Duramax - You pull it up the tube? How does that work? I can't get the chain to climb up the inside of the tube so I can grab it at the top - gravity always wins. Unless you disconnect the chain, hang it down the inside, connect the tool at the bottom, and pull up?
I replaced those stupid keychain rings they used to attach the chain to the tool with some 3/16" chain links; now I can pull as hard as I want, they're not going to deform, come apart, and leave the tool in the furnace. Also, now I can pull it down without doing the up-down jiggity jig. It works, though I worry that if I ever get it jammed yanking it that hard, I'll have a devil of a time getting it out, up or down. Next winter, better wood, I swear.
B
I actually started from the top this time and pulled down and it worked. I had to work the tool at the top and let it settle in and go down. Last time I had to send a electrical fish tape down from the top and opened the metal tape so it could pull up. As you are saying it's the crap wood. White pine seasoned a few months and some oak/ maple also aged a few months.