[TheForge] cutting wood

[Jerry Frost]

Mark: Even the year we bought two truck loads of birch logs, then bucked 
split and stacked them ourselves a year's worth cost us about $2.25 a day 
and two days labor for Deb and I though one friend, Joe spent a day helping 
and saved us another day.

Sure it's work and it can be pretty darned hard physical labor. Doing hard 
physical labor makes me feel good and there's nothing like being able to 
look at the fruits of your labor. hand splitting firewood is good too, I 
usually wait till winter when it's good and cold so the wood splits easy. 
Birch at -20F will split cleanly with as few as two fast smacks with a 7lb 
double bit on a 3/4 Boy's handle, that's an axe handle only 3/4 the length 
of a standard one. If birch is warm, say 10F or warmer it's more of a fight 
sometimes even requiring a maul or wedge and sledge. I've gotta say I love 
wedge and sledge work. When you can spend a day making full power over the 
top swings at the 1 1/2" x 2" end of a wedge without missing once, it's not 
so scary swinging one at hot steel on the anvil.

Muscles feel good and I'm missing them right now but I'm looking forward to 
working em back into condition. Joe says muscle makes him feel better too 
and he makes his living working on computers so spending a few hours helping 
us seems to be becoming a bit of a tradition with him.

Frosty the Lucky.
-------------------------
If it ain't forged
It ain't real
wrought iron is
The Frostworks



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark A. Pesetsky" <pesetsky at princeton.edu>
To: "Bob Ehrenberger" <eforge at centurytel.net>; "Blacksmithing List Sponsored 
by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 4:41 AM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] cutting wood


> How much does it cost per day w/a traditional wood stove/fire place?
> Pellets are much more efficient and more readily available. A battery
> backup unit solves the power issue. Loading pellets is much easier than
> hauling wood. Additionally, if one is cutting/splitting/stacking and
> then transporting the wood into the house, isn't that a lot of work?
> What does that translate into if one puts a dollar amount on their time?
> Not to mention the fact of gas costs to run splitters and drive a truck
> to get wood? Is the $7 a day then still to lofty to heat a house?
>
> Just simple questions that have come to mind. I pose them because I am
> entertain the notion of purchasing a pellet stove to take the place of
> my oil heater and have that become a backup unit for heating.
>
> Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Mark
>