Not only do i hoard firewood but scrap boards, 2x4's, trim anything that will make good kindling etc. Once in a while i pull out my old beat up chop saw and cut it up. Did some today. Ill box, bundle, tote it up for storage. Use the hatchet to make some smaller as needed. Some for customers. Short scraps are for the firepit. Have more to cut. Ms. buZZsaw has been "politely asking" for me to get rid of the boards.
There are times I need kindling, but for the most part, once the fire is going for the season it rarely goes out. I always tease my father in law that he burns more kindling than he does splits. I swear he makes nearly a cord of kindling each year!
I cannot keep a fire going all day the house will get way to hot. So I am always starting a fire. No big deal as long as there is plenty of kindling. I try and keep enough for 2 weeks at a time.
When I make kindling, it really turns into fun using the log splitter. The pictures below give you and idea how we do it. The wood that I was using when making those pictures was a bit soft but not quite punk. So I had to make the kindling a little larger than I normally do. I really like using soft maple the best for making kindling. First, I make some slabs. Then I turn them to make the kindling to size.
My kindling all comes 3/4" x6" x 36" I just cut it to length with a skill saw, and then split the pieces with a hatchet. I do use a chop saw in my firewood collection though. I have an old tank of a saw that I drag out to cut splits to length if they are too long.
