Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[501Maico]

Going the hard way on a 24" DBH willow oak. I've done occasional removals with just antique spurs and a belt since the mid 70's. Recently invested in all new climbing gear and this is a perfect first practice tree with no time crunch to fell. Been cleaning the limbs off and chunking down 16" split ready wood. I'm not going to bother cutting the stem, just dropping it whole after the limbs are gone. Huge lower limbs would be safer to remove before dropping regardless.

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Dropped the climbing practice tree about a month ago. I left my tie in point and a limb on the fall side to keep the trunk off of the ground.
I only got 6 limb-less large rounds and a few smaller ones at the top but I had a dilemma with the rest of the wood which I couldn't leave behind. I just have a maul and a tiny electric splitter so I decided to make a bunch of XL rising crust pan pizzas. Figure I can support the edges and bust them apart with a sledge once they dry out.
I was leery of hitting metal because this location was a former yearly carnival ground dating back to the 50's and there were some electrical wires embedded in the tree but I didn't have any problems.
First time using my MS462 with a full chisel chain and I can't get over how fast it cuts. I would normally grab the slow and torquey Farm Boss or Super XL as my previous "big saws". I love running both of these old saws and they will still get used for up to 20" stuff.

 

[Brufab]

Looks like that new gear you got worked pretty good.

 

[djg james]

Can anyone tell me where a local CADA (Chainsaw Acquisition Disease Anonymous) meeting in the StL area? Or is it just CAA? I just saw a Stihl 660 with a 36" B&C for $650.

I don't need it, I don't need it, I don't need it....

I need to get my 046 running first. That's probably the biggest saw I'll need.

 

[bob kern]

Can anyone tell me where a local CADA (Chainsaw Acquisition Disease Anonymous) meeting in the StL area? Or is it just CAA? I just saw a Stihl 660 with a 36" B&C for $650.

I don't need it, I don't need it, I don't need it....

I need to get my 046 running first. That's probably the biggest saw I'll need.

You are right you don’t need it so buy it for me for Christmas!! I can wait!!!

 

[Brufab]

I feel ya, the wife had to step in and be my sponsor said 6+ vintage saws now and I need to start working on the 12 steps. Fortunately we have met alot of great guys on here and it has been a positive difference maker in our current lives and situation to say the least.

 

[bob kern]

I feel ya, the wife had to step in and be my sponsor said 6+ vintage saws now and I need to start working on the 12 steps. Fortunately we have met alot of great guys on here and it has been a positive difference maker in our current lives and situation to say the least.

Well if it helps bf tell her I have way more than 6 way way more!!!!

 

[Brufab]

That's funny Bob! She said if we hang out I better not come back with 'yellow fever'

 

[501Maico]

Looks like that new gear you got worked pretty good.

Yes, very pleased. I did have one small injury though. The first time I used the Silky, read razor sharp, It somehow bit the top of my thumb and forefinger when putting it back in the scabbard. Lots of respect for it early on.

 

[bob kern]

That's funny Bob! She said if we hang out I better not come back 'yellow fever'

It is highly contagious!!

 

[bob kern]

8 is a nice even number I hear!!

 

[Brufab]

Yea those look sweet! You must really want me to get in trouble! If those were local, I'd be sneaking out in the middle of the night to get them

 

[Brufab]

8 is a nice even number I hear!!

Here's one for ya! In the good ol' state of Indiana.

 

[ken morgan]

Yeah sweat is the enemy changing damp socks or socks that wick moisture. I know that's easier said than done expecially all day cutting. Stopping to change socks might be hard. Maybe at least at lunch time for sure. If you try the toe warmers try putting them on top if your toes they need oxygen to work well. Make sure they are open up and hot before you put them on your foot masking tape if needed.

Please accept my experiences in the Marines... buy yourself at least 6 sets of wool socks... three for today, and three for the following day... dump some baby powder in them and put them in a ziploc (one set per ziploc bag) carry two in your side pockets and one on your feet. swap socks at noon break, and or if you dunk them in water. so if careful actually two pair per day, one spair if you act retarded and soak your feet. cotton socks are the devil bobby boucher! cotton sock hold water and your feet get cold.... baby powder absorbs moisture and keeps you feet dry, change your sock a minimum of once per day.... you will thank my for this advice. BTW this is standard advice for all newbies coming into the fleet.... dry feet are happy feet, dry feet are cool feet, dry feet are warm feet, cotton socks suck.....cotton is fine for a towel the job of which is to absorb moisture and keep it off your body, but if you totally soak it you are screwed...this is what happens to your feet after sweating for an hour or so.

wool will keep your feet warm even if wet. the baby powder will help keep them dry . Dry feet are happy feet... end of discussion. (also dry feet do not blister like sweat soaked ones will...) Hell look at this for inspiration.. https://www.google.com/search?q=inf...UcaCVwQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=976&bih=476&dpr=1.4

