Bad Day Gets Worse

[rarefish383]

To start the story, I find it relaxing to make a lot of noise and destroy stuff. Milling and splitting wood are two of my favorite pass times. The fact that the by product of destroying the log is milled lumber and firewood is just a bonus.

Now the story. A couple years ago my mom got tied up in one of those scams, you send us money and we'll send you lots of money. Well, she sent her money, lots of it, and they didn't send her any back. Go figure. Thought we had it under control. Just found out she's been sending them more money. She hasn't paid her taxes or utilities in months, thinking she would pay them all when she got her millions. No millions. I got her bank to freeze her account. We figured that her SS and small retirement would cover her taxes and leave her just enough to live on next month. Taxes must be paid 5/17. Bank pres said no one could draw on the account. Her SS and retirement came in and 2 electronic withdraws wiped her out. Now she doesn't have enough to cover her taxes next month.

So, yesterday I was trying to clean up around the house. About all I had to do was finish milling an Oak log, out in the middle of the court, in front of the house. I'm making noise, drowning out my thoughts and stress. My cut starts to get wider and wider. Looked like the nut on the upright came loose. So, I pulled the mill, pulled the saw out of the cut, and bucked it up for firewood. Now I'm stressing out again and I'm really disappointed about ruining that log. This morning I went out and swept up the last of the saw dust, bark, and chips. Decided to mill up my Black Walnut crotch. Was changing the depth from 8/4 to 12/4 and found out why the mill was moving. The nut wasn't loose, the frame of the mill was cracked through the diamond that the upright slides in. I got it on the saw and thought if I was careful I might be able to make at least the 3 slabs that I needed. I spilled a little gas fueling up. When I cranked the saw it popped and a flame shot out the exhaust, caught the saw on fire, and I think my 100 CC saw is DOA. That was the last of my Dad's saws. Darn, I miss my Dad. I'm ready for some sunshine and green grass, Joe.

 

[BIG JAKE]

Sorry to hear it Joe that's a string tough luck. Keep your chin up you'll get it sorted out. Maybe you can find some good plastics for after you rebuild your dad's saw. I miss my dad too, he passed pretty suddenly not long ago. Take care my friend

 

[rarefish383]

Big Jake, I might have gotten lucky. The saw is so old there is no plastic on it. I finally went down and took a quick look and it looks fine. Maybe I just lost some fuel lines and gaskets. When my Dad got mad at his old boss and went into business himself, the next day he went out and bought a brand new Asplundh 16" brush chipper and this Homelite 1050. He had a little Homelite XL101 that he used up in the trees. So, my first day on the job I got to use a 100CC Homelite Super 1050 Automatic, with a 24 inch bar, ALL DAY LONG. The next day when he got me up to go to work, all I could do was whimper. But, tree men don't whimper, so, I got to go out and do it again. It has a lot of sentimental value, and it's not the best milling saw. It does deserve a rest. I think my wife feels so bad for me that she would let me go out and buy a new 880. I just don't want to spend $1800, Joe.

 

[Dave Boyt]

Joe, sorry to hear about your situation. Taking care of older parents can be tough, especially if they become unreasonable (my dad is 88). Hope things get better for you. Some of the older saws have magnesium parts. When they get hot enough to catch fire, there is NOTHING left. Here's hoping for blue skies and lots of sawdust for you!

 

[rarefish383]

Thanks Dave, that reminds me of a time when I was a kid. Had a little lawn mowing business going and used all Lawn Boy mowers. Cracked the deck on one and took it to the machine shop that did all of my engine work. Told him it had a mag deck on it but he wasn't paying attention or forgot. Yep he set it on fire. He got it put out, used that mower for many moons, Joe.

 

[Dave Boyt]

I didn't know you could even put out a magnesium fire. That stuff burns HOT! The only thing I have of my grandfather's is a 1956 Pioneer two-man chain saw. It has a swiveling head so it can cut at any angle and keep the engine upright, and a helper handle at the end of the bar. My wife said I could keep it if 1) I don't bring it into the house, and 2) never actually try to use it.

 

[BIG JAKE]

Big Jake, I might have gotten lucky. The saw is so old there is no plastic on it. I finally went down and took a quick look and it looks fine. Maybe I just lost some fuel lines and gaskets. When my Dad got mad at his old boss and went into business himself, the next day he went out and bought a brand new Asplundh 16" brush chipper and this Homelite 1050. He had a little Homelite XL101 that he used up in the trees. So, my first day on the job I got to use a 100CC Homelite Super 1050 Automatic, with a 24 inch bar, ALL DAY LONG. The next day when he got me up to go to work, all I could do was whimper. But, tree men don't whimper, so, I got to go out and do it again. It has a lot of sentimental value, and it's not the best milling saw. It does deserve a rest. I think my wife feels so bad for me that she would let me go out and buy a new 880. I just don't want to spend $1800, Joe.

That's a neat story, reminds me for some reason back in the day dad raggin' on me cause I rocked the chain when I was learning. In his last years he still went out deer hunting with us, and every year we'd send him home with a full load of juniper. Though he didn't cut anymore himself he'd poke in on a big log and buck with the 046 mag a while. We worried a little but he could stihl handle it for awhile. Heck what is life if you can't live it no matter what age you are-ya gotta have something to do. The charge he got out of it was worth it's weight in gold-never forget those times. Funny how he'd start to get in "the rythm", then he'd realize he had to pace it and he'd ease up some. He never told mom he was cuttin' because she'd have worried-ha! (neither did we)

Joe I think I'd restore that saw, bead blast the cases, repaint, new seals, etc. It's an heirloom man-nothing wrong with a shelf queen either if you want to give it a rest!

 

[rarefish383]

Thanks for the support guys. I wasn't exactly accurate with that statement about my Dads saws. That was the last one that was still in use. I still have a few of them. Like Dave, one of them is a two man saw. It's a Disston DA211, and like Dave's wife, I can't put it on the mantel. The Disston still has 130PSI in both cylinders, so I think it will be pretty easy to get running. I have 2 Homelite 1050"s and a couple little saws. I have his hand saw that he used limbing out big trees hanging on the wall in the family room. He still used it when I was a kid. People don't realize how recent small chainsaws are. Here's a couple pics of some of Dad's saws. When Dad used the hand saw it didn't have the helpers handle on it. I found that somewhere and put it on, you can see it's a different color, Joe.

 

[rarefish383]

Dave, the reason the bar swivels on the old two man saws is the carb. It has a float in it like a car carb, and can't be run on it's side or upside down. The engine always has to be almost level, Joe.

 

[Dave Boyt]

While it is hard to imagine cutting with that machine, those who used it saw it as a huge improvement over an ax or misery whip. Maybe someday my grandkids will look at my 372 & shake their heads in disbelief-- then walk out in the woods with the latest laser saw.

We worried a little but he could stihl handle it for awhile.

Big Jake-- written like a true lumber jack

 

[john taliaferro]

I need one of thoes laser saws ,how heavy are they .

 

[rarefish383]

The laser, handle, and double set trigger are only about 3 ounces. The battery and cable are about 645 pounds. I'm waiting for Dewalt to come out with one. Once they get the lithium pumped up enough to fit in a watch battery they will put it on the market, Joe.

 

[Dave Boyt]

" I'm waiting for Dewalt to come out with one. "

I like Makita better. They stay sharp longer.