Tip of the Day thread:

[Sandhill Crane]

Feel free to jump in and add comments to the days tip, or post a new one of your own on us...
Day 1. Plastic wedges. Been cutting firewood for three plus decades and only recently, the past year or so, started using plastic wedges for bucking rounds. When you see the kerf narrow slightly set a wedge with a tap, using your hand, 2" limb wood, 3# hammer, whatever. Then finish the cut with ease. I keep several in my saw kit and one in my back pocket when the saw is running. These logs happen to be on a cut table but it works well anywhere. If you only have one saw because that's what you have, or using a quad and don't have room for a second saw, be sure to carry several plastic wedges in you kit. (EDIT) Be sure to turn saw off or set the saw brake before setting a wedge.

 

[ppkgmsy]

My son is 12 and is skilled with a maul, axe, and knows how to run a splitter. He will be using a chainsaw soon. The major tip I am going to give him is this: You will be tempted a million times to take shortcuts. Never take a shortcut while operating a saw. Never. The 1-in-a-million accident happens 9 times out of 10.

P.S. He's reading over my shoulder right now.

 

[TimberWolf530]

Not a slam to either of you guys, because your tips are sound, but be careful when you are getting tips or how to's on anything dangerous (like using chainsaws) from the internet. I've seen a lot of videos on Youtube that look like a good way to get yourself killed.

 

[unclemoustache]

Never be afraid to walk away from a tree job. It's dangerous work and you just may not have the skills and expertise to do what needs to be done. One of the guys who wrote safety manuals for tree workers died in a tree accident.

 

[BoBDoG2o02]

Buy a moisture meter. It doesnt have to be a good one but having a clue on your MC(Moisture Content) can improve your burning immensely. Shoot for 12-20%, for every 1% of moisture you lose 1% efficiency.

 

[Whitespider]

There ain't no magic.
*

 

[Ironworker]

Never go near a foaming dog.

 

[flashhole]

Don't eat yellow snow.

 

[mn woodcutter]

Keep your chain sharp or simply keep and extra one handy.
Cutting with a dull chain is harder than a three legged cat trying to bury a turd on a frozen pond.

 

[cantoo]

Less typing and more sawing.
Never work tired. If something doesn't feel right then walk away for another day. Don't eat yellow snow. Stihl is the only saw to own unless you are a mechanic and like to tinker. My way is usually the right way, as long as my wife says it is.

 

[babybart]

The best things in life are not things.

 

[WoodTick007]

This appears to be another worthless thread. . . perhaps it should be deleted to make room for something that could actually be beneficial to readers.

 

[BoBDoG2o02]

Yea, i think the OP was meaning tips on wood and wood burning related things. Not so much tips on life philosophy, or taco bell farts.

 

[c5rulz]

You can't be a beacon if your light don't shine.

 

[zogger]

Sometimes if the tree has few branches except at the top, I lay cross logs/branches in the fell zone so it is supported once you go to bucking.

 

[Ironworker]

I split all my firewood really big, it's easier to resplit then to go looking for nice fat all nighters.

 

[Ironworker]

I actually did the wedge thing once and the kickback hit the wedge and the wedge hit me between the eyes, giving me a nice gash in the middle of my forehead.

 

[Sandhill Crane]

Refilling bar oil: I buy bar oil in gallon jugs. As, the gallon gets low I tend to get sloppier. The saw handle is there, the jug shadows the hole, etc. and so quite often over fill to the cap threads. I like to keep this area clean because in the past I got grung in the bar oil tank and plugged the pump. First thing is clean the area, including the front of the saw where the cap hangs by its tether. An old repurposed tooth brush it great for this. To deal with the over fill a squeeze bottle is the ticket, sucking out the excess. They can be found in food stores, wood working stores, dollar stores, and such. I also use squeeze bottles to measure and access the front hilliard clutch and rear right angle drive.

 

[c5rulz]

Refilling bar oil: I buy bar oil in gallon jugs. As, the gallon gets low I tend to get sloppier. The saw handle is there, the jug shadows the hole, etc. and so quite often over fill to the cap threads. I like to keep this area clean because in the past I got grung in the bar oil tank and plugged the pump. First thing is clean the area, including the front of the saw where the cap hangs by its tether. An old repurposed tooth brush it great for this. To deal with the over fill a squeeze bottle is the ticket, sucking out the excess. They can be found in food stores, wood working stores, dollar stores, and such. I also use squeeze bottles to measure and access the front hilliard clutch and rear right angle drive.

My 288 takes more oil than those bottles hold.

 

[Sandhill Crane]

Like most, I fill from a gallon jug.