Author Topic: Allens Custom Woodworks strikes Gold, Again! (Read 72052 times)

Kirk Allen · « **on:** March 06, 2008, 11:51:25 AM »

Road Commissioner called this morning and asked if I wanted a small Bir Oak.

This is what I saw when I pulled up to the corner where the tree fell into the road.

This is the root ball in the ditch. Best we can figure its over 6 foot diameter.

This is one step up from the root ball.

The saw that is stuck in the cut is the road commisioners and the 30" bar is barried and still did not cut through the other side before it pinched his saw.

What do you we do for pinched saws in monsters like this?

Steve G. · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2008, 01:33:56 PM »

VERY NICE LOOKIN' PIECE OF WOOD

John Bartley · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2008, 06:46:41 PM »

Quote from: KEA on March 06, 2008, 11:51:25 AM

What do you we do for pinched saws in monsters like this?

We used to tell customers to carry a spare bar and chain. When the saw pinches and can't be taken out, you just unbolt the power head and put on the spare bar and chain to cut out the first one.

cheers eh?

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2008, 09:44:40 PM »

Good idea, John. I always carry an extra 044 with a 36" bar asnd chain. It makes for a faster release of the pinched saw.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #4 on:** March 06, 2008, 09:49:10 PM »

Rest assured the back hoe pushing down on the limb was faster

When I dont have the pleasure of this type of equipment I do as you suggested John. I have two bars for my H385XP (28") and two 20" bars from my H372XP.

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2008, 06:18:14 AM »

That brrr sawdust will help keep you warm as well.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #6 on:** March 07, 2008, 09:12:40 AM »

I am beginning to think any fine biomass will keep me warm.! I have been mixing quite a bit of ground rice hulls in with the sawdust and have been able to turn down the fuel feed rate considerably. This morning I still had 2/3 of a hopper of fuel left.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2008, 08:38:13 AM »

Got back from a short trip and looks like the storms were good for me but not so good for others.

Power company to the east called and they said there are about 100 poles to pick up from the storms. All rural poles and most are Southern Yellow Pine.

Power company to the west also called and they have 40-50 Western Red Cedar poles for me.

Local farmer has 6 large oaks and maples that uprooted from the winds and he said I could have them and he would even load them up. He already cut them into 10 foot logs for me!

Three different locals need lumber cut from trees down on their property during the storm.

Looks like another busy summer!

joasis · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2008, 09:55:11 AM »

There are several large walnuts down from the tornado a few weeks ago....if I only had the time. I haven't fired up the mill since last fall.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #9 on:** August 08, 2008, 08:49:45 AM »

Not sure where a local logger is selling his Venerr Walnut but they are paying me $5-7 a BF for Venerr logs depending on the length. THey are coming over again today to finalize which logs they want.

I have a boat load of pics to get loaded of several Gold Strikes recently. One is of a 16 foot Pin Oak that is 46" on the small end

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #10 on:** August 08, 2008, 08:59:28 AM »

Where do you hide your horseshoe, Kirk?

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #11 on:** August 08, 2008, 10:26:41 PM »

I dont hide it

I have it hanging around my neck!

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2008, 10:11:49 PM »

Well the Log Gods have been good this week. A local farmer cleared 10 acres of woods to plant more corn and beans and I got what the logger didnt want.

Landed over 10,000BF of Osage Orange, 3000 BF of Honey Locust, 2500 BF of Hackberry and one 300 BF log of Shingle Oak.

Sure glad the loggers dont see any value in the Osage

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #13 on:** August 26, 2008, 10:09:51 PM »

Well. not to outbid you too much, but I got a call late yesterday to come and get 10 log truck loads of Douglas Fir cut to 36 to 40 feet for free. What a boon. Oh, Kirk, do you want to trade load for load on some Orange?

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #14 on:** August 26, 2008, 10:25:16 PM »

Maybe 10 loads for 1 load

Osage is bringing over $20 a BF right now and the good stuff as much as $25

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #15 on:** September 08, 2008, 10:24:18 AM »

Landed 15 brand new SYP poles today in exchange for cutting 6 - 8 foot poles of WRC into siding.

