Goodwill Roadtrip/Sawing - Success

[Magicman]

Yup, the bottom section has multiple holes to accommodate for uneven terrain.  The front FAO does not have a hole mid way and needs to take a trip to the drill press.  Just haven't gotten a "roundtuit".

[Leigh Family Farm]

dablack,
Do you know any wreckers or tow truck guys nearby? I might offer them a trade (wood, food, etc.) for helping you move your RV. Another option is a simple sled. Place plywood or metal sheets under the wheels (old truck hoods work too) and try to tow/push it out of the way on them. Just a thought...

Good luck to everyone on the driving this weekend.

[Magicman]

The drive shaft may need disconnecting.  If the JD will not move it, then we will get a wrecker if necessary.  That old RV will not win this fight.   

[dablack]

OH the RV has only won for the time being.  I will jack it up later, remove the driveshaft, make sure the rear axle will spin and give it a go.  The two tires on the back left are still good so i will use the outer one to put on the passenger side.  I will pull two wheels off my 90 F250 and put those on the front of the RV.  That will make it a roller again.  It doesn't have to be moved right now.  I just wanted it out of the way. 

Last night I got the area in front of the slab cleaned up.  Made two little fires (didn't want a huge one) and started burning.  I had tons of cut offs and OSB bits.  My five year old son hung out with me up there until momma had dinner ready.  She brought it up to me.  So the lumber stacking area is now cleaned up. 

Austin

[Bill Gaiche]

Austin, do you have forks for your tractor? bg

[dablack]

No, no forks on my tractor.  Just the FEL.  I was going to bolt on some 2" angle iron for some quicky cheater forks but just haven't had the time.  There aren't a lot of option for a B2620 Kubota. 

Austin

[Magicman]

I have a checklist and am gradually getting the items crossed off.  After yesterday, the sawmill is ready, and I got the fuel, sawblade, and lube items done this morning.  The coffee, hot chocolate, and other refreshment items are done.  About all that is left to pack is my clothes and they are already laying out.

[wwsjr]

I am about half way down my checklist. I loaded a flat box of new 10° blades. Pulled edger out, as always with a "trailer", I had to replace one tail/turn/brake light. Wally World had just what I needed. Should be finished with all loading except for clothes today. Rain and freezing rain predicted tomorrow, trying to finish outside work today. Looks the ice storm will be north of our travel route.

[Magicman]

I am loving the forecast for next week:

Monday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.
Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.
Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 30.
Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 48.
Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.
Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 51

[wwsjr]

Looking good. Several layers for early morning will be the way to go. Maybe a slab fire to warm hands. Hope wind chill will not be a factor.

[Rockn H]

I just read this thread, and was thinking if your lumber tally/ logs was still a little short, sweetgum has been used for rafters and lats.  I know how people feel about sweetgum, but if you saw and stack it and it comes out straight it'll stay that way. ;)  And sweetgum makes a stout roof.   I've never sawed any sweetgum for furniture, but as pretty as some boards look, I've always wanted to try using it for a table too.

[dablack]

Just a reminder on directions since it has been a few pages since then:

Coming from Rusk (just north of me):  Take Highway 69 south out of town.  About 6 miles south of town, take a right on FM 241.  I'm 1.9 miles down FM 241 on the right.  Street number 3303. 

Coming from Alto (just south of me):  Take highway 69 north out of town.  About 10 miles north of town, take a left on FM 241.  I'm 1.9 miles down FM 241 on the right.  Street number 3303.

We normally have the gate locked but it will be open while everyone is here.

[dablack]

I just read this thread, and was thinking if your lumber tally/ logs was still a little short, sweetgum has been used for rafters and lats.  I know how people feel about sweetgum, but if you saw and stack it and it comes out straight it'll stay that way. ;)  And sweetgum makes a stout roof.   I've never sawed any sweetgum for furniture, but as pretty as some boards look, I've always wanted to try using it for a table too.

I've got tons of pine.  I don't think we will be short there at all.  I'm more concerned with the oak.  Allen isn't sure if he is going to be able to be there or not so I don't know if we will have access to a big tractor.  Plus, I'm not sure if the oak we have down on the ground will be enough for the flooring.  I have found one or two more standing dead white oaks in the forest.  They arne't nearly as big around as the ones I have already bucked but they are tall and at least 14" diameter.  I might fell them tomorrow and see if I can pull them out with my truck.  It won't be easy.  We will see.  It is going to be pretty sloppy out in my fields and woods.  I might fell them and have to wait until Tuesday to pull them out.  If Allen can't come up, I will still need to move the others as well. 

The banner is supposed to be here tomorrow. 
Can't wait to see everyone,
Austin

[Magicman]

I have everything loaded except my clothes.    I know that I will remember them because it will be too cold to streak. 

[wwsjr]

I am glad I loaded everything but clothes yesterday. It has been raining since before daylight. Temp now is 38° and falling, nasty outside. Edger ready to hook up and hit the road.

