Splitting and Seasoning Oak

[Vedhoggar]

On 09/05/2023 at 17:22, Logdaft said:

I came across this chart with various drying times etc, don`t know how accurate it is though. Agree with what`s been said by everyone about splitting when fresh/green!

Would agree with most of what is listed but in my experience on seasoning firewood (<20% mc) if winter felled, cut to 25 cm and split to <15cm seasoning times if it includes main drying season have been: birch 6 months, cherry >4 months (more like 6 months), larch 3-6 months, pine 3 months, spruce <6 months, alder <6 months, poplar >6months, sycamore 9 months, lime <6 months. Larch and pine if split down to <15cm and in 50cm -1m billets stacked and top covered often just 3 months.

[neiln]

I get a lot of oak.  I split it all by hand and I am very pleased it is the most reliably easy splitting wood I've come across (except false acacia) Split it green,  it's easy.

[sime42]

Hello Gabriel. I believe that 18 months should be enough to season that oak in the conditions you described. We'd normally say at least 2 years, but that's based on our rubbish wet, cloudy, very humid British climate, jealous of yours!

[Stere]

I agreee 18 months should be ok especially  if the oak is split into thinner logs to increase surface to volume ratio, but out of interest you could also get a moisture meter to check the logs % moisture to know for sure.

 

Makita ea6100 ?

 

Shame they are  not making them anymore.

 

How much does firewood cost  per 1m3?

 

 I use a polytunnel as a wood shed so if you do  have the space   ideal  for an extra  wood shed.....

Edited January 14, 2024 by Stere

[scbk]

We're all nosey gits on here, show us some photos of your firewood set up, logs sheds, stacks of timber etc in Romania 👍

[Squaredy]

6 hours ago, Gabriel82 said:

@scbk no worries , it's sunday 😁 free day. 

For splitting I use this "thing" after many many wood handles axes broken and even a fiber glass idiocy of an axe... Got late that year with splitting and stacking wood...

So ,extreme measures had to be taken. 

A forged axe head plus 16 or 18 mm rebar were used plus a very powerfull 3 phase 380AC industrial welder used by an experienced welder who works in a big company,on a saturday. The result is amazing since rebar is flexible and the weld is quality. Nothing stands in this axe's way. This is how it looked when "new" freshly built. Now has some "bruises" 😁

And a photo  in the end with what grows naturally in my garden 

😎

Am curios how hard will oak be to split. So far hornbeam was the hardest,even wet/freshly cut. 

Will post more when I can. I'll be more carefull and show you the oak logs when they are unloaded!  I usually don't take pictures of this. Don't see the reason or have time to. 

I think you will find the oak best to split when fresh.

 

I am worried that you’re metal wood drying store will not have enough ventilation to dry the oak well.  
 

Can we see photos of typical Romanian stoves?  Sounds interesting.

Edited January 14, 2024 by Squaredy

[Stere]

Polytunnel  for sale in Romania

 

Tunnels | Sere Transilvania

SERETRANSILVANIA.RO

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Pick a garden hoop house or a professional high tunnel from the Sere Transilvania catalogue. Manufactured from resistant...

 

 

Moisture meter

 

4 Pin Wood Tester Sensor Firewood Moisture Meter Digital Damp Detector Timber

WWW.EBAY.CO.UK

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Low battery indicator. Colour: Grey. Digital large size LCD display. Power: one 6F22 9 V battery. Material: ABS Plastic.

 

 

 

[Stere]

Interesting axe.

 

The one I use  is  a cheap "splitting maul"  type  with  about a 2.5kg head weight with a fibreglass handle.

 

 

 

 

Looks like this^

 

I prefer the fibreglass to a  wood  handle less shock & found the head just the right  weight

 

 

 

Your  axe head shape  looks  to be  one  designed for hewing

 

 

hewing+axe - Recherche Google

WWW.GOOGLE.COM

 

[Squaredy]

23 minutes ago, Gabriel82 said:

@Squaredy this is how it looks, a ceramic tile stove ,small one,  burning wood briquettes , about to end burning .but still very hot. can't get it to make a better photo... 

Fascinating, thank you for that.  So different from anything I have ever seen.  This is where cultural differences are so interesting.

 

And I am guessing it does a good job?

[Dan Maynard]

I think I've heard of them as Scandinavian stoves, don't know where they started but makes sense the idea should spread around if they work so well.

 

I can't remember anyone from Romania on here before, so is really interesting to get other perspectives on logs and fires thank you.