Thermometers and chainsaws (couple of moderator-merged threads)

[cammee]

Finally got me one of those thermometers to make sure I'm burning correctly. Where is the best place to put the darn thing, pipe or top of stove?
Also, found me a woods I can log, just have to figure out how to get back there, have to drive the edge of a field and haul it out, not sure my little escape will pull the trailor that good. But, it's all the wood I want and it's free...gonna figure it out somehow. Gotta get going on my supply for next year, don't want to be buying it all again. That sucks.
Also, anyone know a good site to teach me how to use a chainsaw? Hubby was supposed to teach me this year but then he shipped out so I don't know how to use one.

 

[xjnuttier]

Hello, the stove thermo is supposed to be up on the stove pipe around 36 inches, I have mine a lil closer to the stove because of my set up, but you will get a fairly accurate measurement there. well from the sounds of it, you kinda know your ford well, you need to buy a Jeep to stop those issues, LOL just kiddin, I would probally just load it light and see if there is any area closer to the road that you can stockpile and take from there, just and idea, you just need to take smaller loads.
NOW the whole chain saw thing, let me start out by saying they are a very dangerous tool to use, and you must take all pre cautions when using it, and stay focused. I have been using saws for most of my life, and still get surprised every once in a while. Now you ask, How to use a chainsaw? or are you trying to findo ut how to fell trees? or both.. You really should have a person with some experience, guide you in the ways if you would it is very extensive to explain and have you really understand. as far as a saw is concerned, You need to post some pics of your saw so we can guide you on how to use it. they are all a lil differant but do the same job. What i mean by that , is the chain adjust differant, you need to have chain oil, pre mixed gas, choke, and if you have kickback protection...ect..

The other stress about chain saw safety is, safety equipment. hard hat, for falling branches, EAR plugs to save your hearing, good leather gloves, eye protection, I would seriously consider saw chaps just in case. I have to admit you are a brave woman, the chain saw is a fairly intimidating piece of machinery, ever for me.. I am not trying to be the brave guy, but when i am dropping a tree it still makes my heeart beat just a bit faster...

you may PM me with any other questions, GOOD LUCK AND BE VERY CAREFUL....

 

[savageactor7]

With our older pre EPA stoves we keep the thermostat on the flue to help lock down any creosote problem. When we got the newer EPA stove the folks here with the same stove told me center of stove top over the door. QF4300st.

 

[cammee]

I will just be cutting up downed trees, no standing ones. And I will have someone out there with me with a little experience.
I don't know that I am so much brave as much as the situation makes me have to be very self reliant, and don't want to have to pay someone for something that I can get for free. That said, there aren't a whole lot of things that scare me, and I figure that a chainsaw can't be too bad to use if you just use some common sense.
I did fine a bigger truck I can use to pull my trailor out there with so I don;t have to rely on my little escape.
Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it. My husband would probably kill me if he knew I was going to use his chainsaw..

 

[Backwoods Savage]

cammee, you can be proud that you want to be more self sufficient. I don't know your size nor the size of the saw, but if the saw isn't too big you should be able to handle it. If you've worked with your husband before you no doubt watched him. Cutting downed trees is a snap...as long as you don't hit the ground with the saw. You also must watch very carefully so you don't hit other limbs when you are cutting; limbs that can cause the saw to jump and try to come back at you. That is why today's saws have the safety bar on top; to put the brake on so you don't cut your head off.

On the logs that are on the ground. Don't try to cut all the way through them. Cut most of the way through and then roll the log over to finish the cut.

Get yourself one of those saw sharpeners. They are nothing more than a little dremel tool and make sharpening a breeze. No, it may not totally match sharpening by hand but some of us can no longer do it by hand. That little tool is worth a lot to me and makes sharpening fast and easy. You just clip the ends of the wires on a battery; car or atv for instance, and you are set to grind. When you grind just don't hold on each tooth very long or you will burn it and lose some temper.

Do not be afraid to ask more questions on this forum Ask away.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Sorry, I forgot. The best for thermometers is one on the center of the stove top and another on the flue. If only one, I'd put it on the stove top.

 

[cammee]

Ok, this is my chainsaw and I would say I am average size,5'6 150 pounds so I think I should be able to handle it ok.

 

[xjnuttier]

Ok, this is my chainsaw and I would say I am average size,5'6 150 pounds so I think I should be able to handle it ok.

You will be Ok with it, it still has some power probally either 40-42cc, but like th eother poster wrote, just take your time, and focus on the job, and where you are in relation to the blade, in case the chain jumps off, or kick back.. good luck..

 

[kork]

On my Oslo the manual states any of the four top corners, I put mine on the right rear corner. I take it your husband "shipped out" is military? If so a big thank you to both of you.
Hank

 

[Backwoods Savage]

cammee, you should be able to handle that saw okay. Just be very careful. One slip can be very dangerous. If someone can work with you a few days, that would be best, as long as that someone really knows what they are doing.

