How to build and maintain a campfire?

[jaxs]

That looks different. The guy really needs to tighten and sharpen his chain though and ditch the shorts! Nothing makes me cringe like watching someone running a chainsaw in shorts.

Let's talk about wood cutting attire. Leathers are certainly recommended but I've decided shorts are safer than jeans when it come's to serious injury. It's about the same as running a table saw wearing gloves or long sleeves as apposed to bare hands or short sleeves. I believe the garment pull's chainsaw blade into operator instead of deflecting it.

 

[Sigarms]

NEVER have a problem starting a camp fire...

 

[Jstpssng]

Let's talk about wood cutting attire. Leathers are certainly recommended but I've decided shorts are safer than jeans when it come's to serious injury. It's about the same as running a table saw wearing gloves or long sleeves as apposed to bare hands or short sleeves. I believe the garment pull's chainsaw blade into operator instead of deflecting it.

I won't start my saw up without chaps, boots, and hearing protection.
Wood cutting chaps have several layers of ballistic nylon sewn into them, and I would be missing a leg below the knee if I hadn't been wearing them 30 years ago.

 

[dnw64]

I won't start my saw up without chaps, boots, and hearing protection.
Wood cutting chaps have several layers of ballistic nylon sewn into them, and I would be missing a leg below the knee if I hadn't been wearing them 30 years ago.

Definitely boots and chaps, not always hearing protection depending on the project. But, interested to see "ballistic nylon". I always thought it was Kevlar. A brief search turned up some totally unexpected "information", or, I should say "claim".

...electric chainsaws are higher torque and 2 stroke gas saws operate with a pulse and that is what these chaps use to kill the motor. They will not stop the electric saws like you need them to. It is not just this brand, almost all of the chaps are not recommended for electric chainsaws.

I've done a little more searching (not "research") and see the same thing...???

BTW, I concur with those that say "even if chaps don't protect to the same degree with an electric saw as a gas one, it's got to be better than that hair you got on there".

 

[Jstpssng]

Definitely boots and chaps, not always hearing protection depending on the project. But, interested to see "ballistic nylon". I always thought it was Kevlar. A brief search turned up some totally unexpected "information", or, I should say "claim".



I've done some quick searching (not "research") and see the same thing...???

BTW, I concur with those that say "even if chaps don't protect to the same degree with an electric saw as a gas one, it's got to be better than that hair you got on there".

You're correct, I was using hyperbole. In the instance I mentioned above the Partner 5000 went through my chaps like butter, cut my jeans and was starting on my knee cap when I pulled it off. The chaps never even slowed the saw down, but I felt it pulling so backed off. I walked up to the foreman with the saw in one hand, chaps in the other and he said "I'll see you back at the motel."

 

[bullbreaker]

I won't start my saw up without chaps, boots, and hearing protection.
Wood cutting chaps have several layers of ballistic nylon sewn into them, and I would be missing a leg below the knee if I hadn't been wearing them 30 years ago.

Not to get off topic call us the safety PD or whatever , but I caught that also . Even his chain was loose on the bar . Worth mentioning if it keeps anyone from getting seriously injured or ? .....

 

[tomplum]

A good thing to incorporate is a good vent from below to lessen the bothersome wandering smoke. Think like a Dakota fire pit. Mine is an above ground old tank cover about 30" around/ Through the bottom is a hole and some tube welded exits the side. You can also practically turn the thing into a forge if you want.

 

[dalola]

If aesthetics matter, I like to make the ring out of landscape block in the color/style of your choice. Make the diameter as large as you like, go 2 -4 courses high. Leave 1"-2" air gaps between each block, and stack the next course over the gap below. It's durable, looks great, easy to make, and creates great air flow.

For lighting it up, it's a great way to use up old motor oil....soak the wood (good & dry wood of any variety....I like ash) a few minutes beforehand, and fire up with a propane torch.

I'll try to post up some pix later of the ring I built at the camp.

 

[Paddy]

Wagne,

Assuming you know how to build a fire, if the focus is keeping a nice flame, have the right size wood.

I like to have an assortment of wood, pines and hardwoods. Large and small. I use a milk crate where I have a bunch of 2x4's, some pre-split for starting. A jug of old or cheap fryer oil, I don't like the small of petro products. One other key element to keeping good flame is plenty of air. I discovered a plastic flexible cutting board, used while camping anyway, makes a perfect fan.

So every time it dies down, add a few arm sized pc of wood, 30 seconds of fanning and your back in flames! perfect camp fire.

 

[wagne223]

Wagne,

Assuming you know how to build a fire, if the focus is keeping a nice flame, have the right size wood.

I like to have an assortment of wood, pines and hardwoods. Large and small. I use a milk crate where I have a bunch of 2x4's, some pre-split for starting. A jug of old or cheap fryer oil, I don't like the small of petro products. One other key element to keeping good flame is plenty of air. I discovered a plastic flexible cutting board, used while camping anyway, makes a perfect fan.

So every time it dies down, add a few arm sized pc of wood, 30 seconds of fanning and your back in flames! perfect camp fire.

That is definitely some info I was looking for.
Thanks!