Went to our daughters house yesterday, she had a nice oak that she said i could cut up, about 28'' on the butt. Would have been good for milling, it was pretty straight, and metal free. But, i turned it into firewood! Its the first wood i've actually cut since i had my foot surgery, on my right ankle, which was a complete joint replacement. I want to say this right off, GOD has really blessed me in so many ways! So, went to her place, there lay's a nice oak. I fire up the old husky 266XP, and get with it. The weather was good, but, could have been a little cooler, and it was in a totally open field, some nice shade was about 75 yds away, oh well so be it. I made about 20 cuts and then, the big oak slipped down and jammed up my bar! Worked at it for about 20 min all while, wondering why didn't i bring a cable, or chain? I even tried the fiskars, by seeing if i could cut it free, no deal. Then remembered a small hatchet my wife found for me about 8yrs ago that i carry under the seat in the pickup. Hmmmmmm, had the fiskars X25 with the 28'' handle, took the fiskars, the small hatchet, used it as a wedge, drove it into the saw cut and the husky fell out to where i could pull it free with no problem!! So, then, i did a little bit of noodling and used the fiskars to split the big chunks into more manageable sizes. Oh, the ankle, worked like a dream, i was careful, watched where and how fast i moved, but, it really worked great. Now, this morning i get up, do a few exercises for the ankle and i'm good to go. Here's another good part, i loaded the oak up, got home, unloaded it and put my ''tools'' away. Took a hot, hot shower, ate dinner and this morning, no pain, no aches, nothing, not even any sore muscles, oh, did i mention how GOD has really blessed me? I'm humbled by his Grace and how he takes care of us. You all have a GREAT DAY!
Wonderful! Really glad that ankle is working out good for you. I also hope you learned from hanging the saw. Think back to how you were cutting and just before it happened. Try to not repeat that one!
Ive done the same with an old fiskars X27 head that broke off. Used it for a wedge when splitting too. Glad it all went well and you are okay and the ankle is well too! Ive used my X27 to section 32" red oak. It is a great tool for sure.
B.Brown, wonderful news that your ankle is healed and pain free. God is good! And he kept y'all safe from the fires last year. I try to read the wood and not get pinched/caught, but if you cut much it's something that's going to happen at some time. I try to have several wedges around to use if needed. But one thing I learned and started doing years ago...I try to have a second saw with me, even if I dont plan on running it. And I make sure to ALWAYAS have a spare bar and chain in the truck. I got stuck bad one time at work cutting a big nasty widowmaker. Luckily I could get to the bar nuts, so I removed the powerhead, put on spare bar and chain and dropped the tree. I am huge believer in always having a spare bar and chain when cutting...its on my "list" right behind chaps, ear pro, gas and oil.....
Oh, I knew it was getting close to getting pinched, but, kept after it. I’ve run a saw for a few years and don’t get it stuck that often. Normally take 2 saws, cable, etc. Daughters place is 13 acres, very private, it was just a fluke situation, going back up today and get the rest of it.
Awesome that your ankle allowed you to do wood for a day, even awesome-r that it feels like letting you do it the next day!
I always have an assortment of wedges with me when I'm bucking up fire wood. They are awesome for holding the kerf open , and if you accidentally hit one with the chain it just chews the plastic up a bit and preserves the chain.
I've got several as well, and your right, they are good for holding the kerf open. I sure timed today just right, went back up to the daughters house, got the rest of the oak, saved out one good block for a outside chopping block, painted one end to seal it, and thought i felt it spit some rain. Sure enough the wind picked up and the temp started dropping, it was 80 here yesterday, they forecasted rain here later on. Figures i'd just washed the pickup, but, that's why i do it, then it almost always rains. So, it was 80 yesterday, 60 today with quite the breeze blowing though as well. I think my splitting block had cured out enough that the paint will hold. Since it first started its not stopped, i had to build a fire for the wife, i'll admit it does feel pretty good. She's baking me a tart rhubarb pie tomorrow, i'll have a hot chunk of it, and some french vanilla ice cream. Makes my jaws ache thinking about it, lol. I did get the wood split and covered before it rained. GREAT DAY!!
Lots of congratulations to hand out! First the ankle. Very glad it is working out. Next, the Oak. Nice to have a firewood windfall of Oak. Finally, the pie and the sweet wife who baked it. Good news all over!
Metal cutter, your a silver tounged devil, I can tell, lol Tamarack, thank you as well. Metal cutter, your right she is sweet, has to be, it’ll be 53 yrs this September