 

[Vtrombly]

Please accept my experiences in the Marines... buy yourself at least 6 sets of wool socks... three for today, and three for the following day... dump some baby powder in them and put them in a ziploc (one set per ziploc bag) carry two in your side pockets and one on your feet. swap socks at noon break, and or if you dunk them in water. so if careful actually two pair per day, one spair if you act retarded and soak your feet. cotton socks are the devil bobby boucher! cotton sock hold water and your feet get cold.... baby powder absorbs moisture and keeps you feet dry, change your sock a minimum of once per day.... you will thank my for this advice. BTW this is standard advice for all newbies coming into the fleet.... dry feet are happy feet, dry feet are cool feet, dry feet are warm feet, cotton socks suck.....cotton is fine for a towel the job of which is to absorb moisture and keep it off your body, but if you totally soak it you are screwed...this is what happens to your feet after sweating for an hour or so.

wool will keep your feet warm even if wet. the baby powder will help keep them dry . Dry feet are happy feet... end of discussion. (also dry feet do not blister like sweat soaked ones will...) Hell look at this for inspiration.. https://www.google.com/search?q=inf...UcaCVwQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=976&bih=476&dpr=1.4

I fully agree with you sound advice right there.

 

[MustangMike]

Good advice, but equally important to make sure your feet can breathe, don't put on socks that are too thick for your boot, and yes, wool is best (Merlino wool?).

Sweat is definitely a major enemy. If you have to ride in the car, or hike up hill before you "stay still", it is very difficult to find the right balance. Try to move slowly if you can.

Before the advent of Gore-Tex and waterproof clothing, every hunter knew that wool would keep you warm even when wet (and cotton would absorb moisture and would not keep you warm). It is why virtually every hunter used to wear a Woolrich coat! I still have mine, but it no longer goes hunting!

I once ordered the same style boots in the same size with addl insulation. The outside dimension was the same, but the inside was too tight for thick socks. The addl insulation shrank the inside.

I now order my cold weather boots 1/2 size larger to accommodate thicker socks and allow my feet to breathe.

 

[svk]

Not much worse that cold feet or rotten feet!

I wear cotton socks in the summer (sometimes changing mid day) but I shower or sauna every night before bed and the socks are washed. You’re looking for trouble if you wear sweated out socks (or underwear) for day 2. If I’m up at the cabin without running water, I’ll wash my socks and underwear in the sauna and then let them dry overnight.

For deep cold I like the mid weight wool blend socks on first then a thick pair of pure wool over them. My heavy boots are a size to two bigger than my shoes.

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

I fully agree with you sound advice right there.

wet feet, wet sox... as bad or close as... snow skiing in the rain! ~

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

Not much worse that cold feet or rotten feet!

I wear cotton socks in the summer (sometimes changing mid day) but I shower or sauna every night before bed and the socks are washed. You’re looking for trouble if you wear sweated out socks (or underwear) for day 2. If I’m up at the cabin without running water, I’ll wash my socks and underwear in the sauna and then let them dry overnight.

For deep cold I like the mid weight wool blend socks on first then a thick pair of pure wool over them. My heavy boots are a size to two bigger than my shoes.

no doubt! i don't know how our G.I's... did it during the many wars and campaigns fought in such conditions like SE Asia...

 

[SS396driver]

I’ve had a pair of Sorel boots for forever. These were made in Canada . Removable insulation that’s real wool rinse them out every eve after use . Th y keep my feet warm even when standing still using the splitter. But I do use a closed cell insulation mat to stand on . Bought my wife a pair a few years ago made in China and quality is definitely sub par

 

[Backyard Lumberjack]

Good advice, but equally important to make sure your feet can breathe, don't put on socks that are too thick for your boot, and yes, wool is best (Merlino wool?).

Sweat is definitely a major enemy. If you have to ride in the car, or hike up hill before you "stay still", it is very difficult to find the right balance. Try to move slowly if you can.

Before the advent of Gore-Tex and waterproof clothing, every hunter knew that wool would keep you warm even when wet (and cotton would absorb moisture and would not keep you warm). It is why virtually every hunter used to wear a Woolrich coat! I still have mine, but it no longer goes hunting!

I once ordered the same style boots in the same size with addl insulation. The outside dimension was the same, but the inside was too tight for thick socks. The addl insulation shrank the inside.

I now order my cold weather boots 1/2 size larger to accommodate thicker socks and allow my feet to breathe.

ah-h! dry feet, dry sox and dry boots!! have read more than one book on Alaska life out in the bush... and how the bushman tucked in after a long hard day on the sled, etc... snuggled and warm... and woke up to be frozen and trapped in all the froze up wraps!! :.(