Agreed. The newer saws are better, but I’d prefer a threaded cap. This is one area I feel that Stihl has ignored their customer base. I have 4 Stihls, 3 are just fine, and 1 is a leaker. Pisses me off to no end. It wears a “diaper” when not in use. For clarity, it’s the bar oil cap on my old 250. Reminds me of an aircraft round motor, if it’s not leaking oil, it’s empty.
Maggie’s The Woodchuck and Firewood Hoarders Thread
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Agreed. The newer saws are better, but I’d prefer a threaded cap. This is one area I feel that Stihl has ignored their customer base. I have 4 Stihls, 3 are just fine, and 1 is a leaker. Pisses me off to no end. It wears a “diaper” when not in use. For clarity, it’s the bar oil cap on my old 250. Reminds me of an aircraft round motor, if it’s not leaking oil, it’s empty.
Oh, definitely wear those. Back when I logged, my chaps had a number of small cuts....that would have been nasty enough had there been no chaps on. To me it's like not wearing a seatbelt on a snowy interstate. You may be a great driver, but there is enough dumb shit going on there, you do not want to go bouncing out of your vehicle. Wear the chaps if you use a saw!
Agreed. I feel naked without them.
I'm not talking a slow drip. I mean you pick the saw up and the cap comes off.
All of mine have the old threaded caps that take a flathead screwdriver. The 465 came with the newer caps that I really liked. They have a flip up to turn them but they screwed in well and the O-ring seemed a little softer and locked up well with less pressure needed than the normal caps. I'm getting a few sets to try out and see how they do.
On the subject of PPE, I'm considering trying out a pair of the wire mesh safety glasses, have any of y'all tried them? And if so do you have a recommendation?
Grasp this opportunity!!!! You will NOT regret the grapple. I built mine and it stays on the tractor 90% of the time. Only thing I use the bucket for anymore is moving dirt, which is very seldom. The grapple is the most used attachment I have.
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I have owned a 365 with a 20" bar since about 1997. Just used it today cutting firewood for my daughter. I was unaware they were so popular and/or desirable. I guess I should have known because it still runs like a dream.
My previous saw was a 65 with a bow instead of a bar. The 65 is old enough it still has points. I guess it would still run if I hadn't screwed up the crankshaft trying to get the flywheel off and install new points.... Wish I could get a bow for my 365 but Darwin ruined that like lawn darts, 3-wheelers, etc etc. The bow is unwieldy in felling, but once the tree is on the ground you can usually cut it up one-handed without bending over. The weight of the saw does the work for you. The bow is much harder to pinch in a cut as well.
My previous saw was a 65 with a bow instead of a bar. The 65 is old enough it still has points. I guess it would still run if I hadn't screwed up the crankshaft trying to get the flywheel off and install new points.... Wish I could get a bow for my 365 but Darwin ruined that like lawn darts, 3-wheelers, etc etc. The bow is unwieldy in felling, but once the tree is on the ground you can usually cut it up one-handed without bending over. The weight of the saw does the work for you. The bow is much harder to pinch in a cut as well.
I’ve had that happen too. Worse yet, it was the fuel side. My chaps hung on the clothes line for days airing out.
Miss Lori got me a Stihl hard hat/mesh face guard/muff combo several years ago. I was a little reluctant at first to use it, but now like my chaps, feel naked without it. The mesh guard keeps some chips out of your face when cutting above your head. I wear contacts so that’s helpful. The only time I don’t care for it is when a low sun is behind me and you pick up the mesh in your field of view. I just flip it up. I’ve learned to raise it when spitting Cope too.
I did my own evaluation of chaps a few years ago, or rather, I did a test to see if regular blue jeans would work just as well...
Alright, I just screwed up, OK? I was brush cutting in a thorny thicket with my old Husky 61 (a bit large for such tight space). I made a felling cut in a cramped space wrapped up by briars and vines, and went to back away quickly as it was completed. I let off the trigger and backed up to get out of the way. As I tried to step back my legs were caught by the briars and didn't move, but the momentum of the heavy (for the job) saw continued right into my leg that I couldn't move out of the way, just as the chain was (thankfully) spinning down. Definitely good motivation to use those chaps!
