What home improvement work did you do today?

So I have been cutting a lot of wood recently, as I had a bunch of ash and cherry taken down that were rotting/infested. I'm basically self taught and I have missed a few of the important lessons. One being how to tell when you chain is worn out. I used to replace them reguarly but thought I was being wasteful so I realllllly try to get my use out of them now.

I've been having trouble the last few years since I made that change. Cutting at a angle. Having to use force or wiggle the saw to get it going on harder stuff, getting tough to sharpen etc.... I finally did a google yesterday, turns out you shouldn't sharpen your chain as long as I have and those are all signs that they are used up. So I popped a new chain on (I have extras, just don't want to waste) and WOW. Melts through hardwood, no pressure, takes about 1/10th of the effort and battery power on the saw. Holy cow I have been being silly. So now I'll sharpen them until I start to notice any issues, then toss them. I use a good sized battery saw that can cut 18-20 inch stuff up easy with a fresh chain. I was struggling on 6 inch stuff with the worn out chains I was using.

Just an FYI for people who might be like me and are out there winging it. That said I've cut probably 500 trees down in the last 9 years here (small only a few dozen big guys), so I am a slow learner.

 

I need to figure out a way to keep my uncle from wandering away again, 1 more time and I get to do a lil time for negligence I could easily padlock the gates but I hate the idea of my elders being trapped if some shit hits a fan.

This is the type of latch I have, I'm open to suggestions.




I sure wish I could get the guy the help he needs but at almost $10k a month his money and mine would be gone in no time flat and then we'd just be in the same sinking boat only without a money life jacket

If I had my way id anchor a chain to the wall and just chain the damn gate closed.

 

I know it's probably unrealistic, but the few folks in my life with similar issues have resorted to keeping someone with them all day. Maybe you know someone in your neighborhood who you trust and would stay there during the day while you work and do it for "cheap"? Otherwise you sort of have to lock them up, and also keep any way of climbing the fence inaccessible. These old folks get crafty when fixated.

It's a sad, hard and uncomfortable time for everyone involved. Sometimes hard choices must be made for their safety, and apparently your freedom.

If they lock you up, who the hell looks after him next? How does that even make sense. Good luck and I hope you find an answer.

 

excellent advice.

 

I think they'd expect my 93 year old grandma to watch her 89 year old brother, it really is dumb AF.

I'm just glad that grandma is still sharp like a fillet knife. I think it's the diet Coke and the popcorn, she definitely doesn't take good care of herself.

 

Side note: I may need to go the nursing home and find me a shuga momma.

 

F it



Temporary solution

 

What is the recommended Merv rating for a 16x20x4 AC filter at the air handler? I need to order some.

 

I was told 13 when my new units were installed.
Actually using 11 and still using the cheapo fiber glass filter at ceiling grills.

 

Looking online it says 13 max to prevent the unit from working too hard due to restricted airflow at 14 or higher.

 

Have heard that as well. The 11 is much more dense than any filter I ever put in the ceiling grill. Air Flow seems good as well.

 

You can get a lot of life out of a chain of you sharpen it right. That includes correctly setting the anti-kickback “nub” in front every few sharpenings to a height just below the cutting tooth. Otherwise no matter how sharp it is the kickback nub is making contact before the tooth and it won’t cut for shit.

I’ve run them down to where the cutting tooth is pretty much gone and as long as everything is kept at the right offset they cut just as good as new.

 

This is the way....

I always run the budget 3 pack. I cant trust the green ones you can see through, so I am one up from those. I would rather my system work and stress trying to be some magical filter of micron crap.

 

I use a "cheater" sharpener that hits the nub as you do the teeth. I don't doubt I could have done a more precise job. I was sharpening the chains probably 30-40 times. Not sure what you get doing it your way.

 

A buddy of mine is C-level at a "startup" (air quotes b/c they've been doing it seemingly forever) with several private sector and gov't contracts. They make GPS products for tracking. Everything from pucks you toss into crates to ensure humidity/temp was never in danger zone or the crate never exceeded certain angles or shock, to wearable items that clock in/out and track staff around construction sites, to accelerometer-laden safety harnesses which can detect staff falling and alert out, to human-wearable sensors for assisted living facilities that can sense if a patient has fallen over and is laying on the fround, to 'snitch' style products for your classic car with geofencing and smartphone alerts.

You may want to consider the latter and find a way to attach it to your loved on. Set a geofence on your yard in the smartphone app. Any time he walks outside that geofence, not only would you get an immediate alert, but you could easily pinpoint him to his exact location, making retreival a snap.

