Wheat

[bacpacker]

I planted a spot about 25x120 last October with winter wheat. I tried this the previous fall as well. It came up well and was doing good until a hail storm wiped it out last April. This year it started growing in late Feb and has done very nicely. Tonight we went out and started the harvest. I am using a sycthe that my dad had and I got a good workout growing up cutting weeds with it. It does a good job on wheat stalks. I hadn't tried to harvest anything with it before and I sure need to work on my techniqiue and the scythe could use a good sharpening as well, but it still will suffice for the rest of the harvest.

Tonight I made 1 lap around the patch and then we went back and picked it up by hand. I have a 5x8 trailer and what we picked up tonight filled it about 2/3 full at about 2' deep. I am no more than 20% thru with the harvest at this point.

One big thing I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to try this on a small scale like this. Invite a bunch of your friends over early one day and put them to work. Doing this by hand is DAMN hard work. We are both toast tonight and are REALLY looking forward to getting back at it tomorrow night after work. Seriously though I could have cut the whole patch tonight, but it would have taken 3-4 folks to have picked it up at close to the same rate i was cutting it.

I was concerned about waiting to long to harvest and the seed heads breaking open. That didn't happen with very much of it tonight. I may have even started a few days early, but we are expecting storms and heavy rain Friday, so I wanted to make sure and get all I could before that hits.

After the harvest is done I have to figure out my best technique for seperating the wheat seed from the chaff. I have done this all as an experiment to see if i could actually do it and to figure out how best to go thru all the processes needed to properly harvest and store the wheat. I still don't have any idea how much of the seed I'll end up with. So far I've learned a few things and have a couple things in mind to help speed things up or make it easier. I have taken some pics along the way and several tonight. I'll post up a few of those when time permits.

[mitunnelrat]

This is awesome, and something I've wondered about. I'll be looking forward to reading this and seeing the pics as it develops.

[ladyhk13]

Where are the pics??????????????????

[Sniper-T]

Awesome. You are about 1 year ahead of me. I am hoping to break some ground this weekend.

Have you tried hand stripping the wheat while on the stocks? Wear something like a postal carrier bag, grab a couple few, and pull up while squeezing. most should come off in your hand (if it is ready), drop in bag, and repeat.

Then you can use the scythe to cut the hay, and just rake it.

[bacpacker]

I have tried that a little. It seemed much slower and i am trying to beat the weather. It would be more effective in getting a high% of it. I think.

[Sniper-T]

I've harvested literally tons of wild rice in this manner, and once you get into a good 2 handed rhythm you can fill baskets mighty quick.

It is also a good way to pick only the ripest. Assuming you have the time, go through and strip everything that comes off easily, but dont force it. wait a week or a few days, and do it again.

[bacpacker]

I may give that a shot tonight and see how it goes.

[Sniper-T]

Oh, and especially for wheat... wear gloves!

[bacpacker]

Found that out last night. ;)

[eagle326]

Was half way there BP but had to turn around and go home because I forgot my gloves. ;) ;) :o

[bacpacker]

Thanks Eagle. This sure gives me a much greater appreceation of my grand fathers who did this type stuff growing up and had no options.

[eagle326]

Thanks Eagle. This sure gives me a much greater appreceation of my grand fathers who did this type stuff growing up and had no options.

You got that right BP. My dad left us when I was 6 or 7 yrs. old. My mom raised 6 of us by herself with help from my grandma Frizzell. All the older men back then taught me many things and all the tools were manual ; no power tools involved. Gardening was all hand dugged and turned soil with rows and hand planted ; weeded and watered when needed. Harvesting was the same.
I feel for you and the wife Bro. but if you can pull this off you'll be further ahead than most people out there . If I was closer I would love to give this older body a test and learn something new in the process.

Hoping you do it and enjoy the fruits of your labors.

[Echo2]

This is how I handled our wheat issue for now....

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4110/5093095771_f85505a1b5_z.jpg

The BOL is a working farm....The owner has a small hand harvesting set up.

The berries are viable to plant.....I tested the ones from this....

