Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[Lionsfan]

Some of the newer stuff is pretty impressive, all the carpenters at work have battery powered everything these days and speak pretty highly of it. The company pays for 99% of it though. I don't work with wood enough to justify the cost, and my current stuff all works very well.

We have a pile of 18v Milwaukee stuff at work. 1/2" drills and impact drivers are staples of our daily routine for quick repairs. When it gets serious, battery grinders, drills and sawzall's simply don't match up, and we dig out the ol' reliable corded stuff that takes a beating year after year.

 

[MustangMike]

I know the 20V DeWalt was a big step up from their 18V stuff. The battery technology is different, as are the motors. They run stronger and last longer and the batteries hold a charge (when not used) for much longer.

 

[mountainguyed67]

when I was workuing at an agricultural equipment plant.

Is that a combination of working and arguing?

 

[H-Ranch]

Wow, I forgot how much "splitter trash" you can generate, especially with twisted or knotty wood. That's just not much of a problem with hand splitting. Made a few piles tonight, but had to hustle to get the trailer loaded before dark so no photos. No worries, you'll get pics when I start it in the wheelbarrow.

 

[bob kern]

Saw this and thought of our bar oil jug conversation earlier, funny stuff, and I'm pretty sure he's a member here too.

I used to cut all the wood to heat my house with a non-AV Homelite. I know what it is like to cut on a cold winter day and for your hands and arms to still be vibrating ten minutes after you've finished cutting. I don't like running a non-AV saw ... not even for 30 seconds!

If I had one, it would be a wall hanger, but in truth I gave them away (which may have been a mistake). Between the lack of AV, and the recurring recoil problems I had with the Homelite saws, after I got my 044, I NEVER USED THEM AGAIN! Twice as fast, 10X more reliable, and smoother to operate.

044 is a good saw for sure. Don't have one myself but I run my brother's occasionally. My Stihl stall consists of 011, 025, 029, 290, 034 & and an 056. I had a 291 I really liked but a guy talked me out of it so to speak. My other big saws are all old iron.

 

[sean donato]

Since my cabin is "off the grid" I use battery powered tools up there a lot. I've been very impressed with the DeWalt 20V stuff, and I have lots of batteries for them.

The drill, impact and hedge trimmer seem to last almost forever, but the saws (both circular and reciprocating) will eat batteries but get a good amount of work done.

I even have a battery vacuum/blower and emergency lights. Luckily, if I use up the batter in one tool, I can just take a battery from another tool.

The guys just started getting the higher voltage tools with the multi voltage batteries. Think 9 and 12 amp hr rating.

She’ll pull no raker , ya better hold on tight Lol , View attachment 1116571

Keep showing me that picture and I'm gonna find where you live and borrow that saw...lol.

We have a pile of 18v Milwaukee stuff at work. 1/2" drills and impact drivers are staples of our daily routine for quick repairs. When it gets serious, battery grinders, drills and sawzall's simply don't match up, and we dig out the ol' reliable corded stuff that takes a beating year after year.

My uncle and cousin do the same at their shop. Really like his 3/4" impact, but it doesn't compare to the old IR air impact.

I know the 20V DeWalt was a big step up from their 18V stuff. The battery technology is different, as are the motors. They run stronger and last longer and the batteries hold a charge (when not used) for much longer.

Nicd/nimh batteries and brushed motors vs lithium batteries and largely (at this point) brushless motors. I have mostly brushed motors but the lithium batteries for my drill and impact driver. The 5 amp hr batteries last a real long time vs the old 18volt batteries. My angle grinder really eats through them though. Still use my corded one 90% of the time.

 

[MustangMike]

I never tried square filing. I always try to run full chisel chain.

Full chisel is very easily converted to square, and you don't even have to fully convert it to feel the difference. I you just run a few strokes to convert the corner, you will notice the difference. For hardwood use angles of 45 (down) 45 (back) and 45 (tilt). Just make sure the corner of the file is in the corner of the tooth and stroke straight. Also, file square from the outside in.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

It is more than just that. If they don't feed right, it can be frustrating to figure out. If the chain is sharp and you "dog" it in, it will cut fast, but I like it to feed right. 90+% of the time it does, but sometimes it is tough to figure out why it does not.

Some days ago at a wood yard I do saw work for I watched a guy cutting a 24” dry pine log with a muffler modded 661, 32” bar/8t sprocket…struggle in the cut. Saw sounded like crap.…cut was going sideways. I told him to stop…somethings wrong. Chain was sharp, not the problem. But, it was binding in the cut when I tried it. (Not operator error). Bar was worn out along with a sharp but worn chain on its last mm of tooth.
threw on a 28” out of the shed, good chain…blew through the wood As it should.
told the worker…”this is how this saw should cut. If it doesn’t, stop and figure out why.”

