In the end, it's what works best for your needs and budget. Everything has it's own set of pro's and con's. I like toys, especially toys that work well for me, that's why I have a Mingo marker, it's not that I 'need' one. A tape and marker, a piece of pvc pipe cut to length, a mark on your bar and so forth all work to produce rounds of uniform length. It's your choice and what you get used to using. Like the man said: "You can get used to anything... but hanging."
I’m not especially concerned about length for my own use as long as I don’t go over 18”. I hate getting home with pieces that are too long for the small stove we have. I’ve been selling some firewood when I have extra and it seems pretty consistent the people who are buying don’t want anything over 16” and the Mingo does a good job of keeping me very close to that. I have been cutting stuff off a log deck that is mostly straight with no limbs. If I were cutting stuff that had a lot of branches or was in the brush, I’d just wing it and hope for the best. BTW, they recommend not using fluorescent paint because it plugs more, but I’ve been clearing the nozzle at the end of the day and so far no issues. A can of paint goes a long way. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I like tape measure and sidewalk chalk. I just Raif my kids stash when I’m running low. It’s pretty easy to cut 16” consistently when you’re cutting logs that are similar in diameter but this weekend I cut wood over 40” in diameter down to wood that was 6” in diameter. It’s tough for me to be consistent with such a wide range diameter.
I cut long every time I’m cutting large trees. That’s why I measure Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I do the same as slocum, small diameter stuff always looks long to me so if I don't measure it I'll cut it short. Then just the opposite for larger diameter stuff. I've done the guessing game for a while when I was feeding the neighbors boiler and it didn't seem to matter what the length was. I've used the mark on the bar, sidewalk chalk and measuring tape, hatchet and measuring tape. Now I've got a mingo marker also because I noticed quickly that if I have other people cutting with me they likely won't take the time to measure anything.
I use the wax pencil and tape measure method. I started doing this because my skids are 5'4" and 16" makes 4 nice rows. I've seen the Mingo marker in action. They work good!
I use a 6' carpenters folding rule and a pc of chalk. Im anal about 16" pcs as well. The ruler has 16" increment marked in red for stud centers. Goes pretty quick and is easy in and out of the back pocket, chalk in the front. Sometimes with gloves it can be tough.
I am currently using a can of yellow marking paint. What colors do you use and which seems to be more visible?
I run 18 or 20 inch bars most of the time. I just eye it. I try for 18-20 on average but my stove will take 24 inch straight and 28 diagonal. Cut it and get it stacked is my motto. Whatever makes u happy do it. When I was selling I measured, otherwise not.
I don't have one but I can see You can mark pretty quick with a mango marker . I really like the ott accu-stick pro ,It's compact , Easy to pack , Well made ,Mark and cut in one action , or mark the whole thing and then come back and cut , You can mark dry wood , wet wood , even snow covered wood , You could mark a log and come back a week later then marks will still be there Ott accu-stick review Ott Accu-Stick OTT Accu-Stick Pro Magnetic; Telescoping Adjustable Length Tube
I can get pretty close by eyeball after laying out enough walls 16 on center but I still prefer to tape it and spray it. dollar cans of paint last a long time. Take a few minutes, mark it out and cut it all up. Makes for a nice break too.
Crap I have been using green and my BX2360 is orange. Thanks Bill now I can’t cut tomorrow till I get a can of orange. Any of you J D tractor guys need a half used can of green?
