Maggie’s The Woodchuck and Firewood Hoarders Thread

[Mr. Z]

Spent the day running the 550xp, what a fantastic little saw! Dropped about 70 box elder and a handful of hardwoods, from thigh size to a couple feet across. Just cleaning out a wood lot so pieced out into skid steer workable lengths. 8 hours straight -10 min for lunch and I’m a bit tired but could have kept going for hours. The right equipment sure makes for an enjoyable day. The lot is just over 2 acres. Be back to clean it out December 8th.

 

[tnichols]

Spent the day running the 550xp, what a fantastic little saw! Dropped about 70 box elder and a handful of hardwoods, from thigh size to a couple feet across. Just cleaning out a wood lot so pieced out into skid steer workable lengths. 8 hours straight -10 min for lunch and I’m a bit tired but could have kept going for hours. The right equipment sure makes for an enjoyable day. The lot is just over 2 acres. Be back to clean it out December 8th.
View attachment 6978016

That’s a long day on the saw. And I thought us poor IA bastards were the only ones cursed with Box Elder (Manitoba Maple) ?

 

[IowaPlinker]

That’s a long day on the saw. And I thought us poor IA bastards were the only ones cursed with Box Elder (Manitoba Maple) ?

Does box elder burn hot? Any idea?

 

[tnichols]

Does box elder burn hot? Any idea?

It’s ok. It’s quite soft. It’s a kissing cousin to our Silver Maple. Good for start ups and quick fast heat. I understand it turns/carves well for guys that are into wood working. When cut, it’s a very bright/white wood with reddish veins running through it.

 

[Mr. Z]

That’s a long day on the saw. And I thought us poor IA bastards were the only ones cursed with Box Elder (Manitoba Maple) ?

On the plus side, a hairdresser or fry cook could tell you which way they’re going to drop with frightening accuracy.

 

[tnichols]

On the plus side, a hairdresser or fry cook could tell you which way they’re going to drop with frightening accuracy.

? Agreed.

 

[Barneybdb]

When you are in a hurry.....

 

[Grease]

Last load of the year, Gambel Oak and Bigtooth Maple. 272xp spun bearing, had to go back to the 1992 Stihl 038 Magnum. Best saw I've ever owned, I'm sure we've cut over 100 cord together.

 

[Icallem]

Anybody use a Sugihara bar? Are they worth the difference in price?

Running an 18 inch bar right now, but found 3 new 20 inch chains yesterday in a box on the tractor, so looking for a bar.

Thanks

 

[tnichols]

I don’t but hear they are the cats ass. I think they would have an advantage on the big saws (24” plus) where the weight savings would be noticeable. I toyed with the idea for my 441, just never got around to it.

 

[MotorOilMcCall]

I've run Sugi's plenty. Are they worth the extra price? Not for a 20" bar... If you get into long bars, they make a nice light version that is worth the extra dollars.
For the money, it's tough to beat an Oregon bar, just make sure you get one with a replaceable tip. I've seized more than a couple nose sprockets.
Typically, I run a Stihl bar (even on my Husky's, but with an adapter), they're harder than the Oregon bars, and with better sprockets. They're more expensive than the Oregon's, and on par or less than the Sugi's.

 

[MotorOilMcCall]

Other thing you could do is just take those 20" chains to a good saw shop (any saw shop really), and have them break/spin them down to 18"... It's just a matter of pulling 4-6 drive links.
I got tired of buying loops, so I bought a breaker/spinner. Amazing how much less chain I waste.

 

[Icallem]

Thanks for the replies.

I was not looking so much at the weight savings, but rather the "advertised" effect of them lasting longer.

Thoughts?

 

[MotorOilMcCall]

They won't last longer than a Stihl bar.

 

[MotorOilMcCall]

In order of durability, in my experience:
Cannon/Stihl/Sugihara (tie)
Windsor/Carlton & WoodlandPro (tie) (WP bars are actually made by Cannon, or used to be at least, but the sprocket tips use a different bearing and sprocket, which doesn't last as long for me)
Oregon/Echo/Husqvarna, etc (all manufacturers outside of Stihl use rebranded bars, typically from Oregon) (also, they make different grades of bars, so I'm talking pro grade bars, not the cheap consumer stuff... )
Forester (I hate these POS's, but they make for good cheap hard nose bars for really nasty jobs, where you'll trash anything anyway)

 

[Icallem]

Thanks again for the replies.

I have used Stihl, Oregon and Husqvarna bars all with good luck.

Running a Dolmar 7310 and have changed out the nose piece once on the original 20 inch bar, but now running the 18 inch bar. This saw has had 90 tanks of gas ran through it. Thought I would retire it at 100 tanks and give another saw a chance. Have a Dolmar 6421 just waiting to go to the woods. For now I'll just carry on with the 18 inch bar, but only have 2 chains with it, so will get another 20 inch sometime.

I have never had a tree fall and bend a bar, but as sure as I give $100 for a bar it will happen that afternoon.

