How to cut kindling shorter

SailinAway · 11-10-2022, 09:45 AM

What's the best safe way to cut kindling to half length (cross-cut)? I have a small electric chainsaw. Not interested in handsaws, too slow for the quantity I have.

VitaBene · 11-10-2022, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailinAway

What's the best safe way to cut kindling to half length? I have a small electric chainsaw.

Not with a chain saw unless the wood fits in a cradle! Depending on how much, a bow saw or table saw.

jbolty · 11-10-2022, 11:21 AM

chain saw is too grabby. chop saw or table saw or by hand

ishoot308 · 11-10-2022, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailinAway

What's the best safe way to cut kindling to half length? I have a small electric chainsaw.

Chop saw no doubt! I just did this to make a bunch of custom sized wood for my wood fired pizza oven. Tried a couple different methods and the easiest and fastest by far was a chop saw!!

Dan

TheProfessor · 11-10-2022, 02:29 PM

Grandpa used a tree stump and an axe. For decades.

SailinAway · 11-10-2022, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

Grandpa used a tree stump and an axe. For decades.

To cross-cut kindling??

bobkatfly · 11-11-2022, 07:15 AM

Depending on the kindling size (diameter) and dryness, I either break it in half over a saw horse or use a small 5 inch battery powered circular saw like this one. Still need some type of backstop to place the wood against.

thinkxingu · 11-11-2022, 07:38 AM

I almost never use kindling. I load my stove with standard splits towards the back and small ones in front and use 1/8 of a Super Cedar in between a couple splits but with space above—air control totally open and the door cracked a bit for a few minutes.

The Super Cedar gets the draft going and, once the flame is up, I close the door and wait to reach ~300° on my stovetop thermometer before shutting the air down 1/2 and then, eventually, to 2/3. Unless I need a very extended burn, I never shut it all the way.

I season my wood long enough that, unless the outside and inside temps are close—resulting in a weaker initial draft—I don't need kindling.

Some sweet pics—lookit those secondaries, baby!

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ITD · 11-11-2022, 10:10 AM

Electric chain saw should work, although it might be grabby to the wood, so be careful. A corded sawz-all ( or equiv.) with a coarse blade might be easier to handle, should work great and be relatively cheap to acquire. If you don't mind spending more, a battery one will be more convenient.

WinnisquamZ · 11-11-2022, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I almost never use kindling. I load my stove with standard splits towards the back and small ones in front and use 1/8 of a Super Cedar in between a couple splits but with space above—air control totally open and the door cracked a bit for a few minutes.

The Super Cedar gets the draft going and, once the flame is up, I close the door and wait to reach ~300° on my stovetop thermometer before shutting the air down 1/2 and then, eventually, to 2/3. Unless I need a very extended burn, I never shut it all the way.

I season my wood long enough that, unless the outside and inside temps are close—resulting in a weaker initial draft—I don't need kindling.

Some sweet pics—lookit those secondaries, baby!

Sent from my SM-G990U1 using Tapatalk

Great pics. Shows a commitment to wood burning. Over the last few seasons I have used “fat wood” starting sticks. Helps with wood that’s not quite seasoned and other junk I maybe burning at the time

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thinkxingu · 11-11-2022, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

Great pics. Shows a commitment to wood burning. Over the last few seasons I have used “fat wood” starting sticks. Helps with wood that’s not quite seasoned and other junk I maybe burning at the time

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We used those early on but found the Super Cedars to be better and less expensive. Have you tried them?

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SailinAway · 11-11-2022, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I use 1/8 of a Super Cedar

Ha, you're almost as cheap as me. You pay 12 cents per fire by breaking them into eighths. I pay 7 cents per fire with Diamond Strike-a-Fire sticks. I break them into quarters. A tiny piece burns for about 5 minutes.

WinnisquamZ · 11-11-2022, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

We used those early on but found the Super Cedars to be better and less expensive. Have you tried them?

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No. Honestly, never looked at them. Will now

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thinkxingu · 11-11-2022, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

No. Honestly, never looked at them. Will now

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Lemme know if you get some and what you think—I've tried a bunch of different starters and have settled on those, but I'm always open to change.

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SailinAway · 11-12-2022, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Lemme know if you get some and what you think—I've tried a bunch of different starters and have settled on those, but I'm always open to change.

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Give me your address and I'll send you a Diamond Strike-a-Fire stick and my latest novel.

thinkxingu · 11-12-2022, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailinAway

Give me your address and I'll send you a Diamond Strike-a-Fire stick and my latest novel.

