First post here and glad to be here. Wife and I live in Maryland and about to move to the Altoona PA area in the next few months. So anyone familiar with that area it would be great to hear from you regarding living in this area. Looking for any info on best ways to obtain wood for splitting, advice for log splitters. Right now I'm just using my 16" stihl and a good maul.
Welcome aboard Dan. You may have trouble in getting advice here....(yeah, right!) maybe getting too much advice would be more accurate! A chain saw and a maul is all I had for quite a few years....that and youth!
Welcome. I travelled through Altoona for years headed to Johnstown PA. Based on memory, there are huge tracts of forest all around there, so you should be in good shape! I suggest figuring out how wood hungry your new home will be, then buy equipment accordingly. If you have not purchased a house, look for a house that is large, and has a large burner. That will allow you to cut a lot, and justify big toys. That is what I did
Welcome aboard Dan. Lots of folks from PA that frequent this place. Scotty Overkill would be a perfect example........ I'm sure they'll be along soon enough to offer up some advice for that area.
I live in Williamsburg about 20 miles east of Altoona and work at Norfolk southern in Altoona. Lots of nice places up for sale within a half hour of the city. Ash borer and elm blight have killed lots of trees so wood is in abundance. Any questions feel free to ask.
Welcome dan gambrills oh what a great opportunity you have let us pick your house.. lot.. woodburner.. nice to meet ya and good luck! considering who close to you ya should be just fine
I see the PA contingent has already kinda got you covered. I'm PA also, but a fair bit east of where you will be. As for advice, basically for me it's if you see a tree down, go ask if you can have it! Also, see if you can get to know a tree service or two! Also, I think all of the PA State Forests issue firewood collecting permits... $15 a cord last I talked with my local district forester. I have not had to pay for one of these yet, but it's nice to know it's available if your scrounging is getting sparse.
Welcome to the club, dan gambrills! I'm just north of Altoona, blacksmith lives in Altoona. Drives in the countryside and mountain roads can help you find wood. With the devastation of the ash trees in this area, firewood isn't really too hard to find. Being I do tree removals, I sometimes have loads to give up from time to time.......when are you moving up this way? Is it job-related? Looking forward to meeting you, possibly at our spring GTG!
Welcome. A chain saw and maul(s) have worked for me, for over 30 yrs. Slow and steady gets the job done. Good luck with the house hunt.
Welcome, Dan. You'll find many great people here to help with many of life's questions along with the best wood advice on the web. Once you start asking about stoves, equipment and accessories, make sure you have a deep wallet. We love to spend other people's money. Lol.
Welcome to the forum Dan. Congratulations on the coming move. As you can see we have many members in that area. I've been working with wood most of my life now and for many years we too had one saw an axe, sledge and wedges. Then found out about splitting mauls. Then over the years my body took a beating and I've graduated to hydraulics. As for the size of bar on a saw, it is dependent upon the size of tree you cut. I have 2 saws and both have 16" bars which is good for the size of trees we have on our land. Sure, I could run longer bars but do not need them. To helps a bit on the wood thing, here is something that might be of help to you: Primer on Woodburning by Backwoods Savage
TurboDiesel and I are brothers, both born in Altoona and still living in Hollidaysburg, which is essentially the "suburbs" of the booming metropolis to which you'll be relocating. We'll be happy to help you find your feet.
