Running a side firewood business while managing a career change and family life requires constant evaluation of where your time delivers the most value. After nearly a year away from my engineering career and months of using the Japa 365 firewood processor, it's time for an honest assessment of priorities.
The Career Transition Reality
Eleven months ago, I made the decision to leave my engineering career and venture out on my own. That transition led to working for a different employer, and the time demands of this new career path have forced some difficult decisions about how I spend my remaining hours.
The reality is stark: YouTube content creation, while rewarding, requires significant time investment that may not align with current life priorities. Recording adds extra time to every task, and editing demands hours that could be invested elsewhere. For someone already managing a new career and family responsibilities, every hour counts.
Firewood Production Success with the Japa 365
Despite time constraints, the firewood operation has never been more efficient. The Japa 365 processor, on loan from Metsa Machines since November 2024, has transformed our production capabilities. What once took hours with a traditional splitter now flows smoothly through an organized system.
Current inventory includes over 60 IBC totes filled with processed firewood, representing over 40 face cords ready for sale. We've processed two complete loads of logs in 2025 - one purchased in December 2024 and another in July 2025.
The production numbers are impressive. Working together, we can fill two IBC totes (approximately 1.5 face cords) in about 45 minutes. Add another - one person operating the processor, another managing log infeed, and two people stacking - a full cord per hour becomes achievable.
Family Business Value Beyond Profit
While the firewood business generates modest income, its value extends beyond financial returns. My 9 and 12-year-old children have produced over half of the 350+ bundles sold this summer, learning work ethic and business principles firsthand. They've progressed to operating the processor under supervision, understanding the connection between effort and earnings when they collect money from our self-serve firewood stand.
My wife finds value in the physical activity and mindless nature of stacking firewood after her professional workday. These family activities create shared goals and teach practical skills that extend beyond monetary compensation.
Equipment Efficiency and Technique
The Japa 365's efficiency depends heavily on log selection and operating technique. Logs exceeding 10-12 inches in diameter, particularly hard maple with knots, can jam the six-way wedge and slow production significantly. Switching between four-way and six-way wedges mid-operation has become routine based on log characteristics.
Operating cadence matters tremendously. Waiting until each split completes before starting the next cut, and ensuring logs settle properly in the chamber before engaging the splitting bar, prevents jams and maintains steady production flow. These techniques, learned through experience, maximize the processor's capabilities.
Storage and Organization Systems
The IBC tote system has revolutionized our storage approach. These 275-gallon containers stack efficiently and we plan to acquire additional totes to build our inventory.
Used steel roofing covers the filled totes, allowing the wood to properly dry. During dry periods, some totes remain uncovered for additional seasoning before rain protection becomes necessary. This flexible approach optimizes drying while protecting inventory.
The Value Question
Every firewood business owner eventually confronts the time-versus-value calculation. Production time, equipment costs, storage space, and market prices must balance against alternative income opportunities. For those with full-time careers, this calculation becomes even more critical.
The processor has made production enjoyable and efficient, but the underlying question remains: Does the return justify the investment when time could generate higher returns elsewhere? This applies to both equipment purchases and time allocation decisions.
Moving Forward
Metsa Machines, no longer the Japa importer, is selling remaining inventory including this Japa 365+ Basic we've been using. The decision to purchase represents more than equipment acquisition - it's a commitment to continued firewood production and the family activities that accompany it.
The value proposition includes teaching opportunities for children, physical activity benefits, community service to vacationers needing quality dry firewood, and modest financial returns. These intangible benefits often outweigh pure profit calculations.
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