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#1
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Cutting Old Oak
I had a large oak tree cut down in 2005 and had them cut the trunk into 6-foot sections, planning to cut each into 18-inch quarters for splitting into firewood. In retrospect, it would have been better to have them cut up the trunk but it's too late now.
I've whittled away at the branches over the years and finally got around to the trunk segments. These are about three feet in diameter at the bottom and end up about two feet in diameter at the other end. I've cut a few segments and split them, but this stuff is tough! The wood stayed hard in the center, didn't decay, probably because of the thickness, and when I hit the heart wood, it dulls my chain real quick. The largest segment has three partial cuts around the circumference, but the parts are still joined in the center. I was thinking of pouring water into the groove that I've already cut in hopes that it might soften the core. Any other ideas? Paul |
#2
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Cutting Old Oak
"Pavel314" wrote in message news:29509492.3.1321891246926.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@yqmj32... I had a large oak tree cut down in 2005 and had them cut the trunk into 6-foot sections, planning to cut each into 18-inch quarters for splitting into firewood. In retrospect, it would have been better to have them cut up the trunk but it's too late now. I've whittled away at the branches over the years and finally got around to the trunk segments. These are about three feet in diameter at the bottom and end up about two feet in diameter at the other end. I've cut a few segments and split them, but this stuff is tough! The wood stayed hard in the center, didn't decay, probably because of the thickness, and when I hit the heart wood, it dulls my chain real quick. The largest segment has three partial cuts around the circumference, but the parts are still joined in the center. I was thinking of pouring water into the groove that I've already cut in hopes that it might soften the core. Any other ideas? Paul Good chain saw, sharp chain. It's what they are made for and do. If you are having a problem, there's something wrong with your equipment. Steve |
#3
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Cutting Old Oak
wrote in message ... On Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:00:46 -0800 (PST), Pavel314 wrote: I had a large oak tree cut down in 2005 and had them cut the trunk into 6-foot sections, planning to cut each into 18-inch quarters for splitting into firewood. In retrospect, it would have been better to have them cut up the trunk but it's too late now. I've whittled away at the branches over the years and finally got around to the trunk segments. These are about three feet in diameter at the bottom and end up about two feet in diameter at the other end. I've cut a few segments and split them, but this stuff is tough! The wood stayed hard in the center, didn't decay, probably because of the thickness, and when I hit the heart wood, it dulls my chain real quick. The largest segment has three partial cuts around the circumference, but the parts are still joined in the center. I was thinking of pouring water into the groove that I've already cut in hopes that it might soften the core. Any other ideas? Paul If this was not a long straight trunk with no real limbs, splitting it is going to be tough. That grain is probably twisted so it is like trying to split plywood. I ended up having some big chunks like that hauled away. Let a guy with a hydraulic splitter fool with them. I have a 27 ton hydraulic splitter. I have come across some really difficult pieces just in the local pines and junipers. Oak would be a whole nuther thing. Getting it cut into manageable sizes to fit in the splitter, then in the fireplace would be one stage. And I have seen some very interesting twisting grains that were really tough to split even with 27 tons of force. Aging and drying may make it a little better. Still, a handful. Steve |
#4
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Cutting Old Oak
On 11/21/2011 6:21 PM, Steve B wrote:
wrote in message ... On Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:00:46 -0800 (PST), wrote: I had a large oak tree cut down in 2005 and had them cut the trunk into 6-foot sections, planning to cut each into 18-inch quarters for splitting into firewood. In retrospect, it would have been better to have them cut up the trunk but it's too late now. I've whittled away at the branches over the years and finally got around to the trunk segments. These are about three feet in diameter at the bottom and end up about two feet in diameter at the other end. I've cut a few segments and split them, but this stuff is tough! The wood stayed hard in the center, didn't decay, probably because of the thickness, and when I hit the heart wood, it dulls my chain real quick. The largest segment has three partial cuts around the circumference, but the parts are still joined in the center. I was thinking of pouring water into the groove that I've already cut in hopes that it might soften the core. Any other ideas? Paul If this was not a long straight trunk with no real limbs, splitting it is going to be tough. That grain is probably twisted so it is like trying to split plywood. I ended up having some big chunks like that hauled away. Let a guy with a hydraulic splitter fool with them. I have a 27 ton hydraulic splitter. I have come across some really difficult pieces just in the local pines and junipers. Oak would be a whole nuther thing. Getting it cut into manageable sizes to fit in the splitter, then in the fireplace would be one stage. And I have seen some very interesting twisting grains that were really tough to split even with 27 tons of force. Aging and drying may make it a little better. Still, a handful. Steve Good grief, folks. Chain saws go through knarly old stumps like butter! Done it with pine, juniper, maple, fir and hemlock. Slice and dice and into the fireplace they go. Paul |
#5
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Cutting Old Oak
Paul Drahn wrote:
-snip- Good grief, folks. Chain saws go through knarly old stumps like butter! Done it with pine, juniper, maple, fir and hemlock. Slice and dice and into the fireplace they go. Except for the maple- [and some of that is soft] you haven't come close to the hardness of seasoned oak. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janka_hardness_test You want to see sparks fly try some nicely seasoned Black locust. OTOH-- A sharp chain, lots of oil, patience, and a bucket-o-sweat will get the job done. Jim |
#6
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Cutting Old Oak
Call lumber yards near you, see if anyone wants to buy some
oak for turning into boards. Use the money to buy natural gas or fuel oil. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Pavel314" wrote in message news:29509492.3.1321891246926.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@yqmj32... I had a large oak tree cut down in 2005 and had them cut the trunk into 6-foot sections, planning to cut each into 18-inch quarters for splitting into firewood. In retrospect, it would have been better to have them cut up the trunk but it's too late now. I've whittled away at the branches over the years and finally got around to the trunk segments. These are about three feet in diameter at the bottom and end up about two feet in diameter at the other end. I've cut a few segments and split them, but this stuff is tough! The wood stayed hard in the center, didn't decay, probably because of the thickness, and when I hit the heart wood, it dulls my chain real quick. The largest segment has three partial cuts around the circumference, but the parts are still joined in the center. I was thinking of pouring water into the groove that I've already cut in hopes that it might soften the core. Any other ideas? Paul |
#7
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Cutting Old Oak
I should have thought of selling the lumber when it was first cut as it was a good straight trunk with few branches.
