Wood Splitter ?

[GolfVenture]

Does anyone have one of these...10 Ton HORIZONTAL Manual Hydraulic Log Wood Splitter?

 

Like to know your experiences with one.

[mrsteve]

A friend of mine has one from Harbor Freight. they are basically a two stage bottle jack so there is a lot of handle pumping to split a log. Don't even think about splitting eucalyptus because it will get stuck every time due to the grain twist. All that being said they do work but I will stick with a hydraulic.

[OrlinEngh]

I also have a friend that has one and will use it to make up smaller pieces for fire starter in the wood stove, or if its alittle to big to go in the door he will use his to split it so it will fit,

They are slow and do require alot of pumping, if you just have a few pieces and dont like to use a axe or a splitting mall they are okay, I did get to watch a electric spliterthe other day that you can pick up and move around that worked good for small stuff.

Orlin

[CaptainJoe]

You've got to really note the cycle rate on a hydraulic log splitter when buying one, or, you'll go bonkers waiting for them...

 

That being said, I wouldn't even consider a manual log splitter.

[Condor]

I've split a ton of oak and can't even imagine what it would have been like doing it with one of those things. I noticed some ads for a gas splitter that stores the energy in a flywheel and the wedge that is rammed along geared track. Touted as the fastest splitter in the west..... Interesting. Gets rid of the cost of the hydraulics...

[Flyinfool]

I used one of those manual ones once.

All of the pumping required was more work that using a good splitting maul.

[GolfVenture]

It is always good to get you alls opinions. Tks.

[Squidley]

I read the title of the thread and said to myself, I was one of those in a younger life. Heated the house when I was a teen with a wood stove, so I got very familiar with axes and splitting mauls

FWIW....I would just go with an engine powered hydraulic one, buy it once and be done with it

[Gary N.]

Here's what I use.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Chopper-1-USA-Splitting-Maul-Axe-Single-Bit-Made-In-USA-Firewood-Tool-/370958632182?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item565edb84f6

Love it. I've split many cords of oak and ash with it. Found it works best when it's below freezing. After about 10 minutes you'll be in your shirt sleeves and working up a sweat. Makes for a great exercise program. A full body work out.

[Flyinfool]

Makes for a great exercise program. A full body work out.

 

What is this exercise program and full body work out nonsense that you speak of?????

[CaptainJoe]

It's a wonder EPA hasn't cracked down on burning wood in homes...

[jonesy]

when I split wood I used one of these, worked quite good. My son has it now and still uses it. I bought it in the 70's and still got it in the family.

 

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Truper12-Pound-Monster-Splitting-Maul-27-Steel-Handle-Wood-Splitting-Axe-NEW-/141126092442?pt=US_Knives_Tools&hash=item20dbc5469a

[Condor]

It's a wonder EPA hasn't cracked down on burning wood in homes...

 

They have around here... Restricted days that you can burn, and not always the same day. You have to check before lighting the match....

 

[CaptainJoe]

They have around here... Restricted days that you can burn, and not always the same day. You have to check before lighting the match....

 

 

They'd start a war if they tried to impose that here in WV. Its the only way for the poor to heat their homes.

Edited December 6, 2013 by CaptainJoe

[fixit3546]

Here's what I use.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Chopper-1-USA-Splitting-Maul-Axe-Single-Bit-Made-In-USA-Firewood-Tool-/370958632182?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item565edb84f6

 

Love it. I've split many cords of oak and ash with it. Found it works best when it's below freezing. After about 10 minutes you'll be in your shirt sleeves and working up a sweat. Makes for a great exercise program. A full body work out.

 

Can't tell you how many cords of wood we burned or haw many miles of barbed wire fence (built with split sassafras posts) i helped my daddy build when i was a teen. All of it split with an ax, splitting maul, sledge hammer and a wedge......had muskels back then!!

[cabreco]

Brian,

I have one of those. I bought it about 7 years ago at harbor freight.

My current house has a fireplace (something I never had before) so excitedly I

bought a cord of wood. IMO, the unit works. It's better than using an axe but it does have limitations. The brackets will only accomodate an 6 1/2" diameter log, so anything thicker won't fit. If you cut them & modify , it will still cut but it is hard work. In retrospect if I had to do it again I would have gotten the electric hydaulic one. They are now about $280

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image/160x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_23678.jpg

Edited December 7, 2013 by cabreco