Let’s talk about firewood

[antlerradar]

For those splitting by hand, anyone use a monster maul? The red, all steel, triangle shaped head. I grew up with my dad and an uncle using them.

Best maul I have ever used.

 

[Outlaw99]

This is what I’ve used the last 10 years. This, coupled with their wedge will split anything. I’ve split Chinese elm, mullberry, hackberry ect. And it will get through it all. It’s not cheap, but the high impact plastic head is replaceable and greatly reduces hand shock when you’re hammering a wedge all day.

Halder 3007.160 Simplex Splitting Maul with Nylon Insert Cast Iron Housing and Hickory Handle

General Information Brand Halder Part Number 3007.160 Product Type Mallets Packaging Bulk Country of Origin Germany UPC 4030618311546 California Residents Proposition 65 Warning Physical Characteristics Length 900 mm Weight 4.10 kg 9.04 lb Material Hickory Handle Diameter 60 mm Details Features...

bladesdirect.net

 

[Hem]

For those splitting by hand, anyone use a monster maul? The red, all steel, triangle shaped head. I grew up with my dad and an uncle using them.

Grew up splitting maple with the monster maul. Put hair on my nuts.

 

[Jack Ryan]

If it is to hard to split I just cut it shorter and it splits easier. If it is still a problem I just cut it longwise. Then it will split.

 

[antlerradar]

For those splitting by hand, anyone use a monster maul? The red, all steel, triangle shaped head. I grew up with my dad and an uncle using them.

 

[Dave N]

For those splitting by hand, anyone use a monster maul? The red, all steel, triangle shaped head. I grew up with my dad and an uncle using them.

I have one and hate it. Must not be made to split hard stuff like Hickory. Just bounces off!

 

[homestead]

I have one and hate it. Must not be made to split hard stuff like Hickory. Just bounces off!

Ya, I kind of feel the same. I’ve transitioned to a traditional maul with hickory handle. And hydraulic splitter.

 

[Straight Arrow]

After 25 years splitting with traditional mauls and breaking a few handles, the past 25 years of using my 22 ton hydraulic splitter (overhauled once after frozen in river ice dam flood) has made a real difference to my old aching shoulders.

 

[Tradewind]

For those splitting by hand, anyone use a monster maul? The red, all steel, triangle shaped head. I grew up with my dad and an uncle using them.

I use a yellow, 8 lb honker for the wet stuff, even then I end up using a wedge on the wet maple

 

[brymoore]

After 25 years splitting with traditional mauls and breaking a few handles, the past 25 years of using my 22 ton hydraulic splitter (overhauled once after frozen in river ice dam flood) has made a real difference to my old aching shoulders.

View attachment 415571

Déjà vu. Stack of logs and a 22 ton splitter.

My neighbors 37 ton splitter was awesome. By my math, 30% faster in production.

 

[brymoore]

My empty nest was less empty today. We stacked 6 rows including the front porch this morning. Stacking crew has said enough work for the day. We’re down to the leftover wood from last year.

 

[Tradewind]

@Hem

I found a 4 1/2 lb ax at the local Ace.
fills the range between the maul and 3 lb ax
works pretty well

 

[Bhoesl]

I’ve cut and sold 14 cords so far this year and still can’t keep up.
Great excuse to spend time out in the mountains.

 

[elkantlers]

@Hem

I found a 4 1/2 lb ax at the local Ace.
fills the range between the maul and 3 lb ax
works pretty well

View attachment 416677

I've got that Axe and it works pretty well. I like the lighter weight.

 

[brymoore]

Finished stacking wood on Monday. Wife had first burn of the year this morning. We have just over two years worth in the stack. I’ll figure out the next strategy in 2028. I’m keeping track of how many front porch rows we burn this year. It’ll provide better accuracy after two years in the cordage we burn.

 

[mevertsen]

Just got mine all stacked for the winter today.

Just shy of 2 cords of Juniper.

This will get us this winter and should have half a cord or so left.

 

[Hem]

@Hem

I found a 4 1/2 lb ax at the local Ace.
fills the range between the maul and 3 lb ax
works pretty well

View attachment 416677

Thats a version of what I have.
Its my go-to.

 

[Southern Elk]

View attachment 418221 Finished stacking wood on Monday. Wife had first burn of the year this morning. We have just over two years worth in the stack. I’ll figure out the next strategy in 2028. I’m keeping track of how many front porch rows we burn this year. It’ll provide better accuracy after two years in the cordage we burn.

How many sq ft is your house? I can’t imagine needing that much for 2 winters.

 

[brymoore]

How many sq ft is your house? I can’t imagine needing that much for 2 winters.

2,500 sq footish. I live at 4k’ and this is our only heating source by choice. We’ll burn early October thru early May. Late December to March is a hard burn for heat. We usually stoke the fire if we get up to wee ourselves or the dogs. Yes, the house is insulated extremely well. After 20 years of burning in this house, we burn 6 1/2 to 8 cord based on the coldness of the winter. We burn less if we have a good snow insulation on the roof. We seem to be burning more wood the last few years.

This stack was 2 and a partial year worth of wood.

Edit: we’re burning log pole pine. A good hardwood would cut our cordage need down.

 

[Hem]

View attachment 418229
2,500 sq footish. I live at 4k’ and this is our only heating source by choice. We’ll burn early October thru early May. Late December to March is a hard burn for heat. We usually stoke the fire if we get up to wee ourselves or the dogs. Yes, the house is insulated extremely well. After 20 years of burning in this house, we burn 6 1/2 to 8 cord based on the coldness of the winter. We burn less if we have a good snow insulation on the roof. We seem to be burning more wood the last few years.
View attachment 418230
This stack was 2 and a partial year worth of wood.

Edit: we’re burning log pole pine. A good hardwood would cut our cordage need down.

Sprawling two story. How do you get the heat circulated throughout?