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Finally got in my “new” 350, and although she ain’t the prettiest, it’s a HOT little saw. Put th Husky pre-mix in bar oil into her, and she came to life on the second pull. Did a quick check to make sure she was oiling, and went right to work on this massive oak that’s been down since the hurricane. Ate right through the tree.
Now I’m gonna be in trouble. I’m already looking at a companion 350 or even another saw I’m watching on the “other” site. If anyone in FL needs a hand running a saw/splitting wood, I’m here itching to help
Now I’m gonna be in trouble. I’m already looking at a companion 350 or even another saw I’m watching on the “other” site. If anyone in FL needs a hand running a saw/splitting wood, I’m here itching to help
I wore those as opposed to goggles. Goggles and safety glasses fog and the wire mesh glasses didn't. You still have to clean them a couple times, but it's not like you have to wait until you quit sweating to go back to work as the fog blinds you.
As far as the flip down mesh face screens those work great. I just didn't spend the money when I was doing it. My dad did and we cut firewood with that helmet and mesh face shield. They are a little more delicate than screen goggles/glasses, but the goggles are a lot less expensive.
Holy shit! vh20, nuff explanation, WEAR THE CHAPS!
He does now. I believe the explanation was that the chaps were ordered before stitches were out
.Another positive for the helmet/screen combo is I fell dead standing because I’m a firewood cutter. Dead standing will shed small limbs, bark, etc... when you put the saw to it (vibration). My skid lid has several scars on it from shit raining down from above while tipping stuff over.
He does now. I believe the explanation was that the chaps were ordered before stitches were out
I know...just reiterating the point to those who don't think they can help.
Another positive for the helmet/screen combo is I fell dead standing because I’m a firewood cutter. Dead standing will shed small limbs, bark, etc... when you put the saw to it (vibration). My skid lid has several scars on it from shit raining down from above while tipping stuff over.
I got hit in the head one time by something falling and knocked me senseless on the ground. I got up looking for the "log" that nailed me. It was a 1" diameter green branch about 4 ft. long. It left a dent in my then (aluminum) hard hat. And, I swear for a long time I felt like I had a detent in my neck every time I turned my head left or right and came back through where my head was pointing when it got hit.
I knew a guy that got ruined by a limb. He was cutting a white pine and one of the dead (and often sharp pointed) limbs below the green broke out and skewered him. Went in near his collar bone and into one of his lungs. If you've ever been around white pine you'll know the limbs I'm talking about.
Another bitch is when the tree you're felling gets into another tree, it bends till something breaks, then it throws it back at you. Always be prepared to drop a saw and run like hell.
Another bitch is when the tree you're felling gets into another tree, it bends till something breaks, then it throws it back at you. Always be prepared to drop a saw and run like hell.
Got that right. Ain't a saw I own worth my life or limbs! When I used to cut for a farmer I worked for in high school we cut a lot of big white pine and you always had a lookout
I never cut white pine but can imagine the danger. Ponderosa has those big dead limbs on big trees way up. They are heavy and dense and brittle. My FIL, who taught me how to log, got hit by one years before I met my wife. A trip to the hospital, a concussion, many stitches...and fortunately lesson learned.
The worst time I got smashed was a butt kicking back on me. A 12" lodgepole that made a 6" 33 ft. log, I flopped over some saplings. I thought it would smash them down. Nope! The butt kicked back at me and I had to jump up and kick my right leg up to keep from taking a direct hit. That left me straddling the log as it kicked around still going to the ground. The butt then kicked hard left, with me still on it, and drove me rib first into the last stump I cut. At that point the log was all the way to the ground. But, my left leg was slightly pinned under it. I think that was the worst physical pain I ever felt in my life, getting free of that log. Turns out I had three broken ribs.
I was black and blue from my shoulder to the top of my boot. I remember telling myself, This is how it ends. Glad it didn't.
