Firewood Measuring Sticks

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Philbert

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Anyone who cuts firewood has seen or thought of some way to measure pieces into equal lengths. Some guys don't care. Some have limits based on the size of their stove. Guys who sell wood might want it to stack neatly.

There are a number of methods and homemade solutions that can be used, and many products offered for sale - some of these are more convenient than others, and some may work better than others in certain circumstances.

I received a sample of the "Ott Accu-Stick Pro" magnetic measuring device to try. This is a telescoping aluminum tube that is adjustable between 14 and 26-1/2 inches, which attaches to the guide bar with a powerful, rare earth magnet.
IMG_5995.jpg
IMG_5996.jpg

The measuring stick has a black, anodized finish, and etched markings. The tip of the stick has a bright yellow, hi-viz dot for visibility, and the base is 1-1/8 inches in diameter. Overall weight is 3.4 ounces.

A longer version (19 to 36 inches), and models with metric graduations are also shown on the manufacturer's website: http://www.3ott.com/ott-accu-stick.html

Philbert
 
General

The measuring stick looks and feels professionally made, with clear, accurate markings on the approximately half-inch diameter outer tube, and roughly 5/16 inch diameter inner tube. Length adjustment is simply by pulling the inner tube out, or pushing it back in. Despite this being stupidly simple, it was not clear to me at first because of a knurled nut / collar where the tubes meet, that I desperately wanted to turn (it doesn't).

Once set, the length stays set due to internal resistance. Mine felt and sounded a bit scratchy at first, and although Ott says that it is not needed, it moved more smoothly after a few drops of 3-In-One oil were drizzled down the shaft.

Philbert
 
The magnet is STRONG - I did not try to measure the pull force, but it wanted to stick to everything, including things that I did not intend. Keep this away from your credit cards, electronics, etc.! It held really solid to the guide bars I tested it on.


IMG_6005.jpg

The Accu-stick attaches to either side of the guide bar, depending on whether the user is cutting from the right or left end of the log. It is very simple to place and remove, unlike some measuring sticks which screw onto bar mounting nuts or clamp to saw handles, for example. No modifications to the saw are required, and it can be used on multiple saws or shared among multiple users.

IMG_6002.jpg

For simple cuts, the measuring stick can remain on the saw while bucking. The manufacturer recommends that it be nestled between the teeth of bucking dogs (if present) to minimize any interference. If preferred, the magnetic stick can be used to make marking cuts along a log, then quickly and easily removed for cutting. No calibration is needed, other than glancing at the etched markings to be sure that nothing moved.

IMG_6007.jpg

The aluminum material should be quite durable, and minimize damage to cutting teeth should it somehow make contact with the chain. While the black finish looks nice, I like the reflective tape used on the company's Hi-Viz Scrench http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/new-flat-scrench.304350/ which would make it easier to locate in a low light, high sawdust location. A trip to the hardware store should make that mod easy to do.

I have limited firewood to buck right now, and hope to take this to an upcoming GTG fairly soon, where we can give it a good work out and get some other opinions.

Philbert
 
I generally use the saw's bar as a gauge. However, this looks interesting. I have found that cutting all the rounds to the same length that I eventually split means a lot. If they all are cut to 17-1/2" I can pack my truck's 6' bed with four rows of split logs as tight as a sardine can and the customers are really impressed. I have one customer who is so picky that if any log over 18" long shows up, he hands it back to me.
 
Thats an interesting sales model for a relatively low cost item. Went through the process of purchasing direct from their site and the payment gets handled via a phone call....
 
Just an observation. The strong magnet could be attached on either side of the bar. That's a plus in my book. You could switch it to either side at any time.

As Philbert said, "The Accu-stick attaches to either side of the guide bar, depending on whether the user is cutting from the right or left end of the log. It is very simple to place and remove, unlike some measuring sticks which screw onto bar mounting nuts or clamp to saw handles, for example. No modifications to the saw are required, and it can be used on multiple saws or shared among multiple users."

That's a huge plus, not to mention the ease of adjusting the length. LMOL just handed me $40 for Valentines Day next month. I may have to consider this.
 
Wood Doctor said:
Just an observation. The strong magnet could be attached on either side of the bar. That's a plus in my book. You could switch it to either side at any time. . . . That's a huge plus . . . .
Click to expand...
The simplicity of the magnet is also attractive (no pun intended). Some other products require you to use special bar nuts, or take more time to install or remove. This lets you switch it between saws (unless you have some NASA designed, super lightweight, graphite bar), or remove it quickly if you need the saw for something else.

