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Ah well, it was mostly a nice quiet night. Other than an incendiary addendum, but that wasn't a bother to me. Just the facts, ma'am. Actually, I'm still chuckling, sort of. I really should have popped some popcorn though. Maybe another night. I have been looking over tools, actual hand tools like axes, mauls, and such, for firewood lumbering. That is some dang hard work. I've done it. Three to five cords a summer. I was never allowed to fell trees or touch the chainsaw (being a foster kid). I did, however, "get" to remove branches, haul the wood (usually on a fairly steep slope and up to a quarter to a half mile, sometimes up and sometimes down that slope), and chop the wood for the stove or fireplace (little of that as it was something my foster father could do, he had a heart condition (I might have too, actually, even then)). Still, I have some idea of what is involved.
I can't quite wrap my bean around felling a tree with an axe, limbing it, cutting it into lengths for hauling long distance, hauling it some long distance, then cutting it into suitable lengths for a stove and fireplace, and then splitting it down for whichever purpose. Without a chainsaw. Beyond the maul and wedges, I would probably need a smaller maul, a felling axe, another axe (for limbing), several tools for manipulating the felled tree or parts of it, and at least one crosscut saw. At least, that would be mare minimum. I might really want chains, a tow hook and harness, and who knows what else. I suppose I could start with a chainsaw. Yes, this is fantasy a bit, but I would like to have to preparation here, tool-wise.
No, I have decided not to buy these tools. I still have the oven to work on. And the coop roof to install. In that order goes my money priority. As far as projects go. I do have a rough hand drawn sketch of the oven, I just haven't gotten much farther. The world of the reals has been eluding me. Instead of buying those tools tomorrow, I may look at hand tools for creating the joinery needed for the solar oven. I would really love 18 volt battery power tools, but I think I will pass. In the end, that would be the cheaper way. But unless I have solar power, they would end up as expensive paperweights, leaving me without tools. However, I will look at what mauls and such are available. And, I will be putting large money on those tools, compared to big box stores. It is very much worth the extra money for truly good tools, when it comes to hand tools.
Almost time to start heading out. I want to look up what hand tools are recommended for the simple joinery required, and book mark several technique pages for doing so. Yes, like a rooster with his head cut off, but... only of the mind. I am staying on track if I do seem to lose focus. Now to... move forward instead of just sitting. Ugh!
Have a great day. Later.
You may want to look at large (36"+) bow saws for limbing and cutting up smaller branches. It may be possible to find two-man cross cut saws as antiques that can be sharpened up and put back in service. My grandfather had a two-man crosscut saw and a one man smaller version thereof hanging on his workshop shelf. I do not know what became of them when my grandmother was moved out to the nursing home. I wouldn't mind having them now...
ReplyDeleteI have always wondered what happened to stuff after older people are put away and such. While visiting my friend he was watching pickers. A lot of people won't sell some things. The truth is, widows and family will eventually simply be putting much of that stuff in scrap, no matter how much it is "worth".
ReplyDeleteConversely, those who collect antiques drive me nuts. They have useful items sitting in their living rooms or wherever. Just sitting there. Good items letting rot doing nothing. This world busts my balls sometimes.