Lets use those axes for what they were ment for.

Alocksly said:
I'm planning on using most of the tree for projects. It's a shame to waste as firewood. One of my favorite things about cedar is that it's ridiculously easy to peel when it's green. You need some fingernails and a decent grip, but that's all.
Click to expand...

It's not much good for firewood anyway. Low mass = low heat and it pops like crazy. Plus cedar is so useful for outdoor constructions with its rot resistance.



[/QUOTE]


I'm loving this. There is no greater pleasure then making your own lumber. Color me jealous.
 
I think I'll get enough beams out of this tree, thanks to the forked trunk, to frame out my shed. I'm parsing out the measurements right now. After I slabbed off the bench I gave the third that I sliced off to my neighbor who plans to make a shelf out of it. No time for playing today but I need to get at while I can still peel the logs without needing my drawknife.

You know, I rented a house a few years back before I had a real job and I couldn't afford to turn the heat on, but there was a woodstove. I heated for almost an entire winter with the wood from one big cedar a guy had taken down in his backyard. Beggars/choosers etc but it worked. The stuff makes great kindling because is burns so hot and fast but that also makes it a pain to use for the main logs because you're always throwing a new log on and if you throw a log on anytime one burns down you run the risk of burning out your stove. It will also burn when green if you need to cut firewood right now and don't have time to season it which is nice to know in a pinch but you'll end up needing to clean your chimney sooner.

All that aside I do love the smell of a cedar campfire. The limbs from this one will be cut and saved for my firepit and will be enjoyed on some summer evening along with some friends and a good beer.
 
Square-peg, Nice to see a fellow washingtonian working trail! What outfit are you working for? I saw your WTA hardhat.... but I thought they were all volunteer! Do they hire a few folks as well? I'm working for the Washington Conservation Corps. this year working on a trail crew. So far we've been to helens, built a brand new trail by May creek in Newcastle, and are about to start a 6 month tour in the Olympic natl. Park on the Hoh and Bogachiel.
 
Hi, Olybear. Always great to meet another NW trail builder. When I work with the WTA usually it's as a volunteer. But sometimes the WTA is working in my zone and I will work with them as part of my regular job. I've done this many times as an employee of my local DNR. I used to work for the county DNR but I'm currently working for the state. I may go back to the county again.

I've worked with the WCC numerous times as well. That's a great group. You guys really kick a_ _ . You guys do excellent trail work and also do some impressive habitat restoration work.
 
Thanks! We do our best! I've been thinking about doing some volunteering for the wta as well on my off time! Sorry all, don't mean to go so off topic on this thread... Just cool to meet another WA trail builder on the forum!
 
Not an axe ... but a test of my Ontario machete
[video=youtube;xwVaXHMBCG8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwVaXHMBCG8[/video]
And here's my 12LB (6kg) splitting maul. Splitting a section of oak at a survival/bushcraft/alcohol drinking(which is every event in Poland :D ) event.
DSC_1104.jpg

DSC_1107.jpg

DSC_1109.jpg

]
DSC_1110.jpg
 
Last edited:
it was awkward and hard work to swing a big broad axe for the first time but every thing seamed to work out fine. the head was fixed solid to the haft and it had i nicely dampened vibration.


@ M3mphis: thanks, i just finished sanding and painting the canvas. its a 13ft Huron canoe, made in Quebec, probably from the 50's or 60's.
 
[video=youtube;cES4sTQqhYk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cES4sTQqhYk[/video]
[video=youtube;6TAZW4H29z4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TAZW4H29z4[/video]
[video=youtube;Xrtdk30aIcI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrtdk30aIcI[/video]
 
Well at least the boys axe seems to work somewhat. The other two stick like hell, typical of flat-cheeked European axes. A decent machete would out chop that bearded axe. That one was painful to watch.
 
Much energy wasted pulling on a sticking axe. Gloves are a real no no for me when using an axe. Ruins the necessary slip and correct feel. No matter what quality watch you wear all that jarring will soon wreck it.
The first axe (and without gloves) worked very well.

regards..Frank
 
Square_peg said:
The other two stick like hell, typical of flat-cheeked European axes.
Click to expand...

The surplus axe I posted above had the stock edge profile and it stuck pretty good, not a huge issue as the penetration was low, but I re-profiled it today and now it is much better. Seems to me like the geometry of the edge is a much greater factor than the geometry of the cheeks. Machetes are a good example of this as they dont have a high center line and they can be damn near impossible to chop with if they have a single bevel but they get much more fluid in the wood if you bring the grind up.
 
Preparing a fallen apple tree for a chainsaw on a friend's property.

Before (sort of; I'd already done some work):

33w6442.jpg


After:

mwf711.jpg


For most of the job I was using this 2 pound Welland Vale limbing axe on a 20" handle thinned down handle from HH. Gives an idea of the tree's diameter:

2retw0z.jpg


For some of the large limbs I gave some use to this unknown 3 pound head on a 32" thinned down handle from HH:

29bjccj.jpg


Another before:

14jthkm.jpg


And another after:

rvc8bk.jpg


Well anyway, it was enjoyable work and a good workout too.
 
theDH said:
it was awkward and hard work to swing a big broad axe for the first time but every thing seamed to work out fine. the head was fixed solid to the haft and it had i nicely dampened vibration.


@ M3mphis: thanks, i just finished sanding and painting the canvas. its a 13ft Huron canoe, made in Quebec, probably from the 50's or 60's.
Click to expand...

Something tells me you own more than one canoe. Been trying for a number of years to find a good canvas canoe, they are not that common here.

Made me forget all about axes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top