Cutting firewood the same length

TnAndy · #1 01/31/12, 11:17 PM

If you have a stove ( like me ) that takes up to a certain length of firewood ( mine's 18" ), I like to cut as much of mine the same length to be able to stuff the max in the stove when loading. ( No, I'm NOT just being anally retentive....ahahahaaa)

Here's a little trick I discovered recently.

I was at a local hardware store and ran into a mechanics magnet normally used for picking up small parts/nuts/bolts/tools you might drop in a real un-handy place. The magnet head it pretty strong, and the handle telescopes in/out from about 8" to about 30".

Amazon carries one ( don't know if it's the same as the one I found, but looks real similar)

http://www.amazon.com/SE-Magnet-Pick...8072700&sr=8-1

Cutting firewood the same length - Homesteading Questions

Cutting firewood the same length - Homesteading Questions

Anyway, I extended the handle to 18", and duct taped the extension part so it won't move, then stick in on the bar of my saw. I go down a log, marking the log with a small cut using the handle of the magnet as a guide, and when I get to the end of the log, pop the magnet off and stick in my back pocket...then go back up the log cutting nearly perfect 18" pieces !

wingnut64 · #2 01/31/12, 11:32 PM

Thanks for the tip. I've seen all kinds of ways people use to eyeball the lengths. Most of the tree cutting pros are pretty consistent from lots of practice, but I try not to spend too many hours trying to get that good.

TnAndy · #3 01/31/12, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut64

.... but I try not to spend too many hours trying to get that good.

And the choir says "Amen"......

Ky-Jeeper · #4 01/31/12, 11:47 PM

Used the chainsaw as a ruler. Just mark the bar and your as close as an inch everytime. What ever makes it easier for you though.

Good luck, Ky-Jeeper.

pheasantplucker · #5 02/01/12, 05:19 AM

I use the length of the bar as my guide...comes out within a 1/2 in. every time.

**Ross** · #6 02/01/12, 05:43 AM

I've seen people use the bar before, it looks a little awkward to me, but you get good at anything. I'd use that magnet trick, it'd save my back I think. Whatever works for ya!

OkieDavid · #7 02/01/12, 05:57 AM

I agree with the others. Whatever works and makes life a little easier to sleep at night. Now if we can just come up with a trick to stack the wood even without having random pieces sticking out..... And don't get me started on "bark up" or "bark down"..... It's one way or the other

Since posts show no emotion, please view the post as being said with with my tongue placed firmly in my cheek and grinning slyly....

Tarheel · #8 02/01/12, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TnAndy

Anyway, I extended the handle to 18", and duct taped the extension part so it won't move, then stick in on the bar of my saw. I go down a log, marking the log with a small cut using the handle of the magnet as a guide, and when I get to the end of the log, pop the magnet off and stick in my back pocket...then go back up the log cutting nearly perfect 18" pieces !

Now ain't you just all that and more !

Good tip, got one of those in my tool box- wife grabs it to get canning lids out of the hot water. Now I got another use.

Now I just need some of those fancy wood sheds u got.

TnAndy · #9 02/01/12, 06:45 AM

Come up.....bring a trailer....I'm sawing the lumber right now for two more of them I like them so much !

Cutting firewood the same length - Homesteading Questions

While we're on chainsaws and such....here is the neatest little accessory you can put on a saw.

A Scrench....little rubber deal that goes on the handle bar of about any saw, and holds your bar wrench right on the saw WHERE YOU NEED IT !!. I've lost a dozen bar wrenches in the woods trying to keep them in my pocket, and this puppy holds them right on the saw ( never lost on off it yet ) so if your chain needs tightening or flies off, you don't have to walk back to the truck/whatever to get your bar wrench.

http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdet...m=17270&catID=

Cutting firewood the same length - Homesteading Questions

$3.99 and worth every penny.

The big hole is what you put on the handlebar ( you have to take one end of the bar loose and slide it over the bar ), the hole for the bar T wrench is a small hole that doesn't show in the photo.

OkieDavid · #10 02/01/12, 06:49 AM

Thanks for the bar wrench holder. I cannot count the number of those beasts I have lost over the years. Strings, ribbon, bright paint.... nothing seemed to work. Incidentally my newest Stihl actually doesn't even use a bar wrench. Just a fancy fold away knob and a starwheel.

**Cabin Fever** · #11 02/01/12, 07:53 AM

My brother bought me a chainsaw attachment at a yard sale. It's like the one shown below which sells for 10 bucks. Mine is still in the package. I refuse to use it as I feel it will get hung up when I'm cutting branches and such.

PM me if you want it. All you have to pay for is shipping.

Cutting firewood the same length - Homesteading Questions

suitcase_sally · #12 02/01/12, 09:23 AM

I (or should I say, DH) use a stick with a nail driven through one end. Use the nail to scratch marks along the log at intervals.

JohnL751 · #13 02/01/12, 10:19 AM

I've been cutting wood for at least 45 of my 60 yrs and have never measured for a cut. I just do it and almost never cut one too long or too short. I'm less than an inch off 99% of the time.

Stephen in SOKY · #14 02/01/12, 10:33 AM

Lumber crayon and a piece of scrap painted a bright color has always worked for me. I don't object to a piece being a little short, a little long on the other hand is a real pain.

Cutting firewood the same length - Homesteading Questions

**highlands** · #15 02/01/12, 10:55 AM

I use the length of my chainsaw bar. It is the same as my firewood needs to be.

flewism · #16 02/01/12, 10:55 AM

At the wood cutting web sites I visit a lot of cutters use one of these,
http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdetail.asp?item=265

I just use the bar or eyeball it.

francismilker · #17 02/01/12, 01:52 PM

Call me too lazy or just a rebel but I prefer to guess at it or "eyeball" it and then cut the 5% or less logs that won't fit in the door down at a later date. I get too rambunctious when I'm cutting to deal with trying to be perfect at it. Now, on the other hand, some of these ideas would be great for my anal-retentive Mrs. She wants the log to be 18" exactly. (not 17, not 19.............18 exactly.....)

farminghandyman · #18 02/01/12, 02:11 PM

The Mingo Marker Firewood Marker

If you have nice logs to cut up this may be what you would like,
http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdet...tem=265&catID=
http://www.baileysonline.com/itemdet...m=26501&catID=

the crap I have to saw up there so many crotches and usaly the longest straight piece is only a few feet long, it would not help me any but if you have real trees to cut this may be the ideal thing for you,

**Cabin Fever** · #19 02/01/12, 02:19 PM

So, I'm sitting here wondering what you guys do with the left over piece that is shorter than the desired length?

In other words, let's say you have a 104" log and you desire 16" firewood lengths. What do you do with the left over 8" peice?

I'm in the eyeball group.

Bret · #20 02/01/12, 02:25 PM

Surely I'm not the only woodsman with a log stretcher. I use it on the Truth too.

I don't cut mutch but I turn my saw crossways for the eyeball test too.