Gav73

You’re gonna need a bigger log store!

I had some nagging lower back pain, I just grinned and got on with it until I saw an advert for 50% off an assessment with a chiropractor. Went and saw the guy who did a scan of my back, it showed that the middle and top section of my back were far worse than the lower bit. Turned out the lower back pain was because of a hamstring I tore playing football over 10 years ago and my lower back was compensating for lack of movement in my hamstring. My upper back muscles were over developed from years of lifting, splitting and general hard graft, which was why my upper back didn’t hurt as all. 12 sessions later, I have movement in my upper back I didn’t even realise I was missing and lower back pain that has almost disappeared. Expensive, but absolutely worth every penny. So much so I’m now on a “maintenance plan” where I go every 2 weeks to be wrung out like a wet flannel, cracked and twisted in what appears to be medieval torture and then leave with a skip in my step! Stretching is an absolute must and it’s worth considering some yoga - I do it, but I refuse to wear any yoga pants, that’s a step too far!!

I did consider a processor, but all the wood I split is arb waste. The guys I get it from handball everything into the back of their trucks so it’s usually cut to shorter, more manageable lengths - only occasionally get stuff a processor would be happy with.

Hookeroons are my go to, never used any tongs - not sure if I would get on with them better than the hookeroon, I find that works best for me. And as you say, anything that reduces the requirement for any back ache is a must

I agree, I’ve only used my splitter vertically two or three times, just the thought of having to constantly bend down or crouch to split logs makes my back twinge!

That’s definitely an option to look at [emoji1303]

That’s pretty much what I’ve done with mine, but just using a bit of rope to do it. Need to find a better way though is the rope isn’t the most comfortable way of controlling it

Interesting! I’ll get underneath mine tomorrow and have a look to see whether it’s similar. Would be very handy if it’s just a case of removing one bolt! Fingers crossed!

I’m using the 20Ton Venom Metre Length Log Splitter

Does anyone have any experience of bypassing the dual handle operation on a log splitter to make it run on a single handle? I’m using rock machinery splitter and have rigged up a bit of a “bodge it” modification with a piece of rope (works, but isn’t as comfortable as a nice ergonomic handle!) Any ideas or knowledge grateful received

Or is the idea to use softwood outside to have lots of sparks and smoke to keep the bears at bay?

We think the same because of the name, but you can never be too sure that someone hasn’t just used the name to make it sound French.

There’s no pipes on it. There is a small water tank (compete with rustic looking brass tap) on the left hand side, did boil water in it once and when I saw the urine coloured water come out of the tap, I decided never to do that again [emoji23]

Softwood is viewed as outdoor fire pit wood or kindling in the US and Canada? I get the kindling bit, but why use softwood on a fire pit? It smokes more and spits - both things you don’t want on an open fire

Now that’s just weird. Made one this week out of a dry piece of conifer for the kids to see how it worked. We lit it on the 1st. Burnt well and being conifer it didn’t last too long. It was the first one I’ve ever made and if I make some more I want to try one made from silver birch.

Sounds like a good idea, I’ll give the sunflower hearts a go [emoji1303]

I’ll swap the bullfinches here for plums!

Unfortunately I don’t think natural England licences will be valid in Scotland [emoji23] Our resident kestrel, owls and cats don’t phase the finches, so decoys are probably not an option. Thinking about the netting option [emoji1303]

Thanks, there are loads of branches crossing over and they do need to be cleared because they’re rubbing. The overall height of the gage is approx 15’ Last year I had hardly any fruit on any of the trees, which was the complete opposite of the previous year and the only thing that was different was the gage blossoming for the first time - and the arrival of the bullfinches.

Guessing that’s for the finches and not the tree [emoji23]

Hi all, after a little bit of advice, I planted a gage tree about 3 years ago, it’s grown very quickly and has never been trimmed. This time last year it was covered in blossom, which was quickly picked off by the local bullfinches. This year every new bud has been pecked off by bullfinches and the blossom is only on a handful of very low twigs. I’m thinking about taking some of the height out of the tree and I’ve read that this time of year is best to do it. Any suggestions on how much to take off and anyone have any ideas to prevent further bullfinch damage? I’m concerned that the bullfinches will move onto the plums, apples and pears planted in the same area.

Ah, I must have left my sense of humour at home when I replied earlier [emoji23]

Nope. Been here a while now

If anyone was offered free pine to burn would they turn it down? Of course not! All varieties of wood have their pros and cons, it’s all about using what’s available and best for the situation. For example in spring I don’t want the stove on all day, I want it to take the chill off the house in the morning and evening only, softwoods are best for this situation. If I want the house to be toasty all through the night in winter, I’ll get the stove nice and hot and then load it full of dense hardwood.

Anyone know who sells these? Would be interesting to know how much they cost as I regularly have a load of brash and branches that are just a pain to process/get rid of. If I can get something for the right price, I think it will same me lots of time and hassle. Ideally I wouldn’t want a PTO version.