Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[svk]

I will tell you my first hand experience
.
My Dad is a retired brick mason. My whole family two generations back were masons. I worked with them all as I was coming up and learned many valuable lessons. One of the major things was the time and care they took building fireboxes and chimneys. They would lay out the whole firebox on the floor and precut the fire brick at precise angles front to back and the fit with the sides to back. Only after they worked everything out right on the floor would they build it.They would also put a little roll or rounding to the back of fire box to smooth the flow of smoke and make it draw right.
The damper had to be set at the right place and height in the box to make everything work and the flues would be set and the transitions smoothed. No air gaps were left anywhere outside of the firebox and flues. It was filled solid from the foundation to the top of chimney except for the firebox opening. The top had to be so far above the roofline and capped off a certain way.
I have seen them refuse to build a fireplace for contractors who wanted to take shortcuts on the fireplace to save money as these are very expensive to do right and my family had seen houses burn from bad work
My dad still takes a few small jobs at times. Most of them involve a firebox that wasn't built right or needs to be rebuilt. True craftsmen are hard to find ... few are left anymore.

They weren't willing to take chances with the heat and carbon monoxide from combustion and I will not either.

Your point of lack of true craftsmen these days is dead on.

My great grandpa and grandpa were carpenters. While I'm nowhere near the skill, ability, or precision that my grandpa was I do notice and appreciate good woodwork. And even the high end homes these days rarely have the fit and finish that his house did.

One guy in our area (a real quirky dude but that's a side story) does trimless carpentry. His apprentice did my sauna paneling and its absolutely top notch. Slow but beautiful.

 

[svk]

This breaks my heart. Cedar swamp near my hunting cabin suffered severe wind damage. This used to be such a cool place to hang out in. I'd go sit on a log and eat my lunch during deer season. Over the years we shot many bucks in or within 1/4 mile of this spot. We also put our first family dog's ashes in here. Now you can't even walk through it. There's got to be 100 of them down.

 

[dancan]

svk , I understans about the loss but that is nature so enjoy while you find them spots knowing that it may not be there tomorrow . We had an area close to here that the owner of a large chunk of it wanted to log , the community got wind of it and was in an uproar , formed comities and groups to try and get some or all of it shut down , public meetings etc .... Hurricane Juan plowed through the area and knocked it all down plus areas that wouldn't have been cut , then it all got logged .
That pic still looks beautiful to me though , I see a bunch of cedar to mill up and some great kindling

Ambull , scrounge away and get your house ready for next years season , you'll know that the wood will be ready then and you won't be at the mercy of the market . I do like SCBBQ's advice

While I was out yesterday picking the easy small and dead stuff close to the side of the road I found some forgotten wood LOL

It's been there for a while but it was still solid so in the truck it went , it's red maple and burning right now , there was enough for 4 nights worth of burning at the temps we have now , I guess this is as close to free firewood as I'll get LOL
Cliff is right about this time of year for cruising for dead or leaners , now till spring is the best time to see those "out of place" trees
And drive real slow ...

 

[zogger]

Not that I didn't respect you guys, just I have a lot more respect now lol. Had no idea about the many issues with burning wood. Just thought you put a stove in, put some logs in said stove, strike a match and enjoy the heat. Ignorance is bliss. I have a ton to learn. I'll have to spend more time on H.E.A.R.T.H (hope that works) and really educate myself.

Hey man, you want a small saw that will actually pull some dang chain, check it out

http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/thinning-the-herd.262804/page-5#post-5023114 s25cva are just the katz azz, tell ya whut

 

[MustangMike]

That is a shame. Did not have anything like that on my property, but it has completely changed anyway.

It was originally mid life hardwoods that U could still hunt. Then about 20 yrs ago a Tornado took about 1/3 of my trees (50 acres), and it is all now dense new growth. On most of the rest of the property, wind storms keep making holes in the canopy, and the resulting undergrowth (mostly pricker bushes) make it impossible to walk through unless you clear a trail.

The only way to hunt it now is from tree stands, and keeping the trails passable is 10 times the work that it used to be.

