Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[Logger nate]

Re: Splitters, My 22 ton from Tractor Supply (County Line) has been excellent, would not choose anything different if I had it to do again. They go on sale for about $800 ($1,000 normal price).

It is fast, it splits anything in it's path, and it goes vertical when you need it. I've done over 20 cords with mine and it has not needed anything but gas (and the 6.5 Hp Kohler is good on that also). Has a long run time.

The only mod I made, put a 3' long Hard Maple handle on it to move it around more easily. THEY SHOULD COME WITH ONE. It is a life saver!

Good to know Mike, I've heard those are good splitters. I really do enjoy splitting with the X27 though and most of our wood does split pretty easy. I'm sure I'll need a splitter someday, good to have the info on them in case a good deal comes along.

 

[MustangMike]

I split by hand for many years, but I'm processing more wood now (used to just do it for myself) and I'm not getting any younger, so the splitter is a welcome item, it keeps me going. Also, it depends on the wood. Some of the Black Birch has been so stringy, and some of the Oak so wavy grained it would have taken a long time to split it by hand. Plus, processing Ys and Vs is now just child's play. In the past I would have either noodled them, or just left em in the woods.

I build a nifty 4 saw carrier for my trailer today, so I don't have to put the saws in the Escape when the trailer is loaded with wood. Did not finish it till after 9:00, so no pics, but I like how it came out. I'm going to screw it down, but it fits in place so nicely, you almost don't need to. Maybe I'll take some pics tomorrow, and I built it all from scrounged wood that my brother got for me (mostly treated decking that was recovered from a wheelchair ramp after the person passed). I like to re purpose stuff, and it was just the right size, many pieces did not even need to be cut!

 

[svk]

I like to re purpose stuff, and it was just the right size, many pieces did not even need to be cut!

You and me both. I never throw out lumber unless it's rotten or split. Everything else goes into the stack for another time.

 

[Logger nate]

I split by hand for many years, but I'm processing more wood now (used to just do it for myself) and I'm not getting any younger, so the splitter is a welcome item, it keeps me going. Also, it depends on the wood. Some of the Black Birch has been so stringy, and some of the Oak so wavy grained it would have taken a long time to split it by hand. Plus, processing Ys and Vs is now just child's play. In the past I would have either noodled them, or just left em in the woods.

I build a nifty 4 saw carrier for my trailer today, so I don't have to put the saws in the Escape when the trailer is loaded with wood. Did not finish it till after 9:00, so no pics, but I like how it came out. I'm going to screw it down, but it fits in place so nicely, you almost don't need to. Maybe I'll take some pics tomorrow, and I built is all from scrounged wood that my brother got for me (mostly treated decking that was recovered from a wheelchair ramp after the person passed). I like to re purpose stuff, and it was just the right size, many pieces did not even need to be cut!

Yes sir there are times when splitters are really nice.
That saw carrier sounds great, look forward to seeing the pics. I'm with you guys on reusing wood, built many things from pallets.

 

[hardpan]

Yes sir there are times when splitters are really nice.
That saw carrier sounds great, look forward to seeing the pics. I'm with you guys on reusing wood, built many things from pallets.

A guy can find some decent wood in pallets but sometimes they build them with ring shank or spiral shank nails and they are a mother to take apart with out wrecking the wood. LOL

 

[mu2bdriver]

About two pickup truck loads worth of stuff this morning.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Khntr85]

About two pickup truck loads worth of stuff this morning.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey nice haul!!!

 

[Logger nate]

A guy can find some decent wood in pallets but sometimes they build them with ring shank or spiral shank nails and they are a mother to take apart with out wrecking the wood. LOL

Yup, I usually cut the boards off or cut the nails with sawzall.

 

[MustangMike]

Well, I tinkered with my saw carrier some more today, and I promised some pics. It ain't fancy, but I will tell you this ... my wood shop teacher would have been proud of me, I found pieces that were either just the right size (or very close), or that could be cut once and used in 2 different places. He was always concerned about us not wasting wood!

I also made a little box over the wheel well to hold my mix and chain oil.

I had an 8' X 9.25" piece of 1/2" plywood in the shed, just the right width to correspond with the 2 X 10s already on the trailer, and just the right thickness to rest on that metal lip. Plus with the saddle I made to press fit over the center metal, I only had to screw it to the 2 X 10 and it is solid as a rock!

Also built a holder for a 5th saw (w/20" bar). A 28" will fit in the box. Had to notch the plywood for the dogs, and added a rubber padded wedge for the saw body. The eye hook for the tie downs completes it (plus a few holes drilled in the wood to accommodate the other end).

 

[svk]

Awesome Mike. I know what I'm doing when I get my trailer back from the welding updates.

 

[Logger nate]

Well, I tinkered with my saw carrier some more today, and I promised some pics. It ain't fancy, but I will tell you this ... my wood shop teacher would have been proud of me, I found pieces that were either just the right size (or very close), or that could be cut once and used in 2 different places. He was always concerned about us not wasting wood!

I also made a little box over the wheel well to hold my mix and chain oil.

I had an 8' X 9.25" piece of 1/2" plywood in the shed, just the right width to correspond with the 2 X 10s already on the trailer, and just the right thickness to rest on that metal lip. Plus with the saddle I made to press fit over the center metal, I only had to screw it to the 2 X 10 and it is solid as a rock!

Also built a holder for a 5th saw (w/20" bar). A 28" will fit in the box. Had to notch the plywood for the dogs, and added a rubber padded wedge for the saw body. The eye hook for the tie downs completes it (plus a few holes drilled in the wood to accommodate the other end).

Very nice!

 

[DFK]

Nice Mike:
What size is that trailer???
And did I hear you say that you pull it (Full of Firewood) with a Ford Escape??

Thanks
David

 

[MustangMike]

Dave, it is a 5 X 8 trailer (from Tractor Supply) and I put 1/2 cord at a time in it.

The 2010 Escape has a V-6 with a 6 speed tranny and is rated to tow 3,600 lbs.

This trailer rides much smoother than the 4X8 one I had previously, I really like it.

It all seems to work very well.

 

[James Miller]

this one was fun big spaulted maple at moms neighbors they did the top and sead the saw "wouldn't cut any more" the chain had blueing on the teeth from being pushed so hard. Took my 590. Made short work of the trunk for him. now I need to find time to get it split and on the racks.

 

[svk]

Hauled 1/2 half cord of aspen to a friend's house for his fire pit this afternoon then headed to the cabin. 3.5" of rain in the gauge since Saturday. No lovejoy yet for the splitter so I'll be doing carpentry this weekend.

 

[svk]

A few photos from the afternoon:

Fawn track.


Skunk rooting for turtle eggs near the lake.


Baby birds are just about ready to fledge.


New screen tent.

 

[Philbert]

Fawn track.

Smaller than a buck!

Philbert

 

[MustangMike]

Split some more Oak on Friday, and the owner tells me he wants two more trees down.

A Black Birch about 18-20" in diameter, and a slightly thinner but very tall Shag Hickory. Looks like I will have more firewood for next year.

 

[svk]

Threw some chips today but only on the chop saw.

80 degrees and very high humidity wasn't the most desirable day to do insulation and sheeting of my ceiling but it had to be done. I've drank over 2.5 gallons of fluid today, not counting the beer I'm about to consume.

 

[Logger nate]

Happy Father's Day to all you dads. Had a great day spending time with my son.
No firewood this weekend but did scrounge up a nice used panther mill.