1st Test of New Pallets and Splitting Poplar (the other white wood)

[@cwwhite5137]

Hey, guys. As we know The 6' Pallets answer a lot of questions and solve several issues. Congratulations on the new design! Stay Blessed! Chip

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Thanks Chip we definitely like the 6 ft ones a lot better .

[@johnwinslow4503]

Most of our Falmouth Lion's firepit wood is poplar, your right about getting rain on, we keep it covered. Thinking a couple rachet straps when transporting the new pallets, keep things tight. Nice paw mitts Karen, maybe you can get Phil to splurge for the Chem pack hand warmers. Cheer up, spring will soon be here.😊

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

thanks John yeah that poplar is great for fire pits we're going to axe that design of pallet just too tippy for moving around Karen has every gadget for gloves lol hand warmers, electric gloves, electric socks, you name it haha

[@williamhale6808]

A wise man never stops learning 😊

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

we usually learn the hard way but we learn lol thanks William

[@WoodysRTBFirewood]

Andrew you are a true Class Act. Your generosity speaks volumes for not only you but your company. I can’t imagine how surprised and elated Tyler must have been. You are obviously humming right along because our friend and fellow woodhound Tony from TC’s outdoors just picked up #1043 this past Tuesday. You have a great following and it’s understandable why. Cheers Woody !!!

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Thanks for the comment but i think ya meant to leave that on the Easton Made channel

[@begapelja4097]

have been following you for a long time and I am your subscriber. you are like two pigeons, you are wonderful. good health, take care of your fingers. greetings from the spring south of Europe

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

We appreciate ya ben watching us that long . Always fun to get comments from over your way .

[@SmallEngineswithPopPop]

You need to treat her like a Princess, she works real hard for you stacking that wood!😊

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

don't let her see this comment don't need it going to her head lol she does work hard and is a big help

[@westwindcharters9146]

For myself, I actually like poplar because I keep it under cover the whole time it is drying. It burns quick and hot. A great Spring and fall stove wood for me.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

I don’t mind burning it at all. Works great in the shop

[@hillbillyfranks]

Good job Keep pumping the wood out It'll be warm before you know it Have a good day

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Cold months are the best for me to put up wood . Still have a few months left of the cold stuff . Thanks Frank

[@On_The_Farm]

Keep at it guys. You will figure out the best dimensions for your pallets. Nice bit of splitting and stacking!

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Thanks . Next pallet run will be 6 ft wide an 4 ft tall . That should do the trick i hope .

[@bobfitch607]

Phil seen Chris in the woodyard put a few in the middle to bridge the two rows keeps the rows stable.1 third up and two thirds up. Give it a shot.my two cents that’s all

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

that's what we'll need to do going forward thanks Bob

[@bobfitch607]

@@AllenFamilyFirewood just trying to help buddy

[@geezerindawoods]

Live and Learn! the good life!! Press on.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Gota try it to know if it works .

[@Dorchwoods]

I think if you set some sort of 2x4, or 2x6 between the two rows in the middle, it will stabilize it a bit. Just a thought! It works for me when I do 6ft high rows down here in OOB, allows me to stack more wood in smaller spaces. I basically stack half of the first row, then half of the second, then I put a few 2x4 stabilizers across on each, then continue stacking on top of those

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Thanks Nick we did think of that an it would work good on our pallets of bundle wood but not so good on the stuff for bulk delivery . Because we just dump the pallets into the trailer an the 3 ft 2 bys would get delivered as well . We only built 12 pallets that way as a test so for the rest we are going to try off setting 6 or 7 pieces in each row towards the middle in hopes it keeps the piles separated . I think i will build 6 ft wide pallets for the next run so we only have to stack it 4 ft tall .

[@johnwoody4905]

good video and job with a power bill like that you can buy all ready to go dry killed wood. you may could get old free pallets and stick in the middle. take care, be safe and well.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Ya that power bill really ticked me off so much so i shut the main off an now run the generator when we are in the shop . On our new videos you will here a generator running outside . For as much as we do inside a $100 worth of gas will run our generator for a month im not risking anothe $2000 power bill till they figure it out .