Small stuff is what kills! I worked in Releigh NC after Fran cutting twisted up yellow pine. Everything was gommed up with pressure on it. Had one pop and just caught the little rim of my hardhat. My hardhat left out of there like it was shot from a gun. Cutting timber a year or so later I cut a big white oak on the side of a holler. The top ended up at the bottom with tons of pressure (log pushing down hill against the top wedged in the V at the bottom of the holler). I just touched one limb with the saw and it popped. It either set the break of I may have hit it (told everyone I hit the break :-D). The limb drove the chain into my left leg and turned me for a loop. It didn't cut me, just left deep imprint from the chain. It did stove me up for a couple weeks. I've got plenty of other stories, mostly from being stupid...
MtnCreek,
Yeah, it's surprising where pressure is on what. Like you, I've seen where the pressure is, but sometimes releases so fast. Like, "Yeah, I'll just nip this one branch...", and the whole log rolls at you with a vengeance.
I think we learned to work on our toes ready to spring out at anything. Or, we woulda been smashed, and stayed smashed, a long time ago.
Yeah, it's surprising where pressure is on what. Like you, I've seen where the pressure is, but sometimes releases so fast. Like, "Yeah, I'll just nip this one branch...", and the whole log rolls at you with a vengeance.
I think we learned to work on our toes ready to spring out at anything. Or, we woulda been smashed, and stayed smashed, a long time ago.
That springing out worked a lot better 30 years ago. Now if there is any possibility that the tree will roll or twist at me I chain it to the tractor to stop it before it gets me.
When I was cutting survey line there was a guy on another crew that refused to wear any PPE. We had a pass from the company on chaps because you just couldn't slog through a swamp in them, but eyes, ears, and hard hat were still required. This jackass wouldn't wear anything, not even ears. Well he dropped a tree that kicked back and smashed his thick skull. Opened up his whole brow ear to ear. He comes in bleeding everywhere with a crushed hard hat that they'd caved in after the fact to "prove" he was wearing his gear. The safety guy knew the deal but let it slide. 6-8 weeks later that fuckwit did the exact same thing AGAIN, tore open his brand new scar like it was tracing the line. He once again comes in with a fake crushed hard hat and the safety man was out of patience. I think he got relegated to "yard bitch" or something similar with a hefty cut in pay.
Anyone can make a mistake or just have a truly unforeseen "oh shit" incident, but to duplicate one identically within weeks is just a special kind of dumb. I find that as I've gotten older and recognized that I now "splat" vs "bounce" I am much more willing to wear protective equipment and take the few extra minutes to think about what I'm doing rather than just dive in.
Anyone can make a mistake or just have a truly unforeseen "oh shit" incident, but to duplicate one identically within weeks is just a special kind of dumb. I find that as I've gotten older and recognized that I now "splat" vs "bounce" I am much more willing to wear protective equipment and take the few extra minutes to think about what I'm doing rather than just dive in.
Idiots like that can be fun to have around. News guys always would get their chain put on backwards when they weren't looking. It's a good way to figure out who the real idiots are. The really dumb ones would go sharpen it and still wonder why it wouldn't cut. :-D Worked with a real asshole that everyone hated. He would skip ahead to the big bastard that everyone wanted. Knowing that made him an easy target; I'd take a shit by that tree and set a couple leaves on it for camo. After cutting it he'd have shit all over his pants. It was painful to not burst out laughing when he'd say "got damn dogshit or something on me".
That's some funny shit, literally.
I can't believe we never thought to turn someone's chain around. Our saw mechanic only had one arm and was busy enough fixing the shit we did to saws. I can't tell you how many bars some of the guys bent. My favorite was getting called to come cut another guy's saw out of the tree he'd stuck it in.
We had a nice day here for January. Almost too warm at 40+ degrees. Loaded up the ol’ Dodge with saws and gear, and headed for the timber. A Cottonwood blew down and split a Red Oak twin. Half hung up in a Shagbark, the other half took down a Red Elm, which took down a Black Cherry, which took out another American Elm. ALL were hung up in the next at 45-60 degree angles. So I hacked away and got them all on the ground.
