Hello Everyone...
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I was interested to see that a chainsaw was in the news last week. I was watching CNN and saw footage of an angry man in England who rushed into a pub with a running chainsaw. I suppose he was upset about something...or maybe it was bad timing for a tree removal. Anyhow, I understand that no one got hurt so this make things easier for us to joke about it. Not many of us have ever gotten so mad that we grab for a weapon...and if we did it was probably a stick or a rock. "Hey, a chainsaw will do!"
Here is the footage from the bar. The footage isn't Hollywood quality but you get the idea. Again, no one got hurt...there is no gore...so sit back and enjoy.
If you are walking down the street with a chainsaw in England, what side do you walk on? The right or left? Practically speaking I recognize a chainsaw is a very dangerous machine but I'm not sure how effective a weapon it would be. What if your victim ran? Could you run them down with a 14 pound Poulan in your hands? Or maybe this guy wasn't really going to slice up anyone but rather wanted quality points for his presentation? These are very important questions to ponder!
Safe Cutting!
OWB
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Noodling With A Chainsaw
Hello Everyone!
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I have mentioned in other posts about "noodling" a log if it is too big and heavy to pick up. I like to use this chainsaw technique when I am in the woods without a splitter. If I cut up a big tree and left with a bunch of logs that are too heavy for me to pick up I simply noodle them into smaller pieces. In the old days I would risk a certain trip to the chiropractor as I put all my muscle into lugging a huge round into the back of my truck. But, thanks to a Friend's advice, who is a very experienced woodcutter, I now simply noodle the log into quarters and load up the truck.
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Noodling is not "cross cutting" where you are cutting across all the growth rings at the same time. Noodling is done by cutting along the log. This way you are only cutting through one grown ring at a time. Here are some videos below to better illustrate this technique.
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Here is a quick video of Noodling. Notice the big noodles that your saw makes when you cut like this.
Here is another example of Noodling. This guy seems to be noodling for the fun of it but you get the idea. Notice how quick the noodles pile up. Oh yeah...Makita saws are made by Dolmar.
And last, here is a small Echo saw noodling a very large round. You can see how quick you can quarter up a huge log. The man in this video looks like he is noodling for fun as he makes extra cuts but...you get the idea
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I think the last video is pretty cool where you can see how quick a smaller saw can noodle through a huge round of hardwood. Many people freak out when they see this as they most likely have never seen cutting like this before. I was once the same way. Just remember Noodling is not cross cutting. Don't let anyone tell you different. If you have the time just type in "chainsaw Noodles" into YouTube and enjoy the show. There are hundreds of videos all for your viewing pleasure.
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OWB
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I have mentioned in other posts about "noodling" a log if it is too big and heavy to pick up. I like to use this chainsaw technique when I am in the woods without a splitter. If I cut up a big tree and left with a bunch of logs that are too heavy for me to pick up I simply noodle them into smaller pieces. In the old days I would risk a certain trip to the chiropractor as I put all my muscle into lugging a huge round into the back of my truck. But, thanks to a Friend's advice, who is a very experienced woodcutter, I now simply noodle the log into quarters and load up the truck.
*
Noodling is not "cross cutting" where you are cutting across all the growth rings at the same time. Noodling is done by cutting along the log. This way you are only cutting through one grown ring at a time. Here are some videos below to better illustrate this technique.
*
Here is a quick video of Noodling. Notice the big noodles that your saw makes when you cut like this.
Here is another example of Noodling. This guy seems to be noodling for the fun of it but you get the idea. Notice how quick the noodles pile up. Oh yeah...Makita saws are made by Dolmar.
And last, here is a small Echo saw noodling a very large round. You can see how quick you can quarter up a huge log. The man in this video looks like he is noodling for fun as he makes extra cuts but...you get the idea
*
I think the last video is pretty cool where you can see how quick a smaller saw can noodle through a huge round of hardwood. Many people freak out when they see this as they most likely have never seen cutting like this before. I was once the same way. Just remember Noodling is not cross cutting. Don't let anyone tell you different. If you have the time just type in "chainsaw Noodles" into YouTube and enjoy the show. There are hundreds of videos all for your viewing pleasure.
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OWB
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Troy-Bilt 27 Ton Log Splitter
Hello Everyone...
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This spring I added a new tool to my woodshed. I purchased a Troy-Bilt 27 ton log splitter from my local dealer who also sells me my Husqvarna and Dolmar chainsaws. I put a lot of thought into the log splitter I wanted to buy and decided this guy fit my needs the best. Here is a recent action photo of me lugging and my dad at the lever.