[@leonardryan8723]

Poplar look beautiful in a fireplace with it scenery colours it give Phil and Karen . Poplar great mill for strapping for metal roof or sidling. Mill wet and put it on wet , once screw go into it won’t back out went it dry Phil . 😊

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

sure does makes good trim boards strapping and campfire wood

[@susanscherer143]

I think she is doing a good job also!!! Great video! You two are awesome!!

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

I told her she needs to get her pile its license .

[@leonardberryhill4166]

Phil Use the pallets to make bundle stands . Put end to end put pine in one put hardwood in other . Thanks

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

We make special pallets for our bundle wood stands but ya we could make them work they just wouldnt hold as much . We might save a few for the slower spots that dont sell as much .

[@davidedwards3734]

Great stacking Karen!! Hopefully y'all will figure out how to keep them stable!! Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

I think we figured it out we will off set a few pieces in each row towards the middle an that should hold the rows apart .

[@jameschandler2776]

Karen, put some wood ash on the ice and you won't slip. It sounds funny but it works. I have gotten cars out of ditches with a little wood ash from my stove. We keep it in 5 gal. plastic buckets and carry one in each car in the winter.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Thats a great idea heck we even had a bunch in the stove we could have used . I will remember that next time Thanks James

[@toddsoutsideagain]

Karen can stack wood in my woodyard anytime. She is awesome at it!! That’s saying a lot since I’m so particular 😂 Bummer on the pallets and the kiln. I would definitely pull the plug if your electric bill was that high! Wow😳 Take care you two👍🏻👍🏻

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Karen said i wasnt alowed to rent her out lol. Bout fell over when she called to tell me what the power bill was . $300 to 2 grand is a big jump for just running 7 or 8 fans . I just shut the main off an will use a generater to work in the evenings . Im hoping they figure out they screwed up like they have in the past an refund the $ but its a waste of time calling them now . They need 6 months to go by an then they will notice on there own that they goofed an refund us . I hope . But in the mean time we cant risk getting another bill like that so we will run off the generator .

[@robertwoolf4421]

Your pallet are great you need a spacer or a ladder brace to keep your wood separated

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

I think next time we stack we will off set 4 or 5 pieces in ea stack towards the middle so the piles cant fall in towards each other .

[@brentsmith2384]

Hello Phil and Karen. We call popular "goffer wood" .as soon as you get done putting it on the fire,you gotta go for more wood.but it's good campfire or hunting camp wood.i sell some.maybe on the pallets you already made,screw a 2×4 on the outside of the upright boards.1 in the middle,1 up top?

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Ya the stuff burns up fast . We only built 12 of them pallets to test out . Next round will be pallets 6 ft wide but only 4 ft tall so that should take care of them tipping in towards each other .

[@jameschandler2776]

Look forward to your videos. Even though it is cold, it looks like a sunny day. We havn't seen the sun in over a week. That is no way to treat your stacking machine. I like your haircut Phil, you are looking respectable. I don't mind what we call poplar. It burns good as long as you keep it dry. We mix it with other hardwoods. It starts easy.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

People seem to like that poplar for camp fire wood but its a challenge keeping it dry . Last few days have ben downright nasty out rain snow sleet an everything in between it was good to finaly be back out in the wood yard . Karen wouldnt be with me if she didnt understand my humor .

[@jameschandler2776]

Youm2 are a great team. my wife and I just had our 50th @@AllenFamilyFirewood

[@karenallen8581]

@@jameschandler2776congrats on 50 years James! Happy anniversary! That’s a milestone for sure ❤

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

@@jameschandler2776 Congrats James 50 is a heck of a milestone

[@jameschandler2776]

I was lucky and found me a farm girl that isn't afraid of work and love.@@AllenFamilyFirewood

[@buckinfirewood]

I like running poplar aswell but yeah you gotta keep it covered.. Straight grain few knots makes great kindling!!

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

It does make good kindling as well .

[@dono9879]

Hello Phil and Karen. That pallet was a little shaky and being taller it looked like it blocked your vision. If the kiln is done than it shouldn’t matter if the new pallets are 6 foot wide just make the opening wider. That was a crazy amount for the electric bill it probably would have cost less running electric heaters in the kiln. Phil your thumb looks like it is working good even in the cold weather. Maybe you could throw some saw dust on the floor where Karen is sliding on the ice that might help. Thanks for another good video.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

All the pallets block vision from the tractor . The next run of pallets will be 6 ft wide so we only have to stack 2 rows 4 ft tall an that should solve the problem . Thumb only hurts for the first half hr when its cold then it comes out of it . I can stop an get a pail full of sand the next time we start splitting . Just gota get some wood cut up into rounds first .

