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Across the Fence:  I bought a chain saw today.  |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 25 2009 : 9:59:41 PM
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The house I just bought has a woodstove as well as a furnace, but I want to use the woodstove to help keep the electric bill down. Wood is a real commodity here in the NW. Yikes a cord of wood can be as much as $2oo.
Anyway, I went into the saw shop today. I young man behind the counter looked at me and I said " I need a chain saw." He smiled like I had spinach between my teeth, I didn't, and walked me over to the chain saw section. I told him I need one that either myself or my daughter could handle. He asked me how long of a blade I wanted. I said, 'I have know idea'. He walked away and got his dad. I told him the same thing and he pulled one off the shelf and said he like that one as it starts easily. He took it and put gas and oil in it, then took me outside, walked me through how to start it, put it on the ground and said, 'ok, start her up'. I did! We went back in, I paid for it, ouch, he gave me some oil and tools and then went back outside and told me to start it again. I did! He was a very nice man, who never made feel like a ninny cause I was a girl in a saw shop. So, now the task of getting wood for winter. Have chain saw, will travel. Wondering about steel toed boots...
For tomorrow and its needs I do not pray, but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord just for today.
St. Augustine
#440
http://www.myfeetaredirty.blogspot.com/ |
Edited by - Julia on Aug 25 2009 10:02:11 PM |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Beverly Gill
True Blue Farmgirl
1114 Posts
Beverly
Marlborough
USA
1114 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 02:23:35 AM
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I always wanted to own one.....as I really hate sawing but get stuck doing it. But my husband flat out refused a billion times. It didn't even matter to me if it was small....small is good if it does any job. Long story short---I never will get my buzz saw...he says my arms are too weak.....and hate to admit it but as usual my husband is right.
I can only dream..........or pay you a visit.
Beverly.....the wanna be lumberjill |
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LauriP
True Blue Farmgirl
239 Posts
Laurianne
Hertford
North Carolina
USA
239 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 06:17:05 AM
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Thatta Girl!!  I personally am scared of the things, but noah learned to use one last winter, and went to town cutting firewood for us. The things are wonderful, and will keep that ol' woodstove of yours hummin' right along.
As for the steel toe boots -- I'd say yes -- every time you use the saw. Far better to be safe than sorry. Tree limbs have a weird tendancy to do oddball things when you least expect it. Been there, done that!!
Laurianne |
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Beverly Gill
True Blue Farmgirl
1114 Posts
Beverly
Marlborough
USA
1114 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 06:50:27 AM
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steel toed shoes is a good idea......go for it.
Beverly |
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aunt boby
True Blue Farmgirl
173 Posts
toby
polo
illinois
USA
173 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 06:51:49 AM
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You Go Girl!! Glad you found a responsible salesman who just didn't send you on your way with the saw. Never go out alone though. The DH was cutting wood on his cousin's property alone and sawed into his knee. He managed to bandage it and get up to the house but it could have been worse. So I suggested the protective chaps they sell and he looked at me like I had spinach stuck in my teeth! Apparently he likes hanging out at the emergency room. If you plan on heating your house you might need alot of wood. We use a wood splitter as well as chain saws. I don't know about your area but here they have a couple places you can rent equipment like wood splitters by the day. And like Alee said it does need to dry out some before you burn it. But you are a real Woman!! I'll help haul it and stack it but I wouldn't want to be cutting it. I guess I'm too much of a chicken.
POOR IS THE MAN WHO CANNOT ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE- anonymous |
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vegetarian farmer
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Jane
Freedom
pa
USA
249 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 07:04:35 AM
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Just like you need a good kitchen knife, a good saw is priceless. We are no strangers to saws here. My husband is an ice carver and we cut all our own wood for heating. We may have 25 chainsaws, each for something different. Please, Please, make sure you always wear ear protection, eye protection and a face sheild in addition to any other protective gear. Make sure you also sharpen your chains or replace them often. Most accidents are caused by dull blades that stick , kick, or break. A really hard piece of wood can dull the blade in minutes. If you have a good saw you should not be working hard. If you are throwing your weight into it something is wrong. Good luck to you.
