Witterings

Cheers for he replies ... wish I'd taken a reading at the end of the summer before the rain, be intersting to see if it'd increased since then and if so by how much. Also tends to say it's hard to get an accurate reading en mass as I split the logs down to the size I'd burn them before storing in essence making it an outside edge, from what you've both said I'd then need to then split those again and take the reading from one of the newly exposed faces to be accurate. Miserable and tipping it down outside as I type this with a few days of this ahead I think which'll only make them damper still ... glad I got a load in yesterday ?

I thought I'd use the meter to check the moisture of a few logs, I found there was quite a lot of difference between those that had been inside even for just a couple of weeks from the same batch / chopped up at the same time compared to those that were still outside in a log store. The inside ones I was getting reading's of between 5 and 7% on the ends and 10 / 12% in the middle ... the ones outside were 12 / 14% still on the ends ... is it normal the drop such a large moisture content when they've only been inside for such a relatively short period of time ... some of them are stacked next to the fire (at a safe distance) which may make a bit of difference and I rotate to use the ones that have been inside the longest 1st. Also where should you take moisture readings from .... I'm guessing what's likely to be the wettest part i.e. the center rather than the ends??

Think it must have been a typo and missed the one off in front of the 4 ?

Aggghhh Ok ... I get what you mean now ... I did use the pallet to raise them / as a platform but get what you're saying!! Definitely worth a try next time I do a load!!

^^^ In response to above and rather than putting in a really long quote I was looking to use the pallets to raise the height but also to give a bigger area where I loaded 5 / 6 logs at the same time (which you can't fit on one medium size round) , if I split a bit off the edge of one and it fell over I could then go and split the next and then the next and then put the axe down and pick up several bits and repeat. It actually worked relaly well, had a Fiskars X27 arrive today and cut a sh1t load of wood BUT ... the pallets aren't strong enough to take that much of a pounding unless it's over one of the supports, I tried screwing 3 widths of scaffolding board across the top one but stupidley did the grain in the direction that as soon as the spiltter went through the log it was splitting the scaffolding board perfectly ? Part way there me thinks but not all the way. Anybody know what type of wood sheet I need to buy to put over the pallet that won't split easily and I can experiment with screwing some tyres to it???

Tried it briefly yesterday with 3 pallets on top of each other .... it was OK .."ish" and was able to put 3 /4 logs next to each other. They stayed in place a lot better than falling off a log every time you swing so you'd get at least a couple of swings at each and then pick them up one after the other and load all at once which was more time effective ... BUT ... if it wasn't over a support it cracked the plank so would definitely need a harder platform / hardwood sheet on the top or it'd only last a short while and would also benefit from the 3 pallets being screwed together to reduce bounce. Not ideal as is but could possibly be hugely improved upon over time.

Cheers to everyone for their replies and input .... the only reason I've quoted this one is because your comments on the sound off / sped up are quite real to life / humourous ... maybe you should snd him a link ? That said I did briefly try it and I don''t think it made a ot of difference, we're really close to the water table and with recent rain the ground's really soft (logs sink when you hit them) ... I'm tempted to try with a piece of hardboard below but without a secific "hook" on the axe it's just as quick to pick them up by hand each time. I'm awful tempted to build a designated station with a couple of pallets screwed together for height .... if I felt they couldn't take the impacy without breaking put a hardoard sheet on top and try both a tyre and various bungee cords to try and hold them together. Time to go experiment me thinks but a big thank you for everyone's input so far ... much appreciated ? ?

Quite like this one which gives a predicted for the next 3 hours .... has been every accurate apart from once about 6 weeks ago when the Mrs asked me what it was saying as she wanted to take the dog walkies and I said it had all passed .... she must have got to the furthest point (20 mins away) and the heavens absolutely opened .... she thought I'd done it on purpose as we'd had an argument earlier in the day ? 3 hour rainradar forecast for UK, Ireland, and Scotland METEORADAR.CO.UK Our 3 hour rainradar forecast offers a forecast of the current weather. Based on our rainradars we predict a 3 hour forecast for the UK, Ireland and Scotland

Chopping in the pallets doesn't break / split them ??? I have a few lying around left pver from building a log store out of them.

Definitely weight was one of the other things I was thinking about, I also have an inherited 3.6kg maul but the ehads coming loose hence why I#m looking for something else but you don't half notice the difference in weight over an axe and it quickly becomes tiring to use.

Trying to increase my output and some prefer splitting with the log on the ground and others on another log / raised platform which is what I've always done but virtually every split results in the log falling off and having to be picked up again and kills output. I would have thought chopping on the ground would at least make it quicker as it wouldn't fall over quite so often and could be tilted back to upright with the axe (if it falls over) as opposed to having to pick it up. My axe / splitter often goes straight through the one I'm splitting and into the log underneath, if this was the ground isn't that the quickest way to blunt your axe and also put dinks in as I'm sure it'll make contact with stones when you don't want it to and letting your saw touch the dirt is the quickest way to blunt it.. Was also thinking about getting a tyre to chop them in and see how much that helps / speeds up the process. Interested in people's opinons and preferred on any of the above.

