I have a question about how long to cut firewood for a NS loading. I have the Madison from England Stove Works. At the moment I have firewood of all different lengths. I like the longer pieces loaded E-W as it is like a fireplace when doing a small fire and is more pleasing to watch. However, only a few pieces of wood can be loaded before the problem of the wood wanting to fall forward; and I worry about them falling against the glass. To get a really long burn, it would seem that N-S loading is better as the wood can just roll to the sides of the stove as I load the wood and I can get more wood loaded. Now the stove when empty of ash has a higher row of brick at the front, near the door. When cutting wood to fit N-S, should I cut it so that it is beyond this front row of bricks; so that it does not rest on this row of bricks? If it does not matter, then another question would be how much space should there be between the wood and the glass?
I'd leave about an inch of space between the wood and the glass. My stove takes 18 inch wood N/S but I cut to 17.5 just to make loading a little easier. North South loading really does make a difference. I like it a lot.
Great question Kimberly. Measure the inside dimension front to back, then cut the wood about an inch or so shorter. The manual should have a suggestion as to what size split to use. I have a bunch of stuff I cut to 18" and it's just barely fitting. Might do what Babaganoosh does and cut it back to 17-17.5.
Rule of thumb says leave at least an inch on both ends of the wood and I feel that is a good rule to go by.
I just cut it all "about that long." 99% of it fits fine. If I were doing things scientific like, I would plan for about 2 inches from the glass, as it keeps the glass cleaner. That's on my 30-NC, YMMV.
I plan on measuring; the last wood I cut; the dead oak, I used a stick from the woods and made a mark and used it. I still want something easier; like that magnet stick on thing. If I try to cut by eye; being as unpracticed as I am, the lengths are all over the place.
I use a yardstick and a can of line striping paint. One day I'll just make a stick that's 17.5 inches and add a handle. So it's like a T square. Yardstick works fine for the most part.
I was using the stick, longer with a mark, and touching the saw; I had the little Echo 330 so could hold it with one hand and my other hand far away but still nervous; not smart using a saw one handed, even if small. I have a small folding hand saw that I got at Dollar General that would probably do very well at scratching a mark and since it folds, can be toss in the saw tool bag. Now I just need the measuring stick... I wonder if I can find a cheap folding rule, or even make one using some rivets so it can fold up when not needed and fit in the tool bag.
I don't follow this. I have not been cutting any wood except for that dead oak and it was almost too much for the little Echo; the Beast is still being modified for me. I am fairly certain the Beast has a 20 inch bar. OK, not sure if you are trying to play or not so I went and checked and yes, you can get a 20 inch bar for the Beast. And by the way, I know how you measure the bar on a chainsaw so don't try anything along that line.
You mentioned how you had measuring to do. Then you mentioned you planned on measuring. Then you said your saw had a 20" bar I think. Then I tried the english humor approach and replied that you have even more measuring to do. (This is the part where you should have laughed)
Kimberly, I use a piece of threaded rod through the hole in the saw bar with 2 nuts on it. Real quick & easy. I just go through & mark the log to the desired length & buck it up when marked. If it was three hours earlier & 20 degrees warmer I'd post a pic. It makes marking go real fast & easy. I use my small top handle saw to mark & cut with a bigger saw, but the bar is very quick & easy to take on & off. Cost was about $ 1.42. Consistent firewood length, priceless. LOL
+1 Mine takes 18" fine Found that 17" is just right, couple inches of space, so a long one for me maybe 18" No problem closing the glass on a " too long 18" " split Had to run up the steps with a burning birch round in the ash bucket Hopefully that's a "One time only " experience for me.
If you just need a measuring stick pick up any nice looking stick that you find and cut it to length. No need to make things any harder than that. That is your measuring stick for the day or go ahead and put a mark on it so it doesn't just become more kindling and keep it with your saw.
