Buzz saw poll, and other wood splitting thoughts

[FarmboyBill]

How many are useing a buzz saw this year to cut wood. Is it mounted to the tractor, or free standing and attached to a belt. What kind of tractor are u belting it to. I am useing the buzz saw my grandad bought for my dad for his wedding present. Its free standing. Although neither owned a tractor at the time, and so I figured that it was easier to get a tractor to come down and use the saw than bring both saw and tractor hince why grandad bought it. But, I found out last year that there used to be, (I believe, a 4hp stationary engine) at home, and so I imagine they would belt it to the saw till they got a tractor, which they did in 41 or 2 when grandad bought the 34 CC Case I have here now.

Ive been thinking Maybe we who are exzperienced at splitting and cutting wood, would do a service to the first timers in here by telling our tricks to cutting and splitting wood. Me, I use a doz wedges. Almost always, dont need that many, but I have used them all a time or 3. I have 2 10lb sledges, and a 22lb sledge figuring handle. I have 2 iron pry bars, around 6ft long that I use to seperate weakened splits so I can finish the stringers with the ax, or splitting maul, or I use one to operate the HEAVY OLD ratchet jack which I put on top of a split and jack it open, makes running the wedges along thd split so much easier. Sometimes Ill want a log to lay a certain way after its been split a time or two, and it wont lay that way. Ill get it onto the position I want, however I can, then drive a shorter pry bar next to it into the ground to hold it while I drive a wedge stright down. I wish I had a cant hook and 2 would be better, but there hard to find used at a decent price. U can buy them new for what an antique shop wants for one. I use the chain saw to cut down a tree, and to limb it, and to bring it down to lengths I can work with when lifting the split sections to the saw. When I am sawing, If Ive got a really long piece, and I do all my cutting myself, with no help, Ill run the piece into the woodshed, to which the saw is mounted beside, as far as I can usually 10ft or less and make a cut, If need be, Ill do that a time or two more, then on the last piece, ill cut it up into 2ft lengths, and then take up the long pieces in the woodshed and cut them likewise. The only thing im not satisfied with, is, ive never been able to sharpen the buzz saw blade to my satisfaction., I do my splitting in the barnyard, as close to the woodshed as possible, so as not to lose my wedges. Even at that, I usually manage to lose one for awhile. Hope this helps somebody. Anybody else got any wood cutting/splitting suggestions??

[michiganfarmer]

I used a neighbors PTO driven buzz rig this spring, and in exchange, I sharpened his blade when I was done. I love a buzz rig. It is sooo much faster than a chain saw. BUT you need some help too.

[rancher1913]

I have a ford buzz saw that attaches to the three point on my ford 2n. you raise the lever and it folds up for transport and lower the lever to cut. been using it for years and I much prefer it to the chainsaw for anything under 8 inch diameter. its a lot quieter than a chainsaw and can cut circles around a chainsaw. I get the blade profesionally sharpened about every five years and then do touchups myself as needed.

[ozark mike]

I have a Dearborn saw that was made for the Ford N series tractors...I made an adapter plate and is now run by one of my 4006 Deutz tractors... the other 4006 runs the splitter...I have retired the old 8N to wagon duty.....but I cut and sell Firewood... to you newcomers "don't cut wood when the leaves are on the trees...wait until late fall or winter" unless you have weather downed trees in spring or summer...much more BTUs when the leaves and sap are not there

[uncle Will in In.]

Been there, done that. Have fun. I didn't. <>UNK

[michiganfarmer]

Originally Posted by uncle Will in In.

Been there, done that. Have fun. I didn't. <>UNK

HAHAHA!

[ozark mike]

Originally Posted by uncle Will in In.

Been there, done that. Have fun. I didn't. <>UNK

I am so glad there are people like you around....that don't like to cut wood...
I have fun every time I touch a piece of wood... everyone in our area has raised their price per cord this year, I didn't so I not only have all my repeat customers but have picked up most of the raised....I already have orders over $24,000 and don't even have that much cut... I wasn't expecting the increase sales so didn't cut for it.... with the increase I will be able to buy a wood processor this winter...no more saw or splitter, all in one so all I will need to do is keep the runway full and unload other peoples trucks while I pull handles ...I won't be delivering any this year it is all to be picked up on my place...

[SRSLADE]

I used a 5 horse motor.Worked well.Keep your blade sharp.

[FarmboyBill]

I dont like to cut/split wood, at least till Im done. BUT, im in better shape than 90% of people over 60 I bet. I Kinda like doing it cause It kinda puts me in contact with my forbears and how they lived. my Grandad bought it, and he and dad used it. I carried wood away from the saw to the house, long before I started grade school. Ive always been strong, and doing wood the old way keeps me that way. I dont/wont do exercise, but I got to have wood to keep warm through winter, and cutting/splitting wood does both. NOW. U newbies, just starting out will break ALOT of ax handles and sledge hammer handles. Theres ways and ways to replace them. How I do it, is, I get the handle end as close to a starting fit as I can. Useing a drawknife, or pocket knife, or even a grinder to bring the wood down a bit. MAKE SURE YOU DONT GO TO FAR DOWN. YOU CANT BRING THE WOOD BACK, AND A LOOSE HAMMER OR AX HEAD WONT HOLD LONG. Then I tap the bottom end to where the head holds onto the handle. Then, holding the hammer in the air, I hit the back end of the handle SQUARELY on the bottom. The head will work its way up the handle. Once its as far as it will go, then either cut off any protruding end if there is any, and drive the steel wedge into the split cut into the head end of the handle. Make care that you do hit the end of the handle SQUARELY. If you dont, it will sooner or later split the handle, and may make it pretty much useless. As you use the sledge, or splitting maul, Take notice to where your left hand fits onto the end of the handle. Cut off any wood extending beyond your left hand a inch beyond your left hand.

[uncle Will in In.]

BILL <> You are holding your tool backwards. The right hand goes on the end of the handle. I'm right handed. I'm told I do it left handed, but it don't feel that way to me. <>UNK

[FarmboyBill]

Where was ya 50 yrs ago. I coulda been both doin it the right way, and building up the strength and control in my left hand THAT I DONT HAVE NOW AND NEVER WILL HAVE. I couldnt hit anything very much with my left hand with a bigger ball peen hammer, or its like. Not to mention consistiantly hitting the handle flat. By the way newbies. I cut down the trees in one winter and let them lay till this time next year. That way there nice and relatively dry. All the leaves are gone. Them I limb them up and bring them up to the barnyard to start work on splitting and de limbing them, and buzzing them up.

[FarmboyBill]

Started at 3 15, finished at 6 30. Dont ache anywhere, but feel ungodly tired all over. Bet I sleep like a baby with a Tyenol pm and a Sleepmd in me. No stops, no breaks. By the way for the younguns, When useing a buzz saw, say sawing something around 6in dia up to 10 or so. Push inward with both hands till you 2/3s through the wood, then back off with your right hand and start to just hold onto the piece when its cut, and shift your thrust and weight to your left hand/arm. Do NOT cut wood with alot of nails in it. It costs $50 to have a blade sharpened here. If you have a hard time lineing up your tractor to the saw with the belt, when your finished, if you need the tractor for other chores, but will be back to cutting again in a day or so, place a board or something like a 2 X 4 alongside your right rear wheel, on the inside, That way, youll have somewhat of a marker to aim for when you come back to cutting again. I never leave the belt outside in the elements, but always put it away in the woodshed. I usded to put it away in the barn before I had the woodshed. Something my dad taught me.