Felling a Huge Maple Tree with an Axe, Milling Lumber with Granberg Alaskan Chainsaw Mill, Husqvarna
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- čas přidán 27. 03. 2018
- #axe #tree #woods
Felling a huge, dying sugar maple tree on the path to the off grid log cabin, I use an axe to cut it down and a Granberg Alaskan chainsaw mill and Husqvarna chainsaw to mill lumber out of the tree.
This huge maple tree hangs over the pathway and I have been walking under daily since buying the land in April 2017 and I have planned on cutting it down before it falls on it's own. It's almost completely rotten on the south side, which is the direction it leans, and the tree is being completely supported by a thin layer of live wood on the north side of the trunk. The tree is over 20" in diameter but because it is barely alive, I am able to cut it down with just a few swings with my Swedish felling axe. Once the tree hits the ground, I use an axe to limb the tree and my new Husqvarna chainsaw to cut it into 36" logs. I use a new Granberg Alaskan chainsaw mill to cut slabs off the live side of the log. Since most of the wood is dead and decomposing, I have to scoop out the rotten wood to use just the thin strip of live wood to make furniture. The first thing I'm making is a small corner desk for the log cabin, something I can sit at to edit videos, carve wood, sharpen tools, etc in front of the small window facing south over the front porch of the tiny house.
Self reliance is becoming better defined for me as I continue to build the off grid wilderness homestead. I am discovering my limitations this year, one of which is the near impossibility to fabricate my own lumber using handsaws. I just don't have the strength and stamina to make lumber from timber on the property in the quantity that I'm using. I didn't mind splitting some logs and cutting short lengths of wood into small, usable boards from the timber or to rip short boards using hand tools into dimensions suitable for small projects, like the floor boards, but I have reached my limit. The Gransberg Alaskan chainsaw mill will be used along with my Husqvarna chainsaw to cut all lumber from now on, and I'll continue to use hand tools to process the lumber into furniture, building materials for the outdoor kitchen, sauna, workshop, woodshed and more.
Instead of using handtools for everything as I have in the past and since I'm continuing to work alone as a one man construction crew, I will use power tools where necessary to do the bigger jobs safely and quicker, but I'll make sure I continue to develop my skill with hand tools so that I can work and live without electricity and fossil fuels most of the time and when I run out of money or resources to use outside fuel sources. Once the wilderness homestead main infrastructure is built (mainly the buildings) I can slow my pace back down and I won't need power. That will always be my goal.
Links to products I use at the cabin;
Agawa Canyon Boreal 21 Saw
amzn.to/2BPV6OF
Mora Knife
amzn.to/2BOiv35
Lamp OiI
amzn.to/2qz0nZ1
Moka Pot
amzn.to/2DEomvO Canada
amzn.to/2ndmtw6 USA
Canon 6D
amzn.to/2EdaZjs
DJI Mavic Pro
amzn.to/2DHuJib
Bragg's Sprinkle
amzn.to/2EdouzK
Axe
www.torontoblacksmith.com/
To see what I’m up to during the rest of the week, please follow me on my other online channels;
Website: myselfreliance.com/
Facebook - / myselfreliance
Personal Facebook Page (Shawn James) - / shawn.james.msr
Instagram - / myselfreliance
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 20042
Barrie, Ontario
L4M 6E9
Canada
Thanks for watching! I'm taking advantage of a couple of days of bad weather to edit a few videos, including my usual Friday video as well as two for next week. My wife spent a few days with me "interior decorating" over the past several days as we waited for the maple sap to start flowing so we could boil it into syrup, but we didn't get the warm weather we needed. Looks like this weekend is warmer - fingers crossed.
My Self Reliance That tree was old and dody that's what we call it here Oklahoma. Great video Shawn!