The SYP poles are not treated and are 30 footers! Looks like more great lumber for my shop!

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #16 on:** September 12, 2008, 08:31:44 AM »

Well yesterday was a full day of shuffling around the township getting logs. The first one was from the last storm we had. Rock Maple that is 16 feet long and 30" Diameter and full of curl in the but.

Once we got that log loaded we picked up a white pine from the Cemetary that is 24" diameter and 26 feet long and a Eastern Red Cedar that was 12" diameter.

Brought those back to the house and unloaded them and no sooner than I was done the Road Commissioner called and said he had a monster Ash for me just south of my place.

Took off south and sure enough he had a great log for me. One tree, 30" diameter - 26 feet long before the first branch. I knocked it down to three 8'+ logs as I need lots of 8' studs for my shop. Got that loaded and he hollars at me to not forget the top he cut off. Two #2 saw logs with the big one in the 16" diameter range and the top of that one was 12", both 10 feet long.

I have rapidly come to the conclusion I am out of space for logs. I HAVE to get cutting, especially since I have another 50 logs on the ground at a clearing south of me to pick up.

mike p · « **Reply #17 on:** September 12, 2008, 06:36:55 PM »

WOW
THATS GREAT
hay hows old jim & his bride

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #18 on:** September 13, 2008, 09:21:09 PM »

Speaking of space, Kirk, you know the place where you and Buzz helped rip the Sequoia, well that is stacked about 20' high with Douglas Fir logs, all the way from the 11' wide Sequoia to the corner of the drive to the horse barn. I sympathise with you on space.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #19 on:** October 13, 2008, 10:07:18 PM »

I organized my pine for the cutting and that freed up some space but the logs are still coming faster than I can cut.

I helped one of our locals drop a huge hard maple and ended up with this load last week.

Note that the stakes on the trailer are 4 feet tall

I managed to fell it right where we wanted. Laying on the ground it didnt seem that big but the but log diameter at the base was 42"

The top log had a nice crotch in it and it was 28" diameter. Should make for some nice gun stocks!

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #20 on:** October 13, 2008, 11:24:54 PM »

How did you load tht sucker?

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #21 on:** October 14, 2008, 06:28:38 AM »

Look close on the right side of the second picture

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #22 on:** October 27, 2008, 08:32:14 AM »

Did you have to get a Ford to tow the trailer and logs, home?

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #23 on:** October 27, 2008, 04:35:34 PM »

Had a ford I "Found on the Road Dead" and for the life of me couldn't revive it

Steve G. · « **Reply #24 on:** October 27, 2008, 05:22:44 PM »

Quote from: Kirk Allen on October 27, 2008, 04:35:34 PM

Had a ford I "Found on the Road Dead" and for the life of me couldn't revive it

I take it you like chevy's and frank likes fords? I like fords and stihls

How much did it weigh? Did you have any hills?

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #25 on:** October 27, 2008, 06:32:06 PM »

Rest assured Steve, the Duramax Diesal in my Chevy had no problems pulling the trailer of logs. Even my 1500 Suburban could out pull most Fords

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #26 on:** February 16, 2009, 05:41:27 PM »

Got a call from the Village today asking me if I wanted a Blue Spruce that went down in the last wind storm in our local cemetary.

This is the top of the tree. Where they cut the top log was 16" diameter on the big end and 17 feet up it was 8".

They cut the butt log at 16 1/2' feet for me. The butt measured 28" diameter.

The nice part.................They did all the cutting and loading!

Stevem · « **Reply #27 on:** February 17, 2009, 10:50:03 AM »

Now your a grave robber based on where you got it!

