The Unexpected Evolution of My Firewood Bundle Business
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Making Camp Firewood Bundles: How we do it!: • Making Camp Firewood B...
DIY Cheap Roadside Firewood Stand Build: • DIY cheap firewood roa...
How fast does Ash dry? Making Firewood Bundles: • How fast does ash fire...
The Firewood Bundle Missing Link from @Back40Firewood : • The Firewood Bundle Mi...
My new @WolfeRidge firewood bagger: • I Switched to Firewood...
Building the brand new @OutdoorsEngineer Roadside Stand: • The Best Roadside Fire...
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Making Camp Firewood Bundles: How we do it!: ua-cam.com/video/_n2KLlJkvFM/v-deo.html
DIY Cheap Roadside Firewood Stand Build: ua-cam.com/video/4vPKn9nCo-A/v-deo.html
How fast does Ash dry? Making Firewood Bundles: ua-cam.com/video/e9Pq7oUR48w/v-deo.html
The Firewood Bundle Missing Link from @Back40Firewood : ua-cam.com/video/Q5nSvDXq_sM/v-deo.htmlsi=7t2ywKHaZj_4qlOV
My new @WolfeRidgeSplitters firewood bagger: ua-cam.com/video/EvvW-6Y9UkQ/v-deo.html
Building the brand new @OutdoorsEngineer Roadside Stand: ua-cam.com/video/zwjT9hkrxV8/v-deo.html
Get more of Outdoors Engineer at outdoorsengineer.com
Link to the new bags that you get --Thanks
outdoorsengineer.com/products/mesh-firewood-bag-1-cubic-foot-100-per-pack
Mitch, this is the best road side stand on the Internet that I've seen. I think I'll try my hand at it again. I used to sell bulk firewood... I don't want to do that again. Great video.
Hey, thanks a bunch. Let me know if you have any questions, and stay tuned. I have another video upcoming on this firewood stand and with that video I plan to have plans for it available on my website. Most likely free as well. Good luck with the firewood sales!
Your Roadside stand has definitely evolved over the years. I have to say, your current stand is very impressive and well thought out. I think I am going to try my hand at one this fall.
This man made my secret bundle very tight with his twine. Good technique
That's hot.
I watch a LOT of firewood /wood content on UA-cam - probably a dozen different channels. I enjoy watching several other different kinds of content on YT also. But of all of them, this is the first channel I EVER subscribed to - based on this video. Respect for what you've done, for what you are doing. This is the American dream right here folks.
Thank you for bringing a smile to my face this afternoon. When I hear things like this, it helps me be motivated to do more! Thank you so much!
Firewood/wood content. That’s a subculture I wouldn’t have imagined 😂
Thanks for sharing, very informative and helpful!
My pleasure! Thanks for being here!
Maybe attach a QR code to your firewood roadside stand for Venmo and Zelle or Apple/Google pay so your customers can pay you direct if they don't carry cash. This would also alert you to a purchase so you can restock during the busy season much sooner.
Hey! Not a bad idea about Zelle. I've had Venmo and Paypal for a couple of years now :)
Great video of the evolution. I may need to do a vid of my evolution that is a bit different but definitely evolving. Take care
Awesome! Thanks! You gotta evolve to stay afloat!
Thank you for being considerate of the plastic wrap. New sub from pnw. Keep cuttin'!
Thanks for the sub! Have a great weekend!
Nice video Mitch I did it somewhat the same way I bought a wolfridge and that made things easier for me I offer stacks and bags and bought the smaller ones for kindling I recently went to a wood shop and got long strips of KD pine I cut down to size I also just added diy scented and citronella firestarters and now have a separate rack for bigger stacks of pine you are doing it right keep it clean and pro loooking and bussiness will grow
How are you making the firestarter?. It's on my mind. I bought some OWTM firestarter and it works great. I have some ideas on how to make it, just haven't pulled the trigger yet.
I bought small paper cups from amazon then went to the same woodshop that I get long strips I cut down and make kindling bags I get sawdust and woodchips from them I put in small trash barrels with lids anyway I fill cups with that combo then I melt down either on the woodstove or a hotplate I use lamp oil and parrafin or whatever wax I can get and I also play around with essenil oils or anything that has a scent to it like apple cinnaon or even orange peels or pine needles I have a stainles steel pitcher and por into cups I also bought the wick online and cut down and let harden then I put in little plastic bags sometime I make unscented if putting in a bag of kindling Now I am making larger blocks that also have citronella for outside firepits the scents last as long as it burns but I am always trying new things with them I have five stores I put them in and in my stand I also give away to customers who buy a cord of wood I just bought a dump truck so that should make things easier I cant wait for things to dry up a bit woodyars is a mud yard lol
I @@OutdoorsEngineer
Really a great video, gives me ideas! I sold 700ish bundles and probably another 3 cords worth of loose “7pcs for $5” last year in my first year with a road side stand! Homemade jig similar to yours… I’m getting excited for this year!! May-October it’s chaos !
