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... the sky is baby blue, and the just-unfurling leaves ...
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Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 18 6:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I think you will find most kindling machines are designed to take logs Gregotyn. No use for you, or for us either, so your design might come in useful. If you give up work you might need to increase the price of your kindling nets a bit.

gz



Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Posts: 8577
Location: Ayrshire, Scotland
PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 18 8:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

gregotyn the red squirrel is making a come back in many places,due to the increase in pine martens....who love to eat grey squirrels. Probably because the greys spend more time on the ground, also possibly reds are lighter so can reach thinner branches than the pine marten?

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Jun 21, 18 3:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I'm pleased the red is coming back in numbers, gz., I think there was a time when it was debateable whether it would be possible. I guess a few folks rallied and controlled the predators. Let's hope the grey can keep its numbers up to satisfy the pine martin needs!

I will be on the lookout for a stick chopper at the show but you are right that it is predominantly a logging show rather than a stick show MR. I will ask the folks there if they know of anyone with a cutter and go have a look if they don't mind. I enjoy chopping wood but it can be a bit of a chore when under pressure. The man who buys the wood off me didn't help, by not finding any suitable bags fast enough, so I had to stop chopping as I had no more storage space. When we did get nets it was all go to net what I had done, but a net and a half compared to the other nets, so I ran out of space to hold the filled nets and not so many of them; the proverbial vicious circle!
What I have noticed is that the quality control is much better with hand chopped wood than if done by machine and all because when hand chopping, you look for the best way to cut the wood before you start chopping. A machine hasn't got that same power of assessment of how the grain runs and of knots-guess it could be done but who would be able to afford such a machine? But I guess again that it will happen!
You are right about the machines being designed to take logs. I watched one in action some years back, and what a fantastic job it made of converting logs to sticks, but you would have to run round a bit or have a suitable friend to help. But it was a way for a saw mill to use the short ends of logs after cutting to required length, the offcut was put in the processor. Most of it automated, but the man ran round a bit to fill the log holders, then load the conveyer and close and stack the completed nets, change the nets-a young man's sport! However the system could be broken down into 3 elements run separately which would make it old man friendly, although more expensive to install!

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Thu Jun 21, 18 3:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

We have never gone for a kindling machine because we just don't have much of the suitable wood. Most of ours is hardwood anyway, and the only stuff suitable is what we call 'trailer chips' which can be very thin and easy to split, of knotty bits that form a lump. We can sometimes sell them for chimeneas and other odd things, but generally convert what we can to kindling and use the rest for charcoal kiln starting.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Fri Jun 22, 18 2:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I shall be doubling production then MR to accommodate your need to supply the whole package logs and kindling?-only joking-although I would like a processor to do the job. I know what I am doing this week end and the next few along with a few trips to the shop to deliver! I am starting to get some stock' but would prefer twice as much. I am not too far off 100 nets, but that is only 10 weeks throughout the year average and it is getting to that time when 20 each week will not be enough! I have been cutting or chopping or netting every day this week; and have the same to look forward to this weekend! But I enjoy it so....and it is the best thinking time when you are on auto pilot.

Sorry to be ignorant, but what is chimeneas?

Jam Lady



Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 2501
Location: New Jersey, USA
PostPosted: Fri Jun 22, 18 4:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

A chiminea is like an all-in-one chimney plus fire box on a support. They're mostly pottery but I have also seen metal. Pottery have a rounded bottom that sits in a metal ring supported on short legs. Open "mouth" to allow adding wood in, heat out. Used on a patio or a deck. Burn short branches to take the chill off when sitting outdoors on a cool evening.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 18 6:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I can never see the point in heating the great outdoors, but as people are still buying our log sacks I can only assume that they are. I have an appointment with some more next week, to say nothing of another kiln for charcoal to fill.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 18 8:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thank you Jam Lady, my ignorance is sated! I have seen them around, but called them outdoor fires! My alternative to owning such a piece of equipment would be to wear an extra layer of clothes, but I guess that is not an option at an outdoor drinks party! I do have an outdoor fire. It is an old oil drum and I use it for burning old documents, and weeds like docks, which seem to manage to double if I try to leave them in a heap to get hot and self destruct-they need the fire as a helper!