[@lifeonmttammanyridge2565]

Hey Phil, I do think that using one by material for stickers to fuse the two stacks together would probably be the best solution. And I think it would work really well if you were implementing the stickers as you were stacking, both stacks simultaneously so that way every sticker goes straight across From stack to stack. That way when you look in between the stacks, it’s going to look like a bunch of toothpicks going from one to the other and I think your customers wouldn’t be all that upset to have some one by toothpicks in the delivery pile because they’ll just utilize that for kindling.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

we're gonna definitely do something like that John someone also suggested stacking the wood butt to butt randomly throughout the stacks so it braces it in the middle glad i only built a dozen that way lol not the answer for us going forward think i'll go with 6 ft wide and 4 ft high pallets

[@WoodchuckCanuck]

You could cross brace your upright boards (like we do) to keep them from tipping closer together. You'd still be able to knock down afterwards. I gotta ask, why do you dump the blocks into the trailer and bring to the splitter when you could just bring the rock bucket filled with rounds over to the splitter? That's a high power bill. How much extra kWHr's did you burn during the period compared to the previous period (not using the kiln). I can't imagine that 4-5 fans (however many you are running to support the kiln) would cause such an increase.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

I like using the trailer because i can put 2 cord of rounds in the trailer an not have to stop every doz or so pices to go get another load . Actually ben thinking about building some sort of a hopper feeder we could load with rounds that would drop them right on to the table for me . Our power bill usually runs about $300 at the shop . We had 5 fans running in the kiln and one behind the woodstove plus the big one that was sucking hot air from the stove an blowing it into the room . We also had ben working in there a few evenings and had the lights on I think we pay 16cents pr kilowat hr because we are comercial . Thats the bigest reason we didnt use a big dehue to dry the wood even though we have 2 of them that got left at our shop from the previous company that we rented it to . Its not out of the norm for the power company to goof up on a bill as they have done it in the past to us but it takes them a yr to figure it out before they refund you . I could spend days talking to them on the phone an it dose no good untill they figure it out on there own .

[@WoodchuckCanuck]

@@AllenFamilyFirewood I hear you on issues with the power company. Similar thing happens here. It must of been a misread of the meter because there's no way 7 fans and lights can be the reason for such a jump. Energy consumption is easy to figure out if you don't already know already. What you pay for commercial rate is nearly what I pay for residential rate.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

@@WoodchuckCanuck We would call them but we have tryed that before an ya end up wasting 4 or 5 hrs on the phone with them . Eventually they figure it out an make good on it .

[@danshouseofsmokeandoutdoor7119]

I sure find pallet designs you really like. It funny. I really like poplar. Not much good wood here. I need get to point we’re not stacking. Ibc my tractor won’t lift. That definitely be best option. Becouse I can get them for 25. Stay warm out there. Keep up the good work.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Thanks Dan I never say no to poplar . I wish we could get them for $25 ea there tripple that an more around here . If we had more land i probably wouldnt stack just put it in wind rows on a cement pad an use the tractor to load it come delivery time .

[@ronnienichols4701]

In the South we use poplar and aspen to build with: that is sheds barns & other similar projects.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

I have sawed poplar into trim boards an strapping but ive never heard of it being used for framing . Thats good to know i might just try some as i have framed using pine 2 by 4s on small projects .

[@bendugas8632]

Have you considered moving the stove in the kiln, your exterior vent you would open it when the heat would be around 120 and a cold air intake low to the floor, 2 cans to circulate the air, but most importantly is put your wood minimum 6 inches from the wall for air circulation.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

we've given up on the kiln for now due to the electric bill we just got but i'm still looking around for a wood boiler to reconfigure everything going forward thanks Ben

[@shotlifffamilyfirewood]

Put the bracing 2x4s between the piles near the top. The wrap will help them do the job and then you can pull them out before dumping. Just a thought. And Holy smokes on the electric bill that's crazy

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

definitely gonna do something like that Brian power bill made me sick can't even believe what they can legally charge

[@ironmayhew]

