I use a piece of an old graphite fishing pole Glued a 1/4 - 20 headless bolt in one end & attached it to the bar with a wing nut. Have a 17" one for my stove (+ a 16 " in case I cut for someone else). Mark the log before I cut it to sizes I can skid out to the truck/trailer Uniform length & no short rounds of the end of logs. If I can get the log off the ground, I just leave it on & cut 15" & smaller rounds.: U-TUBE : Video
Nice,,,very resourceful. I just use dalrods; I have 3 (16, 18, & 20 inches). I mark the wood with a yellow wood marker and cut. Takes a little more time than your method though unless I have my son with me----he marks, I cut.
I just know the lengths of my bar, to the dawgs is 18" to the body is 20" But your technique would save a little time not having to put the saw on the log, cool idea!
Nice setup Dave. I made a simple 24in stick with colored markings for 18, 20in viewable from either side with a handle in the middle. My boys enjoy using sidewalk chalk to mark lengths along the trunks for me to cut. I typically cut to 18inches.
I have limited depth perception so cutting by sight is not an option for me. I have tried and still use all the different types of markers. I cut my wood 18" to 20", that's the size that works best for me. I have multiple sticks marked 18" and 20". I marked the side of my saws. I even marked the cross braces on my sawbuck. I made a pvc tap-a-log that uses carpenters chalk. I made 4 different fishing rod markers. 2 with hard drive magnets and 2 that are spring mounted to bar nuts. The one that works best for me and is the fastest to use is the spring mounted ones.
Here is my whip antenna , it has a set screw for adjustable length , I cut to17" Started out with a wing nut ,then changed it to a magnet
The rule of diminishing accuracy: 1. Measure it with a micrometer. 2. Mark it with chalk. 3. Cut it with a hatchet. I just use an 18" stick and kid's sidewalk chalk. Close enough.
I use the Mingo Marker that Bailey's sells. (I'd post a link, but don't know if that's allowed.) It works pretty well and a can of spray paint will last a season. Been using it for at least four years now with no complaints.
Cool idea with the rod attached to the bar. But I would have to remove it 90 out of 100 times. I'm surprised you all are talking about a single cut length for measuring and marking?? I buck at either 18" or 20". For the 18", I have a 6' long 1 x 2 piece of wood I painted bright orange, and I marked it at 18", 36", 54" and the other end is 72" with a big bold black line. I simply lay the piece of wood on the tree, and mark the tree with a piece of chalk at each mark (4 marks). I can then slide it down to the last mark and repeat, takes 20 seconds to mark a 30' tree. Now you can cut the entire tree without measuring or marking anything, just cut on the chalk marks....
I've used several methods to measure This one works best for me. strong earth magnet. 1 tool, easy, fast, accurate , small to carry in/to the woods, fits in my pocket Walk the log & mark, pull it off & start cutting
Link & pics in #12 above http://www.apexmagnets.com/1-5-x-1-4-x-1-4-ring build: http://firewoodhoardersclub.com/forums/threads/earth-magnet-on-bar-for-17-rounds.2218/#post-47457
