Clod Stomper

I like Chuck Norris, but...   I'm skeptical...   Maybe without the hat.

I think that would be _gorilla_ warfare.

This is a shameless plug for a new venture that a friend of mine has undertaken.  I hope it's ok.  I'll talk to him and see if he's interested in advertising on this forum.  BTW, I do not profit in any way from his business.   It's called BigPig Outdoors.  Here's the site  http://bigpigoutdoors.net/home.html   And the facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bigpig-Outdoors/191471821015019   I can tell you from personal knowledge that this guy walks the talk and knows his stuff.  It's actually a bit disconcerting how hard-core he is.     So if anyone here has an interest in honing their wilderness survival skills OR knows someone who has never pooped in the woods, but wants to learn how, give Andrew a call.     Be sure to check out his blog.  It's linked from the webpage.   Will

Well, I've been busy and didn't post any pics.  Sorry about that.  I'll get some posted in the next few days, hopefully.     The tree fell exactly where it was aimed.  Due to me being out of practice, it wasn't aimed perfectly, but it didn't matter.  It didn't hit the house or the small building.     I did let (request, actually) my friends who have more recent experience do most of the cutting.     The 36" saw made all the difference in the world.  Saved a ton of work.  Many Thanks to Spots and his Dad for that.     The one thing that surprised me was when the tree fell.  Having been dead for less than a year, I expected it to be more green.  But when it hit the ground, the limbs were pretty brittle.  It pretty much flattened out on the ground.  Saved me a lot of limbing and bucking, so that's not a bad thing.

A wedge isn't really going to be necessary in this case.  There is no way it's going to set back.  It has a pretty steep lean in the direction I'm going to lay it.     I plan to do a plunge cut for the back cut.  Leave some wood holding in the back.  Then when I get the back cut square with the direction I'm aiming, cut the back.  That will give me time to get everything lined up perfectly before it falls.  I could do that with a smaller saw, but the long bar is just in case the back lets go too soon.  Did I mention it has a severe lean?  It really does.   I have wedged trees over against the lean.  They are certainly handy when that is necessary.  Even with a near vertical tree or one with a slight lean in the right direction, I'll use a wedge to make sure it doesn't set back.  But there is no doubt about the way this one is going to fall.  

Thanks for the advice guys.     I agree that it would be nice to have someone with insurance, but I've already (over)paid someone to take off the most threatening limb.  The rest is pretty straightforward.  Like I said, it is near the house, but it would be actually pretty hard to get it to hit the house due to the lean.  I could easily hit the workshop, but it's a small 8x8 building, so I won't cry if something goes awry and it gets damaged.   Yes, I know how to cut a large tree with a small saw.  I have an 18" Stihl that could bring it down.  I have done so with several large trees, but due to the proximity to the buildings, I need to keep the holding wood even for the entire back cut.  It's leaning heavily, so it COULD start falling before I want it to.  If my hinge is not even, it will pull to one side or the other and I don't want that to happen.  The long bar is mainly an extra precaution.   Yes, I did climb it yesterday and cut off a limb that would have caused it to twist when it hits the ground.  I did have a safety harness and I do not have narcolep :snore: ...   I have two, possibly three, friends who will be here.  Between us, we have dropped literally hundreds of trees.  Many while on the job.  One of them teaches the class that new sawyers for the NPS or USFS have to complete before they can use a chainsaw on the job.  So I'm not concerned with the level of expertise.  We just don't have liability insurance.   Already have a quote from the same guy who cut the killer limb.  It was going to be another $1000.  Nope, not happening.  I've weighed the risk vs savings.  The risk isn't that great.  Like I said, it would be pretty hard to get it to hit the house.  I can rebuild the workshop for less than a grand.   As for cleaning it up, I would do that myself anyway.  I heat the house with wood.  So I'm going to TRY to get a portable sawmill or Alaska mill out to make some boards from the trunk.  The rest will be firewood.  If I can't get a mill, the trunk will be firewood too, but it will be a shame to waste that.  It's such a nice straight, clean tree for about 20 feet up.  It will make some nice boards.   Yes, I will try to get the whole thing on video.  So if I truly make a mess, you can say "We tried to tell you, you flaming idiot!   :shake: "     And I think I have found a saw.  Thanks Spots!   I'll report back Saturday night or Sunday.  If I'm still alive. Hmm.. maybe I should sell tickets.   :popcorn:   Will

  I recently ordered a replacement coil from Amazon for my Stihl chainsaw.  LIke you, I was dismayed to see that it was being shipped from "China Post".  But it was significantly cheaper than OEM.     I got it a couple days ago and installed it.  Saw works like it's supposed to now.  Hope it lasts.

I am about to cut down an enormous oak in my back yard.  Its dbh is at least 36".  So does anyone know of a place around Knox or Blount county that rents large chainsaws with at least a 36" bar?   Yes, I could cut a tree that size with a 20" bar, but it is going to fall between my house and my workshop.  So I can't take a chance on it letting go before both sides of the back cut are even.  It has to be pretty precise.  Did I mention that it has a very heavy lean?  Fortunately, it is leaning in the right direction.   I've already paid someone to take a huge limb off of it that was directly over the house.  So I can't shell out more money.  It's  a pretty straightforward cut, I just need an extraordinarily long bar to do it.   An internet search was less than helpful.  I haven't started calling many places yet.  Thought I'd stop in here first.  I did stop by Home Depot, but they only have a 20".   Thanks, y'all   Will

I think Van Damme has done a split in every movie he has ever made.  I am seriously impressed that he can still do it.

