Felling Wedges, making them

[LW Hiway]

I'll be in need of several Felling Wedges here soon and can't see the 5 to 10 bucks each for something I won't be using very often.

Looking on datube I see folks in the know suggesting broken ash handles shaped to suit or the imported oak found on most shipping pallets.

Of course I may find a few pieces of suitable f/b and do a little welding without having to rely on grinding to an edge or at least not much grinding to be done.

Non of the HF's, Tractor Supply's, Lowes, HomeDepot etc etc have them on the shelf but can be ordered. Not interested.

I have one wedge made out of solid stock worthy of this use, but I'd like at least 4 for the tree's coming down.

Simple suggestions would be appreciated keeping in mind "on the cheap".

[USMCPOP]

If you were here in Virginia, I could give you all manner of hickory and red oak for wedges, not much ash nearby.

[terry lingle]

steel is not a good choice for wedges. it dulls the chain on first contact at about the worst possible time to have to sharpen it.
I would just find a hardwood pallet and make my own.
I would want twice as many home made wedges on hand as I think i will need.
There is nothing worse than running out of wedges due to breaking them before the tree falls. If you have extra wedges when the jobis done it is a good thing

[terry lingle]

we are coming up on yard sale season which is where I pick up wedges around here.

[LW Hiway]

I would just find a hardwood pallet and make my own.
I would want twice as many home made wedges on hand as I think i will need.

This is probably what I'll be doing. I'll slice up a dozen or so for the task.

I've never seen a wedge for this in anyone's garage or shop down here. I'm probably the first private land owner to even worry with it. Most all folk will hire a crew to come in and cut.

Personally I'm not interested in the $15k suggested to take care of my tree's. The tree's will burn, the stumps will rot and I can eat for a year on that $15k.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[greywynd]

Half the time I wedge a tree I simply use the wedge I cut from the front side. Using those, I can pound them in as far as I can and don’t worry about catching it with the saw.

Plastic or hardwood is best, and I prefer a rougher finish, smooth drives in easily, but I’ve also seen them pop out on occasion.

I also have a heavy rope, and use it. Tying off to an anchor, then putting sideways tension on that, will greatly add to the pull on the tree.


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[LW Hiway]

I've got a few lengths of 3/8" wire rope with the cinched and bonded loops on each end. Both about 50' long and in good shape. Add another 75' of heavy grade 3/8" chain and a good sized chain ratchet assy, I do plan on using sizable ground anchors as well in the direction of wanted fall.

For the two largest and more dangerous drops a good friend will have his 4wd tractor out at the end of the pull keeping tension for directional fall when it's needed as cutting is in process.

Plus the fact I'm a fan of cutting the wedge on side of fall, plunge cutting behind and above, then cutting a box vee pocket behind for a short 30ton hyd jack as well for movements once wedges are starting to be placed and driven.

I'm no pro, but I do realize my limits and know when to seek qualified help. lol

Thanks for all the mentions.

Time for a nap.

[LKeithR]

Originally Posted by LW Hiway

...I'm no pro, but I do realize my limits and know when to seek qualified help...

All the "lumberjack" videos on Youtube suggest that you're the exception rather than the rule...

[SmokinDodge]

I’ve dropped a few trees. Some of them even where I wanted them.

As much as I love making stuff I can’t reccomend doing wedges. Once when I was a big ol red oak and a single wedge wasn’t thick enough so I stacked two wedges. Two wedges stacked in two spots depeleted my toolbox of any more wedges. (Who needs more than four wedges? )

I knocked up a couple wedges out of the red oak I had laying around with chainsaw in short order. I had trouble with angles of the wedges then I had trouble with the wood wedges spitting out.

If I was in a spot where I needed a wedge I’d really want a nice textured plastic or magnesium store bought. Just my experience.

[LW Hiway]

All the "lumberjack" videos on Youtube suggest that you're the exception rather than the rule

Even the pros carry liability just for miss directed intentions.