Oh so true!
There is no such thing as free wood! Why does everyone think that because I have years of wood on hand, I should give them some?
I have a pacific energy vista insert that burns 2-3 cords a year and heats almost 1800sq feet. Its rated for 1200sq ft and is more than adequate for my downstairs. Upstairs stays a little cool unless I shut some doors or run a space heater.
Now for the "free" part...Here's my cost to get in the wood burning game:
1. Stove w/ install and 25ft stainless liner:$4000
2.Stihl saws:
066-$400 used
361-$600 new
192t-$150 used
3. splitter $1000
4.axes $100
5. 2 stroke fuel $6/gallon after mixing it w/ good oil
6. splitter gas-$3/gal which lasts about 4 hours.
7. trailer $700
8. Truck-already had it so I will let this roll off as "free" although we all know better
9. gloves-$20/year
10. t-posts for stacking:$50
11. wheelbarrow to move wood $100
12. beer $17/case. Only lasts a weekend
13.Truck fuel-depends on distance travelled
14:sooteater for cleaning chimney $75
15: misc tools(pokers, rack for inside, shovel, etc) $100
16. Peavey to roll logs $65
17. Case of files $50
18. spare chains $100
19. spare bars/longer bars $200
I'm sure there is much more but just this adds up to $7736! Free wood my azz.
Lessons learned in the per-suite of "Free-ish" heat
The stoves are expensive. The flu materials are ridiculous expensive. The set up is a lot of work if you do it all yourself and if you pay to have it done oh boy.
OK. Stove is set and safe.
Now, wood. I have 3 saws. I used to have 4. I have a trailer to haul the wood. I have halves in a spliter. I have probably 4 ax's and 2 mals (sp). I was going to my sisters place and her hubby and I would pull downed trees out with "His" Kubota. Cut them down with the saws (fuel/blades/gloves and a lot of aspirin) then we split it and divided it. I would load it up. Drive the 35 miles back to my house and unload it. I built (2) lean too's this summer that hold 2 Ric's each. That is a lot of treated lumber/screws/tools/time/beer.
I have no freaking idea how much I have invested but when someone asks how I like my "Free" heat I want to punch them in the face.......
This year the BIL decided his health was more important than "Free" wood so he is not dragging/cutting/splitting anymore. Last winter near killed us both.
So now I am buying wood. I still use my truck to drive 20 miles out to buy it. I load it and do the drive/stack thing. I have 3 saws that are just sitting. 2 are 1 year old 55cc 20" bar units that throw chips. I have to say tha at near 65 years old the buying thing aint so bad.
Free my Butt/.....
There is no such thing as free wood! Why does everyone think that because I have years of wood on hand, I should give them some?
I have a pacific energy vista insert that burns 2-3 cords a year and heats almost 1800sq feet. Its rated for 1200sq ft and is more than adequate for my downstairs. Upstairs stays a little cool unless I shut some doors or run a space heater.
Now for the "free" part...Here's my cost to get in the wood burning game:
1. Stove w/ install and 25ft stainless liner:$4000
2.Stihl saws:
066-$400 used
361-$600 new
192t-$150 used
3. splitter $1000
4.axes $100
5. 2 stroke fuel $6/gallon after mixing it w/ good oil
6. splitter gas-$3/gal which lasts about 4 hours.
7. trailer $700
8. Truck-already had it so I will let this roll off as "free" although we all know better
9. gloves-$20/year
10. t-posts for stacking:$50
11. wheelbarrow to move wood $100
12. beer $17/case. Only lasts a weekend
13.Truck fuel-depends on distance travelled
14:sooteater for cleaning chimney $75
15: misc tools(pokers, rack for inside, shovel, etc) $100
16. Peavey to roll logs $65
17. Case of files $50
18. spare chains $100
19. spare bars/longer bars $200
I'm sure there is much more but just this adds up to $7736! Free wood my azz.