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Sounds about right. As I recall how a half cord fit the width of our garage wall, when I was a kid, about 2x4x8. 2-3 deliveries each winter. in Michigan. You can guess who had to tote the wood inside.

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.
by Cat on Mon Dec 21st, 2009 at 03:01:40 PM EST
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The man I bought a pickup load from last winter still, in his heart, thinks the proper length is 24", which is fine for most fireplaces.  But I have a wood stove and it has an interior width of 20 inches. I have about 20 split logs that are over 20 inches which I will have to cut with the chain saw. My woodsman told me that it was his job growing up to keep the house warm and wood was the only source of heat. That was at least 30 years ago, by my estimate of his age.

From what part of Michigan do you hale?

As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Mon Dec 21st, 2009 at 04:38:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Oh, SE, 'round Detroit, Grosse Pointe, Bloomfield Hills. Parents moved there just before the riots. (That's one of my earliest memories.) Eventually, NW 'burbs (out 8 Mile)'til I evacuated to college. Got fond feelings for upstate, beautiful country in summer. Never been past Mackinac though.

The house I grew up in had two fireplaces. I don't remember the log lengths being regular -- anywhere 12" - 20". My mother couldn't tolerated the smell of oil, baseboard heat. So she claimed. She kept the thermostat at 65 and had us stoke the fires. Started every one with NYT. There were plenty mornings I dressed under the bedcovers. LOL.

You be careful. I'm saving for my Pocket Chain Saw. I may have a need for one in spring. Hobo House has a gas furnace and no fireplace. Truth to tell, gas powered tools scare me.

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

by Cat on Mon Dec 21st, 2009 at 07:05:06 PM EST
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You be careful. I'm saving for my Pocket Chain Saw.

Yes Mam! So far my boots and shoes have taken the nicks and saved me! Perhaps I should be sentenced to watch The Texas Chainsaw Massacre for each time I nick my footwear with the saw. I am afraid the pocket chain saw would be inadequate to my needs. I have had to cut up down trees up to 20" in diameter in the clean-up from the ice storm. I was never fond of gas powered tools either, but I have finally mastered getting and keeping them running, thanks to my neighbor, who, early in his marriage, used to cut and split a cord after work so he could sell it to his father-in-law's charcoal kiln for $40 the next morning before going to work!

He recommended a Stihl and I bought a 16" saw in Feb. of last year. It has been handy, though I am prone to dulling the blade due to an inability to stop the blade from hitting the ground. We have rocky soil here. But my neighbor showed me how to sharpen the blade and I purchased a sharpening kit. Where I grew up over in Oklahoma there was not enough wood for anyone to buy a chainsaw or crosscut saw. Another skill learned late in life.

As the Dutch said while fighting the Spanish: "It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Mon Dec 21st, 2009 at 08:57:30 PM EST
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