Today's haul, and action shots with my new sawbuck

Two weeks ago, some ash crotches left my right elbow and shoulder pretty sore. Decided it was probably a good time to take a break from splitting and head inside the shop to build a labor saving device. This is what I came up with. (also have some pics of the build process over in the DIY room, if you're interested: http://firewoodhoardersclub.com/forums/index.php?threads/sawbuck-build.5730/)





So, to celebrate my accomplishment, and my arm feeling better, I took a little hunting trip in the woods. Found some more down ash (or so I thought), to go with my current stack, so I fetched a trailer load so I could give her a test run.

But first, some black cherry, because it was in my way - this will be on next years softwood menu:


This one looked like ash, but I'm thinking Norway Maple now after seeing the splits:





And now (drumroll), some action shots. This thing is solid. Here it is loaded up with almost 2/3 of that norway:



Get ready to press the "easy" button:

 

Looks great man!

 

Neat sawbuck - it looks fancy with those arms tapered like that. What's the secret to keeping the rounds from falling down between the legs after those middle cuts? On mine, which looks a lot like yours, the rounds tumble down and pinch in those center cuts. Anti-gravity device or something?

 

I had a couple more pics but I couldn't attach any more to the last post. Here it is folded closed - unfortunately, due to the way I designed it, it won't fold fully closed like others will. I didn't realize that until I did a "dry fit" of all the parts. Had to make a relief notch to get it to close this far; didn't want to make the notch any bigger - I'd compromise the overall strength. Still, it only takes about 1/2 the space that it does fully open. It's just as "wide" as a couple of the sawhorses I'll be storing it next to in the garage.



And here is the remainder of today's hunting trip. This one did end up being ash - biggest of the three. Grabbing this tomorrow:

 

I think a combination of the offset leg design, and the order I cut them in. I cut them at the wider end first; so if those pieces had fallen away, the rest would have still been supported at two points. Also, I cut them from the top down; and I didn't go all the way through the bottom log, until last. So both piles just sort of came to rest on each other as I finished the cut.

 

I'd hang that on the wall next to the stove as artwork!

 

Shawn, thats some nice looking work. Nice to see the sawbuck in action.
BUT, as with a new pair of boots on the first day at the job, what happens to the boots?
Everyone steps on the toes to get them dirty.
Get that new sawbuck dirty!

 

I saw that in another design, and liked the look. Thought it might come in handy for shorter pieces. I basically "built in" the firewood dimensions that I commonly use. The short side is 18"OC, my preferred length, which fits N/S in my stove. The long side is 24"OC, which will fit E/W.

 

Well, break time is officially over. Hauled and bucked the ash from yesterday, along with a trailer full of branch size stuff left over from my 4th of July score.


Sawbuck is coming in mighty handy. Officially broke her in today - started going a little too fast and knicked it with the chainsaw:


Then my Dad came over with the FEL so we could really test her out:


Just kidding. This is the log I saved from my 4th of July score. Finally got it home from the neighbors house. Set it on the small cherry tree I hauled yesterday to keep it off the ground until I can get it milled.


Also helped my dad load up a couple black walnut logs that he's taking to the Amish guy tomorrow. This is just a *branch* that was removed from a massive tree in my sister's yard. There's also an awesome burl - probably 3' diameter from the same tree.


I think it's beer-thirty.

 

How do you get those big bastages off the trailer?

 

Really nice sawbuck. Very well made and looks good too...

 

It's gonna take a FEL or some kind of crane. The Amish guy mills everyone's logs around here - I imagine he has some way to get them off.

 

That looks awesome Shawn I like those big logs youve got there I bet they will be turned into some really nice boards.

 

Holy log..lol..

Don't try cutting that on your sawbuck. .

 

Yeah, I'm going to get a whole ton of lumber out of that thing.... Literally!

This is kind of a rare log too. I've never seen an ash this size before. Ended up with two full cords of firewood from this tree, plus this log.

And I still have yet to start on the large black locust that this took out when it came down.

[EDIT - it was 2 full cords, not face cords.]

 

Nice sawbuck !
Glade it got some nicks in it now, & a few drops of sweat on it, gives it character
Great pictures !

Looks warm & muggy ?

 

Very nice indeed ! You been busy