As mentioned, there are a number of firewood measuring sticks offered for sale, along with many homemade versions. These often use fiberglass, wooden, or threaded rods, or even springs which project out from one side of the saw or the other, and attach in many different ways.

One challenge is making the device simple and convenient to use, while remaining secure, and not getting in the way. Another is making the length of the measuring stick adjustable. Safety, including accidental chain contact, is also a concern.

I wanted to compare the Ott Accu-Stick against a more basic design: the 'Woodcutter's Helper' fiberglass measuring stick. This 16 inch, non-adjustable device also attaches to the guide bar with a rare earth magnet, and is used the same way.


Philbert
 
The Woodcutter's Helper comes in 6 different versions, including adjustable models that use a threaded steel or nylon rod with an indicator disk that marks the desired length. A tape measure is used to position the indicator disk, and the remaining portion of the threaded rod extends beyond this point. http://www.chainsawaccessories.biz/

The steel rod made me a bit nervous, and I definitely prefer the telescoping design of the Accu-Stick over having extra rod sticking out past the indicator. But the basic model was appealing due to its simplicity. It consists of an orange, 3/16 inch diameter fiberglass rod, with a rare earth magnet base, and a plastic tip at the other end. There is also a very similar looking competitor, with a confusingly similar sounding name: the 'Firewood Buddy' http://firewood-buddy.com/

IMG_6004.jpg

The magnet and chromed steel base on the Woodcutter's Helper is slightly smaller than that on the Accu-Stick, but the device is also lighter in weight (1.6 ounces), and it seems to hold adequately. Easy on; easy off. No calibration needed.

IMG_5998.jpg

If you want to cut wood shorter than 16 inches, simply place a piece of tape on the fiberglass rod, leaving a small 'flag', making it easier to see. A contrasting color tape might help. Or buy a few sticks and cut them each to different lengths (color code them for identification?).

IMG_6003.jpg

If you want to cut wood longer than 16 inches (say 24 inches), place the tape halfway (12 inches in this case), and use this to mark the halfway point, cutting through the wood every other time.

IMG_6006.jpg

Philbert
 
Comparing these two products side-by-side really seems to cover the range of this approach from deluxe (Accu-Stick) to basic (Woodcutter's Helper) versions.

IMG_5999.jpg
A handy person might make their own version, with rare earth magnets and some fiberglass fence posts or driveway markers; this might make sense if they were the type of person to frequently lose these types of things. The low price of the basic model makes it attractive to some. The deluxe version has a professional quality feel with additional features, and would make a nice gift for a woodcutter who appreciates nice tools, even if they buy it for them self.

CaseyForrest said:
Ordered via Ebay. Thats my first Ebay transaction in a long time.
Click to expand...
Be sure to post your comments and experience with it here in this thread!

Philbert
 
2x4 and a can of spray paint. Mark out enough for a tank of gas and start cutting. Refuel and mark out some more, give me a little break from running the saw. That thing looks cumbersome on a saw, probably wouldn't use it if someone gave me 1.
 
Philbert, this warning seems rather ridiculous:

Be careful and aware that the tool can get very hot during use and after you remove it from the chainsaw! Always wear safety gloves when removing this tool from your chainsaw to avoid getting burned or picking up a hot tool. Excessive heat can also be avoided by using this tool for only saw marking and removing when a visual sight mark on the log or wood has been established.

I do not see how this is possible with normal chain saw cutting. My bar never gets really hot unless I run out of bar oil or the oil pump clogs up and regardless, I do not see how that much heat could be transferred to the Accu-Stick. Any comments on this?
 
Wood Doctor said:
Philbert, this warning seems rather ridiculous:

Be careful and aware that the tool can get very hot during use and after you remove it from the chainsaw! Always wear safety gloves when removing this tool from your chainsaw to avoid getting burned or picking up a hot tool. Excessive heat can also be avoided by using this tool for only saw marking and removing when a visual sight mark on the log or wood has been established.

I do not see how this is possible with normal chain saw cutting. My bar never gets really hot unless I run out of bar oil or the oil pump clogs up and regardless, I do not see how that much heat could be transferred to the Accu-Stick. Any comments on this?
Click to expand...

Maybe from the muffler.... Aluminum is a pretty good sink..
 
Very good review and pics, Philbert. Looks like an interesting idea. But I think this "stick" might encourage someone to cut wood without a helper to pre-mark the cuts. Cutting solo is not a good practice. So I'm wondering if this product is creating a worse habit than the problem it's solving.
 

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