Jane |
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melody
True Blue Farmgirl
3324 Posts
Melody
The Great North Woods in the Land of Hiawatha
USA
3324 Posts |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 10:17:13 AM
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Good pair of boots are a must, eye protection and ear protection, gloves, heavy leather chaps are also musts. Look for ads people will give you wood inexchange for you cutting and removing, downed trees are sometimes already dryed enough, anything still green will not be burnable for another season after it is cut , split and stacked. make sure you stack off the ground with some kind of top covering, and never keep your cords too close to the house, they do attract bugs, rodents and snakes. If you are going to keep adding to your supply all year long, make sure you keep your cured wood and your green wood seperate so you know which you can burn this winter. Most importent, NEVER, EVER, cut wood alone, accidents happen to the best. Best of luck, wood heat is the best. P.S. keep a cast iron water kettle on your stove to replenish the moisture in the air that the heat removes.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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Beverly Gill
True Blue Farmgirl
1114 Posts
Beverly
Marlborough
USA
1114 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 10:43:41 AM
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Good good advice.
Beverly |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 10:58:56 AM
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Thanks girls. I have a nephew and BIL close by as well as a SIL who are all use to using the thing. I have had wood heat before, and love it, but my hubby was the one to do all the cutting. I never thought about chaps, do they come in pink? For at least the first go round I will have my nephew here to oversee. I do appreciate the advice and concern. It does put butterflies in my tummy. However... I will get the job done!
For tomorrow and its needs I do not pray, but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord just for today.
St. Augustine
#440
http://www.myfeetaredirty.blogspot.com/ |
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kpaints
True Blue Farmgirl
1564 Posts
karen
cheney
wa
1564 Posts |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 4:39:16 PM
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If you find pink leather gloves let me know. I think I would look darn cute decked out in pink with chainsaw in hand!
For tomorrow and its needs I do not pray, but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord just for today.
St. Augustine
#440
http://www.myfeetaredirty.blogspot.com/ |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 4:48:46 PM
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All good advice above.
Now, about those pink gloves...I have John Deere hot pink gloves but they are the cloth kind. I LOFF it when I go into Home Depot (without hubby) and start loading plywood or cement blocks with them. Strangely, only the women cashiers/helpers will help me with them, the men won't come near me! Has happened 3 times with the gloves....so, assuming....
Winona ;-)
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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melanie47601
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Melanie
Boonville
IN
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 5:01:33 PM
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Oooooooo a chainsaw. I have always wanted one. They are great to have around. Be careful though. Stay safe.
My dad once dropped a tree on my uncle. It smacked him in the head. At least it was the top of the tree.
He wasn't seriously hurt. Some scratches and maybe a couple of bruises.
Melanie
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says "Oh Crap, She's up!"
Blog~ http://wheelsarealwaysturning.blogspot.com/
Swap Blog~ http://mels-swapshop.blogspot.com/ |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2900 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 5:24:28 PM
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We heat 100% with wood & by March I am sick of the dust, but right now, I am looking forward to a nice cozy fire with a kettle of vanilla cinammon scented water boiling, sitting there watching a cheesy Christmas movie on the Hallmark channel.
I am spoiled..Hubby does all the wood here & has quite the reputation throughout the community. He gets calls all winter long to come & cut up downed trees for free wood. plus we have about 7 acres of our own.
Julia. I think that is cool you have your own saw. My sis got one for Christmas a few years ago as well. She is more adventurous than me. |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 5:53:55 PM
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All you ladies looking for "pink" work clothes: www.RosiesWorkWear.com , www.WomensWork.com , have fun
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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1badmamawolf
True Blue Farmgirl
2199 Posts
Teresa
"Bent Fence Farms"
Ca
USA
2199 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 5:56:40 PM
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Oh, and by the way, $200 for a cord of wood is cheap compared to here, where a cord of good hardwood is $450.00 delivered and dumped , not stacked, and thats if you are within a 35 mile circle.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
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forgetmenot
True Blue Farmgirl
3602 Posts
Judith
Nora Springs
IA
USA
3602 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 8:31:17 PM
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Tawanda! and you are getting great advice. We heated with wood for 10 yrs. Best heat we ever had. DH finally couldn't do it anymore with his back. Wish we had used a log splitter..even renting one.
