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Ash Removal
Wood ashes are very fine and when they are disturbed, they take flight, especially when hot. When removing ashes from a home wood burning stove or fireplace, you can reduce ash from spilling out into the room by following this method, let the ashes cool, modestly fill each scoop full, and slowly draw it out of the stove, tip the metal holding container, and slowly lower the shovelful of ashes into the container at the furthest corner.
Instead of dumping the ashes directly into the metal container, lower the shovel to the bottom at the far side of the container. Bring the handle of the scoop upward and draw the shovel back towards you, unloading the ashes n the same manner a dump truck unloads its load of dirt. Use a sliding motion, moving the shovel towards you as the ashes slide off the shovel. This procedure prevents air movement below the ashes during dumping. By allowing the ashes to cool first also helps prevent ashes from rising into the air.
Build An Ash Scoop, with a Lid that Closes, to Trap Ashes
Build your own ash scoop, with a closeable lid. Use a metal olive oil tin or equivalent to build your ash scoop. Remove the top with a can opener, and flatten the complete top outer edge of the container with a hammer, to prevent any sharp burrs.
Make a metal lid from piece of sheet metal, make it about a quarter of an inch larger than the top of the olive oil container, so that when the lid is closed it covers the entire opening of the can. If the tin your are making the lid out of is very thin, then fold the edges of the sheet metal lid about one eight of an inch around the complete outer edge, this makes it more sturdy, and helps to maintain its shape. Drill two matching holes for the wire hinges in the olive oil container, and lid, about three quarters of an inch in from the outside edge of the lid edge. Make your hinges from thin iron wire or paper clips, twist the ends of the wire inside the container. The loop should be large enough to allow the lid to swing easy, and yet not be to sloppy.
Ash Scoop
Wire hinges are circled in black
Ash Scoop Use Instructions
Let the fire go out and leave time for the ashes to cool.
To use the ash scoop, open and fold the lid all the way back onto the top of the container, slide the scoop into the stove, scoop up the ashes until the ash scoop is just about full. Slide the scoop back a little towards yourself, reach into the stove, and flip the lid closed on the scoop, before removing. Shake off any ashes off the outside of the container while it is still in the stove, bring out the container upright, with the lid closed. Carry the full container of ashes to the outside of the house, and dump into a metal container for disposal. If the ashes are still hot, use a pair of leather welding gloves or equivalent, to prevent burns to your hands. About four trips is all that is required to clean out the fireplace. When the ash removal is completed, look around and see how mess free the house is, you will appreciate the time and effort put into building this ash scoop.
Tip
When you open the stove door and excess smoke exits the firebox, it is a good indication that your chimney needs to be cleaned.
Build a wood hauling cart
Look for a small inexpensive cart and add a couple of front bars to hold the wood.
Bolt the bars to the cart's bottom frame. Add a wood strip down the back center
of the cart frame, to keep short pieces of wood from falling through.
Home Hardware and Canadian Tire stores sell these small carts.
Cutting Firewood
Chainsaws
Electric chainsaws are light and work well for cutting smaller trees and their limbs. Movement is restricted to the electric cord. Electric chainsaws for the home owner vary in size from 10 inches to a 16 inches blade. Both the electric power and gas chainsaw require chain lubricating oil when operating the saw.
Typical brand names are, Poulan, Homelite, Echo, Mc Culloch, Stihl, and Husqvarna. Price usually dictates the quality of the saw.
The same safety practices used with gas and electric chainsaws.
Gas Chainsaws
Gas chainsaws are powered by two-cycle gas engines, they develop greater power than electric chainsaws, and are heavier in weight. Bar lubricating oil and gas/oil mixture is required when running this saw. Ear protection is required when running the saw, because of the noise level.
The cutting chain tension needs to be sharpened and re-tensioned periodically. The air cleaner needs cleaning daily, and the saw needs cleaning of sawdust.
A sharp cutting chain, is a safer saw, a file, tooth gauge, and file guide are required to sharpen correctly and consistently.
Chainsaw Wedges
Iron wedges are used to split blocks of wood. A sledge hammer is used to drive the wedge into the wood.
Plastic wedges are used when falling a tree, the wedge is driven into a partial cut, to prevent pinching of the chainsaw blade and bar. Once the cut is 3/4 cut through the tree, the saw is removed and the wedge is driven deeper, causing the tree to lean and fall over.
Splitting Maul
The splitting maul is basically a heavy wedge with an attached handle. Usually one swing of the maul, is all that is required to split the wood block.
A sledge hammer can be used to strike the flat side of the maul, to drive the maul through the wood.
Hydraulic Wood-Splitter
Hydraulic wood splitters can be driven by gas engine or electric power. Home owner size electric hydraulic wood-splitters are available to rent or buy.
Safety Equipment
Hard hat.
Safety glasses.
Hearing protection.
Leather gloves.
Good solid leather boots to promote footing stability, and protection.
Safety chainsaw chaps.
Work with a partner.