I've tried those—fire starters—and they were meh.

No idea about the combustibility of your novel, however!

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Heaven · 11-12-2022, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I almost never use kindling. I load my stove with standard splits towards the back and small ones in front and use 1/8 of a Super Cedar in between a couple splits but with space above—air control totally open and the door cracked a bit for a few minutes.
The Super Cedar gets the draft going and, once the flame is up, I close the door and wait to reach ~300° on my stovetop thermometer before shutting the air down 1/2 and then, eventually, to 2/3. Unless I need a very extended burn, I never shut it all the way.
I season my wood long enough that, unless the outside and inside temps are close—resulting in a weaker initial draft—I don't need kindling.
Some sweet pics—lookit those secondaries, baby!
Sent from my SM-G990U1 using Tapatalk

Will you marry me?

SailinAway · 11-12-2022, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I've tried those—fire starters—and they were meh.

No idea about the combustibility of your novel, however!

Sent from my SM-G990U1 using Tapatalk

HAHA! I can't vouch for my novel, but the Diamond Strike-a-Fires are fabulous.

SailinAway · 11-12-2022, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heaven

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I almost never use kindling. I load my stove with standard splits towards the back and small ones in front and use 1/8 of a Super Cedar in between a couple splits but with space above—air control totally open and the door cracked a bit for a few minutes.
The Super Cedar gets the draft going and, once the flame is up, I close the door and wait to reach ~300° on my stovetop thermometer before shutting the air down 1/2 and then, eventually, to 2/3. Unless I need a very extended burn, I never shut it all the way.
I season my wood long enough that, unless the outside and inside temps are close—resulting in a weaker initial draft—I don't need kindling.
Some sweet pics—lookit those secondaries, baby!
Sent from my SM-G990U1 using Tapatalk

Will you marry me?

Yes, certainly he will. Be forewarned that other than the 12-cent fires he is fairly high maintenance. Also make sure you're comfortable with the symmetry of his wood pile. It could be difficult to compete with.

thinkxingu · 11-13-2022, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailinAway

Yes, certainly he will. Be forewarned that other than the 12-cent fires he is fairly high maintenance. Also make sure you're comfortable with the symmetry of his wood pile. It could be difficult to compete with.

Hahahaha! I'M high maintenance?! Define irony.

That being said, maybe it's time to start my next research project...

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ishoot308 · 11-13-2022, 11:50 AM

All the years I burnt wood this is what I used to start my fire…

Descant · 11-14-2022, 03:43 PM

LOL. All you youngsters with power tools!! cut carry, store, etc. Google an (antique) kerosene fire starter. Next choice: visit a house under construction and they'll let you take away nice kiln dried scrap wood. Those logs you see in the supermarket can be cut into 1" discs with a hack saw or serrated bread knife, but that's work again.

thinkxingu · 11-27-2022, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

No. Honestly, never looked at them. Will now

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An update: while looking to place a new Super Cedar order, I came across a steal for Fire Nuggets: 200 for $40.

They easily cut in two, so I've now got 400 fire starters that work really well. I might even be able to cut them in four given my wood is so dry, but I think they might start to crumble.

I also took the remaining sheddings and wrapped them up in (Viva) paper towels to make another five or six starters.

Yay me!

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WinnisquamZ · 11-27-2022, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

An update: while looking to place a new Super Cedar order, I came across a steal for Fire Nuggets: 200 for $40.

They easily cut in two, so I've now got 400 fire starters that work really well. I might even be able to cut them in four given my wood is so dry, but I think they might start to crumble.

I also took the remaining sheddings and wrapped them up in (Viva) paper towels to make another five or six starters.

Yay me!

Sent from my SM-G990U1 using Tapatalk

Still working on my 40 pound box of fat wood. Will give them a look when it’s time to reorder. You are frugal

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thinkxingu · 11-27-2022, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinnisquamZ

Still working on my 40 pound box of fat wood. Will give them a look when it’s time to reorder. You are frugal

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My frugality is 20% necessity on two teacher salaries, 20% game to see how free I can make this heat (in 15 years, I've not paid for wood), 20% good exercise, 20% the appreciation of self-reliance and security, and 20% the joy of playing with cool toys!