Yes! $$
New subscriber here from Maine. Great video.
Thanks for subscribing!
Nice video...watching from Superior WI.
Thanks for watching! I get there every now and then. Camped at Mont du lac last summer!
i am 63 i bought my first chainsaw when i was 14 . i have been logging and falling timber most of my adult life . if u do the math concerning bundling firewood as opposed to selling by the cord. yes bundle your wood. .75 cu ft bundle 171 of those in a 128 cu ft cord 3.25 each i think it comes out to 556$ per cord. firewood is good therapy and u provide warmth. they will never outlaw a good old fashioned wood fire. if they try people will build a fire any way, somtimes a fire is the best. long live the logger and the axmen.
Great insight! People often ask if I sell large quantities. It's hard to say yes because the $/volume value of bundles is so high!!
The burning of wood is being banned all over the world right now, but they're doing it on the local government level, so it mostly is unreported in the news.
In the UK wood burning stoves have been banned in some places already and that is ever expanding.
Those who are against the burning of wood say that it causes respiratory problems and that one person in the area burning wood can create a health risk for the entire area.
They're not joking either. They're very serious about it.
They have gone so far as to say that a person heating with wood in Montana can be the direct cause of someone who is living in California developing respiratory cancer.
They're very serious about it and they are lobbying to make burning wood illegal.
Meanwhile they allow wildfires to burn for weeks when they could have put them out when they were still small.
Come to germany and the netherlands: they pretty much banned all heating on wood in the Netherlands and in Germany they are starting too. Please send Trump here when he’s done making America great again.
Excellent video! Thanks for sharing your journey, I’m sure many other small vendors will benefit from your insight and experience, thanks from Melbourne Australia.
Glad it was helpful! Thank you for the kind words!
Still find it hard to believe that I watched this entire video and...actually found it entertaining. Great presentation skills, outstanding videographic skills, nice flow just great work (on the evolving firewood enterprise as well!). FYI, to other viewers, this guy's price on his mesh bags is much lower than Wolfridge, the supplier!
Coincidentally or maybe not, but ironically (since I'm located in the 'burbs, O.C. Calif), a couple of neighbors suggested that I start selling firewood, due to quickly and unintentionally accumulating massive amounts of firewood (mostly Eucalyptus - great firewood, Pine, Oak, etc - word spread to a large number of landscapers who just didn't want to bother dealing with firewood stores/merchants, disposal, etc). Bottom line, I just wouldn't have the patience so that's probably what makes your story entertaining, liviing vicariously through an opportunist's hard work, efforts (and "toys:!),
Best wishes on your future growth, not matter where this leads.
Thank you! It's always nice to hear that!
Just seeing this video 10 months late lol…. How many bags actually get returned? Do you have much of an issue with theft? I love your road stand. Great idea!
I actually get a decent quantity. Maybe 10-30% of the ones I sell. Which is a savings all together. Plus it may take time for customers to catch on too! I do get a ton of return customers.
In the past, with my old firewood stand, I had much more theft ($75 - 125 per season). In 2024, I sold over $7000 of firewood in this new roadside stand. I was only shorted $19 the whole year.
Here in Maine, the Falmouth Lion's have always sold roadside firewood in columns, we also sell by the cord delivered. Currently our pre-season firewood sales is at 15 cord out of 25. We sell out by the end of September. We sell in additional 3 cords by the column. Our wood is processed and seasoned a year in advanced. Delivery is less than 10 miles. We will start on our 2025 wood starting in April and have over 10 cords in the yard to be processed. 3 of us are able to do do 1+ cords an hour with a TW3 HD and a modified 6 way wedge. This works best with our volunteer operation. Please support your local Lion's Club.
They do ton for the community. Firewood's a great thing!
New subscriber from WI, good video on bundles. Thanks!
Welcome! Thanks!!
Nice presentation,
Will be watching other vids
Awesome, thank you! Hope you enjoy!
Really good video. I'm just curious, how to do prevent theft from wither the roadside stand or the money box?
@Kiran_UK I have a few cameras out by the stand, which I'm sure helps a bit, ua-cam.com/video/ADYUidI6M_w/v-deo.html
I also have a pretty strong pay box from The Honest Honor Box.
I have had a person break in and steal about $40 in 2022, but at that point it was a cheap locking mailbox.
Overall, people have been fairly honest. I'm only short $19 worth this year on almost $7000 in sales. It was worse in past years when I had the uglier pallet stand. This more professional looking stand i whole heartedly believe has contributed to doubling my sales and more honesty.