I wish it would return to how it used to be, but I don't think that will happen in the near future.

Leaving tomorrow morning, opening day is Sat, I'll be back on Monday.

Wish us luck!

 

[zogger]

That is a shame. Did not have anything like that on my property, but it has completely changed anyway.

It was originally mid life hardwoods that U could still hunt. Then about 20 yrs ago a Tornado took about 1/3 of my trees (50 acres), and it is all now dense new growth. On most of the rest of the property, wind storms keep making holes in the canopy, and the resulting undergrowth (mostly pricker bushes) make it impossible to walk through unless you clear a trail.

The only way to hunt it now is from tree stands, and keeping the trails passable is 10 times the work that it used to be.

I wish it would return to how it used to be, but I don't think that will happen in the near future.

Leaving tomorrow morning, opening day is Sat, I'll be back on Monday.

Wish us luck!

Luck! Look at the bright side, you own land and have a place to hunt!

 

[dancan]

One thing to keep in mind in that beautiful majestic setting Mike is that since we have no giraffe deer in North America our whitetail deer are looking to feed on that fresh new growth real low to the ground so a few choppings or big blows can help you keep a healthy heard of deer
One of my hunting friends says that "Good Luck" said to him before a hunt jinxes him so I'll say "Happy Hunting !"

 

[SCBBQ]

This breaks my heart. Cedar swamp near my hunting cabin suffered severe wind damage. This used to be such a cool place to hang out in. I'd go sit on a log and eat my lunch during deer season. Over the years we shot many bucks in or within 1/4 mile of this spot. We also put our first family dog's ashes in here. Now you can't even walk through it. There's got to be 100 of them down.

View attachment 379311

The place we used to hunt had a beautiful flat next to a creek that had huge (for this area)oak , hickory and sycamore trees. It was one of my favorite places. I would go hunt there just for the view when leaves were changing.You could always go in there on cold mornings and hear turkeys come down the creek bottom. Makes me smile just thinking about it. A tornado came threw and blew most of the trees down and made it a virtually unhuntable tangled mess. It broke my heart when I went in there and saw it. It was on land we had permission to hunt, but the owner wouldn't let us get in to try and clean it up.
Some places are just special. Sorry it happened to you too.

 

[mainewoods]

Good luck Mike! The view at your camp is almost as good as the venison.

 

[mainewoods]

I like it when they are right outside the bathroom window myself. The gas grill is 3 feet off to the side of the picture.

 

[Ambull01]

And don't use poison ivy!!!

(I haven't. but have heard of enough people who have . . . )


Philbert

Not really the same but just remembered a traumatic experience. DO NOT use medicated foot powder on your testicles either. I mistakenly poured some on them bad boys while out in the field with the Army Guard. We were out about a week with no shower. I was starting to seriously reek. Put some powder on my feet and it felt great. Light bulb went on upstairs and decided to try some on my boys. Fire balls!!! Felt like it was burning the hair of those suckers. I had to run into the woods, squatted against a tree, and poured two canteens on them to stop the misery.

 

[Ambull01]

I understand completely we have torn down more than one chimney from an old house. Don't take any chances using the existing fireplace if it is made from brick of that era. The brick aren't fired the same way as modern brick and decay badly from moisture and settling. The mortar isn't the same either. It starts to breakdown and becomes unstable from heat and moisture. I have seen them literally crumble to the touch.
A lot of the old fireplaces had kerosene burned in the them at times as well which you could still smell in the brick after tearing them down. I am sure that can't be good to the brick and may cause fire problems as well.
All I can tell you is what I have seen and to be wary.
I would seriously consider putting in a modern would stove and new piping if you are able. It would be more efficient and save you major headaches trying to redo the existing.

If I am sounding harsh that is not my intent. I had certain things ingrained in me from an early age and this is one of them.

I can lie on my back and look straight up the chimney. There's no build up that I can see. Of course there may be cracks in the mortar/brick that's hidden from my view.

I have a modern stove, no liner.

Also just got my freaking Caddy stuck in a ditch tonight! LMAO! Man, I am having a GREAT week. If any of you are mud slingers, appreciate any pointers you can give to get it out.