😂You are just like me. Always slapping the bum of my stacking machine. Great video, as always you to.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Gota have fun in the woodyard we enjoy messin with each other

[@gushoo6076]

1 row 6 feet long I would imagine would be unbeatable in drying ( outside ), but maybe you could salvage these with connecting the two uprights on each side together near the tops so they don't move and maybe they would stay the same width apart as they are at the bottom where they are held in the brackets since each row is stretch wrapped to them and the wood moves with the flexing of the uprights. Thanks for the video.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Thanks! that's a good idea i noticed everything kind of shifted and that would probably help this design isn't the answer, glad i only made a dozen lol

[@robertseter4329]

Karen gave you the same look my wife gives me sometimes! 🤣 Be careful, Phil, or you’ll have to make your own dinner for a while. Nice try with the pallets. 5 feet seems to be a bit high when moving the pallets. I can stack that high, but i don't move the pallets. I've been doing ten pallet rows, but i only stack 2 rows instead of 3 rows. It is very similar to what Brad does at Firewood at the Furnace. I don't put dividers like he does. I put an IBC tote at the end of the rows and put cooking wood in them. You guys' way of doing it is much easier for loading, but my tactor can't pick up that much weight. Maybe one day I'll get a bigger tractor or track loader. Stay warm and hydrated.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

thanks Eric she gives me a lot of those looks lol i know how good i have it, she's a good sport for sure yup the pallets are just too high to be stable 4 ft high would work if i make the pallets 6 ft wide and 4 ft high i'll be way ahead of the game for the way we store them and move them around

[@tommyrichmond1293]

Best stacker in the country

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Yes she is i told her she should go for her pile its license .

[@tommyrichmond1293]

@@AllenFamilyFirewood that’s rite. Love you guys.

[@jasonpeterson9276]

Nothing wrong with popular.. 2019 i took down 11 lines fences half a mile long each for a farmer in mn .. people laughed at me cause we got around 4 logs a tree 16 ft logs abouts.. hauled it all home and than in 2020 when the bs lock down happened.. we bundled it up and hauled to Minneapolis and sold the heck out of it for the ones to scared to leave home.. lol.. kept 7 of us busy all summer long. Keep on making saw dust!!!

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Nice i love that kind of stuff . I have always burnt it myself in the daytime . Gota be the easiest stuff to split there is just hard to keep it dry .

[@kentcorbett5436]

I would get a top rack for your forks. Just for Lowe's stability, when you're moving, stop around and go get her some Ashes out of the stove. That'll give her attraction so she won't be falling down

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

just had a buddy stop over today that is going to weld a back plate on the rock bucket and possibly my forks too didn't even think of the ashes but i'll put those down next time we've got plenty of those lol

[@ironmayhew]

Ashes work great on ice. Also, truck floor matts.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

i'll definitely be spreading some ashes didn't even think of that and we have plenty of those lol

[@iffykidmn8170]

@@AllenFamilyFirewood short term fix as soon as they get wet they turn to mush and refreeze just like watery slush same thing for kitty litter as well. coarse sand, ice melt or Yak Trax type foot wear.

[@karenallen8581]

@@iffykidmn8170thanks for the tip! That will help!

[@davidshadwick-kd1ey]

That’s what I do with poplar, bundle it. Way to keep working in the cold.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Cold months are the best for me to work in the woodyard . I hate that 80 degree weather . Karen on the other hand likes the heat . That poplar makes great kindling as well no knots an strait grain

[@realcountryman47]

Looks like the only thing you need to do/try is use a simple off centered notched board-- notched mostly on one side of the board and slightly wider notch than the side boards are thick, kinda like a H design, but the center part of the H would be ever how many inches the side boards need to stay apart. Lay this board flat where you can lay right over the top of the side boards where it lays on the ropes(reason for notching off center where more weight of the boards is towards the middle of the pile so the board is more stable) where it keeps the side boards separated the right amount and your wrap or strap holds the piles where they don't go outward and with this 1 board on each side the piles can not go inward unless the pallet got shook bad and the stacked wood shifted. Plus if you would cut you some wedges, so you can tap the side boards to one side of your metal holders attached to the pallet, then just stick these wedges in the gap to tighten up the side boards at the bottom, you will have to cut the wedges where they don't stick to far though at the bottom, just stick them in to wedge by hand so you can pull them back out easy. This to tighten the side boards at the bottom so they don't move as much at the top. I think it will work and only take a minute to do, if you understand what I am describing? Wish I could post a Pic/drawing.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