First time seeing your videos.. just subbed !! Good job sir
Thank you!
VERY SMART, I LOVE YOUR GO GET IT SPIRIT,.. I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO DO VERY WELL, YOU DESERVE IT,. NOT TO HARD WORK, AND SMART THINKING PRODUCE GREAT REWARDS,...
Nice job 👍🪵🔥🚜🏰🚀🇨🇦
Right on , Thanks! Keep er movin..
How much loss from non-Payers do you have? That loss is all profit lost...
That bagger would be good for deer corn ears. Some of that small stuff could be apple wood or hickory for smokers. Thanks for the ideas.
Great ideas! Any veggies that could fit in the bags!
I would love to have a set of them
Very nice job.
Thank you! Cheers!
Also where did you get the bags from if you don't mind
Frieze Firewood in Phillips, WI
I have the bags I use for sale on my website now! outdoorsengineer.com/products/mesh-firewood-bag-1-cubic-foot-100-per-pack
I love how you have evolved! Love the latest roadside stand! Looks awesome. In the most part, are people honest and pay the correct change? I'm from NZ and have a firewood business, currently sell around 1700 cube PA, recently getting into bagging it, don't know why it wasn't done earlier! Think I'll make a roadside stand, as I'm not always at the yard! PS, I started my firewood journey 6 years ago from pretty much an axe and a toyota hilux and trailer, have grown to be one of the largest in town, and run harvesting equipment, truck it to the yard and is processed with a processor, as well as have about 1500 cube covered area. Never tell yourself you can't do it, as I never thought I would be as big as I am in the space of time I've done also. Keep it up mate!
Wow! You have grown a ton! Yep, for the most part, they are honest!
I premake 100+ bags from Northern Woodsman and store them in my shed that is completely closed so UV rays don’t affect them.
As a Scandinavian I have always wondered why no one seemed to sell firewood in the small bags over there. Here its standard, you wont find plastic wraped wood over here.
Although lately I have started seeing more and more places selling firewood bundles in small cardboard boxes, it much more space efficient.
Yes, those bags are mostly made from polyethylene which is UV resistant, but it NEVER biodegrades. It simply turns into microplastics and gets smaller and smaller. Useful stuff for the present, but terrible stuff for future generations. It is highly recyclable, which is one good aspect I guess. Box is way better.
Boxes are interesting. Great if they can be kept dry!
Thank you. I just subscribed👍
Thx for sharing
My pleasure
New Sub - We have the same set up with a LP furnace and a Wood Furnace.
Thanks! Have a great day!
Nice vid sir
How to you process the mini pieces? Can you explain what goes into cutting and measuring it?
Hey Jody, check out this video here: ua-cam.com/video/9YqVsi1CzGY/v-deo.htmlsi=i1fdIt2B2tHyeNsz
I'm just using my cookies and splitting them. I have built a jig to cut the bigger pieces shorter. But Back 40 Firewood has a pretty fancy machine now to make mini firewood.
Nice stand! Does the honor system work? I guess so otherwise you wouldn't continue doing it...
@jeffntexas8920 sure does! Only short about $30 this year. Not too bad imo.
@@OutdoorsEngineer Good to hear. Glad most people are still honest.
What stove is that in your basement
Where do you purchase your bags from if i might ask?
@WilleysFirewood A local supplier and manufacturer. I have them for sale on my website. www.outdoorsengineer.com
Where do you buy your bags?
outdoorsengineer.com/products/mesh-firewood-bag-1-cubic-foot-100-per-pack
Something reusable would be good for client retention. Or metal wire fir less plastic waste
The bags I use are reusable. I get many returns!
Name of the company you now buy your bags from please.
Thank you for your purchase!
Do you beat your wood up or do you handle your wood with care?
It depends on my mood.
It's a shame it's hard to get jute bags these days. They'd look great, feel great, be more reusable, and best, be biodegradable. Single use plastics like this are gonna haunt us all in 30 years
Completely understand.
Just getting started and built a stand last Thursday. Already making money !! I made a video about it, not near as nice as yours.
Feels good when that work pays off! Thanks for the kind words!
How much are these red bags?
$0.50 each from my supplier.
@@OutdoorsEngineerhow does that cost compare to what it cost when you wrapped the bundles? Tim in northern TN
You should turn some of the less desired wood into charcoal it will definitely sell.
Is charcoal production hard to do?
@OutdoorsEngineer nope it just takes a little skill and some time.
I remember when we had roadside stands here in the Netherlands.
Nowadays they'll not just steal the stuff inside the stand but load up the entire stand into a truck as well.
Well, that doesn't sound like fun.
Ya'll should consider taking them brownies and making firewood out of them.
