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1

General Discussion / Re: Rude awakening

« on: April 16, 2018, 08:35:06 AM »

I had something similar happen a few years back. Went skating for the first time in probably 20 years. Hadn't really got my feet under me yet when I, too, had my feet go out and I landed on my back and cracked my head hard on the ice. Saw stars and probably blacked out for a few seconds. I decided that, at the age of almost 70, skating was not a wise move so I got off the ice, removed my skates and made a promise to myself never to try that again. I took the skates to goodwill the next day. "A man has got to know his own limitations." Harry Callahan.

2

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Clothes dryer hookup

« on: March 17, 2018, 08:41:37 PM »

In the winter, I dry my clothes using the heat from my outdoor furnace by simply putting up a clothes line in my basement. I have a fan driven heat exchanger down there to heat the basement and it drys the clothes quickly and easily usually overnight. Also the increased humidity makes the entire house much more comfortable. Since I also use an outdoor clothesline in the summer I have barely used my dryer in the past several years.

3

General Discussion / Man dies from chainsaw explosion

« on: November 18, 2017, 09:35:43 PM »

To sum it up- A chainsaw exploded on a 68 year old man while he was using it. He suffered "85% full thickness burns" and died.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news...nsaw_blas.html

4

General Discussion / Re: Bugs Bad Now

« on: May 25, 2017, 02:11:01 PM »

As mentioned it's probably a bit of both, but the best thing I have tried is a bug jacket. It will keep the blackflies and mosquitoes at bay even when the saw is not running. The jacket is also great later in the season when the deer flies come out. It's light enough that it doesn't interfere with working as well.

5

General Discussion / Re: Black Ants

« on: April 06, 2017, 07:37:11 AM »

If the furnace is burning, I usually will just throw them in. Most of the time, however, when I'm splitting, the furnace is dormant so I just place the blocks split side up on top of the pile so the birds can get at the ants. Later I move the blocks to my "early wood" pile with the pine and other soft wood so that it can be burnt in the fall. Have'nt tried eating them with or without butter, salt or pepper.

6

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Who knows what about Heat Pumps!?

« on: February 27, 2017, 09:47:58 AM »

Is your heat pump ground source or air sourced? In my experience, air sourced heat pumps become very inefficient at low temperatures although they work well in moderate weather and, of course, are great as a central air conditioning system in the summer.
My previous house had a ground source heat pump (Water Furnace) which worked well down to -40 and was quite efficient for an electrical heating system.
One thing you will find with a heat pump is that the heating air never feels as warm as the heat from your outdoor furnace even though the temperature of the house is similar. Typically, the heating air is only in the 80's when the thermostat is set for 70-72 so it is considerably cooler than body temperature and feels "cool" on the skin. The air or radiant heat from an outdoor furnace (or wood stove) feels much warmer.

7

Fire Wood / Re: Tamarack

« on: January 03, 2017, 07:53:33 PM »

Definitely burns hot. I remember my mother burning some in the Findlay Oval when I was a kid. It would turn the sides of the stove cherry red.

8

Fire Wood / Re: First of the year

« on: January 02, 2017, 06:58:26 PM »

Are you talking full cords or face cords? I have only been burning since the first of November since we had a mild fall, but I started with about 4 face cords of pine (18") and have used about another 4 face cords of hardwood or about 3 full cords in total. The pine burns very quickly so is not too representative.

9

RidgeWood Stoves, defunct, support only / Re: antifreeze

« on: November 16, 2016, 09:56:10 PM »

Glycol is what is normally used and is very expensive. You are probably better off just draining the water and filling the lines with RV antifreeze.

I was quoted around $1500 to replace all the water in my system with glycol. I decided there were better ways to avoid freezing.

10

General Discussion / Re: Weather

« on: November 16, 2016, 07:46:15 AM »

We are half way through November and we haven't even had a frost yet. At least none where I live.

It might help to have your location in your profile. (For all we know you might live in Florida.)

11

General Outdoor Furnace Discussion / Re: Snow fell today ..its a coming folks !

« on: October 10, 2016, 08:49:35 PM »

Fired mine up tonight for the first time this year. Temperature supposed to be right at freezing so I figured it was time. I'll just be burning pine for a while....saving the better wood for when it is colder.

12

Fire Wood / Re: Red oak

« on: September 19, 2016, 03:12:39 PM »

I have an old sugarbush (last used 50 to 60 years ago) with many huge Maples, some 3-4 feet through at the base. They are dying and some are partially rotted so I have been harvesting them. A lot of wood that might as well be heating my house as lying in the forest. I seldom have to cut a solid tree.

13

Fire Wood / Re: Red oak

« on: September 17, 2016, 09:41:55 PM »

If you want it, cut it while still in leaf. The leaves will draw out much of the moisture in the wood greatly reducing the curing time. I have found that many trees cut early are ready for burning by winter although I'm not sure red oak would be.

14

Fire Wood / Re: WOOD CHIPS IN A HARDY H5

« on: September 16, 2016, 11:18:13 AM »

The biggest problem is going to be getting them dry. Probably most tree trimmers are chipping green wood of questionable variety and dumping them in piles which will have little aeration so little drying. Wet chips will, as mentioned, smoke a lot and give off very little heat.

15

Fire Wood / Re: Wood storage

« on: September 08, 2016, 12:48:19 PM »

I would think that pinky wood would have to be covered because it would soak up water like a sponge. Solid hardwood I wouldn't think would soak up much if any water. I could see the water soaking the wood lower down in the pile though and not drying out for a few days.

That's true, but it also applies to solid pine. I have a lot of pine that had to be cleared so I burn it in the fall and spring. If I cover the pile, it is dry when I need it. If I don't, it will barely burn. Wood just seems to cure better when covered. YMMV.