 

[tnichols]

Bluebird day today with light winds, no snow, etc... Worked in the timber just across from us, so never more than a half mile from home. Scrounged a small bit of Mulberry and scored a fair amount of Black Cherry. One was a blow down root ball and all hung up in the tops of others at about a 45 degree angle. The other dead standing with top blown out. Both dead 2-3 years as the bark was/had shed mostly ??. Two good sized pickup loads.

 

[Northfl]

So i took a bowl turning class last week. Never ever any of you guys do that. I made a bowl in the class and have since bought a small lathe. (Nova comet 2). It came with a chuck and a small set of tools. Went back and bought a set of bigger rikon carbide tipped tools and some wood and bottle stopper kits. Went back again and bought a bigger parting tool, a bowl gouge and a block of ambrosia maple to make mom a bowl for christmas.
So far made a few things for presents. Some bottle stoppers and a semi finished base for the wife and just finished up the biwl for mom. It has been fun learning all of this. Wish we had some of the good wood down here in florida.

 

[tnichols]

So i took a bowl turning class last week. Never ever any of you guys do that. I made a bowl in the class and have since bought a small lathe. (Nova comet 2). It came with a chuck and a small set of tools. Went back and bought a set of bigger rikon carbide tipped tools and some wood and bottle stopper kits. Went back again and bought a bigger parting tool, a bowl gouge and a block of ambrosia maple to make mom a bowl for christmas.
So far made a few things for presents. Some bottle stoppers and a semi finished base for the wife and just finished up the biwl for mom. It has been fun learning all of this. Wish we had some of the good wood down here in florida. View attachment 6988154View attachment 6988155View attachment 6988156

What wood species is that? I’ve never turned anything, but the limited reading I’ve done on it I understand certain species are more desirable than others.

 

[MotorOilMcCall]

Ambrosia Maple... which is really any species of Maple that's been infested by Ambrosia beetles. They leave a fungus in the tree (their feces technically grows it), which discolors the wood and leaves the discoloration, which most people find decorative. Some of the wood will have bore holes from the beetles themselves, but many turners choose a chunk where the discoloration has grown/leeched through the wood, but the beetles haven't bored.

Maple is a great wood to turn, as it's nice and hard without being too hard, and its typically tight grained (again, depends on the species). Willow actually has a nice color and grain to it as well, and is very soft, so it makes turning it easier, though often times it's so soft it can chunk out...

 

[Northfl]

Guy at the wood store told about ambrosia maple. Said it was maple that the beetle got into and some marketing fella said we can call it ambrosia maple and jack the price up a bit.

 

[Decoy]

 

[Sean the Nailer]

Ambrosia Maple... which is really any species of Maple that's been infested by Ambrosia beetles. They leave a fungus in the tree (their feces technically grows it), which discolors the wood and leaves the discoloration, which most people find decorative. Some of the wood will have bore holes from the beetles themselves, but many turners choose a chunk where the discoloration has grown/leeched through the wood, but the beetles haven't bored.

Maple is a great wood to turn, as it's nice and hard without being too hard, and its typically tight grained (again, depends on the species). Willow actually has a nice color and grain to it as well, and is very soft, so it makes turning it easier, though often times it's so soft it can chunk out...

I've split a lot of wood over my years, and I can honestly say, unequivocally, that Willow is by-far the absolute easiest wood I've ever split in my life. It was SO easy, that I simply walked around, swinging the axe like a windmill in one hand, hitting all the bucked-up pieces on the ends, and the pieces were splitting in half with practically NO effort whatsoever.

And all those bucked pieces were in the 16-18" long range. And anywhere from 3" diameter to 8-10" diameter. Buckers 'n splitters heaven, let me tell you.

 

[MotorOilMcCall]

Yeah, air splits pretty easy! Haha. Willow is one of those woods I don't even bother with... Half the time the grain is so twisted it doesn't split straight anyway, and it doesn't stack worth a darn... Plus it has such little heat value, I wouldn't bother cutting or splitting it unless it was all I had available. It doesn't smell very good burning either.

 

[Barneybdb]

My preferred method, det cord also works well...

 

[tnichols]

My preferred method, det cord also works well...

View attachment 6989071

Unfortunately, I don’t have access to a crew served weapon system or det cord. But, you’ll still need a saw to make that fit in a stove ?

 

[Mr. Z]

Not with enough ammo. You could fit that tree in a bucket if I had my way. Also the tannerite is a great way to drop a hanger.

 

[tnichols]

Not with enough ammo. You could fit that tree in a bucket if I had my way. Also the tannerite is a great way to drop a hanger.

?

 

[Barneybdb]

Unfortunately, I don’t have access to a crew served weapon system or det cord. But, you’ll still need a saw to make that fit in a stove ?

It is more suited to prepping a helo LZ in a hurry.

 

[tnichols]

It is more suited to prepping a helo LZ in a hurry.

Completely understand ?

 

[Mr. Z]

Once again proving it’s not what you know, I ran into a buddy that works for the village I live in. He informs me that they are taking down a FEW HUNDRED ash trees due to emerald ash borer, with some maple and oak mixed in, and they need a place to go with the logs. Unlimited firewood delivered for free right next to the stack. No tops or brush and all clean. Also told me they will stop delivery only when I say stop.

