Goodwill Roadtrip/Sawing - Success

[dablack]

Brucer,

Yes, I should go ahead and try to get a couple of the brackets.  I will put that on my list. 


David,

I've been racking my brain, but I've got nothing.  What do snap lines have to do with brackets?

thanks
Austin

[Magicman]

Just a quick update on the expense contributions.  To date I have received $3055, and have additional pledges for $805 that I have not received.

[Chuck White]

Brucer,

Yes, I should go ahead and try to get a couple of the brackets.  I will put that on my list.


David,

I've been racking my brain, but I've got nothing.  What do snap lines have to do with brackets?

thanks
Austin

If you go to a lumber supply yard, you can get "full 2 inch" hanger brackets!

Just have to remember to do that!

This thing is really starting to come together, wish I was closer!

[Brucer]

If you go to a lumber supply yard, you can get "full 2 inch" hanger brackets!

But be sure YOU measure them. Don't take the salesperson's word for it.

[dablack]

Just to keep it simple, I will go with factory sized lumber. 

My brotherinlaw passed a couple of years ago and my sister gave me his chain saw.  Craftsman 50cc with 20" bar.  From its condition, I think he used it once.  I filled it up and got it going.  Runs well but I think the chain needs to be sharpened.  Anyway, got one of the big oaks that has been on the ground for a couple of years, cut up.  It looks like it is in good shape.  If the other big one that is on the ground looks this good, I think I might be in good shape. 



 



 



 

I still need to get some forks on the front of my little bucket before I try and move that thing. 

thanks
Austin

[Bill Gaiche]

Place your bucket over the top of the log and throw a chain around each end. You can lift more this way than with forks if you don't have them. The log will be under the bucket where as it would be out in front of the bucket if you had forks attached to the bucket, which gives you more leverage underneath. bg

[dablack]

Ok, I picked up some chains.  I will give it a shot tonight or tomorrow. 

thanks
Austin

[Magicman]

Those Oak logs look good.   

[ARp]

Austin,

That oak looks better than what I thought it would.  Good for you.

Glad to hear the saw is going.  You may want to take the chain with you and get a new chain or two.  It is always good to have a couple of sharp chains.  Check the size file needed to sharpen the chain and give it a try on your current chain. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PTXj1VIlbc   and  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79eCfwYpCGc

Allen

[dablack]

Yes, I'm pleased with the oak as well.  I'm hoping the other two look as good. 

I'm posting over in the chainsaw forum and getting help from them on maintaining the saw, making sure the chain is sharp, and having some replacement chains on hand.  Just gassed up and running, it did ok but not near as nice as Mike's spare limbing saw.  I haven't used a bunch of saws but it felt like it was dull.  After cleaning it up and getting it sharp, I will give it another try. 

thanks
Austin

[Magicman]

As we near the time to actually set a date for the sawing, I am sure that we will need some labor help to handle logs, slabs, and lumber.  We are still probably 3-4 weeks away, but it is not too early to check your calendars.   ;D

Our expense contributions now total $3580 received and another $310 pledged.

If anyone has mailed me a check, etc. and have not gotten a confirmation from me, it is very important to please let me know.

[Bill Gaiche]

MM, if you can use me I will be there. bg

[Magicman]

Thanks Bill.  As we get closer to actually watching the weather and setting a date, we can see more clearly who is available.  School will keep the Grandsons from coming.

Also, we have to give Austin plenty of time to get those Oaks, etc. out and ready.  This is getting exciting.

[Larro Darro]

dablack, I just happened across this thread last night. Here is wishing you and your family the very best of luck in the future. You have had enough bad luck for a lifetime. I can't come and help in person, but I sent MM a PM and will kick in a little something to help with the travel. There is a fine bunch of folks on FF, and I'm glad to do what I can to help out.

Larro

[dablack]

Thanks Larro,

I appreciate your kind words and help.

Austin

[Den-Den]

Had a good visit with Austin today, few more logs on the ground.  He has a very nice family.  I had to leave early so he will be working hard on bucking and stacking logs and (later) building.

[dablack]

Had a great time with Dennis Saturday.  He said 8am and showed up at 7:45 ready to work.  I think he drove up with his hardhat on and his saw in his lap.  I showed him where we were going to work and we were cutting trees by 8am.  Stuff was coming down with a quickness!  He was dropping them faster than I could limb them so I just started walking around behind him with the mini sledge and the wedges.  He would cut and then give me a look to throw in a wedge.  It worked great.....until we went for the big boy in the very corner of the property.  Sure enough, it got away from us and went over the barbwire and across the neighbor's driveway.  HA!  Neighbor and I are on great terms so it was no big deal.  He came down to open his gate so I could get the tractor in.  We had that huge tree cleared quick! 

We also found the limit of my little kubota.  That 2nd to last 8' was the max my little tractor could pick up.  We had the chains over the bucket so the log was under it and it was all I could do to get it off the ground.  I got it moved back to my property and put in the stack with the rest.  I'm going to have to drag the 12' butt log today or tomorrow. 

I need to count stumps but I think we felled 15 to 18 pines and the big standing dead oak.  I will limb them, buck them and put them in the stack.  Then I can see where I am.  I'm 99% sure we have enough for the cut list but we will see after the count. 

That big pine at the end wore us out so we were done at noon.  Went for some DQ and Dennis headed out after that.  It was a great day.  A little warm for Nov but it was cloudy and foggy so it wasn't too bad. 

PICS!


 



 



 



 

Austin

[Magicman]

Hurray, I was hoping for a good report this morning.  Your report was good and more and that Oak will do fine !!!

This is exciting stuff.   

[dablack]

I'm really hoping to have enough oak for flooring.  Flooring and counter tops are a huge expense and getting those two things out of the trees will really help.

Now for the question.  What about sweetgum slabs for a counter top?  We have lots of HUGE sweetgums.  I know that once cut you really have to sticker it well and put lots of weight on it.  What about cutting it 10/4 and 12" wide?  Would that hold its shape well?  I don't really care how thick the slabs are as long as it doesn't twist too bad.  Of course at 12" wide, you are looking at two boards to make a full depth counter top.  What about 8" wide.  Would that help or hurt with the warping?  Would thicker be better?  3" thick?  So, what is the best way to cut sweetgum so it doesn't warp?  I think it would make a great countertop. 

Austin

[pineywoods]

sweetgum warps..period. Dries slowly. If the trees are big enough to quartersaw, that's the best way I've found to cut them. throw the center 4 or 5 inches in the burn pile. Two six inch slabs glued together will behave better than a 12 inch...

[Magicman]

Yes, Sweetgum is pretty, but being so dense, I do not think that sawing it thicker would necessarily be better.  QS might be the answer ??

Our contributions now total $3700 with an additional $310 pledged. 

[WDH]

Sweetgum will vex you and break your heart. 

[Magicman]

But if Austin wants to try it, I will saw it.   ;D

[grweldon]

sweetgum warps..period. Dries slowly. If the trees are big enough to quartersaw, that's the best way I've found to cut them. throw the center 4 or 5 inches in the burn pile. Two six inch slabs glued together will behave better than a 12 inch...

Sweetgum will vex you and break your heart.

I've heard this since I joined the forum and it's killing me!  I have a 24+ DBH Sweetgum that will have to come down because of runway construction.  Seems to me that everybody says it will be a waste of time, and I don't have any to waste.  I've also heard it's not even the best firewood!  Anyway, didn't intend to hijack... sorry...

[terrifictimbersllc]

But if Austin wants to try it, I will saw it.   ;D

...but....but..... you hates it :