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the belief that something is more important than fear." Ambrose Red Moon |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 9:02:33 PM
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Ouch! $450? I guess I best not complain!
There really is pink work clothes? Hot Dang!
For tomorrow and its needs I do not pray, but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord just for today.
St. Augustine
#440
http://www.myfeetaredirty.blogspot.com/ |
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Cabinprincess
True Blue Farmgirl
682 Posts
Melody June
Athens
TX
USA
682 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2009 : 07:08:53 AM
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Yeah for you Julia!! Grew up in a home with a fireplace, wood stoves and a wood cook stove, so we cut lots of wood. My dad gave me two facts of wisdom I'll pass on.
1. Use the brain God gave you, it's called common sense.
2. Pay attention and always make sure what your cutting off with fall DOWN and AWAY from you!!
Now the only advice I have for you is "Girl wear your PEARLS!!!" You never know who you will attract that thinks you might need a helping hand. And by all means if he's Really Good LOOKING, it's OK to let him use the saw!! Whoooo HAAA HAAA
You'll be a pro in no time!!
Smiles, Melody June
God's gift to you are your talents, your gift to Him is how you use them. |
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CherryMeDarlin
True Blue Farmgirl
602 Posts
Cherry
Odenville
AL
USA
602 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2009 : 08:49:52 AM
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Yay, Julia! You go, girl!
Lisa, my hubs is the same around here. As of right now, we have a mountain of split wood drying and a mountain of logs waiting to be cut and split. He and his dad sell alot of firewood around here, usually dump truck loads, and get calls to come get downed trees. Ever so often, they have to cull a few from our acreage. They also build and sell woodsplitters. That's usually my job; operating the lever on the splitter since I'm not allowed to even touch a chainsaw. Seems I get distracted too easily, though I beg to differ!
Melody June, you crack me up!
~~Cherry~~
http://cherrymedarlin.blogspot.com
www.cherrymedarlin.etsy.com
"A thing is as simple or as complicated as you make it." --TT Murphy |
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Julia
True Blue Farmgirl
1949 Posts
Julia
Shelton
WA
USA
1949 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2009 : 09:05:27 AM
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I shall wear my pearls! Perhaps a nice little brooch on my carhart jacket!
For tomorrow and its needs I do not pray, but keep me, guide me, love me, Lord just for today.
St. Augustine
#440
http://www.myfeetaredirty.blogspot.com/ |
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CherryMeDarlin
True Blue Farmgirl
602 Posts
Cherry
Odenville
AL
USA
602 Posts |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2009 : 10:03:09 AM
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Looks like these gals covered everything. Protective gear and pay attention to what you're doing are the two most important. Even a nice, easily operated hydraulic splitter can get you if you're not paying attention. A friend of mine just crushed his thumb in one because he looked away "for just a second". Disgusting as it was, I had to laugh at him because he used to make fun of people who did that very thing!
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog:
http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My apron website:
http://lisamariesaprons.bravehost.com |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Aug 27 2009 : 12:26:21 PM
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Julia, you are so smart to be doing this. I am proud of you! We had wood heat for years and hubby and I and the kids always cut it and loaded it and stacked it. It was a job for sure. I finally got fed up with all the dust and wood everywhere and we got gas logs. Oh so very nice! And clean! And expensive to keep going. But hubby was happy. Me, too.
Now I am seriously thinking about taking these gas logs out and burning wood. With the way propane and electric is going up, we may just have to do it. So I may be in the "pink work clothes with pearls and a chain saw" club soon, too! Seriously thinking about it.
Really be careful, though. Those chain saws can get stuck and kick something awful and do some really bad damage in just a split second. Never go alone, either.
Also, the lady I help take care of that's 92 now used her chain saw up til a few years ago. By herself.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Across the Fence: I bought a chain saw today. |
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I bought a chain saw today.