Look ... it's not going to be cheap. You need to pay for the GSM/CDMA service to get alerts, and the monthly subscription. But you're talking <$100/month for this versus $10k/mo which is painful. The hardest part would be keeping the device (A) on him, embedded in something he never leaves home without and (B) charged up, I know the unit I had in my car needed to be recharged once every couple weeks, but I haven't used a more-recent interation of their product, so batteries may be longer-life now.

I can ping him to get his thoughts if it's interesting. Just tossing out an unconventional idea at you.

 

What is a cheater sharpener? I badly need to learn how to sharpen my chain. All I have at my house is oak and it's eating them up like crazy. It's just one of those things I have never learned to do and should have.

 

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Husqvarna-...saw-File-Kit/1002541840?gStoreCode=3206&gQT=1 This is what I have and use. There are others available, but there is a guide that sits on the chain and then you run your file through the guide slots. Not sure what @RainMan_PNW is using though. Hard woods definitely dull the teeth quicker. I harvest 3-4 cords of beetle kill pine annually from the Forrest.

 

One of these, I think they are great for an average joe like myself. I have never used the traditional ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3IX-6sb3Jk

 

My dad was a sawyer growing up, and many of my friends still are. Many of my habits come from their years of habits built off using the tools to make a living.

I’ve tried a lot of different saw sharpeners over the years trying to find better/easier/faster (I haven’t tried that specific Husky one though - it’s nice and compact). I constantly go back to the old clip on style that clips over the round file and rides across the top of the tooth. That and a cheap harbor freight chop-saw style power sharpener.

when going out for the day, I’ll always bring 2 spare chains with me. Every tank of gas (or battery on the cordless), I’ll do a quick dress on the teeth with the file. Nothing too precise or careful, but enough to refresh the cutting edge - 1-2 passes per tooth. If I’m noticing it’s really not cutting well or if I fuck up and run the chain into a rock, spike, or into the dirt a bunch, I’ll just switch chains and keep going. That is usually all I need to get through a day of cutting (as much as my body can handle any more at least).

when I get back to the house, any chain that has been used gets a full sharpen using the power sharpener and I load the saw with a fresh chain before putting it away. I go over them carefully here, making sure the angles are consistent, antikickback nubs are adjusted, teeth are there same length, etc. then they get hung up and are ready for next time.

 

I'm definitely getting one of those. That makes it super easy.

 

When I go to the field to harvest I also carry spare gas, my sharpening files, a hatchet and a few chucks, as well as a spare chain. I know a guy who also carry's a spare bar and chain in case he gets his saw wedged into a tough spot. Super easy to just take the bar off, leave it wedged in the tight space then cut with the extra bar in from the top or bottom as necessary to free the wedged in bar and chain.

 

I am doing it wrong apparently. I carry an extra chain and then drop off the dull on at our saw shop where they sharpen it for $10...

 

I'm going to have to come up with something better than the chain. Damn guy tried climbing the gate and busted his ass last night. I'm at my wits end with the whole shituation and ready to just let the guy go for whatever walks he thinks he needs to take.

 

My grandfather used to sneak out and walk around boston for hours. This was before cell phones were common and it was a nightmare for my grandmother. These folks get it in their head and it won't leave untill they do what they wanted. Its very hard for people like you taking care of them. Just know you are trying and doing your best at one of the hardest jobs out there. I hope you can find a solution.

 

He walked to the post office with my great grandpa every day for like 30 years. He just wants to go see his dad and check the mail, it's so saddening

 

Can someone not take him on that walk daily and satiate that internal need? Or will he just take off and do it again after

 

i tried just going for walks with him, it would scratch the itch for a bit, but then he'd realize that he didn't have mail and I was a bad guy for lying to him about the post office.

 

I came up with what I think is a great idea. I have a friend at the end of the street who will write him a letter daily and put it in her mailbox for him. We can go for a walk, the long way around, and get his mail.
Gonna see how that goes.

 

Love it

 

MERV 11 and up is hospital grade,If your concerned about air quality I would recommend a UV light.
But from my experience the cheap disposable ones will work just fine, keep in mind you need to change it EVERY 30 DAYS,a air filter is a barrier to protect the blower motor from debris getting into the windings which will build up and eventually insulate the windings and cause thermal overload.
JMO2

Gravity fed airhandlers will collect more debris like dog/cat hair,dander dirt ect..The ones installed on the second floor/attic are not subjected to heavy debris just dust so to speak.