The stove is leaving a contrail tonight fellas ?. I’d like to take credit for excellent planning, but as luck would have it, my tiny outdoor stash of shoulder season wood ran out today. It’s softer stuff I’ve been blending with the indoor stored premium stuff. In these temps it’s getting a steady diet of Oak and Shagbark. Pure dumb luck.
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Maggie’s The Woodchuck and Firewood Hoarders Thread
- Thread starter bogeybrown
- Start date
Justification for you all, gentlemen. I just was informed yesterday by a friend of ours, that they've been having 'furnace problems' since before Christmas. (it gets down to the -30's here at night, with well into the -40's with windchill)
It seems, that they did the "responsible" thing of having a 'business' sell them (?) a water tank, home furnace, and A/C unit on a 'rental' system. They'll look after all that is required, whereas my friends just "pay monthly" for the luxury. And this way too, there's no big up-front costs and whatnot.
What can go wrong, right?
Well, something ain't working somewhere, and the most they can get out of it is house temperatures of 14-15 (C) at any time. The 'agency' has sent someone out claiming to be a technician a number of times. Different person almost every time. There is different circuitry and 'boards' being changed in the thermostat, and other wiring "gobble-de-gook" being done a few times (as stated by my friend).
I first-off told her that this is an UNACCEPTABLE situation, and I'd be raising Holy-Hell with the company. Secondly, I told her about getting a construction heater from Home Despots and plugging it into her dryer outlet. Just to get them something, right now. (We're going through a cold snap here, and it's windy too)
Now, as I've stated in another thread, we have all kinds of things going on here in our house. My/our friends consciously made the decision to go that route with their home and with their finances. They also have made the conscious decision to tolerate this since 'before Christmas'.
I cannot fathom the situation. At the same time, I cannot 'take over' and solve their problems. I definitely suggested some options, and suing the bastards was also in the talks. I'm sure there's a 'bare minimum temperature' or something that is required by some standard or another.
My point of all this blathering drivel, is for ALL YA'LL to see just what you're avoiding, and just what you're taking responsibility for, when you go out and harvest/process wood. And have your own furnace/boiler/fireplace/firepit to take responsibility for yourselves. And you're doing a damn fine job. Some of these woodsheds are quite enviable. Actually, they ALL are, considering that we do have a woodpile here, for having the odd fire in the pit in the backyard. But for ya'll who heat your homes all winter with wood, I commend you.
I'd love to get the hell out of this city, and do the same myself. Now if I can only figure out how to run a chainsaw with one hand, whilst holding myself up with a cane in the other.....
And one-handed axe-swinging ain't the greatest either. (don't ask how I know that....)
I'm not sure what to think of my friends at the moment..... I'm shaking my head.
It seems, that they did the "responsible" thing of having a 'business' sell them (?) a water tank, home furnace, and A/C unit on a 'rental' system. They'll look after all that is required, whereas my friends just "pay monthly" for the luxury. And this way too, there's no big up-front costs and whatnot.
What can go wrong, right?
Well, something ain't working somewhere, and the most they can get out of it is house temperatures of 14-15 (C) at any time. The 'agency' has sent someone out claiming to be a technician a number of times. Different person almost every time. There is different circuitry and 'boards' being changed in the thermostat, and other wiring "gobble-de-gook" being done a few times (as stated by my friend).
I first-off told her that this is an UNACCEPTABLE situation, and I'd be raising Holy-Hell with the company. Secondly, I told her about getting a construction heater from Home Despots and plugging it into her dryer outlet. Just to get them something, right now. (We're going through a cold snap here, and it's windy too)
Now, as I've stated in another thread, we have all kinds of things going on here in our house. My/our friends consciously made the decision to go that route with their home and with their finances. They also have made the conscious decision to tolerate this since 'before Christmas'.
I cannot fathom the situation. At the same time, I cannot 'take over' and solve their problems. I definitely suggested some options, and suing the bastards was also in the talks. I'm sure there's a 'bare minimum temperature' or something that is required by some standard or another.
My point of all this blathering drivel, is for ALL YA'LL to see just what you're avoiding, and just what you're taking responsibility for, when you go out and harvest/process wood. And have your own furnace/boiler/fireplace/firepit to take responsibility for yourselves. And you're doing a damn fine job. Some of these woodsheds are quite enviable. Actually, they ALL are, considering that we do have a woodpile here, for having the odd fire in the pit in the backyard. But for ya'll who heat your homes all winter with wood, I commend you.
I'd love to get the hell out of this city, and do the same myself. Now if I can only figure out how to run a chainsaw with one hand, whilst holding myself up with a cane in the other.....
And one-handed axe-swinging ain't the greatest either. (don't ask how I know that....)
I'm not sure what to think of my friends at the moment..... I'm shaking my head.
