. hanging out here. Hey everyone, don't know if this is the best place for this thread as it covers a bit about gear and the stove but no politics. Back in Feb. of last year I got a place with, to my overwhlming delight had a woodstove. I started out burning it like a fireplace, needless to say that didn't go very far. I then got ahold of a labeled thermometer for the box from the local woodstove store. I kept around the labeled 'safe' 250*, still didn't do very well for heat. One night even I was unaware at 250* and thought that this is too good- then checked the box and freaked out that it was too hot and promptly grabbed the wood out of the box and dropped into the snow outside and let the box cool down.
I've since learned/ found that the optimal safe temp is between 550*- 650* for me and that this is not at all dangerous. Also learned to try thicker splits for longer burns, such as over niters- for lack of access to harwood(read too cheap), as I always thought to split smaller to completely burn the wood.
I've also learned about the appropriate chain for the job; as I cut mainly dead standing pine and cedar your run of the mill safety chain dulls all too quickly. I arrived at the correct Oregon chain for my needs semi chisel so that it won't take out the bar. Also learned to properly sharpen a chain, with a bastard file; specifically not a rat tailed file at as the rat tail is tapered and not ideal for maintaining uniform angles. And ultimately that a chain can be salvaged with an appropriate bench monted grinder when hand filing no longer suffices.
Finaly, though I'm sure the learning doesn't stop here, I've learned the importance of properly clening the chimney/ stove pipe for safety and efficiency's sake. Thanks to everyone who has helped me along my learning travels, hey- I love the political banter too down in the Ash Can..........
I've since learned/ found that the optimal safe temp is between 550*- 650* for me and that this is not at all dangerous. Also learned to try thicker splits for longer burns, such as over niters- for lack of access to harwood(read too cheap), as I always thought to split smaller to completely burn the wood.
I've also learned about the appropriate chain for the job; as I cut mainly dead standing pine and cedar your run of the mill safety chain dulls all too quickly. I arrived at the correct Oregon chain for my needs semi chisel so that it won't take out the bar. Also learned to properly sharpen a chain, with a bastard file; specifically not a rat tailed file at as the rat tail is tapered and not ideal for maintaining uniform angles. And ultimately that a chain can be salvaged with an appropriate bench monted grinder when hand filing no longer suffices.
Finaly, though I'm sure the learning doesn't stop here, I've learned the importance of properly clening the chimney/ stove pipe for safety and efficiency's sake. Thanks to everyone who has helped me along my learning travels, hey- I love the political banter too down in the Ash Can..........
