Let’s talk about firewood

[mtmuley]

We’re 6 1/2 to 8 cords depending on the winter. We used to go out and cut 8-10 cords a summer. My wood crew abandoned me by vote a few years ago. Revolt.

As much as I enjoy it, I can understand the dislike. I cut in an area on the way up to where I have elk hunted since the 80's. But I can totally see why they voted out. mtmuley

 

[Jack Ryan]

That's just hard headed splitting everything by hand in this day and age when hydraulic splitters are so easy to come by and economical.
Have fun chopping.

I have one. I've never used it. Saving it for when the wife gets to old.

I don't have a clue "how much". When I'm not doing anything for an hour or so, I go out and cut some. If it is cut, then I split some. I have about 30 IBC tote cages. If one is empty, I'll fill it up.

 

[mtmuley]

The fun part for me is I don't have to wake up early, drive my ass way up a mountain and cut trees into pieces that fit in my truck. Then split and stack and drag in the house to burn. But I do. My home has a fully capable heating system. It's something that keeps me alive . Like hunting. mtmuley

 

[Hem]

I spent money on insulation for my house. We use 250 gallons of LP each year for furnace and stove( 2660 sq.ft)
At best I need 2 cords of wood each year, probably closer to one cord. We burn from after work until bedtime.
Its a win, win.
Face it, splitting lodge pole is easy. I could out pace a hydraulic any minute of any day.

 

[mtmuley]

I spent money on insulation for my house. We use 250 gallons of LP each year for furnace and stove( 2660 sq.ft)
At best I need 2 cords of wood each year, probably closer to one cord. We burn from after work until bedtime.
Its a win, win.
Face it, splitting lodge pole is easy. I could out pace a hydraulic any minute of any day.

I have a bit more square feet, but like the wood cutting. mtmuley

 

[El Jason]

Face it, splitting lodge pole is easy.

Especially on a nice cold day.

 

[Hem]

Especially on a nice cold day.

It was 94 degrees when I split a month ago. Splitting wasn't the issue.

 

[Addicting]

Stihl saw died today. It’s gonna need a new clutch and oiler. Pretty sure the oiler quit and it locked up the chain. By the time I figured it out the clutch was smoked.

 

[Redmt]

Stihl saw died today. It’s gonna need a new clutch and oiler. Pretty sure the oiler quit and it locked up the chain. By the time I figured it out the clutch was smoked.

The positive side is that you have a saw that's worth rebuilding.

 

[Dave N]

The positive side is that you have a saw that's worth rebuilding.

And now it's a business expense!

 

[Tradewind]

It’s the math of buying a logging truck of logs. I should have 2+ years of wood. I’m hoping 3 years. I won’t be splitting or stacking wood next summer.

same, I ran out last winter. Trying to get ahead of it. Don't think I;ll need everything chopped, but it feels good to have it on hand and nothing burns better than 2 year old wood. Yup, I am playng catchup on all the house project for the next 3 weekends

 

[Tradewind]

Especially on a nice cold day.

yup, I save some splitting for winter months

 

[Tradewind]

Stihl saw died today. It’s gonna need a new clutch and oiler. Pretty sure the oiler quit and it locked up the chain. By the time I figured it out the clutch was smoked.

my 30 year old Stihl is still going, but feeling its age.
Been looking at new ones. Anybody have suggestions for something
with a long blade and lots of grunt? Stihl, of course

 

[Bhoesl]

I guess I can see that. Something about being on the mountain early in the morning and busting my ass still appeals to me. Makes me feel alive. I hope it never goes away. mtmuley

Same here, I really kinda enjoy it. And a good excuse to spend a day up in the mountains.

 

[Bhoesl]

I cut a lot of wood each year. It used to be our only heat source so I’d cut 6 or 8 cords each year. When we moved to this house (state housing provided by the fish hatchery) about 5 years ago we couldn’t have wood heat anymore. But I already had a good saw, cables & snatch block, etc. so now I just cut and sell it. I probably cut around 10-15 cords a year now.
With gas prices the way they are this year I hardly make much profit but I still do it anyway.

 

[Jack Ryan]

I never cut down a tree. I can't keep all the ones that fall down by their self cleaned up and out of the way.

 

[Redmt]

my 30 year old Stihl is still going, but feeling its age.
Been looking at new ones. Anybody have suggestions for something
with a long blade and lots of grunt? Stihl, of course

I have a 391 that's pretty comfortable to start and use. It depends on how much saw you really need.
It's too bad that some of you guys aren't closer. We have more standing dead oak than we could ever burn in 2 lifetimes. It's hard as hell and tough on chains but burns hot and slow.

 

[Tradewind]

View attachment 410765I’ve always liked Douglas Fir, other than the bark can be a little messy.
This was the north end of the Bridgers a few decades ago. Bud worm killed stand of Fir.

you look a little younger then, eh

 

[psinclair]

you look a little younger then, eh

1979....I was 22.