My woodshed holds around 5 cords of 2-5 year old red and white oak. My BIL sells firewood and sells to me so cheap, I only cut some myself when opportunities present, like a neighbor or acquaintance calls me with a tree down.
I have more under tarps and try to keep what’s in the shed for when the zombies come.
Also visible is part of my 135’ offset center fed dipole Ham antenna hanging in the sky LOL
I have more under tarps and try to keep what’s in the shed for when the zombies come.
Also visible is part of my 135’ offset center fed dipole Ham antenna hanging in the sky LOL
They don’t want/need the work? Insurance? We hire a guy to clean our chimney in early fall (produces a piece of paper the insurance company may want to see in the event of a problem) and when he’s not cleaning chimneys he’s building them. He may know someone in your neck of the woods that would take the work. IDK
Not a big enough job I guess... the thing would have to be about 24’ tall. I’ve talked to 3 different contractors from around here and told them I pay cash. Figured that would help. Guess not.
Doctor told me the other day that I have a bulging disc in my lower back. My wood stove said it does not care about no stinkin bulging disc, it wants wood.
Thinking about ripping the larger blocks rather than just horse them around (maybe the reason for the bad disc).
I have heard that a skip tooth chain is better for ripping, but have not tried one.
Are they better?
Half skip or full skip?
I have another saw that I can setup with a 24 inch bar and new chain, but wanted to hear some of your thoughts.
Thanks
Thinking about ripping the larger blocks rather than just horse them around (maybe the reason for the bad disc).
I have heard that a skip tooth chain is better for ripping, but have not tried one.
Are they better?
Half skip or full skip?
I have another saw that I can setup with a 24 inch bar and new chain, but wanted to hear some of your thoughts.
Thanks
I don't noodle many logs so I can't recommend a chain. Have you thought about cutting your lengths shorter? If you have been cutting 18"-24" try cutting them to 10"-12". They will be much lighter and easier to split. That means you will need to handle a lot more, smaller pieces but that may be easier on your back. Ripping logs isn't the easiest thing in the world either. Good luck with the back trouble, I know it sucks.
So i have been playing on the lathe quite a bit here lately. Recently bought a slow speed grinder and sharpening jig for the bowl gouge and a couple more tools. Making a few different things while learning more and more everytime i turn it on
bottlestopper with a concho inlay
brazillian cherry bowl and a eastern red cedar cake plate
red cedar bowl, purpleheart gobblet and a purple heart jewlery thingamajig with a bocote wood fineal on top and a bubinga gobblet
Baleys sells rip chain. You use it with the chain saw mills.
I don't usually rip firewood unless it is too big to get on splitter. Then I just cut about a blade width using regular chain and insert wedge.
Cutting green water oak right now, the regular chain works good, however I am cutting the blocks about 22 inches with a 20 inch bar on this saw. That has me short on a rip cut which I don't think is very safe. I have been doing it, but that does not make it right. Going to set up the other saw with a 24 inch bar and will need a new chain and just thought if the skip tooth was better I would get that. Will order a bar tomorrow and sort out the chain when that time comes.
Thanks for the comments
Thanks for the comments
I have a request could one of you that truly knows what he is doing post a video of how to correctly use a file.
My dad and grandfather have taught me a lot but how to run a saw or take care of one is something I'm having to learn as I go. Thanks
My dad and grandfather have taught me a lot but how to run a saw or take care of one is something I'm having to learn as I go. Thanks
I’m guessing you want a vid on chain sharpening. Sorry, but I can’t help. But, I’m sure there are fellas here that file their own. I take several loops with me to the timber. When they start making dust instead of chips, I pull it and replace with a sharp one. I can fuel, oil, and change out bar chain pretty quick. Hand filing a loop on a 30” bar chain takes a while. My Stihl dealer does them for $6 off the saw. Post ‘em up fellas.
I don’t have enough hands to file and hold a camera...
It’s pretty simple though if you keep up on it. 4-5 strokes often is a lot better than waiting till it’s reallt dull and having to do a lot. They make a guide that helps keep the angle consistent but once you do it for a while you just let the feel of the file guide you. I take half as many strokes off the rakers also. I like an aggressive chain though
It’s pretty simple though if you keep up on it. 4-5 strokes often is a lot better than waiting till it’s reallt dull and having to do a lot. They make a guide that helps keep the angle consistent but once you do it for a while you just let the feel of the file guide you. I take half as many strokes off the rakers also. I like an aggressive chain though
Youtube is your Huckleberry. Bout every way you can sharpen them is on there. Here's a great old school example and a great place to start.
unless i hit a piece of steel in the wood, i just hand file, i believe its much faster than replacing chain...
practice, practice practice...
you will have an ahaaa moment...
dont be suckered into using the file after its been dulled, buy them by the box of 12 from amazon...get the wooden handle for the file from a hardware store.
and drop the rakers
practice, practice practice...
you will have an ahaaa moment...
dont be suckered into using the file after its been dulled, buy them by the box of 12 from amazon...get the wooden handle for the file from a hardware store.
and drop the rakers
Remember only take the rackers down a little! Other wise you will have one snappy saw lol ...