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#8
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Cutting Old Oak
"Paul Drahn" wrote in message ... On 11/21/2011 6:21 PM, Steve B wrote: wrote in message ... On Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:00:46 -0800 (PST), wrote: I had a large oak tree cut down in 2005 and had them cut the trunk into 6-foot sections, planning to cut each into 18-inch quarters for splitting into firewood. In retrospect, it would have been better to have them cut up the trunk but it's too late now. I've whittled away at the branches over the years and finally got around to the trunk segments. These are about three feet in diameter at the bottom and end up about two feet in diameter at the other end. I've cut a few segments and split them, but this stuff is tough! The wood stayed hard in the center, didn't decay, probably because of the thickness, and when I hit the heart wood, it dulls my chain real quick. The largest segment has three partial cuts around the circumference, but the parts are still joined in the center. I was thinking of pouring water into the groove that I've already cut in hopes that it might soften the core. Any other ideas? Paul If this was not a long straight trunk with no real limbs, splitting it is going to be tough. That grain is probably twisted so it is like trying to split plywood. I ended up having some big chunks like that hauled away. Let a guy with a hydraulic splitter fool with them. I have a 27 ton hydraulic splitter. I have come across some really difficult pieces just in the local pines and junipers. Oak would be a whole nuther thing. Getting it cut into manageable sizes to fit in the splitter, then in the fireplace would be one stage. And I have seen some very interesting twisting grains that were really tough to split even with 27 tons of force. Aging and drying may make it a little better. Still, a handful. Steve Good grief, folks. Chain saws go through knarly old stumps like butter! Done it with pine, juniper, maple, fir and hemlock. Slice and dice and into the fireplace they go. Paul My thoughts exactly. The loggers cut much larger trees with ease. Splitting can be another matter, but even then, there is a breaking point. Steve |
#9
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Cutting Old Oak
Ah, well. We have our different experiences. Make some
calls, might still be worth a buck or two. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Pavel314" wrote in message news:26333150.36.1321977796293.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@yqom2... I should have thought of selling the lumber when it was first cut as it was a good straight trunk with few branches. |
#10
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Cutting Old Oak
Stumps tend to have sand and small rocks, which dull the
chain. This, from experience. -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Steve B" wrote in message .. . Good grief, folks. Chain saws go through knarly old stumps like butter! Done it with pine, juniper, maple, fir and hemlock. Slice and dice and into the fireplace they go. Paul My thoughts exactly. The loggers cut much larger trees with ease. Splitting can be another matter, but even then, there is a breaking point. Steve |
#11
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Cutting Old Oak
rent one of those bandsaw board cutters
Cut into 2" boards Sell boards to your local woodworking shop Buy a couple of cords of firewood with the proceeds. |
#12
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Cutting Old Oak
Pavel314 wrote:
I had a large oak tree cut down in 2005 and had them cut the trunk into 6-foot sections, planning to cut each into 18-inch quarters for splitting into firewood. In retrospect, it would have been better to have them cut up the trunk but it's too late now. I've whittled away at the branches over the years and finally got around to the trunk segments. These are about three feet in diameter at the bottom and end up about two feet in diameter at the other end. I've cut a few segments and split them, but this stuff is tough! The wood stayed hard in the center, didn't decay, probably because of the thickness, and when I hit the heart wood, it dulls my chain real quick. The largest segment has three partial cuts around the circumference, but the parts are still joined in the center. I was thinking of pouring water into the groove that I've already cut in hopes that it might soften the core. Any other ideas? Paul Got any blackpowder? :-) -Bob |
#13
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Cutting Old Oak
You were right. I checked the saw and it seems that I forgot to change the air filter this season. After a lot of cutting, it had become clogged and was suffocating the saw. I blew it out and everything worked perfectly again. Thanks for the clue.
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#14
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Cutting Old Oak
A blew clue? Wonder who it's from?
https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikiped...Blue%27s_Clues -- Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org .. "Pavel314" wrote in message news:15385333.873.1322490392621.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@yqdk17... You were right. I checked the saw and it seems that I forgot to change the air filter this season. After a lot of cutting, it had become clogged and was suffocating the saw. I blew it out and everything worked perfectly again. Thanks for the clue. |
#15
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Cutting Old Oak
"Pavel314" wrote in message news:15385333.873.1322490392621.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@yqdk17... You were right. I checked the saw and it seems that I forgot to change the air filter this season. After a lot of cutting, it had become clogged and was suffocating the saw. I blew it out and everything worked perfectly again. Thanks for the clue. Just how does one do that? After each use, which amounts to 8 hours, or 8 hours of accumulated time, I pull off the chain and bar. I then take an air sprayer and go through the clutch and housing where all that stuff clogs in and around the drive sprocket. Parts washer for whatever needs it. Yep, you guessed it. Next thing is the air cleaner. If you let it accumulate until it was choking the engine, you are either not mechanically inclined in the slightest, or just the ride it hard and put it away wet mentality. Steve |
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