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4142/4783605986_b4650a0ce0_b.jpg

BTW....don't just toss a propane auto lighting torch into your truck.....even if you think the igniter is bad....:(

[bacpacker]

Echo how do they do their harvest? The growing is the easy part and i still would like to figure out the best method for harvesting.

Eagle i went about this trying to learn all i could. I hope i never have to do this for real. Its time consuming but has been interesting to watch it grow and change as it has matured. One thing i know that would help would be a cradle for the scythe. Right now the stalks go every which way. The cradle would keep them all the same and make pick up much easier.

[Grumpy Old Man]

BP, the old ways to separate the wheat from the chaff was to toss it in the air and let the chaff blow away. I learned that in Sunday school btw, back when air was clean and sex was dirty.

[Sniper-T]

Sharpen your scythe!

If you are scattering the stalks, then it is too dull and you're bludgeoning them to death. a sharp scythe will lay all the stalks down nice and neat, all layed in a row. as you walk forward, you will lay down row after row all the same direction.When you pick it up, bundle it into 6-8" dia bundles and tie them. Then you can stand them up somewhere to finish ripening. when ripe, you can pick up the whole bundle, and tap the head end into a tub and the kernals will just fall off the stalks.\

And as Grumpy said... throw it in the air on a windy day to seperate the chaff. Get yourself about a 4' X 4' framed screen. hold it by one end, and flick it upwards, like flipping a pancake in the pan. catch it, shake it around and toss again. (stand upwind for this) if some isn't seperating, grab handfulls and rub it between your two hands, like you were lathering them up to wash.

Repeat with the tossing

[Echo2]

Echo how do they do their harvest? The growing is the easy part and i still would like to figure out the best method for harvesting.

The machine they have is old....but it is a series of rollers and paddles....fed from the top.....berries go into a hopper. You still need to separate it.

A cool separator I saw at "field day of the past" near Richmond....was a hand cranked shrouded fan and a gated hopper to allow the mix to go in front of the fan stream.

You may have to run it through a couple times....but it worked....and could be done by one person.

[Echo2]

as far as cutting....we have sickles...for when the tractor stops...but in the mean time we have a side bar mower.

[bacpacker]

My original plan for cutting it was to use a sickle bar mower my dad has. But it needs some work and i just haven't had time to fix it up yet.

Good idea on seperating everything. I will be using some of that.

[bacpacker]

I tried using Sniper Rice technique tonight, pulling the heads from the stalk and not cutting anything. It was much slower. I only was able to work about a 10x15' patch tonight in 1 1/2 hours before rains hit. It'll take me longer to harvest this way, but I was able to get 99% of the heads harvesting this way. I looked back over what I cut last night and saw I had missed quite a lot. I think I'll keep hand picking for a while longer, maybe at least till the heads seem like they are close to opening up and drop the seed. Or until I get tired of it and decide to try and speed up the harvest.

Here is a couple of pics from last night.

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120530_182424.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view&current=20120530_182424.jpg)

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120530_182406.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view&current=20120530_182406.jpg)

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120530_182658.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view&current=20120530_182658.jpg)

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120530_193006.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view&current=20120530_193006.jpg)

[ladyhk13]

Good job! That's what wheat looks like up close??? Uhmmmmm, that is growing ALL OVER our new property. I picked one while I was there last time to look it up and it's been sitting on the counter. I saw your pics and thought, wow...that looks familiar so I got it and compared. Other than mine is still a green color and not as full as yours (I picked it about 2 weeks ago) it looks exactly like your pics with those long hairy things and I smelled it and it has a straw/hay kind of smell to it now that it's been drying for a while. I guess someone planted it out in the open fields. Maybe I should cut some down and harvest the seed.

[bacpacker]

Sounds like the same stuff. Mine had the hairs in tight with the head when they were green, but as the heads started turning brown ( mine has been for about a month or so) the hairs started seperating and now stand out quite a bit. The seed in mine has also gotten a very hard shell like the seed i sowed had. This tells me it is right at ripe. Mine has went from really green to a light brown and is now getting to a darker brown tone. It doesnt all change at once either. I still get the odd green ones and the dark brown is about as sparadic.

