Just like the title says, I am looking for some opinions on a two way/ double acting splitter. I have a design in mind and many of the parts to build one, but I am scared it would be cumbersome to use vs a single acting with 4 way wedge. I grew up using (and still do) my dads single acting splitter powered by the hydraulics on his International 464, it worked ok, but I always thought it was too slow. I have seen them designed with both a moving wedge, as well as a stationary wedge with a moving sled. I would be building the sled style. Any thoughts?
My brother just bought one, it is the moving wedge/knife type... after using it some, I think it's ok...found it to be a pain when it would not split stuff on the return stroke (less power) I didn't hate it though...better than a 4 way, I find those to be highly annoying.
I'll be giving my second try using a 4 way another shot soon. My complaint last time was I couldn't micromanage the split size the way I wanted to. I'm trying now to make various sized splits vs all large ones and hoping the 4 way will force me to accomplish this without making a buttload of splitter trash.
I use my 4 way often just to force myself to make smaller splits. You still end up with a butt load of splitter trash though. It does make pretty good kindling. Mike in Okla
This is exactly the info I was looking for. I will be splitting everything from limb wood to big beech rounds and sawmill slab. I think I will follow through with a single wedge and the double acting style, that way I can manage split size and shape a little better.
I rent one of these every once in awhile. I really like using it. Get about 3 guys that know what they are doing loading/moving splits and you can really get something done. It's hard for me to buy a splitter when i can rent this one for $75 for sat and Sunday. 3255/3265 – Split-Fire USA
That was the first double acting splitter I looked at, and that is a great rental price. The same thing here rents for $75 per day. Renting is out because with...life. I never know when I will be using it, for 15 minutes at a time.
Yea that's my only complaint is that i can't just go out there and split a little here and there when i feel like it. Rental is $75 a day but the local place here, if you rent it Saturday you get Sunday free. So that's what i usually do. If i rented once a year for that price it would take over 40 years to actually buy one outright.
