Workshop,
I'm basically ambidextrous (I write right handed, but think I my be a south paw that was taught wrong) and am left-eye dominant. I can shoot either hand with pistol, rifle and shotgun. I'm better with shotguns and pistols right handed (especially is time is a factor) but am actually better with a rifle left handed. Screw what the books and magazines say - try all sorts of different positions and see what feels best to you.
Gentlemen, I need some help.
I am going over the basics with Mason when we go cutting. I have talked to him about his stance, being aware of his surroundings, knowing which way to run if something goes wrong, hand placement, etcetera. He is learning to listen to his saw and becoming familiar with how it feels/sounds in the cut when most efficient.
I never had anyone "teach" me how to cut firewood. I have managed to learn by doing, reading and making mistakes. If I had the extra money I would get him some chaps but our budget is pretty tight right now. Those will have to wait until fall. He wears steel toe boots when we cut or split as well as safety glasses. He does not like wearing gloves. We always have a first aid kit and a phone with us.
Now - the help part. I know several of you and recognize many of you have much more knowledge and expertise in this area than I have (or may ever have). If you had the responsibility of teaching a young man about cutting firewood and all the related tasks, what would you include?
If you respond, please don't limit your responses because someone else already said it. Say it twice or three times if appropriate. Maybe you can share your most important lesson or biggest mistake. I'm interested in all thoughts on this. Maybe you learned something simple like always take a second or tenth saw (okay - that's a given on this site). Maybe you couldn't afford a second saw when you started so you carried a second bar and chain. That way you could leave the first bar in the pinch and use the second one to cut you out. Do you always carry one special tool? Never cut during the full moon? Say a prayer before starting to cut? (Okay, that one's a given for me.)
Let Mason (and me) learn from your experience. Thanks in advance...
One other thing - if you would rather share something in a PM because it's too personal or embarrassing- that's fine, too.
Always try to have a 2nd person if possible, even if they're not helping. You never know when you might need a drive to a hospital.
Don't push a dull chain - it'll bite you in the ass. Or knee.
Don't just fire up the saw and start cutting. Look over everything you intend to cut, or might cut and make a game plan with room for options. It's a bit harder to be surprised when you've accounted for most of the likely possibilities.
Always have more potable water then you'll need. Thirst is bad and unintended fires are worse.
Poison Ivy/Oak cream can be just as important as form 1 if you're allergic to the same.
Tools are good - Dad and I had talked about a saw box for a long time before we got one. Why we waited, I don't know. We carry spare chains, a raker gauge which is great for cleaning bar channels, screnches and torx drivers, nose bearing lube, files, sprockets, spare bar nuts, spark plugs and other assorted stuff. it's a two compartment plastic box which weighs about 20-25lb loaded and is a darn handy rolling saw shop.
Chaps, hearing, eye and hand pro are about mandatory. But no amount of ope will make up for carelessness.
Lastly, don't cut tired, mentally, physically or both. That'll get you hurt or worse.
2-1/2" dia.
this is going on my grocery list....