 

[tnichols]

Once again proving it’s not what you know, I ran into a buddy that works for the village I live in. He informs me that they are taking down a FEW HUNDRED ash trees due to emerald ash borer, with some maple and oak mixed in, and they need a place to go with the logs. Unlimited firewood delivered for free right next to the stack. No tops or brush and all clean. Also told me they will stop delivery only when I say stop.View attachment 6989625View attachment 6989626

Wow! Sure hard to beat that! Great score. Do you have an OWB or a stove? I have a Brave 34 ton and love it.

 

[Mr. Z]

Wow! Sure hard to beat that! Great score. Do you have an OWB or a stove? I have a Brave 34 ton and love it.

I’ve got a stove in the basement. I sell it too.

 

[Grease]

Once again proving it’s not what you know, I ran into a buddy that works for the village I live in. He informs me that they are taking down a FEW HUNDRED ash trees due to emerald ash borer, with some maple and oak mixed in, and they need a place to go with the logs. Unlimited firewood delivered for free right next to the stack. No tops or brush and all clean. Also told me they will stop delivery only when I say stop.View attachment 6989625View attachment 6989626

All great BTU wood, congrats...

 

[7mMike]

My new toy.

 

[tnichols]

My new toy.

395 with a Sugi ??????

 

[7mMike]

And hear is a scale in with a load of chips..

 

[tnichols]

Hope you have a LOT of axles ?

 

[7mMike]

Hope you have a LOT of axles ?

6 total little heavy on the drives lol

 

[Grease]

My new toy.

That is one Badass chip throwing machine..

 

[7mMike]

That is one Badass chip throwing machine..

Yes they are! Put a 8 pin race sprocket in with a 20-24 bar and let the fun begin for some firewood fun...

 

[Decoy]

Unfortunately, I don’t have access to a crew served weapon system or det cord. But, you’ll still need a saw to make that fit in a stove ?

Well I guess you could use a SAW to fit it in a stove but being a .223 it will require a shit ton of ammo and a few barrel changes!

 

[Decoy]

Well I decided to make my main wood shed larger this year and give me a spot to park the tractor in the winter. Thought it would be a piece of cake, just auger a few holes and have my buddies help me drop the telephone poles into place. Well scraped the gravel off to begin digging the holes and I found it was solid 2"-12" pit run all the way down. I needed to go down 40" so it took me over a week to get both holes done by hand, loosing it with a pressure washer each night. They ended up being like 3' x 4' each due to the stacked pit run and opening it up to clear the bigger rocks.

Buddies were all backed up on their schedules so I decided to do it by my self.

Thank god for the tractor and a bunch of chains.

 

[Decoy]

Got the poles in and plumbed up pretty nicely, the actual hard part was mixing the 26 - 80lbs bags of sackcrete by hand.

Cut the poles off and my buddy had time to help me get it up and secured, a little bit of a challenge still I was out of travel on the tractor

I had some rough cut 2x8x16 timbers stored up in the out barn in the back that worked out nicely.

Had to move most of my wood to the patio area under the carport during construction so it will not get completely filled up this year.

Dog Tax, he only dropped his tennis ball in the concrete 8 or 9 times and stepped in about 4 times. Better than expected.

 

[Decoy]

Poles aren't going anywhere soon.

18-20" of pit run

3 ft pieces of Rebar and a combined 26 bags of mud, 4 tennis balls, one squeaky Squirrel toy, a couple of misc sticks I threw him to get him away

Gave up and let him keep his signature in tack

 

[tnichols]

That’ll be a fine woodshed for sure! A lot of time and work. It looks like the dog was good help too ?. And if the build wasn’t enough work, now more work lies ahead to fill it. Enjoyed the pics of the project.

 

[7mMike]

Poles aren't going anywhere soon.

View attachment 6990072

18-20" of pit run

View attachment 6990073

3 ft pieces of Rebar and a combined 26 bags of mud, 4 tennis balls, one squeaky Squirrel toy, a couple of misc sticks I threw him to get him away

View attachment 6990076

Gave up and let him keep his signature in tack

View attachment 6990077

Nice job on the shed. What size Kubota is that? I had a l5030 and upgraded a few years back on a m6040 both been great tractors.

 

[tnichols]

Bright yellow chips = Mulberry. Plentiful here if you’re patient enough or ahead enough to season it. Cousin to Hedge/Osage Orange ??

 

[7mMike]

Bright yellow chips = Mulberry. Plentiful here if you’re patient enough or ahead enough to season it. Cousin to Hedge/Osage Orange ??
View attachment 6991073

Good choice on the chaps! I haul wood past there home shop all the time. Good old NewEngland company!

 

[tnichols]

Good choice on the chaps! I haul wood past there home shop all the time. Good old NewEngland company!

Yessir. Cut wood without them for years, now feel naked without them. Bought my 14 year old son a set for his birthday in October as I’m breaking him in slowly on running a saw.