Wedge Renewal

[Philbert]

This has been mentioned in a few threads on wedges - here are some 'Before' and 'After' photos (hope you can tell which are which!).

Plastic bucking / felling wedges are 'consumables', and in a sense sacrificial, but no need to waste them if they can be brought back to serviceable life. This group had accumulated in the 'what do we do with these?' box of a storm clean up group that I volunteer with:




A few minutes with this:



Provided this:





Philbert

 

[Woodyjiw]

Thanks for the tip...

 

[Philbert]

Some folks need long, full-length wedges for falling large trees. I mostly use mine for keeping the kerf open when bucking, so even smaller, odd shaped ones are handy to carry in a pocket.

- I cut the damaged tips off with a bandsaw (hacksaw, or any fine tooth saw would work);
- Form a new bevel / taper with the belt sander, and re-shape any damaged parts;
- Cut off any 'fuzz' that forms with a sharp utility knife - the thermoplastic wedge material gets soft (and hot!) when sanded;
- Square the end with the disc sander;
- ***Form the final edge bevel by sanding into the wedge***. The thermoplastic material will melt back into a smooth, solid bevel, instead of forming a goopy, fuzzy, soft mess at the end.

Philbert

 

[p61 western]

Good tip sure beats throwing them away,i'm going to clean up a few now.

 

[computeruser]

Yup, the second-time-around wedges are definitely good for small, non-critical falling and for kerf-keeping, tasks where you don't need to be able to stack the wedges.

Nice work, by the way!

 

[Del_]

Thanks!

 

[Bmezz88]

Thanks for the tip!

 

[The Thriftdrifter]

I really like the photos and explanations Philbert. This site is great!

 

[CR888]

I bet that sandpaper wheel is good for bar maintenance too, I'd love one in my shed. Good one Philbert you now have wedges in lots of sizes.

 

[Philbert]

I bet that sandpaper wheel is good for bar maintenance too, I'd love one in my shed.

It would work with the right sandpaper. But this one is in my wood shop, and sparks and sawdust don't behave well together!
If you picked up a small, used, table saw, you could fit it with a sanding disc and grind bars somewhere where there would not be a fire hazard.

Philbert

 

[p61 western]

You are just full of good idea's,would of never thought about a table saw with a disc on it.

 

[Philbert]

You are just full of good idea's,would of never thought about a table saw with a disc on it.

Using a table saw as a disc sander goes back many years. Sears and many other companies offered sanding discs as standard accessories, and many guys have made them out of plywood. These could be used for renewing wedges, as well as a portable belt sander, mounted upside down in some type of stand.

But, again, if used for metal, they must be cleaned of any sawdust, and not connected to a dust collection system for wood. That is is why I suggested a small, used, table saw that could be carried outside, or placed in a metal shop. Re: bar grinding @CR888, I also remembered this post from a few years back:
http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/another-way-to-dress-a-bar.250111/

Philbert

 

[Philbert]

I have since been advised not to do this indoors, due to the plastic fumes. It does stink up my basement for a while.
So I have moved outside, and added an N-95 respirator/mask. No smell.

It's very portable; like my own, personal, wedge M*A*S*H unit!





Philbert

 

[stihl sawing]

I'm happy to see I ain't the only one that hits em with the chain.

 

[Philbert]

I'm happy to see I ain't the only one that hits em with the chain.

Not me!

Seriously, these were from a felling class this weekend, and I wasn't holding a saw. 'Reconditioned' 26 wedges - most of them twice! Coarse (60 to 80 grit) belt seems to works good. Adjustable speed belt sander is a plus for plastic.

But, I suppose that there have been times that I might have nicked one, or sent it flying!.

Philbert

 

[stihl sawing]

Not me!

Seriously, these were from a felling class this weekend, and I wasn't holding a saw. 'Reconditioned' 26 wedges - most of them twice! Coarse (60 to 80 grit) belt seems to works good. Adjustable speed belt sander is a plus for plastic.

But, I suppose that there have been times that I might have nicked one, or sent it flying!.

Philbert

I cleaned up four of em a few days ago. Put a new edge on. couple I tossed cause they were too far gone.

 

[jakethesnake]

A tight plastic wedge will cause some pretty aggressive kickback. Not sure if they teach that in class or not. Worth a mention.

 

[pioneerguy600]

They need the long slim and flat taper like original factory finish to be of use for me as a felling wedge, not as important as a bucking wedge. Plastic and homemade wooden wedges are sacrificial items, good idea to refurbish them but be careful when using them.

 

[Ted Jenkins]

I have since been advised not to do this indoors, due to the plastic fumes. It does stink up my basement for a while.
So I have moved outside, and added an N-95 respirator/mask. No smell.

It's very portable; like my own, personal, wedge M*A*S*H uni Philbert

Philbert I honestly do not know how well plastic wedges work. I have used them from time to time, but have never put a priority to carrying them around unless I have large amount to falling to do. When I anticipate some falling or possible need for wedges I make 20 or 30 and leave them every where. Pine limbs or Oak limbs make great wedges. I have had as many as 6 wedges with me for a larger tree and discovered that they were not enough so had to make some anyway. When I have a tree that really needs help I want to completely fill the back cut with wedges which can take many to do so. Thanks

 

[Bobby Kirbos]

What is the purpose of the hand written numbers on the wedges?