*Should have used a pick up truck and a chain! LOL!*
Hi there please tell me about the broom you have. Have you ever worked with Burl's?? I really enjoy and appreciate your video s. thanks
I don't recall much about the broom other than it's made out of palm leaves. No, I haven't worked with burls yet, but there are so many on my property that I plan to experiment this year.
roughly -5c to 10c .. in the last few weeks ... and thats about 2 hours south of the cabin ... pretty nice actually .. just lots of overcast and some rain too .... good swimming weather in Canada lol ;)
I watch your videos before going to sleep, they relax me, give good dreams and remind me that altough the stress pain and losses, there's this freedom.
Very thoughtful of you Shawn. Thanks for saving lives and giving that tree itself it's nature's ending.
You are teaching folks they CAN do things today that their ancestors did a hundred years ago or more. High tech and expensive, fancy power tools aren't really needed and neither are dozens of people. You have my ultimate respect and admiration.
You are a very driven individual. Your attention to detail and craftsmanship is a rarity in today’s world. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Most entertaining reason for visiting CZcams. Truly a pleasure, every single time! Thank you Shawn.🏹🛶🎖
😉
Well said!
10mins...what a tease! I have been waiting to hear how the sap collecting has been going. We all have our limits, Shawn, what you have achieved and continue to achieve as one man, a solo worker is absolutely incredible!
Can't hardly wait for part two. I was absolutely shocked when the video went off! I'm used to about fifty minutes at a time. I feel short changed somehow. But it's totally ok I know your life isn't only videos. Teehee. I missed you pup, but I know it's dangerous having her there sometimes. I can hardly wait till the cabin can be your forever home. I know you and your wife are going to love it.
Willy from new york enjoying every video during my recovery from back surgery
A mid-weeker! You're spoiling us here. Please, don't stop :-) Thanks to you and the Mrs. for the fine work you do with these. And thank you to all who post for making this such a great place to visit. It feels good in here, eh?
Thanks again Shawn, Always look forward to your video's and the My self reliance and self reflection. Be safe out there..
That was a big old dangerous leaning tree and it was a good thing that you fell it ! Will look forward to seeing what you mill on the next vlog. Thanks for the another great vlog and will look forward to seeing another ! Thanks !
You inspire me so much. Thanks Shawn.
Hey Buddy lots of hints there in your Pinned. Good to see you have a smile on your face.
You know you should write a wild game cookbook! Everything you cook looks so yummy! Even the photo's you show of the food looks just so awesome!
Glad to see the sap buckets hanging!!!!
Can't wait till the next one Shawn! Thank you for sharing! :)
Man, that was a huge widowmaker! I hope there are still good pieces in there.
Great little video mid week makes you look forward to the up coming video. Have a great day.
Your energy, intelligence and skill sets are things of beauty. Deciding to use power tools will not affect My Self Reliance's integrity or quality of viewing one bit. Your love and concern for Cali showed when you chose to not bring Cali along when you felled the tree, smart decision..
I enjoy watching your videos cause with you being so handy your able to help me see your vision of the cabin. Keep em coming.
What a beautiful cabin you have made. You my friend, are on the right path. Good job.
No tree got hurt in this Video the tree is a paid actor 🌲
A nice little teaser video, as well as a special treat. Always nice getting an extra video before Friday.
3:43 this is the best sound I ever heard
I love your video's! Most of what I have watched is a lost art. What beautiful work you do! I lived off grid years ago and learned a lot but continue to enjoy watching and learning by doing and you tube channels. Thanks for showing us more
Shawn,
Many hearts & minds will never be the same as you have inspired, over come to blaze a new light into many souls, who will challenge themselves more after being properly motivated by you.
Love your videos! You are my outdoor hero! I'm channeling my inner lumberjack through you!
What a bonus finding you’ve uploaded a extra video Shawn..that’s a big old tree.
Your videos really help me a lot with anxiety, I always look forward to seeing you’ve uploaded :)
You are so awesome! I enjoy your episodes and so glad that tree fell where it should have! the cabin and your life will be so amazing!
Very nice video again!
Looks like to be there.
