In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Grabbing Alder today!

Discussion in 'The Wood Pile' started by FatBoy85, Apr 6, 2018.

  1. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    Well I wouldn’t call me “squirrelly”...but...
     
  2. Horkn

    Horkn

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    You need a scrench holder sure, like I do as well. 80096-800ed55262dd5105cb65aed7b669cbd5.jpg


    They should make one with a spare nut holder too.
     
  3. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    But what if I like holding my spare nuts?
     
  4. BigPapi

    BigPapi

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    The grain looks like white pine that I split en masse over here. Can't say I've ever seen alder in person.

    Try duct taping a spare nut to the saw, on the top side of the bottom of the handle below the trigger, where the warning label stickers usually are. It'll never be too far away then!
     
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  5. BZOR

    BZOR

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    I like cutting and burning alder, but the main reason I burn it is because I have so much of it on my property. In fact that's the only wood I've been burning the last few weeks.
    I've lost a couple bar nuts and would pick them up from the local saw shop. One day I bought 10 off ebay and I haven't lost one since.

    I also keep screnches all over the place because I never had one when needed, now I keep one two with my wood cutting box, one on my tractor, and a several in my shop.
     
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  6. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    Sounds like a good idea. I actually have to thank you that you gave me an idea I can run with now.
    Alder gets pretty light when dry. I wouldn’t compare it to doug fir as that sparks much more. However pound for pound it will heat my house well and extremely comfortably. Many nights I fell asleep on the couch to its lovely heat waves. Excellent stuff. There’s a reason why I’m getting after this. Its just been enjoyed to the point where I understand how I can put a log in there and that fire barely tries to run away. The heat is just perfect.
     
  7. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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  8. yooperdave

    yooperdave

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    I'm surprised at how red the cross section grain is in comparison to the vertical grain.
     
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  9. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    Quite the color huh? The inside grain is already turning a light brown and later will become uniformed. Im going to guess that the oxidation is linked to the fibers cross sections are more prone to that than the vertical. More open like if you cut thick grass or any fast growing fiber?
     
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  10. Mag Craft

    Mag Craft

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    That is some cool looking wood. Neat looking pics.
     
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  11. BranBranTheNWman

    BranBranTheNWman

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    My burns with red alder have been longer then with bl maple and the heat output is perfect for my stove and house combo. We don't have hardwoods for the most part so its red alder hemlock fir and bl maple
     

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  12. FatBoy85

    FatBoy85

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    I burned a half cord of Alder roughly starting around Halloween and burned the majority of it to Xmas. It’s a very comfortable heat, doesn’t flare up, sits in the sweet burn spot for hours . The splits I had were 8 years seasoned(at least I was told that) and they were often left large. Could not appreciate that enough as one 10 inch across split would be all I’d need when the kindling fire got set. Doing the same thing here and hopefully I can go get some more soon. Back to work this week as spring break is over!

    Had some silver/Norway Maple this season too. Burns quicker than Alder! Anyways I’m surprised not much hardwood, too bad...I live in the Black Locust central, this tree can’t stop growing around here. Nothing like that out your way????
    I had read something that Black Locust was favored for something as a young tree but then folks 50 years ago had something different in mind so the big trees have wonderful shade. Anyways if you’re in the neck of the Lakewood area, shoot me a message.
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2018
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  13. BranBranTheNWman

    BranBranTheNWman

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    I have never seen or herd of any in my area. Guess I need to do some more digging around. Would be nice to try some
     
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  14. blacktail

    blacktail

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    It's weird to see it change color. The end grain starts turning red shortly after it's cut.
     
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