Author Topic: Felling Wedges, what ones do you guys like. (Read 21827 times)

JOE.G · « **on:** August 30, 2012, 01:59:38 PM »

I am going to order some new felling wedges and I was wondering which one you guys like?

Al_Smith · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2012, 02:46:08 PM »

Probabley the "red heads " sold by Baileys and other can take more abuse .They cost a little more but can take bad hit better than others .It doesn't take too much of a bad hit to bust the cheap ones right into .

Now it does a person very little good to use 12" wedges on 16" trees .You'll only beat them to a pulp on the ends .Use whatever length as deemed appropriate for the size on the trees .

beenthere · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2012, 02:56:51 PM »

I like the 6" plastic, as they fit well in my back pockets. I also have some 8" for backup plans.
Doesn't take much, just enough to tighten up in the kerf and keep the tree from setting back and closing the kerf. Light taps on two or three wedges placed in the kerf will lift a lot of weight to tip the tree over (is what I find anyway).

mad murdock · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2012, 03:22:06 PM »

I have 8" and 12" wedges. I have bought the bright colored red ones from bailey's, they do take a lot of abuse and keep going. The green ones are a bit more brittle. The rifled ones (grooved) are nice if you need to stack wedges. Now I have some from a local mfg. havent run them through the paces yet. Bailey's has a good selection at decent prices, and they are a FF sponsor, how cool is that!?!

shelbycharger400 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2012, 03:54:28 PM »

I use metal ones- tool steel. When I have a heavy leaner the last thing I need is problems.

mad murdock · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2012, 04:29:10 PM »

Quote from: shelbycharger400 on August 30, 2012, 03:54:28 PM

I use metal ones- tool steel. When I have a heavy leaner the last thing I need is problems.

ever nick one of those with your saw? Ouch! I really like the plastic ones, never have to worry about nicking a wedge with the saw and screwing up the chain.

Red Clay Hound · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2012, 04:37:55 PM »

Quote from: mad murdock on August 30, 2012, 04:29:10 PM

Quote from: shelbycharger400 on August 30, 2012, 03:54:28 PM
I use metal ones- tool steel. When I have a heavy leaner the last thing I need is problems.
ever nick one of those with your saw? Ouch! I really like the plastic ones, never have to worry about nicking a wedge with the saw and screwing up the chain.

I'm with mad murdock on that one. I've nicked the plastic ones too many times. I'm afraid I would have ruined a few saw chains if I had used steel wedges!

poorfarm · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2012, 05:05:53 PM »

I use the the big orange/red power wedge 453 and clark tranny.

shelbycharger400 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2012, 06:10:50 PM »

ever knick a wedge? a few close calls..

but when you bring 2 or 3 with and a sledge hammer, and backcut almost all the way in, wack the wedge a few times and down she comes! I guess I learned the how to from my parents that usto do a tree service in the early 80's and cut seasonal firewood through late 90's

tyb525 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2012, 06:13:58 PM »

I've heard stories of people getting killed by pieces of metal flying off mushroomed metal wedges.

Mark K · « **Reply #10 on:** August 30, 2012, 06:25:22 PM »

I use the red headed 8" and 12" wedges. They hold up well. My favorite brand are Hard Head wedges. There yellow with a metal plate wear you hit it. Take alot of abuse but are prone to cracking in cold weather.

John Mc · « **Reply #11 on:** August 30, 2012, 06:28:52 PM »

Quote from: shelbycharger400 on August 30, 2012, 03:54:28 PM

I use metal ones- tool steel. When I have a heavy leaner the last thing I need is problems.

Never had a problem tipping heavy leaner with the plastic wedges, but then when its well below 0˚F, I'm probably not out cutting anyway. What kind of problems have you had with plastic wedges?

shelbycharger400 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 30, 2012, 06:53:26 PM »

tyb525.. all my wedges are in excellent shape, and are over 30 years old! actually i have 2 more but are thinner than these, not shure where they are right now. My stepdad made these out of Tool steel but not flame hardened. Not shure if its A36 or P series. 2 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 9 inch

beenthere · « **Reply #13 on:** August 30, 2012, 06:55:09 PM »

Those look like splitting wedges to me. Not felling wedges.
I can visualize not even getting those to slip into the chainsaw kerf.

But if they work for you, great.

shelbycharger400 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 30, 2012, 07:01:37 PM »

I have used them for both! they fit in about an inch or so into a 3/8 kerf no problem, then a few inches more with a few light raps .

Plastic wedges...no thanks. I have one sitting on my slabber that was from a tree I had to drop for a homeowner. He broke 2 other ones off in the tree, he was only 3/4 the way through a 12 in dia oak. 3 plastic wedges in a dangerous homeowners hands let alone a chain saw. I will give you this, Im goin to pick up a few 6 in plastics, just for the slabber when i do oak slabs, felling... I grab my steels

JOE.G · « **Reply #15 on:** August 30, 2012, 07:46:59 PM »

What sizes do you guys like, I have always used 8's or 6's, was thinking of getting some 12's this time whenI order, I always used the Stihl Ones but they can be pricey at dealer figured I can order a bunch online.

Al_Smith · « **Reply #16 on:** August 30, 2012, 08:20:50 PM »

The problem with a splitting wedge is not so much you might saw into it but more it might spit back at you and hit you in the knee or the family jewels .I've traveled that road and didn't like it even one little bit .Now an old steel felling wedge is worlds different than a splitting wedge .You won't find too many of those any more .

JamesE. PikeLogging · « **Reply #17 on:** August 30, 2012, 08:45:36 PM »

I like going to my local saw shop and buy the wooden wedges. I can make 1 wedge last a while if i don't cut it

Autocar · « **Reply #18 on:** August 30, 2012, 08:56:12 PM »

I like the lime green ones Baileys sell but the shipping cost so much so Ive been buying orange ones from the company I get all my saw chain from so I only have one shipping cost. Ten inch and twelve inch and I carry them in a little wedge holder on my chaps

WDH · « **Reply #19 on:** August 30, 2012, 09:12:10 PM »

I use the 8" plastic ones from Baileys. I have never busted one, because like the Hound, I end up trimming them down with the chainsaw first

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Author Topic: Felling Wedges, what ones do you guys like. (Read 21827 times)

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