Metal objects in trees

[DeanBrown3D]

I'm looking into getting a carbide chain for when I get stuck on metal objects - but I'm not sure if they are the right thing though. Recently I hit a stainless steel spoon embedded in the middle of a huge maple, I think it was wedged in there by a kid before it grew bigger. Then I hit a bar of what looked like rebar, right in the middle of another enormous oak, another time it was an old fence post or something. What do people do here? Twice I have ended up leaving the wood there for the owner to play with.

 

[bump_r]

Just recently a dude (sorry, "dude", forgot who you were!) said he scanned suspect trees with a metal detector. Sounds like a deal to me.

 

[john T]

So Thats where I left Moms spoon ! :bang:

she beat me good for loosing it too.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

I think if you're hitting stuff like rebar, even carbide chain wouldn't be the tool to use. You'd need a hack saw or disc grinder-somethig to cut metal. Carbide chains, in my opinion are for cutting throuigh walls and the such. Drywall, plaster, insulation, shingles, siding, and the occasional nail. Unless you're planning on cutting every tree with carbide, with the expectation of hitting something, I'd save your money and if you do come across something like rebar, or a hammer head or whatever, either plunge cut around it, or use a grinder. A chainsaw will usually handle a nail, though you may jack up your chain a bit, there's a couple of pics on here where guys hit nails. Rebar, you cut that with a saw, you're more of a man than I am!

Jeff

 

[kf_tree]

What do people do here? Twice I have ended up leaving the wood there for the owner to play with.

keep sharpening and keep cutting at different angle's. i've done jobs where i trashed half a dozen chain's. if there paying you to remove the tree then they won't pay till it's gone. you name it i've hit cutting in "city" tree's. sometimes by looking at the bark you can see hidden object's, othe times you hit clothes' pulleys from 20 years ago. i've cut right through chain link etc. there is always a way to cut around it. use wedge's an ax and keep cutting.

 

[John Ellison]

You can probably buy a cheap metal detector for what a carbide chain will cost. My wife got one at a yard sale years ago. Seems like I have seen small ones like they use at airports for less than 100 bucks. Dont know how sensitive they are. Mine is several feet long with a big head? on it. It definitaly will find small nails that are 3+ " deep that would not be noticable otherwise.

 

[DeanBrown3D]

The 'rebar' was right in the middle of a 3'6" diameter oak. It was impossible to get to, at least with what I had available there.

Fortunately it was in my buddy's yard, so I was doing it free. He didnt mind me leaving it there anyway. Metal detector ideas is a great one, I'll look into it definitely.

Thanks

Dean

 

[DeanBrown3D]

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/cspoutdoors/renp3pormetd.html

$1300!

Looks good

 

[kf_tree]

The 'rebar' was right in the middle of a 3'6" diameter oak. It was impossible to get to, at least with what I had available there.



Dean

how was the rebar positioned. hertical, horizontal or an angle? just keep makeing slice's till as much of the wood is removed as possible. the chop at it with an ax.

i guess my point is nothing is impossible, just keep at. if it meant the difference in collecting on a 3000.00 job i'm sure you would find away to get a flush cut.

 

[kf_tree]

for uban tree work i really don't see the point in a metal detector. are you going to check the tree when you estimate it? is the metal detector going to pinpoint the metal or tell you within 6in. you can try all the gadgets, b!tch and moan , jump up and down, kick the customers dog, but in the end you still need to CUT the dam tree, so just get on with it.

 

[John Ellison]

I know everyones situation is different, but if there is metal in a tree I would rather know about it. My detector pinpoints it to where I can cut above it and below it. Cant send metal to a mill. Yes I check suspect trees in a yard before I take on a job. Most of the people I deal with are at least kind of familiar with chain saws and know the reason for the m.d.

 

[kf_tree]

I know everyones situation is different, but if there is metal in a tree I would rather know about it. My detector pinpoints it to where I can cut above it and below it. Cant send metal to a mill. Yes I check suspect trees in a yard before I take on a job. Most of the people I deal with are at least kind of familiar with chain saws and know the reason for the m.d.

that's pretty interesting........good on you for being thorough. i guess where i cut metal is always expected. it is the odd tree that does not have metal. so we are just used to dealing with it.

 

[DeanBrown3D]

Will a cheapy m.d. do? I see there are a lot online for around $70-80. Any particular brand you like?

 

[John Ellison]

Dean, I dont really know much at all about them. The one I have is a White. You might look on some of the saw milling forums. Those guys use them pretty regularly and sometimes discuss the different models.

 

[fishhuntcutwood]

Will a cheapy m.d. do? I see there are a lot online for around $70-80. Any particular brand you like?

I've seen alot of cheap metal detectors that couldn't detect a pallet of rebar from a foot away. My buddy Pat and I were milling some WRC we took down out of a neighbor's yard. Expecting nails, we used Pat's metal detector to look for nails. Didn't work for :censored: !! All kinds of nails, not a single one sounded the detector.

Jeff

 

[DeanBrown3D]

Sounds like there's something wrong with that particular one. I'll check on freecycle here and see if I can get one up for grabs.