 

[singinwoodwackr]

She’ll pull no raker , ya better hold on tight Lol , View attachment 1116571

Actually, those rakers look a tad high…

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

The forecast keeps changing! Instead of just today, it is supposed to rain almost all day tomorrow too. Predictions are for a total of 5" of rain, flooding is already being reported in a lot of areas.

saw it on the news! steps cascading waterfalls... water to fenders and still driving in it. subways flooded! wouldn't like a basement apt!! more of same to be expected they said as world further warms....

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

Yep, sums it up pretty well. Moved some wood over to the splitter last evening after work, left foot deep ruts with the kubota in the back yard. Pretty much sick of the rain at this point.

not to poke... but now u know how we felt about it when living up in Seattle! lol

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

I've had chains that look like crap but cut well, and chains that look great but don't cut so well. So, I don't pay much attention to how my chains look, just how they work.

If I'm not happy with them I try to fix them, if I can't fix them I replace them! Most of my chains have been on the same saws for a long time, unless they get badly rocked.

hope my new ones work well!

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

Bill’s Saw

Bill, an ‘older guy’ I used to work with, was really proud of his Porter-Cable circular saw. He had the ‘contractor grade’ model, with the grease reservoir.

1/8 turn, every couple hours of run time to lube the bearings

Work provided most ‘big’ tools, but gave each of the maintenance guys, like him, a yearly stipend, for personal stuff.

His saw was about $150 in 1970’s dollars.

Always wanted one, but couldn’t really justify one. Even while remodeling our house: the Craftsman and Black& Decker stuff was more than adequate. ‘Good enough’. Plus, I was / am not a ‘contractor’.

Porter Cable was bought out, and dumbed-down to a consumer brand, sold at Lowe’s. When a couple of companies make all the tools, the brand names just become ‘extra stuff’ that compete against each other.

This is not the same model as Bill’s, but still nicer than what I have. And it was at a church rummage sale for less than the cost of a good replacement blade.

Some people just don’t like, or appreciate, corded tools anymore.

This was worth it just for positive thoughts of Bill whenever I use it.

View attachment 1116449

Philbert

i do like my lil cordless blower at times better than my hurricane gas-one. my cordless B&D! depite 4 deWalts. and even like my smart fone! lol

most of my tools per se, use 110-v! some 220, even though cordless offers some neat utilities, often the amps from 110-v hard to beat...

and i never have to charge it!

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

He created a Venturi, just like a carburetor

They say that the drains, instead of water coming up and out of them in downpours, they actually hear a sucking sound from them now

And yes, Home Mason Supply and Dains Lumber are forever grateful

too many carbs can suc! be bad carbs. but as a rule, more carbs rule! Good carbs:

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

We’ll still raining, over 5 inches of rain

inch an hour they said. other day our area saw storms... and rains... some at 1" in 15 mind!!!

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

Serenity Now ,

even when it is 102f out...

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

It is more than just that. If they don't feed right, it can be frustrating to figure out. If the chain is sharp and you "dog" it in, it will cut fast, but I like it to feed right. 90+% of the time it does, but sometimes it is tough to figure out why it does not.

i figured it out...

 

[SimonHS]

I forgot how much "splitter trash" you can generate

It makes great kindling.

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

Since my cabin is "off the grid" I use battery powered tools up there a lot. I've been very impressed with the DeWalt 20V stuff, and I have lots of batteries for them.The drill, impact and hedge trimmer seem to last almost forever, but the saws (both circular and reciprocating) will eat batteries but get a good amount of work done.
I even have a battery vacuum/blower and emergency lights. Luckily, if I use up the batter in one tool, I can just take a battery from another tool.

i forgot about those! got 3. small med large. large a ryobi, gift. smaller ones uses mostly for crumbs, etc in kichen. slick lil suckers!!! pls pardon the pun....

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

I invested in a lot of my tools when the battery stuff was not as reliable.

Today, batteries dominate.

I have the battery outdoor power equipment largely because it was provided for review and feedback. I was impressed.

At home, in the city, I always had corded electric lawnmower, hedge trimmer, etc. Everything except snow thrower.

Philbert

the builder helping me with my wilderness cabin mods n restore... all battery! Ryobi. only corded are the battery chargers. those tools he has are rugid and real wk horse. have to admit i like the lil cordless skill saws....