Am I getting old or just soft...old and soft???

[scoutcub]

Got around 5-6 cord of Black Locust to be split and another 4-5 to cut and haul. all that to be added to 40+ cords already in the stacks. It is all my "retirement" wood for when I get too stove up to cut anymore (75 now). I will be splitting/stacking most of the winter weather permitting by hand. I only use the hydraulic splitter for the tough stuff. My "wooding" is what keeps me going, were I to quit, I'd either weigh a ton or be dead shortly.

Harry K

Amen. My dad is 84 and still out most every day in the summer/fall cutting/splitting wood. I grew up with the ax/sledge/wedges and that IS a great workout. looking forward to returning to it one day....
and, I did buy my Dad a nice 27 ton logsplitter, oh how he loves that thing. Does everything else manually...

 

[turnkey4099]

I've gone back to more manual work to stay limber and fit, lot cheaper than going to gym. :thumbsup:

And way, way more interesting! I had a collection (used) of excercise machines. Only tried them a couple times before I knew that boredom is not one of my interests

Harry K

 

[keegs]

And way, way more interesting! I had a collection (used) of excercise machines. Only tried them a couple times before I knew that boredom is not one of my interests

Harry K

Harry

I can think of a few things of interest at the gym......if you know what I mean.

 

[jbooth]

The older I get, the better man I was when I was younger. The sad part is every year there are fewer who really know or remember the truth.

Both of the above, I am getting older and softer.

 

[Redgoatea]

Few things in life I love better than swinging a maul. Plus it's a great way to get some quiet time. Gonna have to go home and take pics of what I've split so far just cause I'm so happy with it. 7

 

[keegs]

Yeah.... kinda like putting away a little extra money cushion in a savings account.

The exercise is great. The upper body especially seems to firm up. But on the other-hand I have sinus issues and the chainsaw soot and the finer sawdust requires me to wear a mask. And the maul I have must be 20 years old and bits of the hammer end (it's starting to look like a squashed tomato) are starting to come off so I'm wearing glasses when I split. (welll maybe it's time you break down and buy a new one keegs??)

 

[dave1949]

And the maul I have must be 20 years old and bits of the hammer end (it's starting to look like a squashed tomato) are starting to come off so I'm wearing glasses when I split. (welll maybe it's time you break down and buy a new one keegs??)

Clean the edges up with a bench grinder and it will be good for another 20 years

Dave.

 

[ToadHill]

I now use a hyd. splitter but can remember splitting by hand about 15 years ago.

Worst splitting experience was when I helped my dad with firewood for his hunting cabin. I was about 14 at the time and he had just cut down a big Elm tree. It was mostly dead and some of the chunks were 30+" across. I remember it was the hardest work I had ever done and at one point I had as many as 6 wedges stuck in one chunk and dad had to cut them out with the chainsaw.

 

[dave1949]

I now use a hyd. splitter but can remember splitting by hand about 15 years ago.

Worst splitting experience was when I helped my dad with firewood for his hunting cabin. I was about 14 at the time and he had just cut down a big Elm tree. It was mostly dead and some of the chunks were 30+" across. I remember it was the hardest work I had ever done and at one point I had as many as 6 wedges stuck in one chunk and dad had to cut them out with the chainsaw.

Some wood species just aren't worth splitting by hand and elm is near the top of the list. Even small elm 8" to 10" logs resist an 8lb maul pretty good. I can't imagine wailing away at a 30"er. I bet that was some very hard work.
Dave.