Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[Backyard Lumberjack]

A little back history on that. It’s probably from a Walmart fire pit. The legs last forever but the metal “bowl” that sits on top rusts out in 3-4 seasons.

hi svk - you probably are right. hadn't thot too much about its origins, but WM fp makes sense. guess i will semi-repurpse it! lol. had wondered if maybe a pot stand of some sort. big pot! lol... has spring shown up in ur neck of the woods yet? or trying to arrive, maybe?....

down here, a/c yesterday afternoon, heater ON this morning... now thunderstorms with tons of thunder. non-stop. sounds like an artillery front from WWII along the D-Day activities... beach head. dark out, some snow mite help... lol, plenty hail last nite just N of us... some reported to be billiard ball sized!

billiard ball size hail?... 'NO THANKS!'

 

[muad]

Speaking of fire pits. I need some ideas. I'm thinking of making one with yard pavers, versus metal. Not sure yet. If I did do metal, I'd want a good one that would last.

My wife and daughter want a small pit/sitting area out back.

 

[Deleted member 150358]

Wide tractor rim raised/vented with pavers works. Easy to clean out. Just don't give it too much air or winds will turn it into a blast furnace.

 

[Philbert]

Final clean up day at this spot on the farm today. Raked up all the bark and splitting junk. A couple of ranger loads of stuff. . . .
Heading out again now to check on my fires and load up the remaining peppermint. These logs will be for another day.

Was going to ask what you did with all the stringy stuff in the first photo; later photo answered that!

I still remember a time, not long ago, when fires still made you guys nervous down there!

Philbert

 

[svk]

Speaking of fire pits. I need some ideas. I'm thinking of making one with yard pavers, versus metal. Not sure yet. If I did do metal, I'd want a good one that would last.

My wife and daughter want a small pit/sitting area out back.

I think they do make better ones but the price goes up.

If I wanted a good permanent pit I’d go for the round metal frame that has a bracket for the swing away cooking grate. They are designed to have the rounded pavers put around the outside. Then you’ve got the best of both worlds.

I always worry about a metal only pit because you are one slip from picking up a nasty burn. With pavers around it you have a place to put your feet up.

 

[muad]

I think they do make better ones but the price goes up.

If I wanted a good permanent pit I’d go for the round metal frame that has a bracket for the swing away cooking grate. They are designed to have the rounded pavers put around the outside. Then you’ve got the best of both worlds.

I always worry about a metal only pit because you are one slip from picking up a nasty burn. With pavers around it you have a place to put your feet up.

Would love the swing away grate. My buddy picked up one from Rural King with a cooking grate, and it was OK. Pretty cheaply made. I'm pretty sure it's probably scrap metal by now, as that was 2-3 summers ago. Haven't been over there in a while.

 

[muad]

Wide tractor rim raised/vented with pavers works. Easy to clean out. Just don't give it too much air or winds will turn it into a blast furnace.

Not a bad idea! Thanks brother!

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

I think they do make better ones but the price goes up. If I wanted a good permanent pit I’d go for the round metal frame that has a bracket for the swing away cooking grate. They are designed to have the rounded pavers put around the outside. Then you’ve got the best of both worlds. I always worry about a metal only pit because you are one slip from picking up a nasty burn. With pavers around it you have a place to put your feet up.

many ways to accomplish that, but for sure... once the wood coals such as hickory, oak or mesquite have burned down to a red hot coals bed... and as u look at it... you will say!: 'gzz, now wouldn't that be nice to grill a steak over!'

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

Would love the swing away grate. My buddy picked up one from Rural King with a cooking grate, and it was OK. Pretty cheaply made. I'm pretty sure it's probably scrap metal by now, as that was 2-3 summers ago. Haven't been over there in a while.

if u can weld, or have a friend who can... skies the limit!

 

[Logger nate]

Wide tractor rim raised/vented with pavers works. Easy to clean out. Just don't give it too much air or winds will turn it into a blast furnace.

