1st day cutting in Texas

[Kenskip1]

I have been living in Coleman county here in Texas for a little over a year. Before I used to cut my firewood in NY state in Oneida county. Well today was my first out cutting any quanity of wood.My guide told me we have all the mesquite avaailable that we want to cut.We arrived at the lot.1400 acres and 200 was nothing but Mesquite piled into piles dragged by a tractor.I was well armed for this adventure.Mu Reringed Husky 55 and my trusty Stihl 028.The Husky has a oregon 3/8 18 bc combination, The 028 has a 16in 325 Oregon 35lp. My guide has 2 Stihl 029. His saws were "Well sharpened". Both of my chains had time on them and have been sharpen with my HF grinder.To cut to the chase, litterally, my saws smoked his.No comparision.His was spewing mostly dust but I was sending chips.This wood that we were cutting was all mesquite.The largest that we cut was about 16 inches at the but.During a break we talked about saws. I let him use my Husky and he did not run it easy, but full throttle. Chips went every whear. I felt great knowing that my time spent on the chains was paying off. After another break I sent the 028 into action.Even with the well used chain, this saw covered itself with glory.His "Sharper" 029 was screaming as I moved into a larger chunk of wood. He shut his saw off and was catching his breath as I did also.I handed him my 028 and said, "Let her rip"This man loves his 029's but he made me an offer for my 028. "Not for Sale". I explained to him that the reason that his saws would not cut well was because the sharpening method that he was using was well below par.I told him that I would be happy to teach him proper methods and procedures. By the way, he was using his Safety chains.He has about 18 of them. I would like to thank all the members for their knowledge and wisdon. Without this I may not have been such a great success. I sat in my garage just looking at my 028, and Husky 55. What a wonderful feeling that I get. Thanks all, Ken in Coleman Texas.

 

[NYH1]

kenskip1@verizo, I cut some of my forewood in Oneida County, in the McConnelsville, NY area. Got 3 deer up there in the last 8 or so years too! What part of Oneida County did you cut your wood in?

 

[Kenskip1]

NYH1=Thanks for the reply,I used to cut wood in the AVA,Point Rock area. Plenty of state land their.I had written permission to take the tops left over by the loggers. Plenty of free wood that would just sit and rot.If you are anywhere near rout 26, go up stokes hill until you pass the post office. Turn right and go along until you cross over a stream then make another right then bear to the right. This area has some private land on both sides but the road has to be left open to allow access to the county land.
I also did much more cutting near The Point Rock Fish and Game Club.Lots of turkey's in the area. I miss the sight of Fish Creek after a heavy rain. Ken

 

[NYH1]

I believe Ava is northeast of McConnelsville (without looking at a map). It's farther up on the Tug Hill isn't it? You went from one of the snowiest places east of the Mississippi to Texas.....................how hard was that to get used to?

 

[Kenskip1]

NYH1-Well it is this way, I had shoveled my last roof in my life.Going fron NY to Texas was one of the best moves that I have ever made. The cost of living here is well below the cost of NY.My home taxes were $140 a season.I live on a half acre lot. The people here are a friendl lot, although the man I was cutting with is a bad influecne. He is going to try and make a Texan out of me. Good luck! The cost of gas here is in the $2.08 area. Texas has it's drawbacks, like heat during the summer.The quality and price of food here is great. The man that I cut with bought me lunch.Briskit beans cole slaw,bread, $5.98. You just cannot get that in NY.The meat was tender and moist ext.Most beef here is locally grown. Texan's love their beef.While driving back you can look out the window and see for many miles.The cost of real estate here is way below from NY. I would make a guess that a 20% cost for a compatable home.You can have your senator.Keep her away from Texas.Ken

 

[NYH1]

You can have your senator.Keep her away from Texas.Ken

Yeah, I'd like to send Billary back to Illinois where she belongs. She can even take her liberal NYC area supporter with her..................................that would be even better!

