Went to cut firewood with my father today up in SW Virginia. Small town tucked in the middle of the mountains. Beautiful land for miles and no one is in a hurry. Not much work to do there or I'd move. If your folks didn't leave you a bunch of land and some cows to tend you'd have a hard time making it there. A real simple place but rich in the important ways. Good people...
anyway
So my old man decides to take me buy the local ol' timer who piddles with saws at his little shop there in town. Dad warns me that he's a little strange and moody. "Don't like strangers or charity" he says. Hardly chargers anything to work on saws and sharpen chain. Most feel the need to tip him a few extra dollars 'cause he's so cheap. Thats fine he says, just not too much. Ok, got it I say.
Now I've recently gotten into chainsaws, I used to work on cars but that became too much of a money pit I guess. I figure saws are a good alternative. Take up less space and cost less. I like 'em but I don't know a lot and I don't pretend to either. I know I have way more saw than I need or can use. But if your going to do something, go big, right?
So my 288xp had a cracked fuel line and my Dad said let's go see my buddy. He'll love to work on that saw. Small little shop, cinder block building with a wood stove in the corner. 25 or so saws sitting around. Stihl and Huskys mostly. I spot many nice pro model saws just piled and tucked away along the clutter. This place has character for days. I tell him I think she's a leaking and he starts at it. Yep, he says and replaces the bad fuel line. I can tell he's warming up to me 'cause he starts asking about my old 288. He finds out I'm an ex Marine and that helps also. Seems he's a forgotten war Vet. Proud. He likes the saw and we get her fired up. He adjusts the carb by ear and gets it hummin'. Then he pulls out his little gem. A 20 year old 242xp thats been tweaked he says. Let's me fire it up and that thing would sing. Fast reving little monster. Tells me I'm the only other person to pull the trigger on his saw. Said "other men have danced with my wife, but, never used my Husky." I just had to laugh at that. So now I know I've passed the test. He'll work on my stuff anytime my Dad says and grins. So we swap stories and visit for a long while. I get my ms460 out of the truck and he hits the chain and tunes it a little too. Wants to know who I log for. I felt a little stupid telling him were just going to cut some firewood. Anyway, it didn't matter. He knew all along.
What's the point of this little story you may ask...there's not one I guess. I just felt like sharing my little experience today. This ol' timer was a colorful character. I liked very much getting to know him and picking his brain about saws. I'm sure there are many more just like him out there. But sadly I know that his way of life and kind are fading fast. I'm just glad I made a new friend. Good day.
anyway
So my old man decides to take me buy the local ol' timer who piddles with saws at his little shop there in town. Dad warns me that he's a little strange and moody. "Don't like strangers or charity" he says. Hardly chargers anything to work on saws and sharpen chain. Most feel the need to tip him a few extra dollars 'cause he's so cheap. Thats fine he says, just not too much. Ok, got it I say.
Now I've recently gotten into chainsaws, I used to work on cars but that became too much of a money pit I guess. I figure saws are a good alternative. Take up less space and cost less. I like 'em but I don't know a lot and I don't pretend to either. I know I have way more saw than I need or can use. But if your going to do something, go big, right?
So my 288xp had a cracked fuel line and my Dad said let's go see my buddy. He'll love to work on that saw. Small little shop, cinder block building with a wood stove in the corner. 25 or so saws sitting around. Stihl and Huskys mostly. I spot many nice pro model saws just piled and tucked away along the clutter. This place has character for days. I tell him I think she's a leaking and he starts at it. Yep, he says and replaces the bad fuel line. I can tell he's warming up to me 'cause he starts asking about my old 288. He finds out I'm an ex Marine and that helps also. Seems he's a forgotten war Vet. Proud. He likes the saw and we get her fired up. He adjusts the carb by ear and gets it hummin'. Then he pulls out his little gem. A 20 year old 242xp thats been tweaked he says. Let's me fire it up and that thing would sing. Fast reving little monster. Tells me I'm the only other person to pull the trigger on his saw. Said "other men have danced with my wife, but, never used my Husky." I just had to laugh at that. So now I know I've passed the test. He'll work on my stuff anytime my Dad says and grins. So we swap stories and visit for a long while. I get my ms460 out of the truck and he hits the chain and tunes it a little too. Wants to know who I log for. I felt a little stupid telling him were just going to cut some firewood. Anyway, it didn't matter. He knew all along.
What's the point of this little story you may ask...there's not one I guess. I just felt like sharing my little experience today. This ol' timer was a colorful character. I liked very much getting to know him and picking his brain about saws. I'm sure there are many more just like him out there. But sadly I know that his way of life and kind are fading fast. I'm just glad I made a new friend. Good day.