I understand what ya saying and that would work im sure . We only built 12 of them pallets so its not a huge deal but we thought first we would try just off setting 3 or 4 firewood sticks toward the middle in each row about half way up an then do another 3 about 3/4 of the way up that way the stacks cant fall into each other . along with the shrink wrap that should do the trick for them 12 pallets an going forward i will swap over to making 6 ft wide pallets that only need to be stacked 4 ft tall . I do like ya idea an might make one of them H sticks to put across just to test it . Thanks for the ideas its much appreciated .

[@realcountryman47]

Think about them simple wedges to tighten them side boards(with ropes), watching the video, those side boards are moving back and forth bad as you were moving the stack causing the stack of wood to move alot. I have to do the wedges on something similar it my garden, works great to tighten up and easy remove my hand. Would be easy instal when she sticks the side boards in the slots to push a wedge on each one before stacking!!! @@AllenFamilyFirewood

[@JeffBaker-l8c]

Guess you could now turn those 12 skids into crates for your cookies now Or as your stacking say mid way up put a few stringers across the two stacks to tie the stacks together then resume stacking and do the same at the top. Should help the rigidity for travel.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Ya probably not going to make crates for cookies be cheaper to buy $75 ibc totes . I think if we just leave a few pieces in each pile sticking out into the middle an that should prevent the piles from tipping together .

[@GlenKent-n8n]

I would just offset a few pieces every so often. You would have to stack both rows at the same time. Then make sure one from the front is butted up to the back and visaversa. That makes sure the piece count remains the same.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Next time we start stacking that is going to be be the plan that way we can get threw the 12 test pallets .

[@ronnienichols4701]

A 4x4 & a1x12 the length of the stack would work. Place it on top of the stack before wrapping to transport to storage. It can be removed to use on the next one.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

thanks Ronnie we've gotten a lot of ideas to stabilize it and will have to do something like that but i'm not going to build the pallets that way going forward i have 12 of them though and will have to deal with those as we use them appreciate you watching

[@Avsman34]

Bridge the gap with several pieces of split wood. On regular pallets 6 foot high rows that what we've always done.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

I think thats what we are going to do next time we start splitting so we can get threw the 12 pallets we built .

[@billobermeyer660]

Karen is a machine when it comes to stacking, just wish there was an easier way. Could you have a couple small diameter limbs connect the two stacks to give stability and keep them from leaning. Definitely pull the plug on the kiln, not worth it! Have fun and be safe!

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Thanks Bill we’re going to try butting up the ends of some of the wood throughout the stacks hoping to keep them more stable and see if that works yup the plug has definitely been pulled on the kiln

[@davidlibby7230]

I burn poplar. You are right, need to dry it well, and keep it dry, but it does burn. Not a favorite but I have some on my property and always have blow downs. Splits good and stacks good though.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

it splits really nice we burn it in the shop once its dry but definitely not a favorite for heating wood

[@JeremyTardif-d6b]

Oh cotton wood is easy to come by. We burn it here in Colorado. We don’t have much in hardwoods.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

always interested to know how other parts of the country use the wood thanks!

[@gerryspang5917]

Be careful with the cheap shots Phil, you could be stacking the wood yourself. Make a thin pallet for Karen to work on, it will help when it’s wet as well. Enjoying your videos, cheers my friends.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

We will grab a pail of sand next time , we did try a small piece of plywood as well but it just slid around .

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

Ashes out of the wood stove will work.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

I should have thought of that as we had some in the shop . Good idea Noel Thanks

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

@@AllenFamilyFirewood Gotta look out for the Stackin machine. 🤭🤭👋👋👍🏻👍🏻

[@leonardryan8723]

Good evening here phil and Karen 😊.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Good evening Leonard!

[@MillersStumpsandFirewood712]

Always love watching you guys..

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Thanks! appreciate you watching!

[@DanielAtkinsFirewood]

Popular and cottonwood are the same here. I avoid it as i am more towards home heating, and no one wants it for that.. Douglas Fir, hemlock, and sugar pine are awesome here in Tacoma/Seattle

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

For us the poplar burns a lil longer than the hemlock or the white pine . Just a pita to keep dry .