Let me know how yours does. How big of an area do you have? Is it all together or spead around a field?

[ladyhk13]

I haven't been out to the property in almost 2 weeks so I'm not sure what it looks like now but we need to go out there within the next few days I would think. I'm not sure how much is out there but I guess I had better at least harvest as much of the seed as possible before it gets all mowed down. I won't be able to cut it so I guess the rest of it will go to waste. I can put the seed up and maybe replant it next year. I don't even know what kind of wheat it is.

[Sniper-T]

take some close up pics before you start harvesting it, and some more of just the kernals after you get them cleaned up. I should be able to identify it for you!

[Evolver]

This guy moded his sickle and has a sharpener hanging from his belt so it looks like he sharpens as needed.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW1lxWRY5kE

[Evolver]

These two got it down! Can't understand them be you don't really need to. :)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNw1Bg9UmTo&feature=related

[Evolver]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5kXm4sa0p4&feature=related

[Echo2]

This guy moded his sickle and has a sharpener hanging from his belt so it looks like he sharpens as needed.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW1lxWRY5kE

I lost sight of the guy around 25 sec in....don't know what happened.....:)

[Evolver]

lol

[bacpacker]

Evolver those are some good vid's. I had watched a few on you tube last year and they are instructional. I hate to admit it, but I tried sharpening the scythe when I got started today and screwed it up. I felt sharper after I started than it did before, but it's not cutting worth a crap now. There is technique to doing these blades and I hadn't figured it out yet. :(

I spent the rest of the day picking by hand and ended up with a spot about 15x25 picked this afternoon. I have gotten 15 gallons of heads so far, plus a trailer load of cut straw/heads. I still have 25x100 left to harvest.

[ladyhk13]

take some close up pics before you start harvesting it, and some more of just the kernals after you get them cleaned up. I should be able to identify it for you!

I'll do that, thanks!

[ladyhk13]

Do any of you know how much flour one cup of wheat will create once it is ground?

[AlphaTea]

I usually get about one and a half cups of flour from one cup of berries.

[Echo2]

if the humidity is low....1:2.25.....if the humidity is high.....1:1.5.

using a GrainMaker with the fine mills.....

[Katrina]

bp,
This is how I remember my uncle Eddie doing his. He took the sharpening stone and ran it from base to the tip, following the curve of the blade, flip it over and again base to tip. I don't remember how long he did that, seemed like it took forever but I was an impatient kid back then. It's been 30-40 some years since I watched him do that.

[Sniper-T]

[QUOTE=Evolver;32639]These two got it down! Can't understand them be you don't really need to. :)

He doesn't say much of interest... He just keeps lamenting that he wishes he had a helper like the guy in the other video...
lol

This guy does a decent job of touching up his scythe, and explaining a few things. Note the angle of the cut.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4BMI9C672xQ

[ladyhk13]

^I thought this guy really didn't know what he was doing. He said as much...watch how he sharpens his blade compared to some of the other vids with the old timers. Then he totally trashed is grass....I like the old German's and the Australian girl, now they know what they are doing.

[Sniper-T]

keep in mind, this guy is cutting green grass/clover, not nice tall standing dried wheat.

I don't have volume, so I don't know what he was saying, but as a full sharpening, no, not so great, as a quick touchup to take out the nicks... decent.

[bacpacker]

Well I finally got all my wheat harvested. I kept working on the scythe and finally got it where it cut more than it ripped out. Man I'm glad that part is over. I have to say though I learned a lot. I did get the timing right on the harvest. There is a farmer down the road that has 4 fields and they all had wheat in them. He just did his harvest this past week. He planted about the same time I did last year.
I found I need to work on my sharpening skills A LOT. That will help with Ax's, knives, and other tools. I also need to figure out a way to make and attach a cradle or basket of some type to my scythe to help with keeping them grain heads all closer together. I was running into the sycthe cutting thru and the stalks just falling around as I went. The cradle would kind of bunch them up and keep the heads lined up better. The harvest would have been easier and seperating it would be as well. I also found by watching the older couple in the video above that you cut in toward the standing stalks. It holds them somewhat vertical and makes gathering them up better. The lady in that video also was using a small hand sickle to gather and pick up the stalks by making a bundle. I gotta find a couple of those sickles.
Now on to getting the wheat seperated and stored. Plus we have a bunch of straw that will be used in the garden and chicken coop. I'll put up some pics next week.

