I know I have posted this before but...here it is again!
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.
*
*
*
*
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.
*
*
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.
*
*
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.
*
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!
*
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...
*
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.
*
*
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.
*
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.
*
*
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.
*
OWB
Monday, May 30, 2011
Free Firewood...A Wet Ohio Spring
OK
*
So it's been a while since my last post. In the spring I get busy with baseball and coaching and that tends to take up my time and energy.
*
Spring in Ohio this year has been bizarre. The weather has brought us nothing but rain, rain, and more rain. The only one enjoying this spring has been our duck. She hangs out at her favorite puddle in our yard. The wet conditions have quashed any wood gathering activity...and even if I could procure firewood, I wouldn't have any where to put it as my wood shed is now surrounded by a moat that would swallow my truck if I ventured over that way.
*
I have had one opportunity to get wood this spring and it came from a friend installing a new driveway. A very large, hard maple had to be removed and he was in need of the wood getting cut up and gone quick so the workers could get busy on the concrete. The big maple was right by the road and his driveway so mud wasn't an issue. I was able to get four truck loads of wood out of this score but as of today the wood is still on my driveway as I wait for my yard to dry. Things are still too wet to move the wood to the shed.
*
This is me with my 346 XP cutting up some 2011 firewood! The owner is in the background with his dad's 35 ton Huskee Splitter. I cut, he split, we both lugged.
*
Here I am running my big Dolmar 7900.
*
Here is a nice load of wood. I got 4 truck loads and 1 small trailer load of this hard maple. Very nice firewood. All split!
*
This was a very nice day of running my saws. My only problem is I have double work to do once the ground dries because I have to move the large pile of maple from my driveway over to the wood shed. My saws ran great after spending the winter moth-balled. This was also the first time I had the truck out this year and it too started right up and got to work.
*
OWB
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Fiskars Firewood Fun
Ok
*
Northeast Ohio experienced a warm-up this week and most of our snow has melted back to expose the mud and half of my wood pile.
*
Today I decided to get in some exercise and lose some of the extra weight I have put on being cooped up inside my house this winter. I pulled out my handy Fiskars Super Splitter and took some swings at the large oak rounds laying in my driveway since mid-January. These were dumped in my driveway by a friend who asked me to bring my Dolmar 7900 over to his farm to cut up a large oak that had fallen.
*
If you recall from an earlier post, the Fiskars Super Splitter is a fascinating tool and comes with the Ohio WoodBurner Seal of Approval for all woodcutters, wood mongers, and wood addicts who enjoy splitting firewood.
*
The Fiskars Super Splitter works just like the traditional maul but has two distinct differences. It weighs just 4.25 pounds and is RAZOR sharp. Most mauls have a keen edge but not so sharp that they stick in the wood if the log doesn't split. Also, most mauls come in 6 or 8 pound weights. The Fiskars really shines when you have a lot of logs to split as the light weight becomes noticeable as its less fatiguing. I also love the handle as it keeps vibration to a minimum and it fits my hand very nicely. I have total confidence in the Fiskars construction which allows me to swing like Babe Ruth going for the cheap seats! Put simply...the Fiskars is a Joy to use!
*
So that was my workout for today. Oak is a nice splitting wood. Except for its unpleasant odor, which is reminiscent of vomit...it opens up easy and doesn't leave you with a mess of splinters and bark. Do not hesitate in getting one of these Fiskars gems. Rumor has it Fiskars is coming out with a longer handle version, in response from discriminating wood splitters who were bothered by the 28 inch handle. Honestly, the shorter handle has never been an issue for me despite my Greek-god like 6'2" frame...but hey, now I have an excuse to buy another one!
*
OWB
*
Northeast Ohio experienced a warm-up this week and most of our snow has melted back to expose the mud and half of my wood pile.
*
Today I decided to get in some exercise and lose some of the extra weight I have put on being cooped up inside my house this winter. I pulled out my handy Fiskars Super Splitter and took some swings at the large oak rounds laying in my driveway since mid-January. These were dumped in my driveway by a friend who asked me to bring my Dolmar 7900 over to his farm to cut up a large oak that had fallen.
*
If you recall from an earlier post, the Fiskars Super Splitter is a fascinating tool and comes with the Ohio WoodBurner Seal of Approval for all woodcutters, wood mongers, and wood addicts who enjoy splitting firewood.
*
The Fiskars Super Splitter works just like the traditional maul but has two distinct differences. It weighs just 4.25 pounds and is RAZOR sharp. Most mauls have a keen edge but not so sharp that they stick in the wood if the log doesn't split. Also, most mauls come in 6 or 8 pound weights. The Fiskars really shines when you have a lot of logs to split as the light weight becomes noticeable as its less fatiguing. I also love the handle as it keeps vibration to a minimum and it fits my hand very nicely. I have total confidence in the Fiskars construction which allows me to swing like Babe Ruth going for the cheap seats! Put simply...the Fiskars is a Joy to use!
*
So that was my workout for today. Oak is a nice splitting wood. Except for its unpleasant odor, which is reminiscent of vomit...it opens up easy and doesn't leave you with a mess of splinters and bark. Do not hesitate in getting one of these Fiskars gems. Rumor has it Fiskars is coming out with a longer handle version, in response from discriminating wood splitters who were bothered by the 28 inch handle. Honestly, the shorter handle has never been an issue for me despite my Greek-god like 6'2" frame...but hey, now I have an excuse to buy another one!