[@DaveDunehew-e1f]

Why don’t you take a couple boards or 2x6 pieces cut to length & screw them to the out side of your stakes for transporting them to & from. It wouldn’t take much to make it stable for transporting. Love❤ your videos from home in Auburn Me.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Thanks Dave we ended up building 6 ft wide by 4 ft tall pallets instead of the ones in this video luckily we only built a dozen of them . We are still using them but just not filling them past 4 ft .

[@906sisu5]

An old guy running a mill once told me that poplar was the only wood he knew that once it was sawed changed from poplar to Aspen. Lol

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

We tryed that once in a firewood add . Never got any calls when we listed it as poplar but we did when we changed it to aspen . I guess aspen is just more poplar lol.

[@VicsYard]

I’m thinking slip ply wood in middle just for transport. Maybe.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

We'll have to do something like that with those tall pallets. Thanks Victor!

[@leonardryan8723]

Karen what size shoe you take , I might have a old pair off logging boot for you . Phil might make a set off chain for your boot . We use to wear chain on our hip waders for salmon 🍣 fishing on slippery stone in the water 💦. 😊

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

thanks Leonard lol i'll spread some ashes for her!

[@iffykidmn8170]

@@AllenFamilyFirewood put some ashes in your hand and add a bit of water before trying it quickly turns to slippery sludge, next try a hand full of sand.

[@inthebackyardwithdel438]

Hey Phil and Mrs Karen , you never know till you try . Sell those 12 pallets to Dana , he was burning pallets the other day !!!😂

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

lol Del I'd burn them myself but have too much into them

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

What about puttin plastic pallets in between, if ya can get them. 🤔🤔 Or old junk wood pallets. ? Sorry for all the posts. Things just come to mind. Have a good one. 👍🏻👍🏻👋👋

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

I think we will just off set 6 or 8 pieces in each row so the rows will be held apart if they tip together . We only built 12 pallets like this to try so its not a huge deal i will build the 6 ft wide pall next time an only stack em 4 ft high

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

@@AllenFamilyFirewood 👋👋👍🏻👍🏻

[@brianrobertson9314]

Take some saw dust and sprinkle on that ice works great

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

I would have tryed that if i had any that was dry . We just had 4 days of rain snow sleet an ice and everything had a half inch of ice on it with 6 in of fresh snow and its was 8 degrees that morning so everything was froze tight . Next time i will have a pail of sand for her .

[@buckinfirewood]

Having 2 rows would dry better than 3 rows.. just stack em tight or stack half the skid and stack 1 row between the 2 rows then finish the skid wrap and go..

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Yup that airspace betwean the rows is key . We are going to try off setting 5 or 6 pieces in each row towards the middle then wrap . We only built 12 pallets like this to test so its not a huge problem . Going forward i will start building 6 ft wide pallets that only need to be stacked 4 ft tall to make a half a cord .

[@mikehughes2026]

Hey there you two, got a video request. Being public figures like you are, I imagine you might receive suspicious packages from time to time- just to pick a random example, say someone sent Karen a old pair of logging boots- think it would be quite informative for us to see her in the full Haz-Mat suit complete with the breathing apparatus, opening the package with the skill and precision of a trained squad and the proper direct, quick disposal. Thank you for your consideration! 😂Keep up the good work- stay safe, be kind blah blah blah!🇺🇸

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

LOL, don't even know what to say Mike...other than we'll be on the lookout for suspicious looking packages! Kinda scared us now hahaha Take care!!

[@danielbowser130]

Tie the rows together with regular size pieces, stager part way up.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Yup that will work an once we start splitting again thats probably what we will do to get threw the pallets we have made .

[@davidlibby7230]

Make a top for the double stack pallet.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

thanks for the idea David we've got to do something more to stabilize those pallets for sure we're stuck with the dozen i made though lol

[@brandonhoad9033]

And that's y my whole farm and house are all one line...

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

yup, but we don't live there so they hit us hard with the "non-residential" rate just can't win

[@glenblair3478]

Brace's at least 2 on each side try it it will work

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

That would work as well i think but we are going to try off setting 7 or 8 sticks in each row towards the middle to see if that works first . At lest we only have 12 of them pallets to deal with .