A rear aperture sight is a definite upgrade to stock sights.  But if you just need to move your point of impact, you only need to move the front sight to the left.  I wouldn't bother trying to beat it with a hammer (BTDT).  A sight adjustment tool is a must.  You can make one or buy one.  It's easier to buy and they aren't very expensive.     I got one of these for my SKS.  http://www.tech-sights.com/   If I were to do it again, I would go with one that replaces the factory rear sight.  For the Tech Sight, I had to remove the factory sight anyway.  That left the leaf spring just sitting there, so I made a "slot blank" to cover that.  Also had to use the rotary tool on the sight base because it interfered with the sight picture.   There are rear aperture sight replacements for the SKS that just replaces the factory rear sight.  Here's an example.  http://www.mojosights.com/sample-page/ak-sks/   Either way, you'll want to move the front sight to correct the windage.  Otherwise, your rear sight won't be centered.

Wow. I hear crickets. Like Superman said, I'd go .309, but measure your bullets as cast first. If they're good and round and not over .310 or even .311, I'd skip the extra step of sizing them.

How about an EMP in the upper atmosphere? Not likely enough? How about the simple RUMOR that there is a nuke or some other bio or chem weapon in the heart of whichever city you're in circulated widely. In Knoxville, it isn't too hard to snarl the major artories out of town on a GOOD day. Add some panic, a few car wrecks and traffic is standing still for a while. In larger cities, multiply that by 10. Heck, throw in a snowstorm for good measure. If I was a terrorist, I wouldn't pick a nice sunny day to wreak havoc. It won't be roving bands that are dangerous. Panicked cattle are just as dangerous and less predictable. However, I encourage anyone who doesn't think it's possible to simply go about their lives complacently.

There is a handful of patriots in Hollywood. James Woods and Gary Sinise come immediately to mind. And of course Tom Selleck has been "out" as a gun-owning conservative for a long time. If you want to see an actor rail against the current administration, follow James Woods' tweets. Oh yeah, and one of my favorites, Stacey Dash. Dean Cain (of course Superman loves America) is another.

Having not kept up on gaming tech, what does the PS4 offer over the 3?

I do frequently, but not all the time. I wouldn't count on an officer knowing the law about anything. When I was pulled over last year, an Alcoa PD cop lectured me about the "law" saying I had to tell him if I was carrying. I just nodded and smiled (my normal response to idiots) but he kept on and on. I happened to not have my AR in the truck at the time. No telling what he would have said about that given how well he knows the law.

I just happen to be building (slowly) my get-home gun kit.  Here's what I'm going with...   An AR pistol lower with two uppers.  One upper is a 10.5" .300 Blackout.  The other will eventually be a 10 or 11 inch 5.56.  Add to that a .22 lr conversion kit for the 5.56 upper.  The main purpose of the 5.56 upper will be to use the .22 kit for small game, but I can also use 5.56 ammo if necessary.  This kit, broken down, along with my daily carry pistol, is easy to keep concealed.  Even when travelling with it.   Other things you should always keep with you are water, a way to filter more water, warm clothes, a way to stay dry (poncho, tarp, whatever) and a way to get dry and warm (fire-starting equipment).  Equally important is a comfortable pair of shoes or boots.  I like lightweight hikers or trail runners.     If 20 miles is all you have to cover, the shoes and water will be most important.  Of course, staying off of roadways will drastically slow your journey.  A 60 mile trip will probably require food and fire, especially in cold weather.

Are you kidding?  Some of them have bodyguards and even Secret Service protection.     Oh wait.  Wrong thread.

Wow. I don't remember hearing about that. Dog alerted on a $20 bill? There's a better than even chance that would happen to anybody. Unbelievable. Are these agents of the state just getting their jollies under the premise of fighting the "war on drugs"?

But we don't know the whole story! It's not like its documented in the report or at the hospital or something like that. This guy was asking for it when he open carried his, um, clenched cheeks while rolling through a stop sign. No doubt on his way to Starbucks to flaunt their lax attitude toward tightened buttocks. Play stupid games... I have little doubt the cops in question were merely concerned about his digestive health. An impacted colon can be a serious issue, so the use of multiple enemas was warranted in this situation. For the safety of the suspect. (I apologize for the preceding. It's past my bedtime again)

I saw something at the gun show Saturday that I've been waiting for for a long time. Polymer UPPERS! Didn't get one because I had no money, but I will at some point. You may want to look into one to save a few more ounces.

Found you a new option.  Almost certainly dependable.  The barrel isn't threaded, but that can be fixed.  I wouldn't mind having one of these myself.  If I had $1100 of disposable cash.

Well, since you said all suggestions were welcome... Since you're looking to remain lightweight, I would forego the piston system and use an adjustable gas block instead. It will keep it light and still keep your rifle innards cleaner than most others which are normally over gassed. As for the receiver, I'd stay with forged. I don't know about all billets, but mine is a bit heavier than forged. Just a few ounces, but ounces add up to pounds.

I would recommend the 6.5G, but your requirement for milspec mags knocks it out. UNLESS you're fine with 4-5 rounds at a time. The Grendel requires a dedicated mag for full capacity. Otherwise, it has an energy and distance advantage. If you're going to handload, that's another factor to consider. Grendel is "pickier" when it comes to hand loading.

Don't know where you are, but if you want to check the headspace, I have a gauge. If you're near Knoxville, let me know. Will

Yep. And federal. It's hard to get canned from a fed job. Unless you're caught carrying an unauthorized weapon. But doing drugs is another matter. Get caught with drugs in your system (I was subject to a random whiz quiz. Always passed, of course :) ) and you're offered rehab and counseling.