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #28 on:** February 17, 2009, 04:21:37 PM »

Stevem · « **Reply #29 on:** February 17, 2009, 05:39:47 PM »

Maybe you could sell it for "Spirite" wood? Value added marketing.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #30 on:** February 17, 2009, 07:06:36 PM »

And here all this time I thought I just had more studs for my shop

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #31 on:** March 17, 2009, 11:22:08 PM »

It could be a spirit inspired stud wall.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #32 on:** April 26, 2009, 08:51:20 PM »

Got a call from the tree service guy today and he had 4 more white pine logs for me. 3 of them were just over 16 feet and the last one was 29 feet long and 16" on the small end!

He has a Tulip Poplar log for me tomarrow. All I had to do was take the trailer to town and he loaded them!

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #33 on:** May 02, 2009, 10:25:31 PM »

I have got to start keeping my camera handy.

The local tree service guy called today and said he had a poplar for me if I wanted it. He bucked it to 17' and when I pulled up I was shocked. The small end measures 24" and the but is 32"

As if that was not enough of a sweet deal for the day, the power company guy who I cut for regulary asked if we could cut the WRC he dropped off last week. I told him sure, come on out.

He brought 5 of his 7 kids and we had a ball. I couldnt cut fast enough to keep those kids busy

Got done with his Cedar and I asked him if were going to cut the rest of his poles and he turned and said, "those are your poles".

There in that pile was five 35 foot long Southern Yellow Pine and only the first 8 feet of them are treated. They measured 10" on the small end!

Dont know if any of you have cut into some SYP T-poles or not but I am hear to tell you they make some beutiful lumber! I clearly now have enough construction lumber to complete my 40x80 shop/office/apartment!

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #34 on:** June 09, 2009, 06:56:51 PM »

One of the local operators called and said he had a couple logs for me.

Pulled the trailer that could

and he loaded them for me in about 5 minutes.

1 26 foot Bir Oak, 3 nice ambrosia maples, and a hackberry

It sure is nice to have the logs not only for free, but bucked and loaded as well!

Get a Horshoe!

Stephen Wiley · « **Reply #35 on:** June 10, 2009, 04:53:50 AM »

looks like someone attempted systemic injection in butt end of log in first pic.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #36 on:** June 10, 2009, 06:56:09 AM »

That is the result of the Ambrosha beetle. The lumber from the silver maple that is infectted with the beetle is beutiful stuff and sells for a premium. Spalted is even better, which this stuff will get spalted before I ever cut it.

Carl Middleton · « **Reply #37 on:** June 10, 2009, 03:43:17 PM »

Kirk, what do you do with Hackberry? Is there a market for it? I have 8 or 9 hackberry logs I took down for a farmer last fall and have never sawn any yet.Just wondering

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #38 on:** June 10, 2009, 09:32:48 PM »

I have several farmers, Dad included that use it for fence boards and stable boards.

The other local use is heavy blocking for the heavy equipment operators. They have me cut 12x12x36" blocking for their lowboy trailer. They use it help offload equipment.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #39 on:** July 30, 2009, 09:22:39 PM »

looks like I landed some more WRC from the power company today. The first load delivered only had 6 - 12' poles on the trailer. When he told me on the phone that was all he could haul I figured he had a small trailer.

To my surprise, these were the butts from 6 - 100' transmission poles. The measured no less than 28" and one of them is 35"

We are going to cut them for siding for his barn. He has three more loads to bring and I am going to do it on shares. This was some of the nicest Western Red Cedar I have ever seen. Pics to come!

Carl Middleton · « **Reply #40 on:** July 31, 2009, 02:22:59 PM »

35" cedar ! HOLY CRAP

They get around 18" around here

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #41 on:** July 31, 2009, 03:33:21 PM »

The awesome news is that they have some pine and douglas fir over near Buzz'z place and they said I could have all I want. The claim the pile of brand new, unused poles is 25 feet high and they will cut and load all we want to haul!

Carl Middleton · « **Reply #42 on:** July 31, 2009, 06:40:06 PM »

Just how far is it to buzz"z from here

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #43 on:** July 31, 2009, 10:10:31 PM »

Well I know from my place its 2 1/2 hours and from my place to Manassas Park is 12 hours so that would be 14 1/2 from Manassas Park to Buzz'z. Not sure where leesburg is from Manassas but that gives you an idea.