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There is a wide range of splitters on the market from inexpensive electric models to mega-bucks processors. The most popular are the hydraulic types such as mine. Hydraulic splitters are slow in terms of production but highly reliable and portable. The major factor for me was I wanted to be able to pull my splitter behind my truck or my four-wheeler to my work site and I also wanted the ability to easily put the machine away in my barn at the end of the day. Of the hydraulic splitters the prices can range from $1000 to as high as $5000 with the more expensive ones having more features and professional grade parts. Given my needs and that speed of production is not a big deal for me, I went with the Troy-Bilt for around $1300. There are other brands that are just as good, Tractor Supply has a very good splitter for example, but if I'm sinking this much money in a tool I like the peace of mind to know I have local dealer support and a healthy warranty. The Tractor Supply splitter is very well built, is a little cheaper, but you also have to buy the hydro fluid. I think also anytime you make a major purchase like this from a big-box retailer you run the risk of an uncertain service policy and indifferent employees. My splitter was assembled, tuned, and ready to work when I took it home.
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In the picture below you can see that I was able to back the splitter right up to my wood shed saving me time and energy. This Troy-Bilt is pretty rugged and split all of my biggest logs. I realize the bigger splitters would probably work faster and easier on big wood but factoring in price I am very happy with this splitter.
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This Troy-Bilt Splitter also can be made to work vertical for logs too big to lug. The one thing I have to be careful with, however, is the engine is near the splitting wedge so I have to take care that a split log doesn't plop onto the engine. Most splitters of this design come with the same concerns but with good working habits this can be avoided. Below is a picture of a big log of ash. The Troy-Bilt zipped right through it.
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I am very pleased with my purchase but I realize your situation and needs may be different than mine. If you are into MAJOR production or require fast production you would be better served to get something different. The bottom line is a splitter is a major back-saver and adds a different dimension to firewood procurement. I wish I would have picked one of these up about 5 years ago.
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OWB
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This spring I added a new tool to my woodshed. I purchased a Troy-Bilt 27 ton log splitter from my local dealer who also sells me my Husqvarna and Dolmar chainsaws. I put a lot of thought into the log splitter I wanted to buy and decided this guy fit my needs the best. Here is a recent action photo of me lugging and my dad at the lever.
*
There is a wide range of splitters on the market from inexpensive electric models to mega-bucks processors. The most popular are the hydraulic types such as mine. Hydraulic splitters are slow in terms of production but highly reliable and portable. The major factor for me was I wanted to be able to pull my splitter behind my truck or my four-wheeler to my work site and I also wanted the ability to easily put the machine away in my barn at the end of the day. Of the hydraulic splitters the prices can range from $1000 to as high as $5000 with the more expensive ones having more features and professional grade parts. Given my needs and that speed of production is not a big deal for me, I went with the Troy-Bilt for around $1300. There are other brands that are just as good, Tractor Supply has a very good splitter for example, but if I'm sinking this much money in a tool I like the peace of mind to know I have local dealer support and a healthy warranty. The Tractor Supply splitter is very well built, is a little cheaper, but you also have to buy the hydro fluid. I think also anytime you make a major purchase like this from a big-box retailer you run the risk of an uncertain service policy and indifferent employees. My splitter was assembled, tuned, and ready to work when I took it home.
*
In the picture below you can see that I was able to back the splitter right up to my wood shed saving me time and energy. This Troy-Bilt is pretty rugged and split all of my biggest logs. I realize the bigger splitters would probably work faster and easier on big wood but factoring in price I am very happy with this splitter.
*
This Troy-Bilt Splitter also can be made to work vertical for logs too big to lug. The one thing I have to be careful with, however, is the engine is near the splitting wedge so I have to take care that a split log doesn't plop onto the engine. Most splitters of this design come with the same concerns but with good working habits this can be avoided. Below is a picture of a big log of ash. The Troy-Bilt zipped right through it.
*
I am very pleased with my purchase but I realize your situation and needs may be different than mine. If you are into MAJOR production or require fast production you would be better served to get something different. The bottom line is a splitter is a major back-saver and adds a different dimension to firewood procurement. I wish I would have picked one of these up about 5 years ago.
*
OWB
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Big Oak
I wanted to post some pictures of a wood score I had earlier this fall. A local farmer friend called me to offer up a huge red oak that fell victim to a recent wind storm. Of course I jumped at the chance! This is a very big oak! Just the job for my very big Dolmar 7900! Below is a photo I snapped as I rested to enjoy my progress. I have found the Dolmar to be a very photogenic saw.
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Of all the firewood I have processed in my life, surprisingly the type I have the least experience with is oak. I can't explain why as Ohio is thoroughly populated with oak but...hey...here was a chance to become acquainted. This is a huge tree about 35 inches-round but the trunk is probably 40 feet long. I was excited to see the amount of firewood I could get out of the trunk alone.
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Of course anytime a debate is started over the best firewood, oak is usually regarded as supreme because it burns hot, burns long...major BTU's. I can't dispute that but I have to be honest I am not a big fan of working with oak. First, oak smells awful when you cut it...similar to the smell I recall from elementary school when someone would barf in the hallway. Ugh. Second, oak is very heavy...it wears you out to lug, throw in the truck and stack when you get home. Oak splits pretty easy but again it's heavy to lug and, after each split, you are welcomed with the potent odor of vomit. Ugh.
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A big concern with this job was the amount of poison ivy that had grown on the tree. The farmer had sprayed it with some industrial strength herbicide but I still managed to get some skin rash on my hands and arms.