[eagle326]

Well I finally got all my wheat harvested. I kept working on the scythe and finally got it where it cut more than it ripped out. Man I'm glad that part is over. I have to say though I learned a lot. I did get the timing right on the harvest. There is a farmer down the road that has 4 fields and they all had wheat in them. He just did his harvest this past week. He planted about the same time I did last year.
I found I need to work on my sharpening skills A LOT. That will help with Ax's, knives, and other tools. I also need to figure out a way to make and attach a cradle or basket of some type to my scythe to help with keeping them grain heads all closer together. I was running into the sycthe cutting thru and the stalks just falling around as I went. The cradle would kind of bunch them up and keep the heads lined up better. The harvest would have been easier and seperating it would be as well. I also found by watching the older couple in the video above that you cut in toward the standing stalks. It holds them somewhat vertical and makes gathering them up better. The lady in that video also was using a small hand sickle to gather and pick up the stalks by making a bundle. I gotta find a couple of those sickles.
Now on to getting the wheat seperated and stored. Plus we have a bunch of straw that will be used in the garden and chicken coop. I'll put up some pics next week.


Way to go B.P. !! Glad you got that part out of the way. If I lived close enough I'd love to have your scythe while you're not using it and try making a cradle for it. Would be a project I never tried but looking at some sites it doesn't seem too hard to make.

[bacpacker]

I've been searching off and on for a while and must not be using the right terms. I'm gonna try to do something with it this winter.

[Evolver]

It's called a cradle... here's a bow cradle.


http://scytheassociation.org/2011/07/18/fitting-bow-cradles-to-austrian-scythes-to-mow-corn/

[ladyhk13]

I still haven't been able to get to the wheat. What happens if I leave it on the stalk too long? Bp is it past harvest time? I am going to have to do it by hand and I guess the straw will be just bushhogged down.

[bacpacker]

Not sure about your area but its probably gettin close. Once the wheat is fully ripe it will start dropping seed from the heads. At this point it will be hard to harvest without a lot of loss.

Thanks for the link Evolver. I have been lookin but no luck.

[Evolver]

Your welcome.:)

[Sniper-T]

True that you'll lose a lot harvesting over ripe, but you'll still get a bunch, and what you 'lose', will actually help re-seed for next year.

[bacpacker]

Evolver I found a few pics today that show a little more detail about how they are built and attached. I have some work to do, but nothing that looks too hard.

Like I had posted earlier, I finally got the harvest in Saturday. Here is a few pic's.

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120609_141748.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view&current=20120609_141748.jpg)

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120609_141742.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view&current=20120609_141742.jpg)

[helomech]

Wow, man that is some work. So how much actual wheat/flour did you end up with?

[bacpacker]

That is yet to be detiremined. The wheat/straw is in a trailer waiting to be seperated. Thats my next job. Right now if i had to guess, maybe 4-5 bushels. But i really have no idea.

[Grumpy Old Man]

For you BP. A tribute:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u67Lb1RyXTU

[bacpacker]

Good one Grumpy, Thanks. :)

After a call to Eagle this afternoon got me thinking. I have a couple of old books on old building, bridges, tools, etc. I got to thinking, maybe there is a scythe cradle in one of them. Sure enuff there was a couple of designs. I think I'm starting to form an idea of how to make the cradle itself. My problem is still how to attach it to the scythe. What few pictures I have found don't really show the attachments themselves.
Another idea Eagle and I were tossing around, there are a couple of museum's up near the National Park that have some old tools, cooking gear, and stuff. I'm gonna check them out later this year and see if I can find something useful there.