If your interested in making a wood run let me know. I will have more details in the morning when the guy shows up with two more trailer loads.

Better make it quick though as I know the second Buzz hears the news his circle saw will be spinning

Carl Middleton · « **Reply #44 on:** August 01, 2009, 05:43:51 AM »

Might be worth the trip. How dry are the poles? I have hauled up to 6 - 16" dia 17' long oaks green and thats a perty heavy load. Send the location I'll put in the gps and see if its worthwile

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #45 on:** August 01, 2009, 12:01:55 PM »

The pols are at the St. Louis Facility on I-270 on the north side of St. Louis, just before the exit for Kansas City (I-70 West)

They are DRY!

Carl Middleton · « **Reply #46 on:** August 02, 2009, 07:35:34 AM »

I would'nt be able to get out there untill week after next. When were you planing to go?

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #47 on:** August 02, 2009, 08:24:16 AM »

I am going to have Buzz go out and take a first hand look at them sence he is close and see what they look like. The guy that brought another load of poles said there was new AND old in the pile so not sure of the quality.

I dont know when I will grab any if I do at all. I may have fallen into a unlimeted supply of WRC poles just south of me but wont know until this week. If that is the case I wouldnt need to go to St. Louis.

Carl, on another note, I was at Woodmizer Friday and they will soon have a 42HP gas Kohler for the LT40HDG mils

I will make that upgrade as soon as they come in. Looks like about $3300 or close to that.

Carl Middleton · « **Reply #48 on:** August 02, 2009, 02:18:27 PM »

Thats going to be a lot of power

How many hours do you have on your engine now? I have 500 hrs on mine

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #49 on:** August 02, 2009, 05:20:56 PM »

I stopped tracking it aftet 2000 hrs and the third hour meter.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #50 on:** November 25, 2009, 02:49:13 PM »

The free stuff continues! The power company called with a pole yard they wanted cleaned up and I could have anything I wanted............provided I take it all!

They just HAD to twist my arm.

Both Western Red Cedar and Southern yellow pine, and band new at that! Got about 200' of 4" gas line as well.

And if the poles and gas line was not enough, I also got the Rail Road rails and the pillars they were up on.

Making progress on the cleanup.

The famous trailer that some said couldnt work, worked real well!

We got the rest of this on another trip.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #51 on:** November 25, 2009, 02:56:25 PM »

And if that is not enough of a gloat

More free logs for the hauling!

Osage Orange! The Good Stuff!

It was close enough to home that I could drive the forklift there to load them all up!

A mix of Oak and Maple from another site........................that was free as well!

This was the last load of free oak logs.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #52 on:** November 25, 2009, 03:19:13 PM »

Power company is going to PAY me to haul off 5 wooden spools that the big wire comes on. They are 9 feet in diameter and they are paying me $350 just to haul them off.

Any idea what they could be used for?

They also have three more pole yards they are shutting down and I get all the rail road rails and pillars from them as well!

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #53 on:** November 25, 2009, 04:05:20 PM »

Picnic tables!

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #54 on:** November 25, 2009, 04:29:03 PM »

You would have to sit on a step ladder to use it.

Carl Middleton · « **Reply #55 on:** November 25, 2009, 05:48:07 PM »

Cut them in half and make two tables

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #56 on:** November 25, 2009, 05:50:43 PM »

Now thats a great idea Carl!

Carl Middleton · « **Reply #57 on:** November 25, 2009, 05:54:54 PM »

I knew a fella who made a living for 2 years doing just that

mike p · « **Reply #58 on:** November 25, 2009, 08:11:58 PM »

be sure you get paper work on the RR iron as with out proof of were it came from you cant sell it for scrap
i learned this the hard way

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #59 on:** November 26, 2009, 07:23:26 AM »

No plans of scrapping that stuff. I am making log bunks from it and my wife & I are going to make hoop houses for her gardening and put them on rails.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #60 on:** December 11, 2009, 10:39:38 PM »

Looks like this week I find out how big of a clean up I have for the power company.