[@LeBlancfirewood]

Sawdust on the ice

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

We’ll be putting something down for sure

[@LeBlancfirewood]

@@AllenFamilyFirewood ashes work good also

[@thomasworatschka6860]

Sprinkle the ice with water and then with barn lime

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

I keep a bucket of sand inside now

[@allenevans3044]

Phil, I don’t see you as a young child wearing a tutu and taking tap dancing. Along with the fastest splitter, you’ve got the ability to tap your foot at record speed!! Maybe a video sometime of you and Karen on the dance floor!!!😃😃😃😃. Just a friendly suggestion!! LOL

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Funny part is i wear them same work boots when i dance but its ben a long time since we gone dancing an im not sure either of us has it in us to go out dancing again lol.

[@kenskuts]

$2000 for electric? OUCH!! How many fans were you running or what else was kiln related that consumed 6.5 times the electricity???

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

We had 6 fans running plus the big one sucking hot air off the stove . Not nearly enuf to jump the bill from 300 to 2000 but theres no arguing with the power company . Over the last few yrs they have goofed up twice like this an they always deny it at first but after 6 or 8 months go by they send a refund once they figure it out on there own . Hopefully that happens this time as well but in the mean time i shut the main off an for what little we do in there i can run the lil generator for a light at night when im building pallets .

[@CherylGagnon-c3o]

Well you tried, that's the best you can do. Go back to the drawing board. Phil, you better be nice to the Karen and find some salt for that ice so she doesn't fall, or you will find a can of Spaghetti O's on the counter for your dinner tonight! Stay warm!❤💜

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Things dont always go as planed around here for some reason lol. Im going to stop an get a pail ful of sand for the next time we split wood .

[@buckinfirewood]

A rack for your forks might help keep it stable ..

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

I had thought about that but with a rack that tall it would be really hard to see the tips of the forks going into the pallet and it would only support one of the stacks from tipping one way . I think next round we will try off setting some of the firewood sticks towards the middle here an there on each row an that should help . We only built 12 pallets as test . Next batch of pallets will be 6 ft wide so we only need to stack 4 ft tall

[@buckinfirewood]

@AllenFamilyFirewood just keep top bar high enough to see under

[@1966poker]

Damn, didn’t recognize you at first with that haircut. 😂

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

lol Karen made me clean up my act I never get a haircut in the winter

[@toddpacheco4748]

Well Phil I think that Karen was saying is that your foolishness is not for the wood yard but it’s alright 👍 for home 🏡 😮😊❤

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Gota have fun Todd an im the same way at home as i am out in public .

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

Poplar wood. Stuff are here sure smells bad when busted open. Don’t store it in the garage. You got that right Phil. Soaks up water like a sponge, whether it’s living or dead. Learned that 20 years ago or more. Poplar wood, my saying is, popular wood is not to popular. 🤭🤭

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Ya its hard to keep dry for sure . I always figured it smelled like a box of fruit loops cerial sort of an ya right it aint very popular .

[@noelstractors-firewood57]

@@AllenFamilyFirewood 👍🏻👍🏻👋👋

[@leonardryan8723]

Phil Karen love 💕 that take her back to her young days dating with you 😊. Iiii iiii see her smiling back at you Phil .😊

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

lol

[@smorefirewood]

I have ideas, big ideas.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Im all ears

[@smorefirewood]

@@AllenFamilyFirewood isn’t that what Ross Perot said?

[@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb]

Fastest vertical splitter. But it's gonna hurt when it slices a thumb off. You gotta find something safer.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Well its to late on the thumb lol . Ck out our video called wet t shirt contest ends in disaster . That splitter got my thumb almost at the base but they managed to pin it all back together an sew it up . I was back splitting a week later using just 1 hand but had turn the speed down on the splitter .

[@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb]

@@AllenFamilyFirewood Damn, missed that episode. I saw your hand bandaged up for a while but didn't know it was that splitter that got you. I'd be tempted to wear mittens to keep the thumbs out of harm's way. Fwiw, saw an Australian vertical splitter (Rex?)on another channel that had a knife designed to make multiple splits - kinda like a vertical box splitter. Didn't need to constantly keep your hands under the knife yet split very fast. Your splitter seems powerful enough to do the same thing - less time under that knife seems an improvement.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

@@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb I can turn the speed up or down on our splitter i just choose to run it on full tilt lol. Just gota be really focused on it when ya running it an the day it got me i wasnt paying attention an it got me . . We checked out the rex splitters at the show this yr id say they are the safest comercial splitter on the market .