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Biggd · 11-27-2022, 12:02 PM

I just go out in the woods behind my house and load up on kindling before the snow flies. If you can't break it over your knee, then it's not dry enough!
All those free news fliers make good fire starters. Once I get it going I throw a few pieces of dry pine, old 2x4's I've cut up from projects, to get a good fire going. Then the hard wood goes in.

WinnisquamZ · 11-27-2022, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggd

I just go out in the woods behind my house and load up on kindling before the snow flies. If you can't break it over your knee, then it's not dry enough!

All those free news fliers make good fire starters. Once I get it going I throw a few pieces of dry pine, old 2x4's I've cut up from projects, to get a good fire going. Then the hard wood goes in.

Exactly. Would like to add the Laconia DS is free. It’s excellent for fire starting. Burning the white pine I cut and spilt a few years back. Burns well and quickly. However, i must attend to the fire more often.

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11-10-2022, 09:45 AM	#1
SailinAway Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 991 Thanks: 256 Thanked 280 Times in 169 Posts	How to cut kindling shorter What's the best safe way to cut kindling to half length (cross-cut)? I have a small electric chainsaw. Not interested in handsaws, too slow for the quantity I have. Last edited by SailinAway; 11-10-2022 at 03:12 PM.

11-11-2022, 07:15 AM	#7
bobkatfly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Center Tuftonboro Posts: 374 Thanks: 57 Thanked 54 Times in 48 Posts	Circular saw Depending on the kindling size (diameter) and dryness, I either break it in half over a saw horse or use a small 5 inch battery powered circular saw like this one. Still need some type of backstop to place the wood against. Attached Images __________________ Bob F Amherst till the big 66 comes (made it!) Winter Harbor/Mirror Lake till the big guy comes

11-13-2022, 11:50 AM	#21
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,304 Thanks: 2,405 Thanked 5,308 Times in 2,069 Posts	Best Kindling Ever! All the years I burnt wood this is what I used to start my fire… Attached Images __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!!

11-10-2022, 11:21 AM	#3
jbolty Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 666 Thanks: 320 Thanked 252 Times in 151 Posts	chain saw is too grabby. chop saw or table saw or by hand

11-10-2022, 02:29 PM	#5
TheProfessor Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 1,141 Thanks: 17 Thanked 349 Times in 211 Posts	Grandpa used a tree stump and an axe. For decades.

11-11-2022, 07:38 AM	#8
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,319 Thanks: 1,174 Thanked 2,096 Times in 1,297 Posts	I almost never use kindling. I load my stove with standard splits towards the back and small ones in front and use 1/8 of a Super Cedar in between a couple splits but with space above—air control totally open and the door cracked a bit for a few minutes. The Super Cedar gets the draft going and, once the flame is up, I close the door and wait to reach ~300° on my stovetop thermometer before shutting the air down 1/2 and then, eventually, to 2/3. Unless I need a very extended burn, I never shut it all the way. I season my wood long enough that, unless the outside and inside temps are close—resulting in a weaker initial draft—I don't need kindling. Some sweet pics—lookit those secondaries, baby! Sent from my SM-G990U1 using Tapatalk

11-11-2022, 10:10 AM	#9
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,935 Thanks: 478 Thanked 694 Times in 389 Posts	Electric chain saw should work, although it might be grabby to the wood, so be careful. A corded sawz-all ( or equiv.) with a coarse blade might be easier to handle, should work great and be relatively cheap to acquire. If you don't mind spending more, a battery one will be more convenient.

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upthesaukee (11-11-2022)

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Heaven (11-13-2022)

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upthesaukee (11-13-2022)

11-14-2022, 03:43 PM	#22
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,407 Thanks: 1,362 Thanked 1,634 Times in 1,066 Posts	LOL. All you youngsters with power tools!! cut carry, store, etc. Google an (antique) kerosene fire starter. Next choice: visit a house under construction and they'll let you take away nice kiln dried scrap wood. Those logs you see in the supermarket can be cut into 1" discs with a hack saw or serrated bread knife, but that's work again.

The Following User Says Thank You to thinkxingu For This Useful Post:
SailinAway (11-27-2022)

11-27-2022, 12:02 PM	#26
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 4,182 Thanks: 2,258 Thanked 1,209 Times in 772 Posts	I just go out in the woods behind my house and load up on kindling before the snow flies. If you can't break it over your knee, then it's not dry enough! All those free news fliers make good fire starters. Once I get it going I throw a few pieces of dry pine, old 2x4's I've cut up from projects, to get a good fire going. Then the hard wood goes in.