Wish I did a lot of things sooner

[Mitjam]

So like the title states wish I would have done a lot of things sooner. What this thread is really about is I finally got to use my new stihl ms261 and new gas log splitter. It’s such an absolute joy to process fire wood now. Had a saw that would run good once not the next,and an electric 4 ton log splitter that would split about half the stuff rest I just would leave cause I couldn’t get it.
Life is short buy a log splitter.

 

[RCW]

Oh man, there’s a lot of things I wish I did sooner…..

Can’t think of much I should have done later. .

Building a homemade splitter is definitely tops of the sooner list. Dad and I did that in the’70’s. What a difference it made in our operation.

We burned about 40 face cords (or 14-15 full cords) back then.

 

[Sidekick]

Or build one. First thing I built when we started heating with wood. Old splitting wedges made nice wheel chocks.

 

[Mitjam]

Oh man, there’s a lot of things I wish I did sooner…..

Can’t think of much I should have done later. .

Building a homemade splitter is definitely tops of the sooner list. Dad and I did that in the’70’s. What a difference it made in our operation.

We burned about 40 face cords (or 14-15 full cords) back then.

Ya I know it’s something simple but just makes it more enjoyable not fighting everything. Wish I would have also built a bigger shop too that one costs a bit more though

 

[Mitjam]

Or build one. First thing I built when we started heating with wood. Old splitting wedges made nice wheel chocks.
View attachment 149441

That is a beauty sir. Almost too nice to split wood

 

[McMXi]

So like the title states wish I would have done a lot of things sooner. Life is short buy a log splitter

We tend to regret the things we didn't do rather than the things we did. A few years ago I bought a lightly used Oregon 22 ton model from a friend of a friend and it was well worth the $1,200 asking price.

 

[NCL4701]

So like the title states wish I would have done a lot of things sooner. What this thread is really about is I finally got to use my new stihl ms261 and new gas log splitter. It’s such an absolute joy to process fire wood now. Had a saw that would run good once not the next,and an electric 4 ton log splitter that would split about half the stuff rest I just would leave cause I couldn’t get it. Life is View attachment 149440 short buy a log splitter

Nice!

Growing up, we heated exclusively with wood. We (primarily me and my older brother, sometimes our father) split with a 8lb maul, wedges, and a 16lb rock hammer. Brother left home so then it was mostly me. I left for college. First time I came back to visit, I saw a shiny new 20 ton hydraulic splitter in the shed. Asked dad what was up with that. He said his last wood splitter left for college so he went to Northern and picked up a new one. Not like he was going to split all that wood himself. He enjoyed splitting wood into his 80’s with that same splitter.

So yeah, life’s too short to fight with something when the simple answer is a good size hydraulic cylinder.

 

[Moose7060]

We tend to regret the things we didn't do rather than the things we did.

Truer words have never been spoken. On our death beds we don't regret the house we bought, or the truck we bought, etc, but regret not seeing the Great Wall or the pyramids, or doing something or experiencing something we really wanted to.

 

[Mitjam]

We tend to regret the things we didn't do rather than the things we did. A few years ago I bought a lightly used Oregon 22 ton model from a friend of a friend and it was well worth the $1,200 asking price.

Yep I never used a pro chainsaw or gas log splitter but have cut and split firewood my whole life and I still can’t get smile off. Pathetic? maybe

 

[Mitjam]

Nice!

Growing up, we heated exclusively with wood. We (primarily me and my older brother, sometimes our father) split with a 8lb maul, wedges, and a 16lb rock hammer. Brother left home so then it was mostly me. I left for college. First time I came back to visit, I saw a shiny new 20 ton hydraulic splitter in the shed. Asked dad what was up with that. He said his last wood splitter left for college so he went to Northern and picked up a new one. Not like he was going to split all that wood himself. He enjoyed splitting wood into his 80’s with that same splitter.

So yeah, life’s too short to fight with something when the simple answer is a good size hydraulic cylinder.

Yep it’s something I know that needs to get done. It always seemed like such a task before. Now I found it to be a hobby and I actually look forward to it. It’s funny how things change old homelite saw and a good splitting axe and a sledge hammer for reinforcement. Still did the same thing but sure wasn’t as fun

 

[McMXi]

Yep I never used a pro chainsaw or gas log splitter but have cut and split firewood my whole life and I still can’t get smile off. Pathetic? maybe

I don't think there's anything pathetic about it. I think it's awesome that you're getting so much enjoyment out of the splitter and saw. I completely understand the feeling that comes from using good tools, and enjoying the tool for what it is as much as what it does.