 

[mjbrown]

cammee,
you go girl, good for you! just dont ever go out and cut alone.even though they are downed trees, anything can happen.

i had a very good friend when i was younger who lost her husband. he cut for a living. one day he went alone, and when he didnt come home by dark, his family went looking for him.lets just say , his soon to arrive son never got to meet his dad.

btw, many thanx to you and your hubby.

mike

 

[`RyaN`]

Cammee one other thing I would recommend is have someone show you the difference between a sharp chain (properly filed) and a dull chain. Most people try to horse their chainsaws through wood. Where as the most efficient way to use a saw is to keep the saw sharp and let the saw do the work while you just basically guide it.

Good luck to you and many thanks to you and your family for the sacrifices you guys are making!

 

[xjnuttier]

cammee,
you go girl, good for you! just dont ever go out and cut alone.even though they are downed trees, anything can happen.

i had a very good friend when i was younger who lost her husband. he cut for a living. one day he went alone, and when he didnt come home by dark, his family went looking for him.lets just say , his soon to arrive son never got to meet his dad.

btw, many thanx to you and your hubby.

mike

So true, I know I do a lot of my cutting by myself, but I had a real close call last week, I was cutting on what i thought was the backside of the tree, and it seemed to be leaning in the other direction, but with the slope and so n, I was a lil off, when she started coming down, it was right at me, drop the saw and ran, it was very close. it all happens so fast, I am a lil foolish for going myself, but I dont have a lot of choices with where i am going and my freinds work sced's and mine... I also wanted to add a Bid thanks to your self, for being a good woman, and having a hero for a husband.. thanks for all you guys have gave up for us... If I was a lil closer I would help ya..LOL PA is just a stretch away... let us knwo we will help though with any questions.. I would really suggest taking a look at chainsaw safety online here, and there is a lot of good cutting info to be had...

 

[cammee]

Thanks to everyone who posted. Yes, He is military, shipped to Iraq for a year. Thank you all for your kind words.

Seems word travels fast in a small town, I now have a couple of friends that are going to go out with me and help, but only if they teach me how to use the saw, don't want to be dependant on someone all the time.

This forum has been such a help to me, you guys are great, I don't have to worry my husband about all this, which is a big plus. He has bigger things to worry about.
Thank you all again....God Bless

 

[leaf4952]

I keep 2 thermometers, one on the stovepipe just above the damper, another on the stovepipe 3 ft above that....just before it disappears into the alcove/ceiling/chimney. When I get it cranking the bottom therm reads 600 degrees and the top one reads 400 degrees. I figure thats good because I dont have to worry about temps too high up in my chimney. However I know that can mean creosite up there but my chimney sweep says I keep a squeeky clean stovepipe ! So I guess all that loss of heat as it goes up the stovepipe - is heat that's going into my house instead (not up the chimney). I do keep a 10" fan hanging above the stove to push the air deeper into the room. I can't keep a thermometer on the actual stove because it either just doesn't work above 300 or goes BOING ! It actually makes a sound like that ! I have 2 other fans in this 1000 sqft house strategically placed to move the warm air around right. I've rarely turned on the electric heat except a little in the outerlying bedrooms. The thermometers are not only interesting to watch but instructional of course.

 

[LLigetfa]

Flue gasses tend to move faster in the centre of the flue but the damper adds turbulence causing the gasses to move closer to the inside surface of the pipe. This principle fuels many debates on surface versus probe thermometers.

 

[Brian VT]

I don't have anything to add for answers to your questions, except be safe, but I also wanted to thank you and your family for your service to our country.
Behind the strongest men are usually strong families.

 

[firefighterjake]

Finally got me one of those thermometers to make sure I'm burning correctly. Where is the best place to put the darn thing, pipe or top of stove?
Also, found me a woods I can log, just have to figure out how to get back there, have to drive the edge of a field and haul it out, not sure my little escape will pull the trailor that good. But, it's all the wood I want and it's free...gonna figure it out somehow. Gotta get going on my supply for next year, don't want to be buying it all again. That sucks.
Also, anyone know a good site to teach me how to use a chainsaw? Hubby was supposed to teach me this year but then he shipped out so I don't know how to use one.

Thermometer Placement: Yes . . . . . . I started out with a thermometer on my stove (the Oslo manual recommends any one of the four stove top corners) and eventually purchased a thermometer for my stove pipe as well. Short answer to your question: Check your stove's manual as the actual location varies -- some manufacturers may not specify a location, others may suggest the top, front, etc. Long answer: If you can do so, I would highly recommend a thermometer for the stove and flue -- I find that it enables me to better see where the fire is "going" and let me control it better to maximize the heat and minimize the creosote build up.

Chainsaw Use: You've already been forewarned about chainsaws and danger so I will not reiterate these points . . . again, check your manual as it may have some information on how to saw safely . . . barring that try a general search . . . I know awhile back someone posted a great link showing how to safely cut trees down with various hinge cuts and there was a section on how to safely cut trees once they are down.