Ended up with a pickup load of Oak, Red Elm, and Black Cherry. Pics aren’t working so I’ll get them up when I can.
Ended up with a pickup load of Oak, Red Elm, and Black Cherry. Pics aren’t working so I’ll get them up when I can.
I also have a 350. It is a great little saw. Runs like a mad man. I pick it up more often than my 260pro.
Cut this entire load to 10” which will go in our firebox the short way. Makes loading for a long or all night burn nice. Normally I cut to 13” to load conventionally with plenty of wiggle room.
Damn man, that sounds like a great day. I'd be tickled shitless to come across a pile of blow downs like that.
Birthday present to myself....
New camp hatchet.
Nice!
Gets even better, as this blown down happened 2-3 years ago, so, bark had shed mostly and they were hung up off the ground. Air dried and no rot. Certainly was a trifecta to get those species for an old wood whore like me.
thats awesome, totally eliminating massive amounts of time in drying, not to mention their weight at handling.
great find
great find
I was gonna say earlier that the only thing better would be if they were already seasoned without a lot of rot, you basterd.
@pmclaine , that is a very spiffy gift you got yourself there. Is there an online source you've found that you'd recommend for quality Scandinavian axes/hand cutters?
The Hults Bruk website has a great interactive to locate their dealers there is likely one near you. Ace Hardware in my area carries them.
I also have one of these Stihl hatchets....
https://www.stihlusa.com/products/hand-tools/axes/prosplithatch/
I brought it with on my last camp trip and found the hand hold a bit chunky for fine work and it is a bit weighty. Stihl has theirs made by Ochsenkopf.
When I saw the Hults Bruk at Ace it caught my eye. It fit my hand good, head is a little lighter, handle is a little longer, could two hand if need be. It's pure linseed oil finish will put it into rotation with my walnut rifles when it's time for some hand oiled TLC.
I checked out Gransfors Bruk also but the curve and diameter of the Hults Bruk was a better fit.
Treated myself to a new knife also today. I'm retiring the overly long KaBar for a slightly smaller little bit more utilitarian sticker here......
https://www.topsknives.com/fieldcraft-by-brothers-of-bushcraft-coyote-tan
Looking forward to camping this spring, Ihave the answer from kindling to post kindling and maybe a little bit of camp carpentry to boot.
Thanks man, I've only ever found the Gransfors in person and liked them but as with you I prefer to be able to feel the weight and balance on tools like this. I have that same Stihl hatchet and agree with you on its shortcomings.
That's a damn fine knife, but in that price range I'd never use it. I own one fixed blade knife, my KaBar and until it breaks
I'll just keep beating the shit out of it.
A member is selling a mighty fine Randall that caught my eye but I need to simplify some. I'd be wincing if I ever wanted to baton some kindling with a Randall.
The Amazon price on those knives is less, hopefully the one I'm getting is not a Chicom knockoff. Looked legit.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LU2QPT2/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Rebecca is in love with the Randall knives.
I told her next time we are forced to go to Orlando area that I'd take her over there.
Yes sir. I don’t mind the time as I’m years ahead, but it’s certainly a pleasant change to pick up a round that doesn’t weigh 150-200 lbs. because it’s green blow down. The added nicety of this little score was they were young trees (which in a way is too bad) so the rounds were of a manageable size. 90% of this load is properly seasoned and could be in the stove tonight. There is still a bit of moisture low in the butt log, but most is gone.
My neighbor called late in the afternoon a few days ago, said he was going to pour some concrete in his wood shed and if any left over did I have any place to put it. I had been out in the woods and I ask him if he was sure the truck could get to his shed, to which he said no problem. Long story short, truck could not get into his place so with the driver wanting the concrete off the truck, they pulled down to what we call my wood lot and emptied out 8 yards of concrete in the entrance.
damn, all the cool guys are getting axes, i want one now
Birthday present to myself....
New camp hatchet.
i gotta figure a way to drop the hint
i want one
Let me know what you think of the knife.
I'm looking for a bushcraft knife for myself.
Have been eyeing this one:
R