[Brucer]

I am loving the forecast for next week:

Just a tad on the cool side for me, but still good sawing weather (it's -17°C here today -- that's +1°F).

I saw until the snow shuts me down or the temperature drops to -10°C, or 14°. Here's some clothing tips for gold weather sawing. You may already know about most of this stuff but there may be some useful ideas in here.

Gloves! Lots of gloves. I buy lined, leather palm gloves with cotton backs for really cold weather. If those aren't available, you can double up -- thin cotton gloves inside thicker leather gloves. The outer gloves should be a bit loose. I don't have accuset but I operate all the regular controls with my thick, lined gloves. I always have several pair on hand in case it's raining or the wood is wet or covered with snow.

Pay attention to your feet. While you're concentrating on a job your brain doesn't "notice" how cold your feet are getting -- until your toes are really cold. In winter or wet weather I use the Dunlop boots that oil rig workers prefer. They're made of a thick, microfoam synthetic rubber that offers reasonably good insulation. You'll want extra socks on hand -- if your feet get damp, wet socks will suck the heat out quickly.

Lacking good thermal boots, you can also wear ankle-high rubber boots over conventional shoes. That'll give you an insulating layer of air that makes a big difference.

I have lined jeans for this kind of weather. If I'm caught short I wear my chainsaw chaps over my regular jeans.

I have several layers of clothing for my upper body, that I mix and match as the need arises. I always have a couple of base layers -- T-shirt under a denim shirt. In the kinds of temperature you're looking at, be prepared to change your layers as the day gets warmer.
I wear a heavy turtleneck sweater under a lined Carhart coat when the weather is below freezing. As things (or me) warm up, I'll ditch the sweater and replace it with a lined vest. Later I might ditch the vest and just wear the coat. And on occasion I'll end up down to my shirtsleeves.

The thing I have to watch out for with layering is that I don't start to work up a sweat as the day gets warmer. That just sucks the heat out as soon as I slow down.

I also have a couple of sets of rain gear -- pants and jacket, with a hood. My preferred set is a woven plastic material. It sheds water for several hours in a steady rain, but eventually gets damp on the inside. The upside is that it doesn't trap my sweat. My other set is vinyl and it sheds however much rain nature throws my way, but it also traps heat and sweat.

I find a ball cap with earmuff style hearing protectors is all I need for headgear. If I had to rely only on earplugs for hearing protections I'd definitely be looking for a hat to cover my ears.

Good luck to everyone.

[AnthonyW]

Just a reminder on directions since it has been a few pages since then:

Coming from Rusk (just north of me):  Take Highway 69 south out of town.  About 6 miles south of town, take a right on FM 241.  I'm 1.9 miles down FM 241 on the right.  Street number 3303. 

Coming from Alto (just south of me):  Take highway 69 north out of town.  About 10 miles north of town, take a left on FM 241.  I'm 1.9 miles down FM 241 on the right.  Street number 3303.

We normally have the gate locked but it will be open while everyone is here.

Will you have the sign up?

[dablack]

If the sign comes in on Saturday like it is supposed to, then yes.  It will be on the fence right beside the gate.  I'm hoping to have some orange cones out or something similar as well. 

Really though, I'm easy to find.  1.9 miles down FM 241.  Box number 3303. 
You might pass 3 or 4 boxes before you get to mine.  Everyone out there has 30 acres so there aren't many mailboxes. 

[dablack]

Magic, wwsjr, and others that are showing up on Sunday.  What is your ETA?  It doesn't really matter but I'm hoping to take my son to lunch for his birthday.  If everyone is coming in around noon, it is no big deal.  I can take him later, just wanting to know so I can plan my day and know when to expect people.

thanks
Austin

[wwsjr]

If weather is ok, no ice, I plan to leave by 6:00A, Should be there 2:00 to 3:00P if everything goes OK.

[Bill Gaiche]

Yesterday we had some sleet and last night and this morning we had snow. We had 4" at 10:00am and it quit. Highways have been plowed but snow packed and slushy in areas. The roads will not be the best to make good time.  A chance of a little snow Sunday morning. Plan on leaving around 8am. Don't know what time I will be there, depends on road condition. Hope to be there about 3pm. bg

[Magicman]

Marty and I are leaving at 9:00 which should put us there somewhere between 2:00 & 3:00.  It looks like we will all arrive at about the same time.  Imagine that.   

[Andy White]

Austin, I'll be leaving Brookeland about 5.30 am Monday, and should be there around 7.00 am. The crew should be in full swing about daylight. See you then, and if you need anything before then, let me know.    Andy

[ET]

I wish i was not so darn far away. I sawed all day yesterday and today thinking about your venture. I wish you all good weather and good sawing. Have some fun too, and you all be careful.  Ernie

[Peter Drouin]

Best of luck to all  8) 8)