*
OWB
Friday, February 4, 2011
Firewood For Sale...I'm Rich!
Ok
*
I was at a local grocery store today and they had a display of bundled firewood out in front of their entrance. I pulled out my 8 year-old cell phone and snapped a quick picture to share with you.
*
I almost choked when I saw they were asking $5.99 each for these small bundles of wood! Holy Cow! First I thought to myself, "who would pay that much for such a small amount of firewood?" The bundle contained about 7 pieces of firewood which probably comprised of about two medium sized logs before split. As the old saying goes...to each, their own. By looking at the display rack the store was certainly selling them nicely. There were only about 5 bundles left. The advertisement said the firewood was kiln dried and was free of bugs and crumbs. Ugh...The indignity of stooping to the level of a person who would heat their house with wood. The filth! The smoke! Ugh.... I can imagine the poor manager of this store had probably fielded complaints from angry customers in the past because the firewood dropped a chunk of bark on their carpeting as they carried it to their fireplace. After too many people griping they decided to find a firewood supplier that would shake off all the loose bark. If I were to ever spend that much money for one of those firewood bundles it had better sing and dance for me before I toss it in the stove.
*
I was at a local grocery store today and they had a display of bundled firewood out in front of their entrance. I pulled out my 8 year-old cell phone and snapped a quick picture to share with you.
*
I almost choked when I saw they were asking $5.99 each for these small bundles of wood! Holy Cow! First I thought to myself, "who would pay that much for such a small amount of firewood?" The bundle contained about 7 pieces of firewood which probably comprised of about two medium sized logs before split. As the old saying goes...to each, their own. By looking at the display rack the store was certainly selling them nicely. There were only about 5 bundles left. The advertisement said the firewood was kiln dried and was free of bugs and crumbs. Ugh...The indignity of stooping to the level of a person who would heat their house with wood. The filth! The smoke! Ugh.... I can imagine the poor manager of this store had probably fielded complaints from angry customers in the past because the firewood dropped a chunk of bark on their carpeting as they carried it to their fireplace. After too many people griping they decided to find a firewood supplier that would shake off all the loose bark. If I were to ever spend that much money for one of those firewood bundles it had better sing and dance for me before I toss it in the stove.
I did some quick calculations in my head and figured if this grocery store could sell this small bundle of firewood for $5.99...that makes me a MILLIONAIRE!!! Why am I burning my wood to heat my house? I need to shove my logs in a mesh potato sack and sell them to people shopping for milk and eggs!!
OWB
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
A Big Storm!
Ok
*
In case you haven't heard, there is a pretty big winter storm surging across north America so I hope everyone throws an extra log on the fire tonight.
*
Today, I took advantage of the "calm" before the storm and did some rearranging to my wood pile. I have a section of wood that is not under a roof so I spent the evening moving some of that wood under the roof of my wood shed. This area of the wood pile has a lot of smaller round logs I like to throw into the Hardy H2 to help the larger logs burn. Below is a picture of the wood shed and to the right is the wood I pulled from the snow and stacked under the roof. The small rounds I pulled are mostly maple and black cherry. The split wood to the far right is honey locust.
*
The shed was totally full of logs to start my burning season...that is four rows deep of wood. You can see how much I have burnt this year by how empty the shed looks now below. The logs I just moved into the shed are to the right in the picture below. Now that I have done this work, I am ready for the storm! Tonight the freezing rain and icing began covering my Hardy H2 in a small layer of ice. When I think about how the ice and snow builds up on the top of my Hardy H2...I'm impressed given it's holding 100 gallons of 170 degree (f) water! It's pretty nicely insulated!
*
Now I will wait and see how bad this storm is. If there are a lot of trees downed by the ice I have a feeling my phone may be ringing in the morning. A lot of people out my way know I am always looking for wood.
*
OWB
*
In case you haven't heard, there is a pretty big winter storm surging across north America so I hope everyone throws an extra log on the fire tonight.
*
Today, I took advantage of the "calm" before the storm and did some rearranging to my wood pile. I have a section of wood that is not under a roof so I spent the evening moving some of that wood under the roof of my wood shed. This area of the wood pile has a lot of smaller round logs I like to throw into the Hardy H2 to help the larger logs burn. Below is a picture of the wood shed and to the right is the wood I pulled from the snow and stacked under the roof. The small rounds I pulled are mostly maple and black cherry. The split wood to the far right is honey locust.
*
The shed was totally full of logs to start my burning season...that is four rows deep of wood. You can see how much I have burnt this year by how empty the shed looks now below. The logs I just moved into the shed are to the right in the picture below. Now that I have done this work, I am ready for the storm! Tonight the freezing rain and icing began covering my Hardy H2 in a small layer of ice. When I think about how the ice and snow builds up on the top of my Hardy H2...I'm impressed given it's holding 100 gallons of 170 degree (f) water! It's pretty nicely insulated!
*
Now I will wait and see how bad this storm is. If there are a lot of trees downed by the ice I have a feeling my phone may be ringing in the morning. A lot of people out my way know I am always looking for wood.
*
OWB
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
