Wedge Renewal

[merc_man]

I used to buy wedges and fix them also when they broke or hit them with saw.

Now i use this plastic material that i found at work. Once in a while they throw out a small chunk and i have permission to take scrap from the bin.

I cut them on the band saw to shape them. (Yes on company time [emoji3]) just have to go slow or they will start to melt as mentioned above.

The smaller one in pic is handy for keeping in back pocket for bucking.

I yet to have one of these break and i smash them pretty hard to test them out. If i happen to nick the end with saw i also use the belt sander. Mine is variable speed and on low it dont seem to melt too bad.

In my experience the worst wedges i have had are the hard head ones with the metal plate. They broke way to easy.

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[MarkEagleUSA]

Give it a try and get back to me?

Actually, a wood block and some coarse sandpaper would probably suffice in the field if you're looking for cheap and quick.

 

[Wood Doctor]

There are times when bucking that I find "wedges" lying on the ground at the dropsite that are 100' closer than the ones that I made in the shop and somehow left in the truck. I stick one of those scraps into the closing kerf and it usually lets me finish the cut without a pinch. To me, that's the Lord's way of saying, "I'm looking after you."

 

[Philbert]

Now i use this plastic material that i found at work. Once in a while they throw out a small chunk and i have permission to take scrap from the bin.

Delrin? Nylon? HDPE?

Philbert

 

[Skeans1]

How can you guys stand putting wedges in your back pocket? How many wedges are you east coast guys carrying?


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[Philbert]

Usually 1 or 2. But I am not typically out in the woods to fell a lot of trees.

Philbert

 

[RI Chevy]

None unless I need them. Then I carry it with me and throw it on the ground with the ax. When I need it I get it. lol

 

[Skeans1]

Try a wedge pouch on a belt then they’re always with you same with bar wrench, my pouch I’ve stretched out to fit 6 wedges always nice to have two sets to stack then a spare single.

What lengths of wedges are normally carried out there? Axe size?


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[merc_man]

Delrin? Nylon? HDPE?

Philbert

Im not sure. I can ask tomorrow and find out.

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[fearofpavement]

I keep my wedges and mallet in a bucket. Never use an axe (ever), but my truck is usually within a few feet. I don't prowl the woods, working on people's lawns usually. Here's a pic of my wedge collection and the mallet I put them in with. Plus we almost always have a pull line on the tree we're felling.

 

[RI Chevy]

Cool. Pretty colorful combination there.

 

[RI Chevy]

I prefer the wedges with the one way exterior dimples on them. They seem to hold better in the wood than the smooth ones.

 

[Philbert]

Here's a pic of my wedge collection and the mallet I put them in with.

Some of those wedges look like they could use a little love and attention!

The bucket is a good option for truck cutting. A canvas bag would work well too.

Guys who insist on axes usually state:
1) they need an axe anyway for other stuff;
2) they can drive one wedge at a time when stacked - a sledge hits both.

Whatever works for you!

Philbert

 

[RI Chevy]

Is there something better than an ax to drive the wedges in?
Sledge hammer?

 

[Skeans1]

Is there something better than an ax to drive the wedges in?
Sledge hammer?

A built up axe a sledge is worthless, my big axe is over 10 lbs with a 36” straight handle it started life as a 5 pounder then had some plate added to the back.


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[Skeans1]

Some of those wedges look like they could use a little love and attention!

The bucket is a good option for truck cutting. A canvas bag would work well too.

Guys who insist on axes usually state:
1) they need an axe anyway for other stuff;
2) they can drive one wedge at a time when stacked - a sledge hits both.

Whatever works for you!

Philbert

another bonus with an axe is you can slip between your back and your belt one less thing to pack.



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[fearofpavement]

I'm not anti-axe and fully understand their utility for fellers but they just provide no useful benefit for the type of tree work I do. I don't pack anything anywhere, it's all in my truck which is just feet away. It's not common for me to fell multiple trees a day. 95% of what I cut is residential take downs or storm damage clean up. I use chainsaws, pole saws (manual and power) and handsaws. I use a machete a fair amount for cleaning out vines and saplings. But never an axe. Oh, I have an assortment of axes but they're never in the truck. I do carry a monster maul though to make rounds smaller if I can't lift them. (or I noodle them if they're gnarly)
Regarding my wedges, how they are works for me and if I don't have any "sharp" ones left, I'll either work on some of what I have or pick up a supply of new ones. Most of the time, the blunt edge ones work for my purposes. Wedges are usually "insurance" and not typically used to tip the tree. I just get them in the kerf to keep the tree from going backwards. (I have a pull line on the tree hooked to the truck in nearly every case)

 

[hseII]

I imagine many plastic wedges get tossed in the trash due to damage far sooner than they ought too. Some files, grinder discs & maybe a sander could save many $$ when maintaining equipment for a large volunteer group. They lucky to have the one & only Philbert on the job.

I keep cutting the tips off the short ones. [emoji38]

 

[hseII]

Very true. The plastic wedges really only need to be able to fit in the kerf. They don't really need to be pointy like metal wedges.

I need a pointy one sometimes.

 

[hseII]

How can you guys stand putting wedges in your back pocket? How many wedges are you east coast guys carrying?


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6-8. [emoji41]