Around suburban Melbourne and elsewhere fencing between properties is mostly of vertical overlapping Palings nailed onto 3 horizontal rails between red gum posts about 8 foot apart. Traditionally the timber used was astralian gum (hardwood) very strong and resilioent. However currently nearly all timber fences of the same style are built from treated pine (presure treated in huge vacume cylinders) (Radiata pine..Its soft and bends and twists a lot) Its is relatively fragile and a falling limb will break or split a paling. Over time it bows and twists and deteriorates. Its not to be burnt. All traditional fences after 30-50 years fall apart due to the posts rotting at ground level or below, un galvanised nails rusting, and rails nailed into notches letting go. Such fences when demolished are frequently sent to me mulched..nails and all into garden supplies. They make excellent small firewood but require a lot of labour to convert into suitable lengths. I leave all nails in and excercise care when handling and the nails go into the fire as well. The red gum posts are excellent for long burn use. I scored a trailer load of 150 feet of it yesterday. Usually comes with a good collection of concealed cockroaches as well. Steel fences are also being used increasingly but if subjected to any damage the uniform panels look terrible.
I'm a big fan of my compound miter saw for cutting the small stuff. Use it quite a bit for stuff that is 4" and less in diameter.... No need for chaps and I can work inside if the weather is less than ideal outside..
When I cut up the palings I load as many as can fit under the blade and position to dodge the nails in the timber and hold it all down like crazy!!. Maximum amount of cuts per unit of electricity. It still takes forever to aquire, transport, cut & stack. I rarely if ever hit a nail but live in fear of it. Its the same blade I use for my fine woodwork. Cockroach acrobatics sometimes in the approaching blade!!!
I keep tree parts down to about thumb size. cant bear to throw anything out almost. I definately have a "problem" I would like to work out an easy way to make "fire lighters" about tennis ball size maybe from somehow bonded leaf debris. Im working on the idea.
A few guys here have made their own firestarters - usually from chainsaw chips, but other combustible substrate should work as well. Super Hack Fire Starters | Firewood Hoarders Club
Welcome to da club Ashton I cut up pallets with a chainsaw but have to watch out for the nails, Nails just go in the stove with the wood and out with the ashes
Welcome, You came to the right place a great bunch of people with a lot of knowledge and friendly as well. Like making a large " Pellet " you need to find someway to heat them and then have them dry. There is something in all living plant matter, I forget the name of it right now but when heated it is like glue. Check out making Wood Pellets on youtube.
Yep you have the problem here too and are considered a hoarder!! Welcome to the club. And tell that last smiley to watch out for the law down there!!