[eagle326]

Good one Grumpy, Thanks. :)

After a call to Eagle this afternoon got me thinking. I have a couple of old books on old building, bridges, tools, etc. I got to thinking, maybe there is a scythe cradle in one of them. Sure enuff there was a couple of designs. I think I'm starting to form an idea of how to make the cradle itself. My problem is still how to attach it to the scythe. What few pictures I have found don't really show the attachments themselves.
Another idea Eagle and I were tossing around, there are a couple of museum's up near the National Park that have some old tools, cooking gear, and stuff. I'm gonna check them out later this year and see if I can find something useful there.

Glad you found the book B.P. Hope the museums have one to take measurements on. I'll check with my neighbor Rufus and see what he can tell me. You could also call the museum and ask if they have one or know where you might find one. I'll get back on the computer and see what i can dig up.

[Sniper-T]

Can you throw some of those pics up here BP? we might be able to figure out the connection for you. From the ones I've seen, it looks like a thin piece of flat bar (1/8 X 1) which could be looped around, drilled and bolted together. tightening the bolt would lock it into position. like the U in this picture, except sized for your scythe, and one end continuing on as the cradle:

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx284/A_L_CURRIER_MACHINE/De-rusted%20tools/misc_stuff_2.jpg

except instead of the bolts sticking out the ends, there would be holes though the flat spots near the end to run a bolt through

[eagle326]

Can you throw some of those pics up here BP? we might be able to figure out the connection for you. From the ones I've seen, it looks like a thin piece of flat bar (1/8 X 1) which could be looped around, drilled and bolted together. tightening the bolt would lock it into position. like the U in this picture, except sized for your scythe, and one end continuing on as the cradle:

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx284/A_L_CURRIER_MACHINE/De-rusted%20tools/misc_stuff_2.jpg

except instead of the bolts sticking out the ends, there would be holes though the flat spots near the end to run a bolt through


This is what we chatted about Sniper ; Looks like we'll all on the same page. Glad you found the pics.

[bacpacker]

I'll see if I can take a decent picture to post up. But like Eagle said, putting a hole thru the long handle a bolting a strap to it to secure the entire cradle moun is pretty much what i had in mind. The poc also talked about materials and mentioned hickory being used for that. I'll have to see if I can locate any, if not i may try locust instead. Its tough and should stand up to that as long as it don't split. I have acess to a buch of that still on the stump it would be much easier to work.
Thanks for all the input. Hopefully something will come from this.

[Grumpy Old Man]

Take a look at this site BP.

American Grain Cradles (http://www.americanartifacts.com/smma/grain/cradle.htm)

[eagle326]

Take a look at this site BP.

American Grain Cradles (http://www.americanartifacts.com/smma/grain/cradle.htm)

Was on that same site last night Grumpy and tried blowing up the pics for a better view but didn't give me much to work with. Maybe B.P. will have better luck.

[Sniper-T]

Step by step instructions:

Scythe Connected: Grain cradle design from Slovakia (http://scytheconnected.blogspot.ca/2010/07/grain-cradle-design-from-slovakia.html)

A decent info site:
Scythe Works | Technical Info (http://scytheworks.ca/technical.html)

A decent utube:

Mowing Norfolk Reed with an Austrian Scythe - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0nLOEksWC4&feature=youtu.be)

[Grumpy Old Man]

Try this link.

Fitting bow cradles to Austrian scythes to mow corn | Scythe Association (http://scytheassociation.org/2011/07/18/fitting-bow-cradles-to-austrian-scythes-to-mow-corn/)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPak6eZvSkA&feature=related

[bacpacker]

All right guys, your wearing me out now! :) Actually I have been on each of these sites that Sniper and Grumpy posted. From what I have read so far, the bow cradle works well for grass, but doesn't work very well for grain due to the weight up high on the stalk. So far it appears the attachment for the two types are somewhat different.

