resistant' gloves because they are padded but do not necessarily attenuate the vibration from the saw. Gloves must also be full fingered to be accurately termed as A/V. It gets very technical to test the gloves, but subjectively, you can evaluate how your hands feel after use.

I like the Impacto brand gloves with air bladders (like bubble wrap). They are also the most expensive: $40 - $50 a pair.

The gel gloves have to be segmented so that you can bend your fingers to operate the trigger, etc.  I have tried some where I could not bend my fingers to even grip the handles securely. The type of gel affects what vibration frequencies they absorb. $20 - $40 a pair.

Several companies sell a knit glove with foamy, segmented material on the palm. These are better than plain cloth or leather gloves, but don't hold up to heavy use. $10 - $20 a pair ( $26 if they say 'STIHL' on the back).

Philbert

There are a number of cumulative injuries associated with vibration - i.e. things that develop over time. Some of these are intermittent: they come and go. Some are permanent. Some get worse overtime with additional exposure.

These primarily affect blood vessels and nerves. Vibration is recognized as a risk factor for several conditions, including:

White finger
Hand-arm vibration syndrome
Raynaud's phenomenon
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tendinitis

Look these up on line for more specific information. Symptoms include loss of feeling in the hands, loss of muscular strength, inability to grip things, loss of blood flow (skin turns snow white), etc.

Other factors, such as cold weather, smoking, and repetitive or forceful gripping can make things worse.

Philbert

Different people have different tolerances/susceptibility.

An occupational medicine doctor could run tests to see if you have lost any function, but not something you can diagnose over the Internet.

Prevention just makes sense.

Philbert

I don't know about the others but if you have tendinitis or "tennis elbow" you will definitely know it. Mine seams to be seasonal and all saws without av go to the shelf as the ace wrap goes on! This is also a good time to cuss dolmar for no decomp on my 143!