Falling wedges. What's good, what's not, and why?

[slowp]

A Bucking Faux Pas

There were no rocks to be found. I drop started the Barbie Saw for the first time though. I also chose the wedge color to match the Barbie Saw.

Very nice color coordination. I am afraid my wedges will clash with my saw now. Dammit!!

That is a nice 44. Did you ever get your 031 going? Good old saws - Sam

I think I'll have to go get a blue wedge on my next going to town trip. Just because I can.

Yes, the 032 runs well. I find it works better than The Barbie Saw to make Scandihoovian candles with. The saw shop guys cleaned the carb and replaced something. They are good guys and I don't even have to leave a cheap can of beer to get good service.
The Barbie Saw sucks the candles in and over. The 032 being less power will cut the grooves. I cut some longer chunks tuday ven I run into a knotty section and have 3 more candles tu make. Yah dur hey.

 

[RandyMac]

Sweetp, you lift my spirits

 

[Cedar Ed]

Wells Wedges have been holding up very well I may say.And they are Well made.Made in U.S.A.Can anyone guess where?Here is a clue,PNW.

 

[Philbert]

Back to wedges . . .

I was looking at the different wedges in the current Bailey's sale catalog, and in that non-sponsor's catalog in Centralia.

I use wedges almost exclusively for bucking storm damaged trees. This wood has lots of interesting stresses, and wedges are cheap insurance to reduce binding and pinching. Almost any plastic wedge works for my needs. And frankly, now that I use them, I can't imagine how I ever cut without them.

But I am curious about the Hard-Head wedges with the metal caps. Seems like a good idea. Do these last much longer for felling? Worth the 50% premium in price?

Thanks.

Philbert

 

[wyk]

But I am curious about the Hard-Head wedges with the metal caps. Seems like a good idea. Do these last much longer for felling? Worth the 50% premium in price?

Thanks.

Philbert

If you are losing wedges from smacking them, maybe. But if I hit mine square, they last a long time. Although I did smack the fusheezuz out of one of SawFun9's wedges with the edge of the axe butt once. It didn't like it at all. It gave up the ghost right there. That was one of the red and white wedges from Baileys, if I recall. I was a bit embarrassed.

Got a URL for yer question?

 

[Philbert]

Got a URL for yer question?

? Not sure what you are asking, but here are some links to these wedges from site sponsors:

Bailey's - 10" Hard-Head Falling Wedge
Tree Stuff - Hard Head Felling Wedge

Philbert

 

[HILLBILLYREDNEC]

Hard Head

The hard head style of wedge is the best choice for big trees that need the ####in snot beat out of them. Plastic needs to hit square and solid. The hard heads I buy are made of some really plastic. The hard head is what my dad and I use on the old growth pondos on the ranch, my old man is a wedge masher. I replaced the ranch's old chewed up felling wedges with a pile of Stihl brand wedges and they have survived quite well. Hard head wedges can be real help when you jam a non hard head wedge tight to the bark.

 

[jerrycmorrow]

Jesus was a wino in his missing years.

not that i believe it but good john prine quote

 

[Mastermind]

The hard head style of wedge is the best choice for big trees that need the ####in snot beat out of them. Plastic needs to hit square and solid. The hard heads I buy are made of some really plastic. The hard head is what my dad and I use on the old growth pondos on the ranch, my old man is a wedge masher. I replaced the ranch's old chewed up felling wedges with a pile of Stihl brand wedges and they have survived quite well. Hard head wedges can be real help when you jam a non hard head wedge tight to the bark.

Well of course.

 

[lfnh]

The hard head style of wedge is the best choice for big trees that need the ####in snot beat out of them. Plastic needs to hit square and solid. The hard heads I buy are made of some really plastic. The hard head is what my dad and I use on the old growth pondos on the ranch, my old man is a wedge masher. I replaced the ranch's old chewed up felling wedges with a pile of Stihl brand wedges and they have survived quite well. Hard head wedges can be real help when you jam a non hard head wedge tight to the bark.

Have you experienced any problems with the caps of hard head plastic wedges breaking off ?

What brand of hard head - Stihl ?

 

[mdavlee]

Stihl doesn't make a hard head wedge that I've seen. The stihl look just like the k&h but orange. They have the same mold marks on the same size wedges. The hard head is a different brand.

 

[Philbert]

What brand of hard head - Stihl ?

Hard Head is a brand name - see links in Post #666 (yikes! over 600 posts in this thread!?!) above.

But that was part of my question - if the metal cap ever becomes a sharp edge/hazard after getting beat enough.

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

Looks like this is the manufacturer: Tree Faller Wedges - Hard Head Manufactured with High Impact Poly Plastic :: Beaver State Plastics

They make:
Hard Head - full metal cap with metal tang to help drive wedge and reduce mushrooming;
Hard Head Jr - metal tang only to help drive wedge;
Hard Body - general plastic wedge.

Looks like they will also make custom colors!!!! I can get purple for the Minnesota Vikings !!! - oh wait, they might move to Los Angeles next year if we don't build them a stadium. Never mind.

Philbert

 

[HILLBILLYREDNEC]

This to funny to know that I drive by there on the way in to my future mother in laws house I may need to stop and see if I can get some seconds from them. I like the idea of custom colors.

 

[Philbert]

This to funny to know that I drive by there on the way in to my future mother in laws house I may need to stop and see if I can get some seconds from them. I like the idea of custom colors.

Get me some too (would those be 'thirds'?) for the good info.

Philbert

 

[2dogs]

Be careful with the hardhead wedges. They can spit pieces of steel off at supersonic speed and driving the is hard on the elbows. Plus they are heavy. Mine stay in the truck till needed. Which is not often.

 

[slowp]

Here is The Blue Wedge. They were also having a sale on Stihl bars, at least there was a sign saying so.

Actually, it looks more of a Teal color to me.
View attachment 191514View attachment 191515

 

[promac850]

Eh, looks blue to me... but what do I know, I'm partially color blind... :jester:

 

[Philbert]

Here is The Blue Wedge.

Well, they only seem to sell them there, and I am too cheap to pay for shipping. So I guess I will have to take a trip out there sometime!

(Actually they look just like the yellow 'Wells' ones I have, except for the color. Wood grain textured on one side and smooth on the other? But they could be a harder or softer plastic).

Philbert

 

[robfromaz1977]

Here is The Blue Wedge. They were also having a sale on Stihl bars, at least there was a sign saying so.

Actually, it looks more of a Teal color to me.
View attachment 191514View attachment 191515

Those look exactly like orange ones Baileys sells under the Woodland Pro name.