In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Who need a wood splitter.

Discussion in 'Axes, Mauls, and Hand Saws' started by jewilson, Sep 9, 2021.

  1. JB Sawman

    JB Sawman

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    When I was 12 I split 30 cord with a stotz monster maul to sell the money went to a likity splitter for the next years splitting and selling, I still have that maul it is used to hold the office door open I have not been without a hyd splitter since that first year that was 48 years ago !! I am glad you enjoy splitting by hand, any way you do firewood is enjoyable JB
     
  2. jackseamon56

    jackseamon56

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    I only split wood using a maul or wedges with a sledge until last year. Both elbows and my right shoulder fired up during that winter season and that was my cue to buy mine. I still split the big rounds for my health and safety handling them, and I will if there's less than an hour's work by machine, but I really like my Rapidfire. At 65 and gaining, I had to make the jump. I always enjoyed splitting by maul and wedges. Wishing you good luck for many years of present and future wood hoarding.

    Sent from my SM-A526U1 using Tapatalk
     
  3. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

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    65yr old, hand splitter here. 3-4 cord a year, at my convenience.

    Mostly with the x27. Wedge n sledge as needed.
     
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  4. LordOfTheFlies

    LordOfTheFlies

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    That's what I do! It's amazing how well the wedge and sledge works. And as a PSA I'd say wear hearing protection when using the wedge and sledge. That metal on metal may not seem like much but it's harsh on the ears!
     
  5. MikeInMa

    MikeInMa

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    I also wear cheap soccer pads to help prevent shin bruises. Had too many of them, over the years.

    Kinda like these
    f2eb3472-cf29-4000-9264-0c21e4b94d38_1.07b2999bf1f9cd4d7c2b7d24c33d2e9e.jpeg
     
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  6. LordOfTheFlies

    LordOfTheFlies

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    THAT'S WHAT I DO TOO! I learned that lesson real quick.

    I wear the soft version though. These.



    [​IMG]
     
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  7. jewilson

    jewilson

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    I split about a half a chord today. I ain’t John Henry. I start the wedge and take little taps then raise the sledge maybe 2 foot and let
    The hammer fall. That way I’m letting the 8 pounder do the work. I don’t take king sized swings because it takes time to change handles. I choke up on the handle and go slow and steady. As far as hearing loss I lost mine years ago. I was a paramedic for 18 years and I think it was a combination of sirens guns race car engines and loud rock and roll. The shin guards are a good idea because I have gotten shrapnel in my shins when a wedge piece broke off. Thanks to you all for sharing your knowledge and wisdom. Love this site.


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  8. Sirchopsalot

    Sirchopsalot

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    Same. Addicted to hoarding wood, and being here.
    Sca
     
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  9. Warner

    Warner

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    I do! Axes and maul/wedge are fun when camping that’s about it for me.
     
  10. LordOfTheFlies

    LordOfTheFlies

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    Preventative maintenance regrading the shrapnel from the wedge - if you start to see the edges of the wedge round over where you strike get a cutting wheel or a grinding disc using an angle grinder and take those down flush. I wear a uvex face shield and ear muffs while performing this task on the vise.

    And I'd still wear hearing protection - no sense in making the hearing loss worse than it already is.
     
  11. jewilson

    jewilson

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    Come again


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  12. North

    North

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    I split 6-7 cords a year. Sooner or later I’ll get a hydraulic wood splitter but I’m still young and dumb enough that it kills me to buy an expensive machine to do what Im already accomplishing by hand.
     
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  13. Lennyzx11

    Lennyzx11

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    I’ve gotten pretty fond of wearing my 3m worktunes earmuffs. Radio, podcast, audiobook, can get a lot done while listening.


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  14. LordOfTheFlies

    LordOfTheFlies

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    It's nice to have options. If I hadn't gotten the splitter that would have just entailed more trips to the dump and more handling of the wood. Now I mitigate that problem by not taking the crappy annoying pieces.

    Although I'm not quite there yet I am getting closer and closer to my promo video in my sig. :rofl: :lol:
     
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  15. rusty ranger 44

    rusty ranger 44

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    I'm in the never club too unless they are knarly knotty pieces. I split by hand to enjoy the needed exercise to keep one active and not going to the gym.
     
  16. LordOfTheFlies

    LordOfTheFlies

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    Ditto! I detest the gym!
     
  17. Horkn

    Horkn

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    I cut/haul/ stack/ split enough wood each year that I don't need the extra work by non hydraulic splitting. I had the start of abs this spring from processing the ash in my yard, which I think is pretty good for 46 yrs old. Whereas usually I just finish off the 6 ( or 12) pack:drunk::thumbs:
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2021
  18. metalcuttr

    metalcuttr

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    But don't think for a moment that using a wood splitter does away with all the exercise! I would say that feeding a voracious splitter at a smart pace is every bit as labor intensive as a moderate hand splitting session! I will grant you that hand splitting (the swing and jerk) is a different kind of workout than the splitter but just cause you use a hydraulic advantage doesn't mean the the wood loads and splits itself. It's just a smarter kind of workout!:D
     
  19. rusty ranger 44

    rusty ranger 44

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    Agreed to the different types of exercise weather splitting by hand or by hydraulic power, its still keeps one out of the gym. It keeps those of us active, that are retired.
     
  20. metalcuttr

    metalcuttr

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    Very true. Different strokes for different folks.
     
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