Things I have learned this year...

[Macpolski]

things I have learned this year …..
* splitting large red oak rounds by first slabbing the bark/sapwood with a maul
* how using a cant hook makes bucking log a more muscle friendly experience. What a great investment.
* using wedge(s) to keep the kerf open when bucking.
* how fantastic Super Cedars are for lighting the stove.
* after chain sharpening on a Oregon 511ax, I find touching up with a file afterwards offers superior results. Probably because I haven't mastered the power sharpener. I am definitely missing something!


I am definitely not too old to learn new "stuff". Thanks to all of the knowledgeable, seasoned members of hearth.com for posting their methods/advice. What a resource.

 

[Jags]

That is what this place is all about. A collective brain trust of all things associated to burning stuff to heat our homes. Well that and a place to assure ourselves that we are not the only nut cases with this obsession.

 

[Ashful]

This isn't the Miley Cyrus fan forum?

 

[Jags]

This isn't the Miley Cyrus fan forum?

Two doors down and to the right.

 

[Paulywalnut]

Did you learn which way to stack? bark up or bark down

 

[Macpolski]

Did you learn which way to stack? bark up or bark down

I was told many years ago by and older Estonian carpenter/woodworker to stack bark up for protection from the elements. Well, now it's bark left, right, up and down. Keep it a bit loose.

 

[PSYS]

I've only been a member a couple of weeks and I've learned more about wood burning and wood itself than I think I have in my entire life.

I wish I had joined the forum sooner and began learning about this much earlier.

 

[My Oslo heats my home]

My first year I learned (the first thing I learned) was how unsweet the sound of hissing splits are in the stove. After that I learned to keep the ash door closed on starts. After that I learned that top down starts weren't for me. The learning list goes on and on and I'm glad to be here

 

[Backwoods Savage]

things I have learned this year …..
* splitting large red oak rounds by first slabbing the bark/sapwood with a maul
* how using a cant hook makes bucking log a more muscle friendly experience. What a great investment.
* using wedge(s) to keep the kerf open when bucking.
* how fantastic Super Cedars are for lighting the stove.
* after chain sharpening on a Oregon 511ax, I find touching up with a file afterwards offers superior results. Probably because I haven't mastered the power sharpener. I am definitely missing something!


I am definitely not too old to learn new "stuff". Thanks to all of the knowledgeable, seasoned members of hearth.com for posting their methods/advice. What a resource.

What a fantastic post!

 

[Macpolski]

What a fantastic post!

Coming from one of the gurus on this site, thank you.

 

[Ashful]

Please educate me on this technique of splitting large oak rounds, Mac.

<-- has a few cords of very large oak rounds to work thru this fall

 

[Beer Belly]

Please educate me on this technique of splitting large oak rounds, Mac.

<-- has a few cords of very large oak rounds to work thru this fall

Start at the outside edges, and work your way in

 

[Ashful]

That's what I do, beer belly, but it sounds like Mac has a different technique.

 

[Macpolski]

That's what I do, beer belly, but it sounds like Mac has a different technique.

No I think the same. I try to smack the sapwood near the edge, chord-like, which slabs off the bark with some sapwood. Peel around the entire round. This is something I read about but never tried and then, well, I learned something.

 

[Ashful]

Hmm... okay. Either you edited your post, or I need an eye exam. I read "by first slabbing the bark," as, "by first stabbing the bark."

C'mon... did you change it?

 

[Macpolski]

Hmm... okay. Either you edited your post, or I need an eye exam. I read "by first slabbing the bark," as, "by first stabbing the bark."

C'mon... did you change it?

Hah, no. But when it starts to get chilly outside, I love having a couple of dark beers!