I'm Travis and I sell firewood. I have two masters degrees, have lived and worked in Africa in the humanitarian field, and run my own consulting business. And, I stutter.
The channel started as a place to house my videos from my work and travels throughout Africa.
Then, I moved back to the U.S., bought a home, and now spend my spare time tending to my property. As any smart person does, if/when I have a question, I Google it or find a how-to video on RU-vid. Sometimes, I can't seem to fine what I am looking for. So, I end up figuring it out myself. When I do, I film the end product.
THEN, I got heavy into firewood. I split and process firewood for my own home, as well as sell wood - mostly at my self-service firewood stand. I am trying to post more often. Please follow me as I continue my journey to sell firewood as a side hustle in Snohomish County, WA. Thanks for watching.
Ugly and twisted wood doesn't bother me even if I was buy wood from someone. It "looks" better but it's not going to burn any better. I don't think anyone in my area woukd care about how it looks they just want something to burn. Great video Travis
Since I am selling in bulk I have yet to have someone complaining that it's ugly twisted stuff. Now I do mix everything so everyone gets nice to the ugliest stuff.
I split wood that stacks nicely so the wood looks good and small enough to grab with one hand. Knotty chunks I save for my fire pit or the less fortunate people that live in the area. Basically if it will stack then it gets sold, regardless the appearance. Rotten wood goes in the burn pile in the back of my property. I’m lucky enough to be able to pick and choose nice stems from tree jobs so I have minimal waste. Fun show, thanks
It is hard to get feedback from buyers but I try. The few comments I have received are in regard to having an included progression of sizes so the fire can be started with what is included. So I include some kindling. I asked about sizes and got the impression that if firewood looks too perfect like a store bought 2x4, they think it is construction waste and for some reason not campfire wood. I say this because we bought huckleberries from a lady that does it for a living and says she buys bundles wherever they pick.
I agree, even if I asked for it I think people would be put off. But I feel people would tell me if they had a bad experience with my firewood, or not come again or come again and again if they like it. Ah, that's interesting insight - I'll keep that in mind. Keep cuttin'!
Keep in mind I'm a burner not a seller. Nothing at all wrong w knots except when stacking. I'm the a-hole pieces source.😅 Knots are harder than the straight hence last longer. To me I don't care if my piece of pie looks like crap as long as it's YUMMY so y does wood have to be clean and straight and perfect to be good ? But you're right, people got it in their heads it's gotta be pretty. So yeah, go w the norm even tho there's no real reason to, imo. I think separate wood by dry down rate more than anything. I burn anything except sumac, no shortage of that here😢.
I appreciate you validating my thoughts, thank you. Glad I'm not nuts, ha. Tell me more about not burning sumac? I may need to cut some when I go to VT. Keep cuttin'!
You can kinda tell that I was struggling to make it up as I went without a real script. Glad someone found it funny, I thought it was hilarious. Keep cuttin' Ken!!
Bwahahahahaha!! Hilarious Travis! I’m going to cut my hose down, and might experiment with a hookaroon! I would never use more than 2-1/2 pinches of ash. Great video bud! Keep cutting! Best, - J. Andre. / Old Iron Acres
Hope the waters not from the drinking hose. Not to mention 🔥 would melt the bucket. What if we put it under heat lamp at night, will that cut production time? And will a pick handle work, thats all i have, my axe is fiberglass. The good bottles are at the $1.50 store
Hi Travis, I am no Arborist or chainsaw expert. I have been processing 12 cords of wood a year for the past 10 years. Several things about your video. 1. Your sharpening technique is off. You need to drag the file straight at a 30 degree angle, you are moving the file up and down as you are filing. You also need to file down the depth gauge or "raker" that is in front of the cutting tooth. Your technique is actually dulling your chain. You should purchase the Stihl 2 in 1 chainsaw chain sharpener. Those things work exceptionally well. 2. You talked about modifying the muffler. Don't do this. 2-strokes need back pressure to get the most power. 3. Oil ratio of anything higher than 32:1 are not really necessary. You can actually run the saw on 50:1 if you are running a good full synthetic motorcycle 2-stroke oil. Bel-Ray, Yamalube R, Golden Spectral, Klotz can all be ran at 50:1, but I run all my 2-strokes at 35:1 with good premium non-ethanol fuel. I have been racing 2-strokes since 1973 and was a pro motocross racer on open class 2-strokes, so I am very familiar 2-stroke operation. 4. Chain tension should be done with the bar up. I usually put a block of wood under the front of the bar to lift it up while adjusting the chain tension, tighten the bar bolts and then remove the block of wood. Feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions.
Hello, and thanks for watching. Sounds like you have a lot of information. Let me know if you're interested in being on my Firewood Addicts Podcast Series. Keep cuttin'!
Hey Cindy, we'll be in VT from 19th-30th. Were going to fly into BOS directly but ended up go through Burlington. Running a 500i would be fun. Thanks for watching, keep cuttin'!
I am also at a place where I don't know where to put stickers. I have even had my own for the last year just watching for me to send out.. BTW. what do your kiddo's think when you get random stickers in the mail??😂
I don't want to spoil the surprise but I think my idea for where to place channel stickers is brilliant - stay tuned. Kiddos don't know of the stickers, maybe I should share with them, ha. Thanks for watching, keep cuttin'!
Nice bundle chat Travis! Thx for the sticker shoutout. I think I figured out where I’m going to be putting stickers. I’ve got a project table that I love…. I think I’m going to add them there to it, and the when working all the stickers will be there! Awesome that sales are up!! Bundle, bundle, bundle!! And happy that your podcast is going to keep going! Best, - J. Andre. / Old Iron Acres
I never can tell about the bundles. No sales for a few days then 5 or 10 gone. The high temps have slowed things way down and camp fires might get shut down if we don't get any rain so I have been busy getting a bunch of birch split and cooking in the sun.
I hear you, buddy. That's why I can't justify bundling up a stock that may sit for weeks. Weather does play a huge role. Unsure if people actually abide by burn bans or not. Thanks for watching, keep cuttin'!
Rhythm guitar sounds just like Pantera style when you went to splitting. 🤘 Dime was one of the reasons I picked up a guitar many moons ago. Now I'm amped up and ready to go split my firewood this morning!!!! Thanks buddy
Man Ifeel the same way about stickers. I have probably over 50 sitting on my desk and I just never know where I want to put them 😂😂. Yours made it on the Axis!!! Thanks for the exchange and the support brother ✌️
Glad I get to be on the Axis esp since I was able to get Andrew on my podcast. Man, I need to get one of his machines! Hope my sticker place idea will be helpful to other wood hounds. Thanks for watching, keep cuttin'!
The $200 range a cord(128cuft) for any firewood is a bargain price regardless the size. Wood that cheap people would figure it out. I have to split 2 cords of oak tomorrow and that wood will be priced depending on the amount of ball sweat that’s collected. 😂
