Is there a kind of chalk or crayon, so I can mark downed trees, so I somewhat get the same size. I have a tape measure , and have tried using a stick with pre-measured marks, but I cannot seem to mark the tree very well. this would be time saver. thank you
Go to Post #22 of this thread..... bogydave made a pretty good measuring device for his saw... http://firewoodhoardersclub.com/for...t-on-bar-for-17-rounds.2218/page-2#post-48625
I hold my chainsaw up to the log. I know the distance from the tip of the bar to a point on the chainsaw that is the correct length for my stove. I make a small cut with the saw, then measure again. It isn't perfect, but precise enough.
My local hardware store sells lumber marking crayons in red, yellow, or blue for something like $1.19 or so. I usually have a couple of red or yellow ones and a 25' measuring tape in my saw stuff box. I might be a bit OCD when it come to firewood length...
This has worked perty good for me riks The rounds will be within an inch of 20" . Close enough. What I like about it is I can walk along a pile of logs and mark all of them as I go, because I'm not using a tape that started from just one log (which never seems to be laid exactly the same on one end)... I can just go from each mark to the next. Saves time. I've tried lumber crayons, but I've gotten used to the ease of a quick spot from a spray paint can.
Use your saws body as a measuring stick. From the back of the handle to the end guide bars cover on my ms261 is 16" my dads 455s and 55s are the same. Saves lots of time
I just picked up some lumber crayons from Bailey's, but they don't seem to mark very well when the wood is wet. I wanted a little more consistent lengths. I've been using the eyeball-using-the-bar method, but my lengths would tend to vary by an inch or more, and if they're 1/4" over 16, they won't fit N/S in my stove.
Kids sidewalk chalk - the big fatties. I have several dozen on hand at all times. Just steal them when the kids aren't looking.
I'm no longer in a rush, so I take a tape with me. How does everyone account for the chain kerf when marking, then cutting?
I saw someone else on this forum post some time ago that they had a similar problem. They just stopped trying to be exact and cut everything 12-14inches I think they said, all the time, so that everything always fit. Most people find it pretty easy to visualize a foot.
I have been using a livestock crayon. It marks easily on wet wood and is available at any hardware store that caters to farmers/ranchers. Neon colors that last on wood for over a year.
Tap 'N Cut Tee made from 1/2 pvc pipe. Small hole at 16 in. (for me) from one end. Cap on base of tee not glued, remove to fill with carpenter's chalk. Lots of bright colors available (I use blue, as you can see). Walk down the log, place end on previous mark and tap, placing a spot of chalk. Mine has two holes for right or left hand marking, the split collar (made from 3/4 pipe) is rotated to select hole. The end that appears to be open (top) is actually plugged internally.
Chain kerf Dave? I thought I was getting anal about cutting to length but I haven't gotten to the point of worrying about chain kerf! Oh and I use the Stinny stick method with cans of old spray paint. When I'm cutting to haul out log-lengths I just go 6 marks of 17" for 102" and make the cut.
Ive got a bar of the right length on my 260 so if the tree is small enough that I'm bucking with that saw I just use the bar. Bigger trees either I use a tape measure and a hatchet or I let my son mark it with a tree crayon. Inverted spray paint makes a better mark but more than needed, costs more, and makes a mess on the tape.
I used to use the bar length method myself until my buddy started helping me cut again. Now we need something way more accurate since his "eye" is just a tad off! That's where the stick and old (regular) spray paint comes in. I purposely spray the end of the stick so I get a pretty sharp mark on the log. Right now I've got a bunch of old cans of paint left over from projects but our county has a recycle/reuse place where I can go and load up on more. If the cans still have paint but no propellant left I can usually just pressurize them with the air compressor and get a bunch more log spots out of it.