Yep

Took a load of wood to my buddy’s shop that’s been in the trailer all winter nice dry stuff, sure split easy.
Still little snow left, was over his windows not too long ago

 

[farmer steve]

Found this little guy under a rubber tarp on a wood pile this morning. Hope he isn't the corona type.

 

[muad]

if u can weld, or have a friend who can... skies the limit!

I'm OK at welding. Took three years of metal shop in HS, but that was 20 years ago! Once in a while I'll do some mig welds to fix stuff using my buddies welder. I need to buy one, as I could totally put one to use on the farm.

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

I'm OK at welding. Took three years of metal shop in HS, but that was 20 years ago! Once in a while I'll do some mig welds to fix stuff using my buddies welder. I need to buy one, as I could totally put one to use on the farm.

should have 'the basics' down pat, then! entry level units are budget minded! this from HF at $120. add in a 20% coupon and its a deal! 125 amp. that should handle up to 1/2" plate relatively easy with some good Ving and bead running. I have a Miller 225 amp arc. most of the heavy welding I have done has fallen in the 85-100 amp range... up to quarter plate, etc. sometimes HI and sometimes Low. I fabbed up some 1/2" stuff with ease HI 125 or so... 1/8th or 3/16th rod... arc not as clean as wire, for example... but definitely deep penetrating! for light I prefer oxy/act or... heliarc!

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

Not a bad idea! Thanks brother!

I have seen them in parks, camp sites... for the fire pit. big rims. or similar -

 

[H-Ranch]

Cleaning up a bit of trash I cut on my own trails this winter. First load may end up in the burn pile of it doesn't dry out. Maybe some of the second. If it dries then it will be mixed in for shoulder season.

 

[Logger nate]

Not a bad idea! Thanks brother!

I’ve tried some different ones and like this by far the best, goes through wood little faster but no smoke in your face! Goes straight up.

 

[Philbert]

Speaking of fire pits. I need some ideas. I'm thinking of making one with yard pavers, versus metal. Not sure yet. If I did do metal, I'd want a good one that would last.

If I wanted a good permanent pit I’d go for the round metal frame that has a bracket for the swing away cooking grate.

I have seen them in parks, camp sites... for the fire pit. big rims. or similar -

A semi-truck rim is often a low cost approach. Used, damaged from a truck tire shop.

These guys make park grade equipment - I bought a picnic table from them 20+ years ago and the frame still looks like new:
https://www.pilotrock.com/campfire-rings/
Philbert

 

[muad]

should have 'the basics' down pat, then! entry level units are budget minded! this from HF at $120. add in a 20% coupon and its a deal! 125 amp. that should handle up to 1/2" plate relatively easy with some good Ving and bead running. I have a Miller 225 amp arc. most of the heavy welding I have done has fallen in the 85-100 amp range... up to quarter plate, etc. sometimes HI and sometimes Low. I fabbed up some 1/2" stuff with ease HI 125 or so... 1/8th or 3/16th rod... arc not as clean as wire, for example... but definitely deep penetrating! for light I prefer oxy/act or... heliarc!

I learned mig on my Buddy's Miller. we built a go-kart of our schedule 40 pipe. it was a tank!

That's funny you mention the HF model, that looks like the exact one my other buddy has that I've used lately. LOL.

I need to build a cart for my new to me generator. Maybe I "need" to buy a welder of my own to build it.

 

[muad]

A semi-truck rim is often a low cost approach. Used, damaged from a truck tire shop.

These guys make park grade equipment - I bought a picnic table from them 20+ years ago and the frame still looks like new:
https://www.pilotrock.com/campfire-rings/
Philbert

Just secured a couple semi rims. One of my best friends runs a tow truck company, and I help with with their IT needs.

Wife likes the idea, and she's off on Pinterest looking at options LOL

 

[svk]

Man. Woke up with a splitting headache this morning. As soon as I started moving around I had a ton of sinus drainage which I’m sure is a result of emptying the boiler without a respirator/“mask” on. Finally emptied my stomach of the drainage around 8 and slept for a couple hours. Just finished lunch and feel better now. Since my back is already sore I think I’ll go finish up the road so the chiropractor can adjust me tomorrow.