With the nails piled up there I noticed the grate took a long time to warm up, often never reaching full temperature even though the gas production was fine. I attribute this to a large mass of cold nails, with no gas flowing through to warm it up. After I cleaned the nails out, I got 400 degrees at the grate very quickly after lighting up (normal for me).
Couple thoughts on small scale fuel prep. especially the scrap lumber type. to split short bits of wood, I was picturing a lever action/ knee action knife like thing that you could split with muscle power. wouldn’t need to be very big or heavy. Much safer for the fingers than a hatchet. Another idea was a tiny version of the screw type splitter that would fit my cordless screw gun. we all know how easy it is to split a board by putting a nail or screw too close to the end. also, I was planning to make a solar dryer for my chunks. Basically just a box with an old double pane window or patio door glass over it.
Trash day in Waco. Caught a glimpse of what looked to be about 500# of pecan ready for the landfill. At 16# per gallon, that’s the equivalent of about 30 gallons of gasoline sitting on the curb. If you deduct half that for the “sweat equity” required to process it, that’s still 15 gallons. At todays price ($2.09), worth $31.35 in Uncle Sam dollars.
We live in an era where people know the PRICE of everything, but the VALUE of nothing. Most folks would say “Naaa, it ain’t worth the trouble.” But, I thought about the video Patrick linked to:
http://www.peakprosperity.com/video/85856/crash-course-chapter-20-peak-cheap-oil
When they give the example of driving your car until it burns a gallon of gas, then turning around and pushing it home, it really makes you appreciate how much work that gallon of fuel does for you.
So, to me, the wood on the curb is worth a lot more than 30 bucks.
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Here’s a load I picked up at the city tree dump here in Coffeyville. People look at me kind of funny as there dumping off branches and limbs and I’m picking them up…lol Most of the work is already done and ready for chunking. The guy that monitors the dump to keep people from dumping trash and such don’t even stop me anymore he just shakes his head and laughs and waves me by.
Gary
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Good stuff Gary. Tree trimmer’s are another good source. I’m bringing some poplar to Argos to cut up there. All I have is green stuff but if someone brings bags, they can take it home.
Hi Bill…will you be bringing your chunker with you to Argo’s? Also wondering how your coming on your truck and will you be DOW soon? Has anyone heard from Herb lately, I kinda been worried about him, and what about Al I see he’s not been posting lately either. How far is it to Argo’s for you Bill? Ok enough questions for you…lol
Gary
I just talked with Herb… He’s working on his model A Rod … He’s doing well … Says his hay filters are rusting inside … He may sandblast them and paint before re-filling … He has graduations and all that crap but I let him know the revised dates for Argos … He may make it ??? Mike LaRosa
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If I have room I will be bringing some extra 50 pound salt bags to give away.
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Yes Gary, the chunker and wood may be the only thing I bring to Argos. Argos is about 530+ miles for me.
My truck is slow moving. everything else seems to get in the way.
I’ve talked to Al and thought he’d be back on the site by now. I may have to call him again to see how he’s doing.
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Mike L. thanks for the update, glad to here he is doing well.
Joseph…the sacks will be a hot item when Ron shows up with the bunks full of wood.
Bill S… believe me I understand how to many irons in the fire can get in the way. You still have accomplished a lot in a short time. Just glad you will be making the trip to Argo’s, always good to see you.
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My evening routine occasionally includes a bike ride. I justify it as excercise, but I’m also scouting around for tree trimmings. You can get all the wood you want, especially near trash day.
Here’s one I found today, kept me busy for about 2 hours:
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They don’t realize it’s like leaving full 5 gallon gas cans on the curbside that are labeled, “FREE”
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My wife started laughing at me a little when I point to the side of the road and say, “free fuel”, as we drive to town. (Maybe I should get a part time job so I can afford to start building)
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Yep, I estimate around 30-40 gallons worth of free fuel in this picture, all snatched from the trash piles.
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It’s a chronic disease known as “grass”, caused by excessive rain. All we can do is treat the symptoms weekly, using spinning steel blades…
When left untreated, advanced cases are known as “hayfields”. Drastic measures are then required.
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Chunking…
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That was cool Chris, neat to watch speeded up like that!
You didn’t even break a sweat.
It’s impressive how one can’t even see the chunker strain at all.
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