By the way, I've never used a pro chainsaw. I have a couple of Stihl saws that I bought in 2011 but they're certainly not the pro models. Now that I have a more capable truck, I can venture further afield in search of firewood this year. There's a $10 permit required but lots of public land where you're allowed to cut down dead standing stuff. Maybe a better saw will be in my future later this year.

 

[Mitjam]

I don't think there's anything pathetic about it. I think it's awesome that you're getting so much enjoyment out of the splitter and saw. I completely understand the feeling that comes from using good tools, and enjoying the tool for what it is as much as what it does.

By the way, I've never used a pro chainsaw. I have a couple of Stihl saws that I bought in 2011 but they're certainly not the pro models. Now that I have a more capable truck, I can venture further afield in search of firewood this year. There's a $10 permit required but lots of public land where you're allowed to cut down dead standing stuff. Maybe a better saw will be in my future later this year.

That’s the only thing here not much wood choices. But I got about 20 acres of heavy wooded area on my own land And a neighbour did some fence line brushing with a cat and excavator so I have lots of wood there. And clean wood not much dirt on them from brushing. Well I have only used the saw one day but like I said the power to weight is awesome. I’m sure you wouldn’t regret it

 

[KKBL]

We still use a 5HP 20 ton MTD splitter I bought new 31 years ago. We have done up to 6 cords a season with it. It will split any nasty, knotted wood we have. Worth every penny it cost me back then.

 

[Botamon]

Growing up, we heated exclusively with wood. We (primarily me and my older brother, sometimes our father) split with a 8lb maul, wedges, and a 16lb rock hammer. Brother left home so then it was mostly me. I left for college. First time I came back to visit, I saw a shiny new 20 ton hydraulic splitter in the shed. Asked dad what was up with that. He said his last wood splitter left for college so he went to Northern and picked up a new one.

I have a similar story about my Dad. We had a huge lawn and me, being the oldest, had the task of mowing that lawn with a push-type reel lawnmower the whole time I was growing up. Then I got drafted so my brother got to do the honors with the reel lawnmower. Well, he graduated high school and left home to go to University, far away, so the mowing fell back on our Dad. When I came home on leave there was a new Craftsman riding lawnmower sitting by the house........

 

[Botamon]

Cutting our winter's supply of firewood with a belt-driven "buzz" saw, 1961.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I got smart years ago.

Traded this:

For this:

And for those wondering
My property is covered in these:

That turn into these after 134 years

 

[bbxlr8]

I have been on my neglected property that was old growth with deadfall, standing dead, and infinite clean up for 15 years now. I started out with a consumer saw, splitting by hand and hand carrying out rounds to my 4x6 trailer behind my 1210. Sooo much labor and many touches on the way to the wood stove!

Each of the following were complete game changers:

1. First investment was a high-powered, 24" full chisel chainsaw - lead to 3 saws btw (along w full PPE, rope winches and throw lines)
2. After a couple of years, a gas splitter was a god-send (basic countyline/speeco has been very reliable once repowered the junk Kohler with predator Honda copy engine.
3. By far, the biggest worksaver has been going with the L2501 with grapple.

I get a bit tired of feeding the stove as March hits but was just telling my wife that this was the easiest firewood effort ever this winter. I am happy with my setup and feel like I am cheating, but keep reminding myself that I am now working smarter rather than harder.

Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks

 

[DaTow'd]

Wolfman
you traded a wood splitter for a propane tanK?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Wolfman
you traded a wood splitter for a propane tanK?

Yep,
New house is all hydronic heated.
And it's also our hot water
It's sweet!

We actually went from wood stove to pellet stove old house then to Hydronic in new house.

And price wise, our whole winter heating is about 1/2 of firewood and pellets and none of the work.
This has been our cheapest year so for for heating, we are at about $600 and that's heating 2850SF of house to 76 and 1080SF of garage to 60 all the time.

We now just drop the dead standing and send them off to a friend to be milled into lumber.
The dead fall and dead standing that don't work for lumber, We give to a neighbor that cuts it up into firewood and gives it away to those in need.

 

[old and tired]

I wished I made more money, quicker, earlier in life so I could have enjoyed it. Although, if I had extra money when I was younger.... I doubt I would have made to be this old.