You know your market but your prices seem cheap. Suggest bundles $10, 3 for $25. Loose firewood $25-30 if they average 5+ bundles. Great looking stand!
I feel like they are. I tried the $7 each or 3 for $20 and I felt like I got jipped more often. Plus, I want people/word of mouth to start to gain traction. Looking for "cheap" but good firewood, go here type of thing.
How many bags do you get back?
Since I implemented the bag return, I haven't sold many bags, but I just got my first batch back! I haven't counted how many, but I was excited to see that. WIll be interesting to see how the summer goes. I'll try to keep track of how many bundles I sell and how many bags I get back.
Thats a great idea
So, I have worked in industry and product development, equipment procurement, specifications, blah blah blah a lot as well as manufacturing in small to large companies. May I respectfully suggest a modest approach to improve the situation? If it will help, I can do it in an anally retentive manner for your amusement however, I refuse to use charts and graphs.
@OutdoorsEngineer So, around 70 cents in materials per bundle, plus time, using the bags. Using poly strapping and metal buckles would cost about 14 cents per bundle and would only require using a pair of gloves while tightening. A little more than 100 dollars would buy a tensioner for a tighter bundle but I doubt you would need one. If you were to go whole hog, an electric machine would automatically tension and weld the strapping and negate the need for a buckle, reducing the cost to about 7 cents per bundle. While the machine is expensive to buy new, they are easy to find used, especially at business auctions, craigslist, and such. Most machines can easily strap up to 15 packages per minute while tensioning to 100 pounds so it will be waiting on you instead of limiting you.
Here in east germany they are cheap folk. They only buy by the cubic meter (3x3x3 feet) which will cost between $55-$70 (dry pine/ spruce) in 10” which is the most used length here.
No way that someone would pay $5 for a bundle if a SRM (3x3x3ft) holds over 40 bundles for $55.
Gas costs about $8 a gallon here and the 2 stroke chainsaw gas is $25 a gallon so getting 3x3x3feet out of the woods with an atv will cost you about $35- $40
So the profit on 3x3x3ft (27 cubic feet?) is a lousy $10
You guys are lucky with your cheap gas and customers who are easily fooled into buying small bundles. Then the rules are way more relaxed to. Here ypu would need a minimal of 3 permits to put up a selling stand in your yard.
enjoy watching thanks from In the woods 👍
Glad you enjoyed it. Have a great day!
where i live idiots would try to steal from it constantly
I'm sure many locations are like that.
300 bucks in 3 months is not that for a new location.. in time as people see its there they become reliant on it always being there.. might i suggest a smaller setup and just wait it out..
I've thought of trying again with a smaller stand. Maybe someday :)
The amount of plastic waste is just crazy for a natural product that is going to be thrown into a fire pit to be burned by a suburbanite...
youre leaving a pretty big elephant in the room... the entire business relies on the honour system.. how often has someone taken without paying, and how often has someone tried or succeeded at opening the little money box, im sure this system would work in my rural eastern canadian area.. but there would undoubtedly be some people taking for free and atleast once youd have someone crack open the box for the cash
All of the above. One time, when I used the Home Depot mailbox, in 2022 a person broke in and took $45.
Secondly, majority of people are honest. When I had my old pallet firewood stand, I had much more taking without paying - close to $100 missing per season. In the year 2024, I'm approach $7300 in sales. I'm short less than $20. I attribute this to a few things - cameras, consistency of product, and professional appearance of the stand.
WHen I had the old stand, made out of pallets, it screamed cheap and not professional. I had more people take more than they pay for. Now the new wood stand is much, much better on the good ol honor system.
your first sentence confuses me: "businesses must evolve to continue to be successful". How can that be true?
If you aren't improving, you are falling behind is probably a better way to say it.
I was annoyed you went from twine to plastic, then hopeful when you mentioned a new system. Now I'm plain suicidal.
At least I have a bag return in the stand and people are actually returning bags!
Typical engineer. Make things difficult.
@@jamesford7182 Typical keyboard warrior. Spewing nonsense behind the anonymity of UA-cam Handles. 😁😆 JK. We engineers like to overthink things, for sure!
@@OutdoorsEngineer I used to use a joke when giving sales presentations to groups of engineers.
Three engineers are talking and the question came up about what kind of engineer God actually was since, obviously he HAD to be an engineer. The first guy posits that He was an electrical engineer since electric signals actually cause all of man's movements. The next guy said He was a mechanical engineer citing the amazing hinges and leverage of bone and muscle. The last guy said He was a civil engineer. Who else would put a sewer next to a playground?
@@jamesford7182 LOL. That's great!
This might be the side hustle for the side hustle, thanks for sharing. Cheers from NW Ont. 🇨🇦🇺🇸🌴🪵
Could be. I enjoy it!