But which is better ? I measured both my axe and maul I have and they both measure 36" in total including the head and don't have a problem with the length on either of those ... that said I can also see how shorter may be more controllable.

Have googled and found a lot of people seem to prefer the Husky and find the extra weight seems to split rounds more effectively ... that said I've also seen quite a few comments that the Husky gets "stuck" more easily .... If I analysed what takes the greatest amount of time and reduces efficiency most when I'm splitting it'd probably be removing an axe / splitter that's stuck. Especially intersted to hear from anyone that's used both and if so what your thoughst are.

I flew remote control planes for years and the one thing you don't want is wind ...because of that I looked into it and someone mentioned that Witterings is apparently a historical name for windy (not sure if that's Viking or Roman but we have The Roman Palace up the road and one area's called the Roman Landing) so yes it does seem to be quite a bit of the time ..... that said probably any coastal resort is much the same as the wind comes off the sea and this amasing summer it really wasn't that bad. We were in Cornwall when you were here and it was windy there as well if that's any consoluation although I think you were just a bit unlucky with the week you happened to come down.

Oh and neiln .... yes it is The Witterings I live .... if you're this way again let us know and nip in for a cuppa (or beer ? )if this Covid bitch is out of the way.

Cheers again ... some really useful info and thanks for the comments about using the club hammer on the axe ... have only really done it to try it so far but won't again!!! I'm pretty sure it's ash that I was having the problem with, I did a load of smaller ones with the axe and it was easy ... went through like butter but these are wider approx 12/14" and probably about the same height .... I may try taking the ends off with the chainsaw to make then a bit shorter as 14" won't fit in my burner anyway. Also whilst the axe is sharp I did have look at the maul and it's as blunt as so have started filing although I think it's going to kae a while. The Fiskars again .... is there much difference between the 25 and the 27 ..... I'm 5"7 so the smaller would probably be better although you'd obviously get more momentum with the 27.

It should be a reasonable supply over time but only enough for us to burn in one stove ... I'm not selling it or anything and have large load I'd like to do at the moment to start it seaonong for next year. Longer term I'll probably get a powered one of sorts but have just had so much expense at the house recently just wanted something to get us through this year and then maybe get one next year.

Cheers for all the cmments and glad I asked rather than just buying one. I do have a standard long handle axe I also have an old fashioned maul like the one in this link Title: Mueller Biber Classic Splitting Maul WWW.GOOGLE.COM Found on Google from highlandwoodworking.com In some of the longer round the axe goes in and just gets stuck and just end up fighting to get it released the maul doen't seem to do much better and almost seems to bounce off. Would something like the Fiskars be any better than the old fashioned one I have??? After watching a video, some of the bigger logs I put the axe at the edge of teh log and use a club hammer which has been pretty effective but is very time consuming so was really hoping to improve on that.

Looking at buying a log splitter and sledgehammer and having looked at a few reviews found this Rolson 10780 Wood Grenade Log Splitter: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools WWW.AMAZON.CO.UK Shop Rolson 10780 Wood Grenade Log Splitter. Free delivery on eligible orders of £20 or more. And for a sledgehammer this Amtech A2150 2.7Kg Sledge Hammer with Fibreglass Shaft (6lb): Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools WWW.AMAZON.CO.UK Shop Amtech A2150 2.7Kg Sledge Hammer with Fibreglass Shaft (6lb). Free delivery on eligible orders of £20 or more. The sledgehammer's quite light weight compared to a few others which makes it easier to lift / swing ..... the flipside you think the heavier the hammer the less effort to split the log but all my "trunks" will be cut to about 9/10" length and only about 14/16" diameter max ... my shoulders aren't great ... is that a heavy enough driver to split a log or should I look at the next weight up most of which seem to be 7lb / 3,2kg. Any help and input on this / other splitters that may be better appreciated!

It does look like the woodchuck and the fact it's 1/2 the price made me wonder if it was just a Chinese copy made of cheaper / thinner materials.

Has anybody tried the Forest Master Log Jack (link below) as some of their products seem to have some fairly iffy reviews on quality / durability and this is quite a lot cheaper than any of the competitions. Also interested if anyone has alternative recommendations that don't cost an arm and a leg. Log Lifter Timber Jack | FMLJ | Forest Master FOREST-MASTER.COM Buy the Forest Master Log Lifter (FMLJ). It's a simple and easy way to lift and roll logs off the ground. Capable of lifting logs up to 500mm in diameter.

And some more please if people don't mind, the 1st 5 are from 2 different piles at the same location and the last 2 are logs I've already chopped up.

OK ... dryness makes sense as one side near it's base is concrete and the other is hardcore / shingle, the neighbour often uses a sprinkler on his grass under his so gets watered regulary. Cheers for the help!!!

Thank you for that .... it's not causing a problem at the moment, it was just a fried said the other day is it good to be that close to the house / foundations. We do though have to cut right through it's root very close to the trunk as there's no alternative path for an outlet pipe for a sewerage treatment plant and am concerened it may harm the tree but have no choice.

Anyone know what this might be as well and also it's awful close to the house, are it's roots likely to cause damage although it's been there a long time and doesn't seem to have done so far.