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Above you see some of the big rounds the Dolmar produced. You can see where I started "noodling" the rounds into smaller pieces. I got about 4 truckloads of firewood out of this tree alone. In case you were wondering...the Dolmar 7900 powered through this tree like it was a pine log. The Dolmar has grunt like you can't imagine. The anti-vibe was given its chance to shine as well...the Dolmar was smooth as silk in this hard oak. What a saw!
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That's all for now. I split a bunch of wood today and have some pictures I will post soon. The Troy Bilt splitter is pretty powerful. It handled some tough logs today and ran flawlessly. Safe Cutting.
OWB.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
What a Year...Waiting on Winter
Hello Everyone...
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Well, it's been an interesting year for me as I now head into what I like to call "Burning Season." Today I fired up my Hardy H2 for the winter and now I begin the daily routine of feeding the furnace its compliment of logs to keep the home toasty warm.
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When I say it's been an interesting year it's mainly due to the way "life got in the way" of my woodcutting. This year Northeast Ohio had the wettest spring in our history and the rain...along with the muddy fields...kept me, my saws, and my truck at home until things dried out...which was about early July around here. Once July came the temperatures went up into the 90's and stayed there...which made things too hot to cut wood. This fall when the weather started to cool off I was hit with a significant case of pneumonia which I am still recovering from. All of these factors, along with dealing with a sick family member conspired to keep me from bringing home the season's wood needed to ensure a warm winter.
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These unfortunate events...weather, calamities, etc...are why I have always recommended to keep at least a two-year supply of wood at all times. I am pretty sure I will have enough wood to get me into the spring but I may be cutting things close. We shall see. I have to say the pneumonia has been a huge deal for me. I'm mazed how my poor lungs have been much more debilitating to my wood procurement than even when I broke my ankle a couple years ago. You can never take your health for granted and certainly these last six weeks have driven that fact home. Along with the coughing, discomfort, lack of energy, dizzy spells and near-fainting episodes I have really been sapped of my desire to cut wood...even to organize my wood shed. I am very behind...
*
On a positive note for the year, I did manage to add a new toy to my wood cutting operation...a log splitter. After a lot of thought I went with a tried and true Troy Bilt 27 ton hydraulic splitter. I know it has a slow cycle but I liked that I could pull it to the work site to split up the large rounds my big Dolmar 7900 provides. It will work vertical or horizontal which can be a back saver. I haven't got to use it as much as I planned,...because of what I wrote above...but it's nice to know I have it and can pull it out of the barn when I need it. Here is a picture of my new splitter the day I brought it home this spring. Yes, it was raining that day too.
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That's all for now. I will be taking some pictures of my wood pile in a couple days to show you my progress. Ohio is supposed to have some 60 degree weather this week so I will be taking some more time to organize the wood pile. The problem now is when I get home from work its too dark outside to see.
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OWB
*
Well, it's been an interesting year for me as I now head into what I like to call "Burning Season." Today I fired up my Hardy H2 for the winter and now I begin the daily routine of feeding the furnace its compliment of logs to keep the home toasty warm.
*
When I say it's been an interesting year it's mainly due to the way "life got in the way" of my woodcutting. This year Northeast Ohio had the wettest spring in our history and the rain...along with the muddy fields...kept me, my saws, and my truck at home until things dried out...which was about early July around here. Once July came the temperatures went up into the 90's and stayed there...which made things too hot to cut wood. This fall when the weather started to cool off I was hit with a significant case of pneumonia which I am still recovering from. All of these factors, along with dealing with a sick family member conspired to keep me from bringing home the season's wood needed to ensure a warm winter.
*
These unfortunate events...weather, calamities, etc...are why I have always recommended to keep at least a two-year supply of wood at all times. I am pretty sure I will have enough wood to get me into the spring but I may be cutting things close. We shall see. I have to say the pneumonia has been a huge deal for me. I'm mazed how my poor lungs have been much more debilitating to my wood procurement than even when I broke my ankle a couple years ago. You can never take your health for granted and certainly these last six weeks have driven that fact home. Along with the coughing, discomfort, lack of energy, dizzy spells and near-fainting episodes I have really been sapped of my desire to cut wood...even to organize my wood shed. I am very behind...
*
On a positive note for the year, I did manage to add a new toy to my wood cutting operation...a log splitter. After a lot of thought I went with a tried and true Troy Bilt 27 ton hydraulic splitter. I know it has a slow cycle but I liked that I could pull it to the work site to split up the large rounds my big Dolmar 7900 provides. It will work vertical or horizontal which can be a back saver. I haven't got to use it as much as I planned,...because of what I wrote above...but it's nice to know I have it and can pull it out of the barn when I need it. Here is a picture of my new splitter the day I brought it home this spring. Yes, it was raining that day too.
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That's all for now. I will be taking some pictures of my wood pile in a couple days to show you my progress. Ohio is supposed to have some 60 degree weather this week so I will be taking some more time to organize the wood pile. The problem now is when I get home from work its too dark outside to see.
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OWB
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