Found a perfect Osage log while walking today....selfbow or no?

CaptainJ · February 10, 2011, 11:41:00 AM

Right before I went to get that bunch of elm, I went down to the hardware store and bought two 5lbs wedges for $10 each. I thought that was a lot of $$ for a chunk of iron, but now that I've split a dozen logs with them it's some of the best money I've ever spent.

I already had two splitting mauls and an axe because we heat the house with wood, but those wedges really do the trick.

Be sure to let us know how it goes!

CJ

firewood · February 10, 2011, 03:41:00 PM

our harbor freight in raleigh has a sale until the end of feb 5lb wedges 4.99$

highpoint forge · February 10, 2011, 06:57:00 PM

I DID IT. 8lb maul and three 5lb steel wedges. Now that was some work. Oh my god was that stuff heavy and hard to split, AND THEN I HAD TO GET IT HOME!

Initial split, not sure why the center had the woody brown core and looked like some insects had gnawed it a bit:

quartered as best I could and ready to transport, HEAVY :

HOME!

I put the first coat of paint on the ends and will reapply spar varnish, ASAP. I'm working until 11pm.

DVSHUNTER · February 10, 2011, 07:05:00 PM

Awesome work there.

highpoint forge · February 10, 2011, 07:11:00 PM

I really tried to split it evenly but the tree won't let you, as this was my first time, with one end in a ditch, and that 8lb maul kicked my behind. I can do 35 pull-ups, and that maul smoked my arms.

Now what do I do? These things are 8' long and still 6-8" thick....

I might go back and saw that remaining tunk off too. Nobody said a word to me while they passed and I was splitting logs like a madman.

CaptainJ · February 11, 2011, 07:35:00 PM

Cheers!
Nice work there! Forget the gym. You've had your workout.
I'd go back for that trunk myself. You have a nice set of staves there.
Congratulations.
CJ

Osagetree · February 11, 2011, 09:15:00 PM

GO BACK! Good work man!

Stiks-n-Strings · February 12, 2011, 12:11:00 AM

The first couple osage tree's I split taught me many valuable lessons.

You can kerf it. You can start a split in the middle, You can start a split on the small end. Lots of little tricks to get it to do what you want it too with in reason.

Good job! now go get the rest.

Pat B · February 12, 2011, 10:06:00 AM

...but if the tree grew twisted it will split twisted. Not too much trouble with osage because it corrects well with heat.

Stiks-n-Strings · February 12, 2011, 11:15:00 AM

Yeah pat's right you do have follow the grain.

highpoint forge · February 12, 2011, 12:04:00 PM

In recovery and will cut that trunk on Monday when less people are on that trail....in the meanwhile I need to go get some spar varnish and get a couple coats on the ends, but my car is in the shop and wife's working today.

CaptainJ · February 12, 2011, 07:58:00 PM

Keep us posted!
CJ

highpoint forge · February 17, 2011, 11:10:00 PM

I've sprayed three coats of varnish over the black hi temp spraypaint I used initially. Some smaller chunks will go to the knife shop this weekend.

SEMO_HUNTER · February 18, 2011, 05:53:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by highpoint forge:
I really tried to split it evenly but the tree won't let you, as this was my first time, with one end in a ditch, and that 8lb maul kicked my behind. I can do 35 pull-ups, and that maul smoked my arms.

Now what do I do? These things are 8' long and still 6-8" thick....

I might go back and saw that remaining tunk off too. Nobody said a word to me while they passed and I was splitting logs like a madman.

Nice job, welcome to my hell....I mean my world.

highpoint forge · February 18, 2011, 03:24:00 PM

Semo- I just noticed hundreds of dead ants, large ones, all sprinkled under the billets. I have the billets up on blocks in my garage. These bugs are definitely dead and seem to have fallen from the bark.

Any recommendations?

Pat B · February 18, 2011, 03:35:00 PM

Those are probably carpenter ants. They live in the voids in the wood and eat any rotten wood. Actually the ants will eat any grubs that may be trying to eat your wood.

highpoint forge · February 18, 2011, 04:41:00 PM

I went back out and saw them also walking on the bark....so cheer them on, or remove the bark and sapwood and seal?

Pat B · February 18, 2011, 05:50:00 PM

You don't want carpenter ants in or near your house. Out in the woods OK! If you have time remove the bark and sapwood and seal the back.

SEMO_HUNTER · February 18, 2011, 07:33:00 PM

Pat is right, don't let em get in your house!
I stomped all the ones that crawled outta the stave I had that was infested with them. I'm not so sure they don't do some burrowing of their own Pat? I didn't see any other grubs, but then the ants may have already ate em all too?
I sure didn't like the looks of them so I wasn't taking any chances. That's the last thing I need after we just had the place treated for termites last year! :(

highpoint forge · February 19, 2011, 12:14:00 AM

Well they are dropping dead in droves beneath the billets. Wonder why? Maybe the spray spar varnish?