Deep thoughts for those seeking a firewood saw...

[SawTroll]

heck, i was 14 when i first used chainsaw... and i aint even 18 and yet i've bought my first own saw already opcorn:

..different rules around the world - "ordnung muss sein" in Germany.....:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[computeruser]

When you consider that a chainsaw is probably THE most dangerous power tool you can lay your hands on then I can't really disagree with the 18 year old rule. Then again I've also seen a lot of people over 18 that shouldn't be let anywhere near a chainsaw, with some of the over 18's I've seen I would be surprised if they were capable of using a handsaw safely!

True, but I'd sure prefer to make that decision for my child rather than having it made by some outside entity. But fear not, at the rate we're going parental prerogative will soon give way to the collectivization of children as "assets of the community" or some other sort of BS.

Thanks for the info. Always interesting to hear how things are handled elsewhere!!

 

[NYH1]

I know in New York State you have to be 18 years old to operate power equipment and machinery in the "work place". If you do it through a school program then there is a lot of leeway.

Farmers can have their kids do a lot of things that isn't regulated by state and federal laws. One example is farm tractors. I don't even know if there is a minimum age for driving farm tractors in NY (I could be wrong). My aunt and uncle owned a dairy farm (still have the land). My cousins and I used to drive the tractors on the road all the time while doing farm work. It was not big deal, it was a way of life.

I've been running a chain saw in one capacity or another since I was about 12 years old. Yes they were "small saws" and my father or my uncle coached me alone, but I did it. My cousin started before me. Same with hunting and shooting. Been doing it my whole life. Just like my kids will do if they so choose, or if the liberals don't get involved!

 

[litefoot]

lucky me, i dont live in germany

I agree, Blis. As society gets more industrialized, it's hard to find meaningful work for kids to do. Most kids chores kids are "busy" work. Hauling firewood is physical meaningful work that makes a difference. We haul wood...we stay warm through the winter. Kind of like the "no work, no eat" lessons of life. Very valuable lessons learned while we enjoy being outside in the mountains together.

 

[B_Turner]

From what I've been told, Germany is big on regulation. For example, they limit who can do woodturning for money to a select few. In this country we are cowboys in comparison, and anyone who wants to get a lathe is free to get one and sell their work if they can.

I've lived a fair number of places and I sure like it here in good ol USA. (Though in actuality I was born in Stuttgart to military dad.)

 

[IchWarriorMkII]

I just don't cut that big of wood for fuel, mostly juniper thats not exceeding 18" diameter for the most part. When Im cutting Russian Olive, its under 18" as well. Neither are really a hardwood, with juniper being the hardest I cut... I play a little in the cotton woods, but thats pretty rare. Its always big trees, and Im under-gunned... but its not worth the price tag of a big saw when I don't like cutting it, or like burning it.

Im thinking about a 357xp for my next saw, just a little more zip for the larger trees, but still capable of working as a limbing saw as well if my 353 goes down.

Heres what Im cutting :

 

[muskedyne]

all The Saws Below Cut Up 24" To 30" Red Oakgood.
Don't Use The O56 Much, Too Heavy. Have Fun...

Echo 452vl
Husky 55 Rancher
056 Stihl

 

[NYH1]

IchWarriorMkII, I like your choice in saws! I'm getting a 353 (16" b&C) in the Spring (no sense getting it now I'm done cutting for the year!). After that I might look at a 357XP (18" b&c) as an upgrade over my 029!

 

[IchWarriorMkII]

After reading the numbers (Since my saw budget was destroyed in lieu of the gun budget) Im really liking the 357xp. My ole man runs a 268 for his 'heavy saw' and the 357 is putting out the same HP numbers. Good news for little ole me, I was hoping to get a saw in that range. Its about a pound lighter too, which is nice for me... plus Im thinking of running an 18" bar .325 pitch to share chains with my 353, but Im not set for sure on that.

 

[litefoot]

I just don't cut that big of wood for fuel, mostly juniper thats not exceeding 18" diameter for the most part. When Im cutting Russian Olive, its under 18" as well. Neither are really a hardwood, with juniper being the hardest I cut... I play a little in the cotton woods, but thats pretty rare. Its always big trees, and Im under-gunned... but its not worth the price tag of a big saw when I don't like cutting it, or like burning

Ah yes, the good old Russian Olive the great Western weed,er... I mean tree.

 

[thomas72]

I cut firewood to heat a house and two 38'X60' shops. I have found the bigger the log the better it is on me. I use a Poulan Super 72 with a 48" bar to cut the bigger diameter logs, then have another one with a bow that can cut up to 16" logs. I kind of collect saws so I have a few to choose from and found that the Super Series Poulans are the most reliable, at the cost of being heaver. Then If I want a lighter saw for the smaller trees I use a Poulan 5200 and Mccullochs of the same class. The only reason I mess with the big trees is because I have machines to make the work easer. After I cut them I use my steiner tractor to push them in a log splitter so I do not have to handle them; because a sledge hammer and steel wedges do not cut it.

 

[NYH1]

(Since my saw budget was destroyed in lieu of the gun budget)

Awe man I know the feeling! Although I haven't bought any new guns this year (still can't believe that!). I usually have to juggle something against my gun budget. The gun budget almost always wins!

 

[Urbicide]

Welcome thomas72 to ArboristSite. What part of the huge state of GA are you from? I lived in Augusta from 1970 through 1979 before moving to Cincinnati. You are going to have to post of pictures of those "experienced" saws of yours. We like pictures!

 

[046]

026 for small stuff and 046 for most everything else.
lately it's 046 for small stuff too... no real advantage cutting small stuff with large saws other than too lazy to pull out two saws.

064 comes out for larger wood. planing on getting an 084 sometime for milling only. have not seen anything around here 064 can't take down.

 

[ericjeeper]

Gun budgets..

I have spent a bit more than my wife knows about.. new 223. new 45 colt long/410 rifle, new 4x12 bushnell scope. and a new 20 guage for my son.
Now I am wanting one of those grinders from Northern. and a CSM.
The wants just never stop..
I need to sell some windows...... to raise some play money

 

[thomas72]

These are some of the saws that I use to cut firewood. They may not look the best, but are mechanically fit. Urbicide, I am also from Augusta, and since you have lived here you may have heard of my grandfather who built wooden river boats who's name is Geech. I will find a picture of a boat that he built and post it.

http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=40707&stc=1&d=1164670275

http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=40711&stc=1&d=1164670275

http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=40712&stc=1&d=1164670275

http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=40713&stc=1&d=1164670275

 

[IchWarriorMkII]

I dropped a few pennies on a new 6.5 Grendel upper for my AR-15... can't wait to get it all tricked out, but thats another time and thread...


Whats the big Bow bars used for? I've seen them before, but never understood what their function was.