This is not the best way to shorten splits. I think I need a sawbuck I am looking for ideas for a sawbuck. Would you post some pics of what you use? The splits are 22" long and I sometimes want to take 6 to 8" off one. I need a sawbuck that holds one split at a time. It would be nice if Woodwidow could use it as well.
You might be able to find a cheap ridged chain vise on eBay/Craig’s list. This would be a good option for you.
Here's how Woodsnwoods does it! And then here is something the rest of us can use...Revamped my Sawbuck Just make one like Grizz's there (and many of us have copied...Shawn Curry maybe made the first one like that here on FHC?) and then you can load one side up with a pile of the offending "too long" splits...then wrap a ratchet strap the whole way around the sawbuck and splits to hold them solid while you cut a whole firebox load all at once...just an idea. I've seen other rack ideas where people do the very thing that you are wanting to do...but I can't seem to find what I was thinking of right now...
I feel your pain campinspecter , a few years back I bought a Kuuma VF200 furnace...which takes 16-18" wood...and all my 20+ cords was cut to 22"...I spent that whole winter cutting 4-6" off each-and-every-split!! I tried lots of methods, but mainly used a chop saw...that worked, but was a little dangerous...I was completely over it by spring! I sold the VF200 that summer and got the larger VF100, that will tolerate 22" splits (but prefers 20", which I cut to now)
How about whipping up something like this concept, Allan? Don't see why it couldn't be made with wood, if it was easier.
campinspecter - a couple of members have setups where you stack your splits in a vertical frame and then run the saw from top to bottom. Not exactly like this MasterMech video, but I don’t I’ve time this morning to search much...
That's what I kept coming up with too...but somewhere I remember seeing one like that where you could kinda clamp em in there one at a time like Alan wants to do...
There have been several of these threads but I could only find the one using the keyword 'jig'. Jig for trimming firewood A built-specific jig should accomplish its task a little faster than a general puropse sawbuck, but the sawbuck would have more uses beyond just trimming ends.
You certainly could make that out of wood...except I'd think that steel would work the best for this rear jaws...although ...maybe you could drive nails or screws in the bottom of some 2x4s for "teeth"...would just need to cut the heads off after installing...
I think if he puts a 22” long split into a sawbuck it’s going to want to move around. Being that short something to hold it down would definitely be best, and safest