It's great to see your days at the cabin and the new projects!
Cheers
Mattia
I enjoyed that... It was a reminder of what spring used to be like when I lived in oak ridges... Seems like a pretty small thing but it was a good memory and it is a good reminder of what hard work is and where it will take you. People don't work hard enough anymore. Thanks for another great video. Happy Easter to you and yours...
Thanks Shawn. All The Best from Colorado!
Hi Shawn : Great to see you active outside & ready for the spring sap.Unfortunately, it's now tax time so I'll be house bound for most of the next 3 months but that will finance my summer & fall canoe trips. Good you got rid of that tree before it got rid of you. Thanks for the video. Brian 77
Nice sound of the axe echoing through the woods with each whack.
Incredible that the tree stayed up with such a small fraction of the trunk still alive. Nature is amazing.
Thanks for sharing!
Looked so easy when you took that rotten tree down. Nice to see you're using top quality Swedish equipment (Husqvarna chainsaw) too!
Var bor du i sverige?
WOW! My weekend starts now!
Loving it! Can't wait for the next installment.
You're the man :-)
😘
wow - impressive as is everything you do. Can't believe you constructed the cabin and interior pieces in less than a year - all by hand. Wise not having Cali playing around when downing the tree. Hope to see her next video.
Great video Shawn! Looking forward to the usual Friday installment.
Nice property so calming☺
Great video Shawn thanks
Love watching your work and craftmanship
It is so relaxing to watch you work. (LOL) You definitely aren't afraid of hard work. Thanks for sharing your days.
Good to see you Shawn. Unexpected surprise. See you Friday.
Always have to leave us hanging. Cant wait to see the next episode.
Wow. Quite the widowmaker you had there! Good job, as usual. Last winter I was getting a little nuts with (what seemed like) a never ending Canadian winter, and found your channel through some obscure link. Life was hectic, too many people in my house during those long ice storms and snow days when the school bus was a no show. Couldn't even go outside because the wind was so bad coming across the cornfield... teenagers arguing, my aging mother getting crankier, and my 5 year old son (before being diagnosed with adhd) running circles around the kitchen with the 70 lb American bulldog mix... ugh. And all I wanted was some sunshine and silence and soil that wasn't frozen. But somehow I found your channel instead, and watching your videos helped me get over the end of winter. I found them very calming, from the very first one I watched. Going into spring, I found myself anticipating the videos, knowing that for the better part of an hour I would be given an effortless destressor. And learn things. Always learning. Eventually the family noticed, one by one. My 16 yr old daughter wandered by the TV, and now makes a killer frittata. And never dries the cast iron with a towel. My oldest boy (18) is taking woodworking 3rd year and became enchanted with the idea of not using power tools for carpentry when you were building new door and table. My mom is now asking when your next video is coming out because you don't 'jibber jabber' or 'mansplain' you just kick out a roll of copper and make a gorgeous counter top. My fiancee got inspired and replaced the basement stairs, built a garbage/recycling bin, a 7ft bookshelf, and then installed a barn inspired half door between the kitchen and livingroom to keep Muttly off the couch. THEN when minecraft was updating I showed my youngest your timelapse video, and he is convinced he is going to build a log cabin house for chickens, and I'm supposed to record it so he can be a youtuber and chop wood. Honestly, we love watching your journey. We feel the cold when the snow squeaks under your feet. Cringe when your axe tings off the wood. Love every new addition, be it floating shelves or that amazing fireplace. All in all, an amazing channel with a very creative way of displaying what you do. Even the dog watches. Well... when Callie goes running across the screen. Never stop going forward with this adventure. There is a sense of peace that comes across as very genuine, and infectious.
Much respect and admiration from the Bruce Penninsula.
That was very educational. Loved the work this Master Craftsman does!
Thank you for another video and look forward to the others coming out. They are all great, it's like a treat on trying to figure out what your going to build next before you get to far into it. I don't read about it until the video is done. Have a great Easter Shawn to you and the family.