I’ve got a couple with almost no rakers left. Did some testing years ago. The bigger the saw the easier it is to handle with a chain like that. The smaller saws with too
Much raker missing can get dangerous. There’s a happy play with them just like anything else.
Much raker missing can get dangerous. There’s a happy play with them just like anything else.
i dont get into the measurements, i, by eye, follow the marked angle on the chain tooth. and, just punish the rakers
i at least quickly tune it up every tank and if i go swimming in the dirt, i stop and re tune the chain...
maybe a year or so ago i asked the same question myself.
ill be on the saw in a hour, ill take some picks.
i think folks either dont file a damaged chain enough or they use old bad file, they dont last forever, i now buy boxes of 12 from oregon and they rock.
trust yourself, file it.
dont worry about too much, just file it, something always happens where you replace the chain before you use up the tooths or teeths
i at least quickly tune it up every tank and if i go swimming in the dirt, i stop and re tune the chain...
maybe a year or so ago i asked the same question myself.
ill be on the saw in a hour, ill take some picks.
i think folks either dont file a damaged chain enough or they use old bad file, they dont last forever, i now buy boxes of 12 from oregon and they rock.
trust yourself, file it.
dont worry about too much, just file it, something always happens where you replace the chain before you use up the tooths or teeths
Harbour Freight. This is like $6.99 and they work like a champ. Just go easy and let the file do the work. Check the leading edge to make sure you're not rolling metal over the leading edge of the tooth.
It will cut like butter if you use it correctly.
It will cut like butter if you use it correctly.
It’s been a while since I posted anything, anywhere.
I’ve been covered up with work, and got so far ahead on Ironworking that the owner pulled me to help on a bulkhead job on Dauphin Island, AL while I wait for the subs to catch up on my last building and get going on the one I just did in Mississippi.
I spent my day cutting spear points on pilings and then jumping in the water to help set them.
The 260 Pro got a massive workout today. Many thanks to @Icallem for the gift of that saw. It has yet to skip a beat. It got so hot today that when I marked my starting point on the chain to reaharpen it the damn marker melted, and it still cranked right back up and finished the day on those treated logs.
For those of y’all cursed with a “real” winter, I feel for you. Air temps were in the 70’s today and the water was cool but manageable.
It was a nice break from hanging iron on a building in 40* rain last week.
I’ve been covered up with work, and got so far ahead on Ironworking that the owner pulled me to help on a bulkhead job on Dauphin Island, AL while I wait for the subs to catch up on my last building and get going on the one I just did in Mississippi.
I spent my day cutting spear points on pilings and then jumping in the water to help set them.
The 260 Pro got a massive workout today. Many thanks to @Icallem for the gift of that saw. It has yet to skip a beat. It got so hot today that when I marked my starting point on the chain to reaharpen it the damn marker melted, and it still cranked right back up and finished the day on those treated logs.
For those of y’all cursed with a “real” winter, I feel for you. Air temps were in the 70’s today and the water was cool but manageable.
It was a nice break from hanging iron on a building in 40* rain last week.
Thanks brother.
I spent most of the day cutting in my chest waders until they got hot and I stripped to shorts and steel-toes.
The boss knows “the story” of my near miss at your place and started fucking with me about where were my chaps.
I dog-cussed him all the way back to my truck telling him he’d cursed me by menationing them.
Those of y’all that missed it can go back to posts in this thread from April of last year when my chaps saved my dick down at @oneshot86 ‘s place
Ya'll'r bitchin an moanin about 'getting wet'. Ok, fine. Climb up on my shoulder and I'll burp ya, you big babies!
Right now, here, it is -12 with a -19 windchill, and these are "balmy weathers" compared to the cold spell we've just had for just over 3 weeks. -35 to -43 through the day, with as low as -52 windchill. Folks North of us got it even worse.
So yeah, trudging around in that water, is something I can only DREAM about right now. And as per 'loading a boiler in sleet', I'm proud of you that you HAVE a boiler, and moreso that you STILL have a month left of wood supply. You used your kidney in setting all that up. Good on ya'. One day, when I/we are rich an' famous, we'll have ourselves some land and the ability to do the same thing. Right now, I'm exactly half-way to being filthy rich!
Right now, here, it is -12 with a -19 windchill, and these are "balmy weathers" compared to the cold spell we've just had for just over 3 weeks. -35 to -43 through the day, with as low as -52 windchill. Folks North of us got it even worse.