I ran across a blade forum earlier today and joined of course. I haven't had a chance to look around yet, but it appears to be a decent site. Once I got in I was able to locate a scythe thread which has over 20 pages. Needless to say I haen't gotten thru much yet, but the 2nd or 3rd page I found this site

"Tai-chi or Golf? Zen and Sport of Scything" by Chris Devaney page one (http://www.homestead.org/ChrisDevaney/Scything/Scything.htm)

which shows in pretty good detail the difference in attachment for the European and American style Scythe's. Mine is a American brand made by Seymour. I need to take a closer look, but I'm pretty sure it is the same os the American style shown on page two. The European style I think would be very easy to adapt a cradle to.

I also found this site which shows what appears to be a European style mounting ring.

Scythe blades - The One Scythe Revolution (http://onescytherevolution.com/scythe-blades.html)

Anyway, I think I may be on the way and have several months to figure it out and make what I need. Several times most likely :)

[bacpacker]

Found this one that might have something in it.

http://www.fastonline.org/CD3WD_40/JF/417/06-273.pdf

[Grumpy Old Man]

Downloading it to file! Great find BP!!

[bacpacker]

I have found some pics and a load of info. I'll try and get that stuff up over the weekend. I finally have an idea of what i want to do for a cradle, just need to figure size and materials and get some time to work on it.

[bacpacker]

Here are a few pictures and drawings I have found the last few days.

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_KGrHqVHJ0E-bNNOOmBPzpm8i2M60_57.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view&current=KGrHqVHJ0E-bNNOOmBPzpm8i2M60_57.jpg)

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_KGrHqNHJCUE-gJtNpEOBPzpnTk360_57.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view&current=KGrHqNHJCUE-gJtNpEOBPzpnTk360_57.jpg)

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120613_163441.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view&current=20120613_163441.jpg)

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120613_163435.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view&current=20120613_163435.jpg)

The pic's are going to be useful during the build. I blew them up and printed them. Going to research wood types on what to use for the cradle. At this point I'm thinking of using tulip poplar or red maple ( I have both with some nice green limbs I can select and bend to let them cure in position) for the fingers and maybe a piece of turned down oak for the upper rod.

The thing I really need to figure out is the Rods ( mini turnbukles maybe ) or some small diameter threaded rod possibly. The main connection at the bottom is leading me to believe I have several options to choose from.

[bacpacker]

Here are a few more drawings. These are from the book I have. The others came from link I got from a blade forum. More useable scythe stuff there than anywhere else I have found so far.

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120613_163406.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view&current=20120613_163406.jpg)

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120613_163342.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view&current=20120613_163342.jpg)

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120613_163333.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view&current=20120613_163333.jpg)

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120613_163321.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view&current=20120613_163321.jpg)

Let the work begin.

[eagle326]

Here are a few more drawings. These are from the book I have. The others came from link I got from a blade forum. More useable scythe stuff there than anywhere else I have found so far.

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120613_163406.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view¤t=20120613_163406.jpg)

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120613_163342.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view¤t=20120613_163342.jpg)

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120613_163333.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view¤t=20120613_163333.jpg)

http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/th_20120613_163321.jpg (http://s1142.photobucket.com/albums/n607/bacpacker/Wheat/?action=view¤t=20120613_163321.jpg)

Let the work begin.


Outstanding B.P.; you got it Buddy!!! Hope to see the finished product one day soon. :)
With those pictures you should be able to make a very nice one. Maybe as time allows you could build a back up or just some spare parts as you build the main cradle.

[bacpacker]

Long term that's the plan. I figure I'll have to do 2-3 versions to get it like I want it to be. That's alright though, just another learning expereince. Once the final design is determined, I'll make enough part for 2-3 extra's to store. I've also located some parts to make the scythe itself with. I think I'll pick up a few parts for that as well.

I've also got to thinking along the lines of Izzy's thread about the Team Mindset. If a group is going to assemble and make a go of it long term, they will have to start a pretty large scale farming operation pretty quickly (as season allows) to provide food for the group. Regardless of how much everyone has stocked, it will run out. So thinking about things from that stand point, I think I'm going to start building up a supply of hi quality farm/garden tools. I have already been getting some for my use right now and I'm pretty happy with some products I've ran across. Now just to store more of them and lots of other things I need to accumulate along those lines.