Billets or logs

[Jim B]

What's your reasoning for splitting it so quick? Out of interest.

 

I find birch can be very stringy, fresh cut or if its sat for a while.

 

As you said, I think the vertical splitter is the way to go.

 

I fell birch all year round so summer time is full of surgery sap, rot sets in if not opened quickly. As for stringyness I find each tree different, edge trees being the worst and spiralled.

[briquette_seller]

I fell birch all year round so summer time is full of surgery sap, rot sets in if not opened quickly. As for stringyness I find each tree different, edge trees being the worst and spiralled.

 

Ok, makes sense, thanks.

[Fentiger]

Years ago the company at Hawkhurst in Kent (sorry can't remember the name) used to buy birch in 3m lengths for turning. They would run it through a striping machine that took three strips of bark off, then stack and it would dry out perfectly without rot. Same applies with firewood, split it and keep it vented and it dries well

[slack ma girdle]

This is the fastest way that I have found to dry billets, stacked with a tarp over the top, and home made baffles along the side.

Dries quick and no wet ends.

[briquette_seller]

I bought and used a billet bundler for the first time this year.

I stacked the bundles three high and it appears to have worked well.

 

Yes it I double handling, but its the most efficient way to reduce oversized timber, in my opinion.

It also gives me flexibility when customers want non stock lengths.

 

I quite enjoy splitting billets, no explanation why.

 

I hate cutting them with the circular saw, mind numbingly boring.

[renewablejohn]

Years ago the company at Hawkhurst in Kent (sorry can't remember the name) used to buy birch in 3m lengths for turning. They would run it through a striping machine that took three strips of bark off, then stack and it would dry out perfectly without rot. Same applies with firewood, split it and keep it vented and it dries well

 

So now everyone knows how to dry birch without it going mouldy the price will go up. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

[Fentiger]

So now everyone knows how to dry birch without it going mouldy the price will go up. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

 

Didn't realise it was top secret

[renewablejohn]

Didn't realise it was top secret

 

You would be surprised how much birch I have received FOC because it is classed as worthless and goes mouldy.

[timbernut]

We always called it 'blazing' and ran saw firmly down the side while snedding, no secret!😀

[slack ma girdle]

We always called it 'blazing' and ran saw firmly down the side while snedding, no secret!😀

 

Works well for poplar to.