Spent the afternoon cutting Oak

[David Martin]

Ok, I called it width above. It is from poll to blade, 2 3/8" at the top where a wedge would be inserted... DM

 

[David Martin]

My Hults is 2 3/4", my Craftsman is 2 3/8", my Wards Master Quality is 2 1/2".
Thats the best I can do at giving the specifics on the eye. DM

 

[David Martin]

Ok, the glue is drying on the haft of my Council splitting ax. I'll see how it turns out. DM

 

[David Martin]

Ok, got it glued and dried. I'll test it out on some Emory oak that I cut in May. Which should be cured by now. Maybe this will help it make it thru the season. DM

 

[David Martin]

Here is a Emory oak round I cut the first week of Nov.. A 19" log and today I was splitting some of these logs. This is 2 wedges I've driven in it and it doesn't burst apart like most of the wood I see split here. I still had to use a pry bar to pull it apart then use my ax to cut these ribbons to finish the split. So, my wood is very different than what I see...

 

[David Martin]

Just in case we may have a hard winter I cut an extra cord back in May. Now, we've been getting hit with one storm after another. So, I went and got a 1/2 cord of that and brought it to the barn. Some in this needs splitting but it should be cured.
Any body else having a real winter and had to go get another load? DM

 

[Meek1]

Just in case we may have a hard winter I cut an extra cord back in May. Now, we've been getting hit with one storm after another. So, I went and got a 1/2 cord of that and brought it to the barn. Some in this needs splitting but it should be cured.
Any body else having a real winter and had to go get another load? DM
View attachment 1511043

I think we are all having a real winter this year! Glad to see you out and about!

 

[David Martin]

Thanks Meek. It was only 30* but a 10 mph north west wind. And of course I got wet from loading and unloading. But got it in the dry and I'm hoping 1.3 cord is enough to carry us thru March. Ha-- or I'll have to do this again. DM

 

[stevewest]

20 below this morning(5:00am) in north central Ks. And yes, that is degrees, not wind chill!!

 

[David Martin]

You, folks just keep taking a hit from this storm. Hope your power is holding and you have plenty of wood. We have 3" of snow on the ground and 29*. Good winter moisture. Maybe we'll have some melt today. My Council fireman ax that I glued the haft,, seems to be holding.. DM

 

[David Martin]

Got this tree trunk cut up and now splitting some. This log took 3 hits from my Hults and split open. DM

 

[David Martin]

This 1/2 cord I cut this month and last. So, it's still curing. I'll test some on splitting in May. Then I'll know if it needs more curing. DM

 

[David Martin]

If you look at the logs in post 171 above. You'll notice bore beetle holes. That tree was not going to live many years longer. I suspect it may split decently in 2 months. Just stuff I see in some of this firewood. DM

 

[Square_peg]

Here is a Emory oak round I cut the first week of Nov.. A 19" log and today I was splitting some of these logs. This is 2 wedges I've driven in it and it doesn't burst apart like most of the wood I see split here. I still had to use a pry bar to pull it apart then use my ax to cut these ribbons to finish the split. So, my wood is very different than what I see...
View attachment 1505546

That stuff looks brutal to split. No wonder you go through axe handles. I understand about prybars and cutting cross-strands. That's tough work.

 

[David Martin]

At least you know and have experience with what I go thru to get my fire wood each year. Plus, my wood cutting efforts lends a different discussion on this forum. DM

 

[David Martin]

This is what the winter home of a bark beetle looks like. If you pick up a log and notice fine saw dust falling from it. You've got bark beetles . DM

 

[David Martin]

This is a 10.5" Emory oak log. I cut this in May. It took 2 swings from my 5.5 lb. Council to have it in half. I split some others using a 5.5 lb Craftsman maul and it needed 3-4 hits. Plus, I still had to grab my thin face limb ax to cut the ribbions.
I'm bringing more to the porch as we're still having winter here. DM

 

[David Martin]

Close to 9 cut. ft. going to the wood box. 2 of these will last us a week. Depending on conditions. If a cold snap is moving thru it takes 3. DM

 

[David Martin]

This winter storm came in with a punch. I hauled in a double 9 cu. ft. to the porch today. Split it with my Council flathead fireman ax. It handled the Emory oak logs no problem. In these loads, during splitting, I found a dozen bark beetle larvae. Our chickens really enjoy them. DM

 

[David Martin]

I brought 2 loads to the porch today as it was cold. Were still having winter here. DM