Wooden wedges?

Kevin · December 24, 2003, 05:58:21 PM

Frank;
There's too much nutmeg in your eggnog. :D

Ed_K · December 24, 2003, 06:48:13 PM

I bought a case of plastic wedges, they work for directional felling. But the best wedge is my Taylor skidder backing up ;D :D ;) 8).
Ed

Frank_Pender · December 24, 2003, 06:57:49 PM

Thank You Kevin. I will take that as a compliment. In all seriousness, they work really well, in a pinch. :D I have carries the same one around for most of a day sometimes, just because it holds together so well. Then, if I lose or split it our I just make another. 8)

And, Kevin, I have all of my toes, fingers, etc.. 8) I have never fallen a tree on a building, vehicle, equipment etc., but I have only been doing such things for about 45 years or so. :-/ I still have time to break my record. ;D

David_c · December 24, 2003, 07:12:31 PM

hey Frank forgive my ignorance but how do you make the wedges if you dont mind educating me. thanks and happy holidays.

Kevin · December 24, 2003, 07:17:35 PM

Although I'm not rushing out to get any wooden wedges ;D, it would appear that the people still using them for falling trees are happy with them.

Frank_Pender · December 24, 2003, 07:37:19 PM

David, I first determin what I feel the length of the wedge must be based on the diameneter of the tree being felled. Around here I usually need wedges ranging from 12" to 16". With that determined, I work up a limb wedge that is at least 3" in diam. I try and use a limb that is still attatched to a log, if at all possible. to eliminate kicking it up into my stomach, etc,.

I then cut each of the flat sides of the wedge based on the length of the wedge I am seeking to make. When the flat sides are complete I cut to desired length. I usuallly leave about 3 to 4 inches of round on the hammering end of the wedge.

I have used some limbs from our Western Oregon Oak, but they seem to split tooooo easily when I really begin to lay into hammering them home.