So yeah, trudging around in that water, is something I can only DREAM about right now. And as per 'loading a boiler in sleet', I'm proud of you that you HAVE a boiler, and moreso that you STILL have a month left of wood supply. You used your kidney in setting all that up. Good on ya'. One day, when I/we are rich an' famous, we'll have ourselves some land and the ability to do the same thing. Right now, I'm exactly half-way to being filthy rich!
Ya'll'r bitchin an moanin about 'getting wet'. Ok, fine. Climb up on my shoulder and I'll burp ya, you big babies!
Right now, here, it is -12 with a -19 windchill, and these are "balmy weathers" compared to the cold spell we've just had for just over 3 weeks. -35 to -43 through the day, with as low as -52 windchill. Folks North of us got it even worse.
So yeah, trudging around in that water, is something I can only DREAM about right now. And as per 'loading a boiler in sleet', I'm proud of you that you HAVE a boiler, and moreso that you STILL have a month left of wood supply. You used your kidney in setting all that up. Good on ya'. One day, when I/we are rich an' famous, we'll have ourselves some land and the ability to do the same thing. Right now, I'm exactly half-way to being filthy rich!
Believe me my friend, I know how nice I have it down here. My buddy spends 8 hours a day in the water wearing shorts and a t-shirt and has no problem reminding those of us in neoprene what pussies we are.
After doing 3 winters in Chicago during my failed experiment being near family I knew where my southern ass belonged.
Finally back at it. Bay #1 ran dry about a week ago so I started processing/splitting this afternoon. I have to bust it up small to fit our fire box. This first course is 99% Cherry with a sprinkling of Mulberry. Have a fair amount of rounds ready to split sitting outdoors than I need to get to after the thaw.
That’s a big tree for sure. Hope it went where you wanted it.View attachment 7044669
View attachment 7044672
This was fun getting down it was threatening my shop and the powerlines
I’m looking for some advice/opinions here. I need a new saw. I bought a new 20” Polan Pro about ~2yrs ago and it’s a piece of shit. Last year I bought a Stihl pole saw and it’s an awesome machine. I can cut more limbs in 20 min than I can haul off in 2 hours. I’ve been looking at Stihl and Husky saws. I’d like to stay with a 20” bar. I’m decently built and can handle a fair sized saw. Tractor Supply carries Husky now. I seen they have a Rancher 20” model. Both an E series and a non E series. One is $50 more than the other. The local John Deer house carries Stihl. That is where I got my pole saw. Any advice on one brand/model over the other? 90% of my cutting is all hardwoods. Oak mainly, pecan, some hickory, and the occasional cedar when I can’t push it over with a tractor. Like to stay $500 or below on price.
It's kind of a Ford/Chevy thing with brands between Stihl and Husq.
As far as the "Rancher" series, don't go below the 455, and go bigger if you can. If you're buying either brand from a dealer ask them if they'll switch out the ridiculous "safety" chain that will inevitably come stock on it with a non-safety chain.
See what's the best price you can get on a pro-series saw in the 60cc range. They may even have a used one.
Good advice from Bogey. I run all Stihl’s because I have a fantastic dealer. He calls me from time to time if I haven’t been in for awhile to see how we’re getting along with the equipment he sold us. First class service. Best part is, he listens if I have a gripe. He always responds with, “Bring it in, we want you to be happy”.
If I had a dealer that sold pro grade Huskies in my area with that kind of service, I would not hesitate to buy one. Both are great saws (the pro grade stuff) anyway.
For the record, I’m just a firewood cutter. Don’t own a tree service or lumber outfit.
If I had a dealer that sold pro grade Huskies in my area with that kind of service, I would not hesitate to buy one. Both are great saws (the pro grade stuff) anyway.
For the record, I’m just a firewood cutter. Don’t own a tree service or lumber outfit.
FINALLY got into the timber today, barely, as we’re still really soft. Frost isn’t out, so really greasy on top yet. Set up a big oak leaner that is hung up in a top. Hope to jack knife it once I can get some traction to pull it from a 100 ft away with the Dodge timber wagon. In the pics, I left a ton of holding wood for the time being until the day I can give it a tug.
North:
nice turning projects. Have a 3520B in my shop that I use for furniture projects and haven't used it for bowls and such. After seeing yours may give it a try. Have a bunch of mesquite from a big tree that went down at my house.
I havent seen any mesquite turned. I suppose it would turn out pretty good. I have been turning a bunch of eastern red cedar lately, but gonna try and start working away from it due to its toxicity and it it prone to come apart it getting too aggressive with the gouge or speed. I had one come apart a couple of weeks ago just high speed and steel wool not alot of pressure at all. Broke a garage window and part if it hit me in the fat gut and bruised it up and some skin lacerations. Hurt like hell.