I am off soon to go to measure the brackets needed for the playgroup's theatre roof support. Basically I have made a pole about 6 ft. high with a protruding arm, which will have drapes and so on when the children perform outside plays and so on. I have to be sure it won't fall down and is safe for the little "darlings" to be underneath. It has to conform to "standards". At least that is what they will say if it does collapse-not up to standard.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 18 6:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Managed to fill 30 log sacks yesterday, so they and some charcoal go off today. The horse flies are still active unfortunately. One got me on the hand as I was locking the gate, and although it hasn't swollen, it is being as itchy as anything. It is now an ex-horse fly.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 18 2:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

30 log sacks in this weather is good going, MR. We had really hot weather on Saturday and I was out to a bbq, in the evening which was still very warm out. I went back on the Sunday to help demolish the left-overs! I am trying to get someone to come and cut hat for me-well for my neighbour-so that she gets some free hay as well as the grazing if she needs it. Originally I had said no hay this year to the friend who normally has the hay as we expected to be grazing it, but the regular grazer who has grass at home also has the run of the place this year-there are no cattle going there to graze as they do normally, and the nag has 16 acres to go at, instead of one acre, at his home. I've got a lot of grass and no-one wants it now, so I aim to make hay if I can. Next spring I will got to the farm sales and see if I can get a mower and hay machinery, and do the job myself-probably making hayladge-spelling?-which is acceptable for horses. I am not machinery mad, but just think I should be doing my own and "boo" to everybody else.

I had apiece of steel cut for the Playgroup drama pole attachment to the fence post, but realise it is too wide to go between to chain link fencing links! I measured the length needed on Saturday and my mind was elsewhere, not bothering to check the depth of one chain link, through which the bracket must pass for security-oops!

My chopping exploits are improving and I did 10 nets yesterday and cut 4 bags of blanks ready for tonight which should do around the same I hope. I have a new source of pallets which are much cleaner, than the ones we have at work-they come from a steel factory where I used to work as a fork lift driver for about 25 years. A chance meeting with a mate there in the higher ranks said to go along any time at the weekends, so I did on Saturday and came home with a trailer load of larch beautifully dried. Easy to knock apart and saw and it is now ready for sale. He wants me to go there and collect on Sunday mornings-not my favourite day to do such work-but he wants me there with as low profile as possible. The worst problem is that some of the wood is 3" square, my saw only cuts around 2.5" deep, so double cutting which is annoying. But it is good stuff with straight grain which doesn't hurt me as much when I assassinate it down to 6 inch lengths by about 3/4" square kindling. I have splashed out on a new saw blade today-bill to come later-first time with Draper for this blade so will give you the lowdown when it has been going for a year. The old blade is at least 5 years old and never been touched, I will get the other one in place, and if ok then sharpen the old one to keep as a reserve. Or if no good then try the new one and get another in reserve. If I can get a load of wood once a week I will be set up for the season, right now I am behind.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Jun 27, 18 5:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Hope you manage to get someone to cut your hay. I am sure that it will be saleable in the winter. I am not quite sure of the difference between hay and haylage, so can you tell me.

I am looking for some low quality wood as we are getting the new kiln in a few weeks and will need some for the initial fire to get it going. Will be going to investigate some today.

Yesterday was a day off for me as some Canadian cousins visited. They were interested in how we fired charcoal, so rather than just the walk in the wood I was going to give them, we walked over to the yard to see the kilns. It was nice to meet them, and I was able to show them a bit more of the part of England we live in in detail rather than the 'doing the sights' they had done the day before on a coach trip which covered Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and I think Oxford in one day!

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 18 2:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Grass all cut when I got home and expecting it to have been tossed about sometime today. I know the man who did the job as he normally does the haylage for himself, but this time I want some for my friends. It should be nearly dry and then wrapped in plastic before it becomes true hay-haylage is as the name implies a cross between hay and silage. This is acceptable as horse feed. Silage is no good for horses as their digestive system is very different to cattle who eat silage which passes through the various stomachs of the cow and have the stuff fermented in the bag or the silage pit where the air has been excluded. It is slightly different with haylage as the crop is almost, but not quite hay, and then it is wrapped; letting any air in now after wrapping would result in spoilage-a fermentation would occur and that could make horses very sick, I am told. Any way the friend that does the job knows so I will ask if I have the theory right.