They hired me to clean up 4 pole yard sites and they said I can have ANYTHING that is on the site, AND, they are paying me to take the stuff away!

mike p · « **Reply #61 on:** December 13, 2009, 06:30:08 AM »

HaroldCR - AKA Fla.-Deadheader · « **Reply #62 on:** December 13, 2009, 06:43:52 AM »

Whatcha gonna do with all the snow

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #63 on:** December 13, 2009, 08:25:50 AM »

By the Grace of God we dont have any yet! We got rain last night but were in the mid 40's several days this week.

joasis · « **Reply #64 on:** December 13, 2009, 09:13:05 AM »

We were in the mid 20's last week.....where is that global warming?

Mr Mom · « **Reply #65 on:** December 13, 2009, 04:57:18 PM »

Do you get the stone too??.
Good score.

Thanks Alot Mr Mom

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #66 on:** December 22, 2009, 02:37:17 PM »

Had our negotiation meeting today and looks like I prevailed!

They showed me all they wanted done "first" and I told them I could take care of it all for $600 (thousands of $$$ worth of stuff for free) but there was going to be a problem that was going to be theirs not mine. I let them know I do not have Liability Insurance to be doing any type of contract work on "their" site. (inside scoop paid off!)

Their jaw hit the table becuase they thought they were going to make out like a bandit and now they are back to square one. Then, as if the idea popped out of the clouds, the manager said he doesnt have to come on site! "We have a 52' flatbed that we can use to haul all the stuff to his place and that way we dont have to jump through the insurance problem."

They asked If I was still interested and I said sure, for $600!

They agreed!

Can it get any better than that?
They pay me to have them deliver all this stuff to my place!

HaroldCR - AKA Fla.-Deadheader · « **Reply #67 on:** December 22, 2009, 03:08:53 PM »

Do you wear a mask when you deal with people

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #68 on:** December 22, 2009, 04:12:26 PM »

I have to admit Harold its rather overwhelming to see how this went down.

THe other site they are going to truck over to my place is 140 miles away and I get ALL the poles, about 200 yards of rail road rails, cement pillars, and a 40 foot long 8x20 laminated beam. They will truck that stuff over in January

HaroldCR - AKA Fla.-Deadheader · « **Reply #69 on:** December 22, 2009, 05:34:04 PM »

If you hold your mouth "just right", the next Ice storm will break off lots of poles, then, you can sell them back

Carl Middleton · « **Reply #70 on:** December 22, 2009, 06:51:00 PM »

So tell us about this (Inside scoop)

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #71 on:** December 23, 2009, 09:51:58 PM »

My Uncle used to run the place ten years ago and was able to give me some insite that helped. He knew they had NO WHERE to get rid of the stuff as he had the same problem when he was in charge. The insurance deal was one of the things he told me about.

Buzz Sawyer · « **Reply #72 on:** January 11, 2010, 03:37:30 PM »

Have you recieved your poles yet?

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #73 on:** February 04, 2010, 03:35:31 PM »

The power company works slow but I did recieve the PO today for $600. Once they bring the stuff out I can send them a bill for $600!

It blows me away to know I am making money doing nothing and recieving items I can use or sell. You have to love Capitalism!

Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" · « **Reply #74 on:** October 23, 2010, 11:56:37 PM »

Sounds too close the behaviors in Washington DC.

Kirk Allen · « **Reply #75 on:** October 24, 2010, 09:30:05 AM »

It is Frank. They just raise the rates to justify their poor business practice.

I am going to take advantage while I can because it wont be long and it will all crumble.

I am seeing a huge spike in business lately and most every customer states they just cant afford lumber at the box stores any more.

? Not sure how they could EVER afford it!

News:

Author Topic: Allens Custom Woodworks strikes Gold, Again! (Read 72052 times)