 

[Ambull01]

Hey man, you want a small saw that will actually pull some dang chain, check it out

http://www.arboristsite.com/communiIty/threads/thinning-the-herd.262804/page-5#post-5023114 s25cva are just the katz azz, tell ya whut

I read they stopped making that thing in 1984 so it's at least 34 years old. That wouldn't scare you off?

Less than 40cc but would take care of everything I want to cut. Super cheap too. I wonder how hard it is to get parts for old saws.

I like the PP 475 too. Maybe over kill though.

 

[SCBBQ]

I can lie on my back and look straight up the chimney. There's no build up that I can see. Of course there may be cracks in the mortar/brick that's hidden from my view.

I have a modern stove, no liner.

Also just got my freaking Caddy stuck in a ditch tonight! LMAO! Man, I am having a GREAT week. If any of you are mud slingers, appreciate any pointers you can give to get it out.

I am no mud slinger but it did remind me of this. Good for a chuckle. Nice to see Marissa's assets too.




BTW Thank you for your service!!!!

 

[Ambull01]

I am no mud slinger but it did remind me of this. Good for a chuckle. Nice to see Marissa's assets too.




BTW Thank you for your service!!!!

lol, I love that movie. Especially the killing a deer rant.

that's exactly what my back tire looks like. It sank in quick mud. Good excuse to stay home tomorrow.

 

[Ambull01]

BTW Thank you for your service!!!!

Forgot this. Oorah! Always nice to meet people that care about military service.

 

[zogger]

I read they stopped making that thing in 1984 so it's at least 34 years old. That wouldn't scare you off?

Less than 40cc but would take care of everything I want to cut. Super cheap too. I wonder how hard it is to get parts for old saws.

I like the PP 475 too. Maybe over kill though.

I've cut cords with mine. Parts are..these are cheap and still out there, you grab them when available. There ya go, parts.

I have a poulan 505 which runs perfect. Ran a 475 at the georgia GTG this summer. I swapped a stihl 310 for the 505. Rather have the older poulan, although that one is a rebadged jonsered (don't care, great saw, modern designed). The 8500 I just got is pure made in USA poulan.

 

[zogger]

I can lie on my back and look straight up the chimney. There's no build up that I can see. Of course there may be cracks in the mortar/brick that's hidden from my view.

I have a modern stove, no liner.

Also just got my freaking Caddy stuck in a ditch tonight! LMAO! Man, I am having a GREAT week. If any of you are mud slingers, appreciate any pointers you can give to get it out.

Well, my chimney is that old, too, I use it. Plan on lining it next year, but for now..just threw another chunk in the stove.

Stuck in the mud can be anything. Stuff under the wheels, tow it out with something.

When I get stuck around here it is usually an adventure, takes the little crawler sometimes...I really could use that sikorsky...

 

[Ambull01]

I've cut cords with mine. Parts are..these are cheap and still out there, you grab them when available. There ya go, parts.

I have a poulan 505 which runs perfect. Ran a 475 at the georgia GTG this summer. I swapped a stihl 310 for the 505. Rather have the older poulan, although that one is a rebadged jonsered (don't care, great saw, modern designed). The 8500 I just got is pure made in USA poulan.

Not a whole lot of info about the 475 online. Only thing I could find is it's almost 80cc. If the price is too close to a HD Makita I'll go with the s25

 

[Ambull01]

Well, my chimney is that old, too, I use it. Plan on lining it next year, but for now..just threw another chunk in the stove.

Stuck in the mud can be anything. Stuff under the wheels, tow it out with something.

When I get stuck around here it is usually an adventure, takes the little crawler sometimes...I really could use that sikorsky...

Hold on, you don't have a liner? How long you been burning?

BTW, did a search here on how to clean out carbs. Small engine repair guy said my saw's issue is probably a dirty carb. The search here brought up some of your older posts. I think I'll follow it. Break it down, take lots of pics to remember how stuff goes, then try and soak the carb in something.

Repair guy was going to charge me $80 to clean out the carb in some vibrating contraption but didn't want to spend since it's more than the saw at this point.