Here's A Bucking Method You Should Practice

I learned the motions for this bucking method many years ago, and I practice it once in a while, but it isn't something I use much in cutting firewood.  It is most useful when you are bucking logs that are bigger than your bar, when you want your upper and lower cuts to match, and for those times when the log is on the ground and you must cut from the bottom.

When making bucking cuts you normally want to cut on the compressed side of the log first, and finish on the tensioned side.  Logs on the ground are sometimes hard to dope out, and you should have a wedge and hammer handy for those times when you get it wrong.  Start your bucking cut on the top, then rotate the saw over the top to cut the far side.  After you have the off side cut, bring your saw back to your side and draw the bar out most of the way, then cut downward.  Next you punch the bar through the lower side of the log, then continue down until you feel the saw take out the bark.  The bark will also throw chips of a different color, but you will feel it if you are paying attention.  You then have to decide if you want to cut upward to finish, or go back to the top and cut down.  Guess wrong, and the worst that can happen is you have to free your bar with a wedge. 

If you are bucking to make lumber out of your logs, you should keep the cuts 90 degrees to the center line of the log, but if you are making firewood, clearing fire breaks, and etc., you make your work easier by angling a bit.  The angles allow the chunks to roll free, which will be greatly appreciated by your swampers that have to move them after you cut them.

Eastern Kentucky Tornado Damage

 Photo Credit: Allen Bolling

We talked to our friends in Eastern Kentucky on Sunday, and the tornado was up close to them, destroying many homes and businesses near them, but they weren't even aware of the twister when it passed near them.  Here is a link to some photos of the damage.

Introduction To Reloading by Hickok45

This video is a good introduction for folks who are thinking about getting into reloading. Hickok45 followed this intro with videos showing various handloading operations, and we will post some of those in the weeks ahead. Hickok makes a good point that you won't save a lot of money by rolling your own, and that has been my experience also. When you load your own ammo, you will enjoy shooting more, and you will shoot more. That will make you a better shooter, and you will gain more enjoyment from the guns you own.

Are Your Mondays This Much Fun?

Back To The Old Grind!

I really like the way the power broom works.  I have seen these in catalogs, but had never seen one in operation.  It looks like this thing would be effective for building fire line in hardwood leaf litter.

Lessons FromThe Harrisburg Tornado

Click over to this story from WSIL TV3, and write your own sermon.  Possible titles include, "Some Kids", and "What Is A Neighbor."

Not My Victrola

BSGS98 shared this copy of Alabamy Bound, by Isham Jones from 1925...

...and WarholSoup100 provided a copy of Al Jolson's 1947 performance.

Weekend Steam

UPDATED!!!
A photo album from Mom's parents has this tattered, but interesting photo of the "CIty of Nauvoo" from an unknown year during the 1920's.  The only information with the photo is 'Montana' written beneath it.  Mom has no idea who in our family went to Montana back then, and since she is the eldest 'Old Timer' now, I guess we will never know.  I bet there would have been good stories if we had only known to ask when Mom's folks were alive.

The New Info!!  We did some searching for this boat, and found a great website with lots of information about steamboats.  The "City of Nauvoo" was launched in 1885 at Rock Island, and worked for fifty-six years in the Nauvoo, Illinois and MONTROSE, Iowa area. (Southeastern Iowa).  So...When my grandmother pasted this photo in her book, she meant to say Montrose, not Montana.  It all makes sense now.  I still would like to hear about the trip.  Did they take a train, drive in a Model T, or ride in a horsedrawn wagon?  I am betting on the T, but that information isn't likely to be forthcoming.  Here is another picture of the "City of Nauvoo" from Riverboat Dave's steamboat site.

Crankin' It Up

Hen Cackle is the flip side of last week's square dance, and was recorded in late 1924 or early 1925 by Bill Chitwood and Bud Landress. Trim your toenails before you hit Play so nobody gets hurt.

2012 e-Postal Matches Have Begun!

Mr. Completely is hosting his first e-Postal match of the year.  CLICK HERE to go to Mr. C's place for the rules and the link to the target.  Think that the flies are too hard to hit?  Well, you're in luck! The object of this contest is to miss all of the flies as many times as you can!  I might actually have a chance to look good on this one!

Help Me Out Here

 I saw this cast iron item recently, and no matter how much I study the photos, I can't figure out what it is.  If you can figure it out, please leave a comment with the answer; or at least your best guess.

I am going to cheat and do a search for the Taylor and Boggis Foundry in Cleveland.


UPDATE!  Drang was right on top of this one.  This item is the base and fuel tank for a kerosene camp stove.  Some very good photos of a restored stove are Right Here, along with a wishful price.