Lovely weather today, short sleeves even at 6 am. I am now praying it will last for a few days yet for the crop. I like the weather cooler as the heat drips from me normally. My job is good as I am based for early morning sun and so it moves off me as it gets hotter in the day.

Yes good when you get folks from abroad see things they normally wouldn't at home, or here on organised trips. That is quite some trip they had for one day. The farmer I see regularly local to me has a former neighbour who emigrated to Canada. where farming is much the same as the grain farming in the eastern counties here, but bigger! "My friend, Billy, says his friends have a square mile of farm, but live in the nearest big town and drive to the farm every day. I'd be worried about my tractor going awol!

Not much happening at work with hay and silage making over more or less, for now, well the panic buying has stopped. I am collecting wood from reject pallets for kindling and the pile is getting bigger. When I had that shed put up a few years back I should have had it twice the size to accommodate the saw as well, hindsight!

I am going to escape before the school busses start to leave in 10 minutes.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Fri Jun 29, 18 6:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Thank you for the information on haylage Gregotyn. Hay making going on well here. We met a tractor and trailer loaded with what looked like good quality hay yesterday when delivering charcoal.

Yesterday husband went up early and started the ring kiln, then son and I cut wood for another firing while husband went to nurse to talk about his diabetes. His sugar was a bit high, but he has been better lately by being very careful about what he eats, even on holiday.

I also made a besom head, but when I opened up the plastic of the new year cutting of birch, found the water had got in and some had rotted. Hope I have enough that is good to last me for the season. We have now had to make plans for moving it, but in the meantime are drying it out in the dry air. I will then have to go through and take out all the bad stuff. I was so proud of what I had collected too.

We also fired the little retort kiln, mainly with brown ends, which are incompletely fired charcoal, then bagged the last firing of the little kiln and I have some more charcoal to deliver this morning. It's all go!

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Fri Jun 29, 18 2:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I nearly always seem to get anything wet when stored in plastic, condensation? Now how or why I don't understand as it isn't always that way. My fire wood stays dry in the new building because the condensation runs down the roof sheets and to the ground. The roof sheets on all my old buildings are of I assume asbestos and they have no signs of condensation.

I was lucky with my diabetes. I didn't do any medication as it was type 2, and although I didn't avoid sugar I did reduce the intake. The nurse was so chuffed when she told me I was no longer diabetic and not so excited when I told her I had stuck to my 2 ice buns a day, and reduced the rest of my sugar intake! I gave up sugar in tea and coffee when the father in law said he was no longer going to supply sugar for the employees! I have to admit that now I couldn't drink sugar in tea or coffee. I also only had water to drink, no pop. I now behave sensibly with my sugar intake, believing that if I don't apply sugar should be ok, having stopped bananas now and my fruit intake is restricted to an apple a day. Blow outs occur when I am out visiting-well it is rude not to accept pudding?

I am hoping for a big chop in when I get home. I sawed 6 fertiliser bags last night of blanks and am hoping to chop at least 3 boxes of
sticks to night. I have to be careful as I am getting some pain in both arms due to a disc in my neck not being as it should be. On Saturday evening I am going round on Saturday to see a lady who does the Bowen technique, I think she said, so will tell you all about it on Tuesday. The main thing is that the pain is spreading to my arms. I could understand the right chopping arm but my left arm is worst and it does nothing strenuous at work or at home-we will see! Progress report on the wood in the morning! Haylage may intervene tomorrow.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Sat Jun 30, 18 6:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

We dried everything before it went into store, so think it must be as husband says; rain got in, as it was very wet earlier in the year.

Both his mother and father had type 2 diabetes, so his chance of getting it was about 75% according to the diabetic nurse. It seems it can be partly hereditary, but of course diet helps a lot. I don't know how you got away with your 2 iced buns, so you must have been very border line. They are the sort of thing I would only have as a very occasional treat, and I am not diabetic.

Hope you manage to get your arms sorted out. Discs can cause all sorts of problems, so go careful.

The charcoal bags didn't turn up yesterday as the lorry broke down, so now expected on Monday. Son is away, so oh joy, husband and I have 2500 bags to move and put into the store. I think we have an appointment with a charcoal kiln to empty today and get some more bagged, as we have 10 outstanding in orders and expecting a call from another outlet any time who will want 20.

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