Chainsaws and Firewood (Pic Heavy) MORE PICS

ML and I cut up some firewood yesterday after my neighbor had trees taken down.

This is me about to start. I usually do this in the field but I like the option to do it on a bench.




First I had to clean and sharpen the chainsaws. This is a tool to take off the case to adjust the chain tension or clean the chain oil port.


I sharpen by hand so I leave the chain on the saw. A round file sharpens the cutters. The round file diameter is specific to the size chain you use.  Note the 2 teeth on the same side of the chain. Normally they alternate. Two on the same side is where the chain was joined but more importantly serve as a visual marker so I know which teeth I have already filed. My saw has a green link that servers as a visual marker.



After the teeth are sharpened ML uses a guide and a flat file on the depth gauge. This is the front part of the tooth and it feeds the cutter into the cut. It is found on homeowner chains. You can purchase chain with out the depth gauge but they have more tendency to kickback which can be deadly. I do not use that type of chain. You need to file the depth gauge to keep it aligned with the cutter height. Too high and the cutter never bites into the wood. Too low and the cutter takes too big a bite and you get the possibility of kickback. Hence the need for the guide ML is using.


Lastly the saws get fueled with a 2 cycle mix of gas/oil. They also get bar lubrication oil.


Then the tractor is loaded up with all we need.


This is ML - my very own Lumber Jill - all dressed for battle. Using the chainsaw is the most dangerous chore we do.  We take all the proper precautions and wear all the safety gear. ML has a logging helmet with a facial screen and ear muffs for hearing protection. She has chainsaw gloves and chaps. These are made with some sort of fiber that if contact is made with the running chain they instantly clog and stop the chain from spinning. Lastly she wears steel toed shoes. Next to the tractor bucket is a timber jack for moving big logs around so I don't strain my back.


ML at work.


She even drives the tractor. But only if I am taking a break from cutting. We have a hard rule - NO chainsaw operation alone.


ML said I could post this. She cut the corner close to avoid a log round that fell out of the bucket. She hit the stone wall. CATASTROPHY. The door is saftey glass and exploded.


The wall suffered as well. All the blue stuff on the ground is the safety glass.


We spent an hour getting the wall back in shape. The tractor will require a trip to the dealer.


This is the wood we have so far. I intended to split today but it is raining.



We were both sore at the end of the day. We went out for Chinese food. And took Advil for dessert.

Lastly, less you think ML does all the work, here is a picture of me cutting.


Cutting, splitting and hauling firewood is my favorite chore. Physical and satisfying with instant results.

Phil

I like it too. Gives me a chance to swing my axes. Thanks for the pic. And borrow my tractor. It has no glass. Old Ford 8N. Beautiful place you have.

Phil, another fascinating look at your magnificent place and two things come to mind.  One, the pictures of Mary Lou and you hard at work remind why I am so glad I'm a lazy slug.  Two, should you two ever make it out this way then I shall happily pay for dinner but you will never be allowed within a mile of my abode.

I wish I had neighbors who have trees dropped and don't need or even have the means to work the wood up into usable pieces. No such luck locally and it needs to be local to make it economical. Heck, we all have chainsaws. Not all know how to maintain them though.

I went for a ride in the forest recently and found trees that were snapped off during a "winter hurricane". One is a huge hemlock (snapped off 20' up) that I had my eye on for lumber, now it's ruined. It has to be 4' in diameter at the butt. Since it's softwood I have no idea what I'd use it for. Maybe make a firepit and use it there. I don't have room in my wood racks for the huge amount of space the wood it will take up (1/2 the heat value of hardwood), and the creosote it would produce. When its -20°F one wants hardwood in the woodstove and not softwood.

I Have a love hate relationship with trees.... taking care of them when they get to big via trimming, or removing is a costly and arduous affair. Albeit, pretty cheap heating source and abundant in terms of dollar cost, time sweat blood and tears cost is high however Just makes one appreciate the warmth of the fire on those cold winter nights! I hit our retaining wall with a mower once... went about as well as your collision

Thanks for the comments.

Yesterday after work I cleaned up my saw and sharpened the chain.  I had it all back together and ML and I headed over to cut some more wood.

My first cut was taking forever. Chain started smoking. I stopped. Checked the chain oiler port and adjusted the chain tension. Same thing. Weak cut and smoke. Repeat tension adjustment and try a different log. Still poor performance and smoke. I was ready to call it a day but then saw the reason for the saws inaction.


You have to be a chainsaw user and look close - I put the chain on backwards!! The teeth were facing the wrong way. It is a rookie mistake. I am not embarrassed I did that BUT I am mortified that it took me so long to figure it out

The problem was quickly rectified and I cut some more and ML loaded the firewood sized pieces into the tractor. We got a few bucketfuls before calling it quits.

Today I did my favorite chore - splitting. I use a splitting axe.


This is made by Gransfors Bruk in Sweden. They are hand forged and are things of beauty. This cost about 10 times as much as the Walmart splitting maul I originally used and worth every penny. It holds a sharp edge and I could shave with it (but haven't).
They are hard to come by but if you ever need an axe this is the brand to buy.

I split for 30 minutes and called it a day. This wood is for winter 2019/2020 so I have plenty of time. No sense getting sore the first day I split.

I Have a love hate relationship with trees.... taking care of them when they get to big via trimming, or removing is a costly and arduous affair.  Albeit, pretty  cheap heating source and abundant in terms of dollar cost, time sweat blood and tears cost is high however  Just makes one appreciate the warmth of the fire on those cold winter nights!  I hit our retaining wall with a mower once... went about as well as your collision

ML really appreciates that. Feels like she's in good company
She is still beating herself up over it. You made her day.

I like it too.  Gives me a chance to swing my axes.  Thanks for the pic.  And borrow my tractor.  It has no glass.  Old Ford 8N.  Beautiful place you have.

Yep as seen above I prefer the ax. Though in the past we rented a splitter once. It went amazingly fast. But the only thing I liked about the splitter was the way it could split gnarly knotted pieces. With an ax sometimes you just can't split those pieces no matter how hard or much you beat on them.

I like 8Ns. Simple and unstoppable. I often ponder if my tractor will be around and working in 50 years. The worrisome part would be the chips used to regulate the engine. Supposed to be progress, I guess.

Phil, another fascinating look at your magnificent place and two things come to mind.  One, the pictures of Mary Lou and you hard at work remind why I am so glad I'm a lazy slug.  Two, should you two ever make it out this way then I shall happily pay for dinner but you will never be allowed within a mile of my abode.

Freddy,
Why is that? We'd leave the chainsaws at home

I wish I had neighbors who have trees dropped and don't need or even have the means to work the wood up into usable pieces. No such luck locally and it needs to be local to make it economical. Heck, we all have chainsaws. Not all know how to maintain them though.

I went for a ride in the forest recently  and found trees that were snapped off during a "winter hurricane". One is a huge hemlock (snapped off  20' up) that I had my eye on for lumber, now it's ruined. It has to be 4' in diameter at the butt. Since it's softwood I have no idea what I'd use it for. Maybe make a firepit and use it there. I don't have room in my wood racks for the huge amount of space the wood it will take up (1/2 the heat value of hardwood), and the creosote it would produce. When its -20°F one wants hardwood in the woodstove and not softwood.

Brian,
Yes we lucked out. I haven had a pickup truck for 12 years now. I can no longer go to where the wood is when friends loose trees. I will help cut it down and/or up but lack the means to haul it. This was a blessing.

Though the tree guy fed an awful lot of good firewood into his chipper. I did not get as much as I expected though there are still some pieces worth while remaining.