Thanks for the video.
Sweet! That is one gnarly tree.
That Alaskan chainsaw mill is pretty nifty!
Another video about the cabin life its fun to watch
Great video! something about it remind me of home. I used to live in Vermont of a majority of my childhood.. I can almost smell the trees.
Another great video. Thank you
Cool, thanks for the video
Your series is fantastic! You should have your own reality show on discovery or the like. And a book series to follow. You would do very well. Thanks for making these videos.
Can't wait to see what you make with it. Cheers from southern Ontario!
Great video, brains before brawn is always nice to see. Keep up the good work, your videos and attitude towards self reliance is really refreshing in our consumer based society.
Oh I will definitely time in for part two 👍 I like that you used a power tool to cut it it's almost like a treat for yourself plus that would have been a very hard job to cut the tree by hand. Looking forward to the next video. 😎 FL.
lots of nice dry firewood, and when you let the sled go... how come you didn't get on it... I would have lol... thanks for the videos Shawn, always a pleasure to watch
Great video Shawn. Interesting to see you slicing planks out of tree trunk...never seen anything like that before. Thank you.
Nice a mid week video ! thanks
Quelle patience ! Quel travail parfait. Tout semble rigoureux dans vos vidéo, rigueur du climat, la rigueur du bois, la rigueur de votre travail. Vous allez au bout de l'effort pour fusionner avec la nature. Tout est beau, la cabane, la vie que vous y trouvez. Magnifique.
glad you typed that slowly I could actually read it ;)
Sweeeet! been looking forward to the Wednesday video!
Thanks for the early video.
You are incredible !!
Can't wait to watch it when I get off few more hours
You have done a great job so far on the cabin 👍
Amazing work. Great video!
Wow, you put in an effort to get a great shot of the wood as it splits off. Well done, sir!
Really enjoyed this one. Thanks, I always learn from you.
This summer you’ll get a lot done with that new saw! Looking forward to seeing the Homestead become what you want. Great video!
Will it eventually have homesteading animals (besides Cali)?
Thanks again Shawn! Good thing you know what you're doing! Looking forward to you cooking maple syrup. Before you I had no idea where this came from. But- Can you send me one of those stumps to South Australia? I desperately need a shopping block for my fallen Redgum branches [Those are hard as forged steel.] I can't get a wooden stump...Chucks.-
Cool vid Shawn!
✌💪💪
This is the life. I’d take this lifestyle over big cities ANY DAY!!
Can't hardly wait to see what your wife has done to the cabin! EXCITED HERE!
:) This weekend for us is going to be cold here In WY but we had a real nice day today.
Hey cowgirlo99 she did put a big smile on his face. :)
Beautiful places in Alaska someday I'd like to go there!!!!!
Gorgeous Day in Ga💝😳AWESOME videos💝😘
Thanks a lot my dear buddy waiting fr ur video .
Amazing camerawork! You caught all the action!
Great video of the exact moment when the tree goes down!
That was super quick.
Great video, I love this channel!
*Mind-Blowing* 🖒
As an arborist I'm sure glad you used PPE while using your chainsaw. Only suggestion would be to have wraparound chaps. Love your vids man keep them coming.
thanks for inspiring me
This king of lumber would also work great for a small coffee table!!
Getting away from the dependence on kiln dried dimensional lumber and milling your own lumber is fabulous. I have taken steps to doing just that for my own projects. I thank you for the inspiration!
Liked before watching!
Was wondering when we would see the chainsaw, especially firewood cutting and milling wood,great job!!
Thanks ,you are using good tools from Sweden.
I just love your channel.
Can't beat an Alaskan sawmill. Mines homemade but does the same. That tree can relax now.
again great video im a huge fan of making something outta nothing, watching your videos are something I really look forward too caint wait to see what you make with that log.
Great Video Shawn!
Wow, that tree completely fell apart on the way down! I had to withhold myself from yelling "Timber!" when it fell over.