[@terencewest7738]

Need more roll of wrap at the middle and the bottom so it won’t come out

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Well it was a challenge to pass that roll threw it was a tight fit an it caught on itself an the wood as we were doing that . I think we will try just off setting a few pieces here an there in each stack so the 2 stacks cant fall into the middle .

[@randywilson6869]

Why do u split your wood outside?

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Our wood splitter is powered by a gas engine an that wouldnt be good to run inside .

[@jamespritchett1886]

Shorten the height of the new pallets and think that will out a lot. Looked like just a little to tall.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

we thought of that but then it wouldn't be 1/2 cord on the pallet not a big problem, but just like to know how much wood we have in inventory we're probably going to start making them 6 ft wide and only 4 ft tall thanks James!

[@pnuttheclownh2254]

why not use a multi way (like the 16 way) wedge on the vertical splitter? also use sawdust or wood ashes to stop slipping on ice. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2HNcpScarJ-bNksi=bq9NmJpwErJIEqga

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Our vertical splitter is not set up to take different wedges . As fast as our splitter goes a multi wedge would not be safe to run . I think any vertical splitter with a multi wedge would be sketchy to run . A vertical is a lot different than a horizontal splitter in how things happen. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a vertical with a multi wedge on it an probably for good reason .

[@doughegel9035]

Put some wood ash down would have been nice and wouldn't have been slippery

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Great idea an we had some inside i will do that next time if i forget to bring a pail of sand .

[@JeremyTardif-d6b]

Cat litter

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

that would work we just didn't have any we'll make sure we take care of it before next splitting session

[@hankjordan2602]

Wood ashes

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

thanks Hank can't believe we didn't think of that lol

[@hankjordan2602]

@@AllenFamilyFirewood it will be a little messy once the ice melts but I can put up with the mess then falling and getting hurt.

[@OpenAirAdventure]

Sorry guys, but the cow took my attention away at 19:20 😅

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

lol Kenny Karen said the same thing when she was editing the video we didn't notice it at first

[@peteanderson1714]

I'm calling OSHA. Get the lady some sand.

[@iffykidmn8170]

If only they were in an area with sand everywhere.

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

I tryed crunching up frozen dirt that i had plowed up but it didnt work very good . She will have traction next time she is stacking . We have a special place we can put the osha personel if they show up .

[@iffykidmn8170]

@@AllenFamilyFirewood Yak Trax or a bucket of sand either way the stacking machine is worth the price to keep her running.

[@karenallen8581]

@@iffykidmn8170lol 😂 guess we should have put some in a bucket before it all froze!

[@iffykidmn8170]

@@karenallen8581 often times, cities, town, county garages do not mind tax payers grabbing a 5 gallon bucket of salted sand from their piles.🤔

[@markreynolds9353]

Hi is she your wife?as very attractive and nice talking on your vids

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

yes she is my wife and we work together in the wood yard thanks

[@mikehughes2026]

Careful now Karen, we don’t need to see you pulling off a Hamill-Camel(remember her, the pretty skater with the haircut) landing on the ice “spread eagle “😂The craziness today in PA- “Gobblers Knob”- just can’t make this stuff up!” Punxsutawney Phil- I’d rather get the weather prediction from a hardworking outdoorsman like Phil “ Putzthesawtoit Phil”-yeah that’s the ticket. He could emerge from the dark recesses of the shop, fire-down a Mtn.Dew, hold his thumb up ( the good one) and proclaim if he can see his shadow! Now I think this would be a more reliable forecast than that annoying over-hyped rodent! Take care Friends- oh yeah, 1700.00 to power fans is highway robbery!🇺🇸

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

Hahaha! You really need to take your show on the road Mike 😂🤣 thanks for always making us laugh! Take care

[@leonardryan8723]

Karen glad your got to think 🤔 safety and always put SAFETY FIRST. WOOD 🪵 Ash and kitty litter work great phil . 😊

[@AllenFamilyFirewood]

we'll get it taken care of before the next round thanks Leonard