 

[turnkey4099]

I have been living in Coleman county here in Texas for a little over a year. Before I used to cut my firewood in NY state in Oneida county. Well today was my first out cutting any quanity of wood.My guide told me we have all the mesquite avaailable that we want to cut.We arrived at the lot.1400 acres and 200 was nothing but Mesquite piled into piles dragged by a tractor.I was well armed for this adventure.Mu Reringed Husky 55 and my trusty Stihl 028.The Husky has a oregon 3/8 18 bc combination, The 028 has a 16in 325 Oregon 35lp. My guide has 2 Stihl 029. His saws were "Well sharpened". Both of my chains had time on them and have been sharpen with my HF grinder.To cut to the chase, litterally, my saws smoked his.No comparision.His was spewing mostly dust but I was sending chips.This wood that we were cutting was all mesquite.The largest that we cut was about 16 inches at the but.During a break we talked about saws. I let him use my Husky and he did not run it easy, but full throttle. Chips went every whear. I felt great knowing that my time spent on the chains was paying off. After another break I sent the 028 into action.Even with the well used chain, this saw covered itself with glory.His "Sharper" 029 was screaming as I moved into a larger chunk of wood. He shut his saw off and was catching his breath as I did also.I handed him my 028 and said, "Let her rip"This man loves his 029's but he made me an offer for my 028. "Not for Sale". I explained to him that the reason that his saws would not cut well was because the sharpening method that he was using was well below par.I told him that I would be happy to teach him proper methods and procedures. By the way, he was using his Safety chains.He has about 18 of them. I would like to thank all the members for their knowledge and wisdon. Without this I may not have been such a great success. I sat in my garage just looking at my 028, and Husky 55. What a wonderful feeling that I get. Thanks all, Ken in Coleman Texas.

I spent somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 or 8 years total at San Angelo while in AF. Didn't have a truck or saw then but always wanted to lay into some of those weed mesquite. That stuff is nasty and invasive. Looked like it would be great firewood but might take a long time to dry out. I bummed a good chunk of green mesquite with the idea of trying to make a set of pistol grips out of it. Didn't seem to want to dry.

Harry K

 

[Kenskip1]

Mesquite

Harry, I agree with you 100%. This wood has little going for it other than cooking.The trees here grow and arch like a willow.Hardly any really straight logs come from it.I suppose that the hard ground here may have something to do with this. It does smell great while in the fireplace or smoker. I have as of yet to see any furniture made from Mesquite.I could be wrong though.Pistol grips could be done.

 

[B_Turner]

Harry, I agree with you 100%. This wood has little going for it other than cooking.The trees here grow and arch like a willow.Hardly any really straight logs come from it.I suppose that the hard ground here may have something to do with this. It does smell great while in the fireplace or smoker. I have as of yet to see any furniture made from Mesquite.I could be wrong though.Pistol grips could be done.

Ocassionally some pretty nice furniture is made of mesquite, but boards of size are very expensive.

Mesquite is popular among some woodturners as it is hard and very stable. Bit tough on tools.

 

[NYH1]

kenskip1@verizo, I forgot to tell you. In March of 1995 I drove to Texas and stayed about 4 or 5 days. My wifes grandfather was sick so we went to see him. Her grandparents lived in Cayon Lake (AWESOME area!!!). We stayed in New Braunfels. It was 85 degrees out....................IN MARCH! No way I could deal with the heat in the summer. My wife lived in Tucson, AZ when she was a kid so she loves the heat. Not me though................way to hot. Other then that I really liked it down.

My friend went with us. He was stationed at Fort Sam Houston for while when he was in the Army. He knew the San Antonio area pretty good. Went to the river walk and all that good stuff.

Two things I remember about San Antonio. One was they had 9 homicides in the 4 or 5 days we were there.......WOW! Guess ya just have to stay away from the city! And the other thing was how many people we saw wearing Syracuse University clothing, hats and that kind of stuff. We couldn't believe it. It was like we were home! At that time SU's football team was coincidently ranked in the top 25 and going to bowl games every year, the basketball team was just as good maybe a little better.............................but we were in TEXAS! :jawdrop: