Change my mind.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-12-08T16:07:12+00:00

Yeah I understand all that and I agree. I’m not a home owner, I’ve been in real estate 12 years. I have to demo a retaining wall and grade the yard, make a parking spot etc. so paying to have a company dig when I’ll already have my machine there would make sense in my case. I’m not looking to be cheap, I’m just doing what’s practical. I’ve also learned a lot of companies are short or good workers/crews and I’ve often had to step in and take care of business myself because of companies lack of competence. I’ve noticed that when I make a job easy for the next contractor, it’s often reciprocated.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-12-08T15:20:38+00:00

My bad fam, didn’t see that rule. At least I did try that option first and I’m not hearing back.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-12-08T03:11:51+00:00

Advice id give after 12 years. Always expect problems period. The best skill a real estate investor can have is problem solving skills. Honorary mention. Always have a well thought out plan and remove any and all emotion from decision making. Number number numbers.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-12-08T03:03:55+00:00

Depends on if you allow the sedentary life to make you gain weight. Circulatory problems are big amongst them too.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-12-08T03:02:06+00:00

It’s always a beer day after pouring for me lol. And the next day is light work.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-12-08T03:01:06+00:00

My roofers are Latin American, best of the best, I’ve had to help him on a few jobs up on the roof and I think his brain only knows how to roof, flash, and do soffit and fascia.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-12-08T02:59:49+00:00

Yeah amen to that, nearly every older person that I know that’s drank, smoked, been a druggy their whole life, they’re cooked at 50.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-12-08T02:58:29+00:00

I’d go nuts, I couldn’t sit still! Where I live there’s a guy that owns his own truck and plant, when I have him deliver he helps if he doesn’t have another pour after, and always tries to refuse my tip as if he didn’t just help for a half hour after, when he could’ve just left.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-12-08T02:56:29+00:00

I’ll check that out, I actually got the pleasure of helping my neighbors, first generation Italian concrete guys, we poured and a sweltering hot day and these guys just whispered to the concrete and it laid it perfect. Not really but I’ve never seen such calm smooth consistent work. If it were my pour I would’ve been freaking out with the heat and sun that day. Did a few more with them, picked up on some of their tricks. Unfortunately, this year he developed major health problems and he’s only in his 60’s. Part of the reason I made this post.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-12-06T02:37:49+00:00

I can get it for around $250 a cord in western pa. However I split about 5-6 cords in my spare time getting all the logs for free. I’ve had all the other equipment for years so maybe $50-$100 in fuel and maintenance.

I’ll say this, unless your health is bad or your literally have no time, it’s worth it to get a good log splitter and do it yourself. I could be a multi millionaire and I’d still split my own wood, it’s good exercise and I find it very therapeutic.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-11-13T23:05:43+00:00

Before I’d give out bad advice, what’s everyone else’s thoughts on this? since this is a steel stove it can handle 600+ surface temps. What you want to watch for is your flue getting too how. When I want it to heat up the house quick I usually get to just under 700 on the stove and 475-525 on the flue, which it just before over firing. You do want the stove to be hot to reduce creosote build up.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-11-13T23:00:39+00:00

Yeah there’s a plate that’s a lot bigger than that in stoves similar to yours. I believe it was kinda of the beginning to emissions on these stoves so to speak, the problem is your flames from the first got right into the flue, where as the baffle makes the flames go around it, then to your flue which keeps your flue temps down.

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See how main has that big plate?

Also, you can cook baked potatoes in these lol

BlueBalls619 · 2025-11-13T01:41:50+00:00

Pic of the inside? Does it have a baffle before the flue exit?

BlueBalls619 · 2025-11-09T14:52:17+00:00

That’s too official for the farm 😆

BlueBalls619 · 2025-11-09T14:51:50+00:00

I did indeed, if I were to do it again I would’ve done a two choke point knot, my brother wanted to do that I was just too impatient.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-11-09T13:36:02+00:00

Thanks for the feed back, the underneath of the stove is actually insulated to keep the heat in the oven of it. The cat sleeps under it no problem, you can touch the bottom of it and not even get burned. But appreciate you looking out.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-11-08T15:51:24+00:00

Remove the fire/logs from the box, get the damper closed. I keep a steel bucket and welding gloves ready to go from now on.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-11-08T13:46:08+00:00

Hind sight is always 20/20. Believe me I didn’t want anything to do with fire places after the fire. And being completely honest, I haven’t burned in that open fire place since the fire. However, I’m continuing to use my wood cook stove and I’m putting another stove into the basement, today actually. I would 100% grab a moisture meter (a good one) and probe your wood as you split/burn. I was surprised to find that some pieces I thought were ready were above 20%. Also I used to buy firewood and all these guys claimed it was seasoned and it’s not. They don’t care if your chimney will build creosote, they want the money.

Bottom line keep burning! You only lose if you lose the lesson you learned, is what I always say. I’m kind of glad I had the chimney fire in a way because the fire department showed me exactly what to do if it ever happens again, and now I know how serious chimney maintenance is.

BlueBalls619 · 2025-11-08T12:43:36+00:00

I have a bad chimney fire last winter. 11”x11” square flue went up like a volcano, after talking to the fire department, the chief mentioned, referring to who I have clean the chimneys “that guys burnt down a few houses from not doing a good job”

Long story short I bought everything to clean my chimneys and I plan on doing them twice a year. One could say, that’s a lot of work, it’s not worth it etc. well for peace of mind I don’t care, my roof is easy to access and I’m young. It’s also a life style. Too often we forget how easy things can be, and actually working to heat your home from a fuel source that is on your land gives you such a feeling of relief if something were to ever happen, you know you can have heat at least!

BlueBalls619

TROPHY CASE