LLigetfa is still around

[LLigetfa]

After years of not burning wood as my primary heat source on the wife's, she relented and had me tight a fire in the evenings this Fall. How long this lasts. who knows.

A few years ago, I sold (at below cost) half of my firewood and emptied out my woodshed of the other half in order to remediate / convert it to closed in workshop. I built on two lean-to additions for firewood storage (to use for backup heat).

I have moved half of my remaining half under the right side lean-to that I am saving for emergencies and have been taking from the other half stacked outside for burning . I do plan to move the rest of it to the left side lean-to eventually.

I have almost run out of my SuperCedar fire starter as well as my stockpile of kindling. Herein lies my dilemma. I don't know how long I will be able to burn wood before the wife bans it again so I will locally source fire starter and split kindling from the old firewood.

I was forced into retirement due to a stroke and my axemanship has suffered as a result so not as adept at making kindling so I need an alternative.

 

[Whitenuckler]

After years of not burning wood as my primary heat source on the wife's, she relented and had me tight a fire in the evenings this Fall. How long this lasts. who knows.

A few years ago, I sold (at below cost) half of my firewood and emptied out my woodshed of the other half in order to remediate / convert it to closed in workshop. I built on two lean-to additions for firewood storage (to use for backup heat).
View attachment 350185
I have moved half of my remaining half under the right side lean-to that I am saving for emergencies and have been taking from the other half stacked outside for burning . I do plan to move the rest of it to the left side lean-to eventually.

I have almost run out of my SuperCedar fire starter as well as my stockpile of kindling. Herein lies my dilemma. I don't know how long I will be able to burn wood before the wife bans it again so I will locally source fire starter and split kindling from the old firewood.

I was forced into retirement due to a stroke and my axemanship has suffered as a result so not as adept at making kindling so I need an alternative.

Nice setup. I have seen pictures of kindling "tools" although they may all be homemade. Take care of yourself.

 

[LLigetfa]

Yesterday I resorted to using a small hatchet by pounding it on the pol with a metal mallet but that is sacrilegious to the hatchet. A wooden mallet would have been kinder to the hatchet. One thought is to acquire and use a small froe which is meant to be pounded.

Froe - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

There also exist firewood crackers that stand with the blade facing up where the wood stands upright and is stuck with a mallet.

Kindling Cracker™ | The world's safest wood chopper.

A safe solution to ax chopping, Kindling Cracker™ firewood splitter is an innovative way to cut kindling. A high quality wood chopper that makes splitting wood easy, safe and fun

www.kindlingcracker.com

Lastly there are wall mount kindling splitters with a blade that is pulled down into the wood.

https://homehardware.sirv.com/products/1032/1032286/!1032286-f.jpg

 

[stoveliker]

You can always buy a 2x4, and if you have a table saw in your shop, go from there.
A bag of pellets (for a pellet stove) works well too.

 

[Turbo89]

You can always buy a 2x4, and if you have a table saw in your shop, go from there.
A bag of pellets (for a pellet stove) works well too.

Great idea, probably can grab the bent and warped 2x4s for cheap at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s or equivalent. I love using carpentry scraps as kindling, you can practically light it with a match because it’s so dry.

 

[qwee]

I would probably find a little cheap electric log splitter. Use it for kindling and to split a little - handy machines.

 

[moresnow]

Just to add. Consider wearing eye protection when pounding a steel hatchet with a steel hammer.

 

[Whitenuckler]

After years of not burning wood as my primary heat source on the wife's, she relented and had me tight a fire in the evenings this Fall. How long this lasts. who knows.

A few years ago, I sold (at below cost) half of my firewood and emptied out my woodshed of the other half in order to remediate / convert it to closed in workshop. I built on two lean-to additions for firewood storage (to use for backup heat).
View attachment 350185
I have moved half of my remaining half under the right side lean-to that I am saving for emergencies and have been taking from the other half stacked outside for burning . I do plan to move the rest of it to the left side lean-to eventually.

I have almost run out of my SuperCedar fire starter as well as my stockpile of kindling. Herein lies my dilemma. I don't know how long I will be able to burn wood before the wife bans it again so I will locally source fire starter and split kindling from the old firewood.

I was forced into retirement due to a stroke and my axemanship has suffered as a result so not as adept at making kindling so I need an alternative.

Take a look at amazon.com for one of these or they might sell them elsewhere. No axe required.

 

[LLigetfa]

You can always buy a 2x4, and if you have a table saw in your shop, go from there.

I do have a table saw but it would not be ideal. First off, my shop is tiny so it is folded up and needs to be rolled outside and setup. Second, the cut is too smooth and not ideal for fire starter. Rough cut/splintered is better. Third, my doctor said I should not use power tools due to poor coordination. I do use it but it is heavily guarded and cumbersum.

It looks like I need to update my sig. My log splitter is on long term loan to my neighbor, my woodshed can no longer hold 12 cord, and the dog died.

 

[LLigetfa]

Take a look at amazon.com for one of these or they might sell them elsewhere. No axe required.

Yes, that wall mount splitter was one of the options I linked to on Home Hardware but t is not in stock so I have to buy it sight unseen. I would like some feedback from someone that uses one. My first thought was having to bend down to tick up the wood that falls to the floor would be a pain. I suppose I could mount it low on the wall and operate it sitting on a stool. Another option would be to mount it horizontal on a bench so the splits don't fall to the floor.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Yes, that wall mount splitter was one of the options I linked to on Home Hardware but t is not in stock so I have to buy it sight unseen. I would like some feedback from someone that uses one. My first thought was having to bend down to tick up the wood that falls to the floor would be a pain. I suppose I could mount it low on the wall and operate it sitting on a stool. Another option would be to mount it horizontal on a bench so the splits don't fall to the floor.

If you see it on line, there should be reviews also. You could wall mount it, and have a shelf under it to hold a bin. Once the bin is full you can carry the kindling. If it's mostly steel construction then you should be able to replace the pins ect.

 

[onthescantic]

If you see it on line, there should be reviews also. You could wall mount it, and have a shelf under it to hold a bin. Once the bin is full you can carry the kindling. If it's mostly steel construction then you should be able to replace the pins ect.

 

[onthescantic]

This kindle maker is simple to make and use while sitting

 

[Eman85]

I go to the local lumber yard and pick up the slats the bundles of lumber are packed with. They are about 1/4" thick and various lengths that snap easily. I use them for shims when doing any construction projects and break the rest up for kindling. I also get hardwood scraps from a cabinet shop. Both of these are kiln dried and light easily with a scrap of paper. I've got better thimngs to do then split kindling and not spending money on fire starters.