I almost posted this in the Chainsaw Forum but it really belongs here:
It's been a helluva ride but I think I'm through it! This is my fourth year back burning wood since I helped the ole man as a kid and I never knew how much i'd love everything about it. The part that has surprised the most is the actual "gathering" of the fuel. I initially got back into woodburning from a cost standpoint($450 to heat my house for one month was the last straw), but I've discovered I love to cut wood!
Initially, I knew I liked having a fire and keeping it going but I was worried about finding the wood and time to cut it to justify the cost of a woodfurnace. As a 9 to 5 desk jockey for the most part these days I forgot how much fun it was to get out and do the manual labor and run gas engines. I did in my younger days to get to this place. I know you guys that do it for a living might scoff and say it isn't that great, but four walls and no windows sucks in its own right too. At the end of the week, It feels great to get outdoors and do something productive that contributes to the family too. Hunting is ok but when you have a wife that doesn't like to cook deer meat that didn't work as productive long.When I cut wood it fills both requirements.
It didn't take long til the CAD set in to find the perfect saw. First was the 290 Farmboss to replace the homeowner craftsman. A sane man would have stopped there but it was too late. I happened upon the Chainsaw Forum and wasn't happy until I had a Stihl 361. Really nice saw! But the urge to feel more power was not quenched until I picked up a Dolmar 7900. You cannot buy a more powerful saw for the money! Then I kept reading about the great handling and power of the husky 346xp and on a whim I bought it when I shouldn't justifiably and it is also a really great saw! In between I picked up some nice old school jonsereds and other saws and that's where I got to here...
I bought some woods last yearly purely because I love this "sport" so much because it supports the family and I enjoy doing it. That and I think land will outperform any 401k or retirement investment in the long run. After owning the woods for the year I've weaned my saw stable down to what I need(ok,well except for the Dolmar!) and am putting that cash towards other woods toys(and the wifes kitchen...If momma ain't happy...you know how the rest goes!) Every disease runs its course I guess! Thanks for letting me ramble...(anyone know of a good stihl limbing saw for sale?
)
It's been a helluva ride but I think I'm through it! This is my fourth year back burning wood since I helped the ole man as a kid and I never knew how much i'd love everything about it. The part that has surprised the most is the actual "gathering" of the fuel. I initially got back into woodburning from a cost standpoint($450 to heat my house for one month was the last straw), but I've discovered I love to cut wood!
Initially, I knew I liked having a fire and keeping it going but I was worried about finding the wood and time to cut it to justify the cost of a woodfurnace. As a 9 to 5 desk jockey for the most part these days I forgot how much fun it was to get out and do the manual labor and run gas engines. I did in my younger days to get to this place. I know you guys that do it for a living might scoff and say it isn't that great, but four walls and no windows sucks in its own right too. At the end of the week, It feels great to get outdoors and do something productive that contributes to the family too. Hunting is ok but when you have a wife that doesn't like to cook deer meat that didn't work as productive long.When I cut wood it fills both requirements.
It didn't take long til the CAD set in to find the perfect saw. First was the 290 Farmboss to replace the homeowner craftsman. A sane man would have stopped there but it was too late. I happened upon the Chainsaw Forum and wasn't happy until I had a Stihl 361. Really nice saw! But the urge to feel more power was not quenched until I picked up a Dolmar 7900. You cannot buy a more powerful saw for the money! Then I kept reading about the great handling and power of the husky 346xp and on a whim I bought it when I shouldn't justifiably and it is also a really great saw! In between I picked up some nice old school jonsereds and other saws and that's where I got to here...
I bought some woods last yearly purely because I love this "sport" so much because it supports the family and I enjoy doing it. That and I think land will outperform any 401k or retirement investment in the long run. After owning the woods for the year I've weaned my saw stable down to what I need(ok,well except for the Dolmar!) and am putting that cash towards other woods toys(and the wifes kitchen...If momma ain't happy...you know how the rest goes!) Every disease runs its course I guess! Thanks for letting me ramble...(anyone know of a good stihl limbing saw for sale?
)
