Splittin’ Pretty

Sorry for the wonderfully awful pun, but it seemed appropriate and it actually works in 2 ways.

First, I was finally able to acquire my first hydraulic log splitter this year, thanks to a very generous friend and his primo pricing. This brings me to the main point of this post, I’ve seen a lot beautifully stacked wood piles on here and I can’t help but think it all comes down to how the wood is split. With a hydraulic splitter I now have a lot more control of the size/shape of what I’m splitting and I’m no longer at the mercy of what the round will give me. I’m also a very visual learner, so I’m wondering if anyone has a diagram of how they split their rounds? I was looking through the resource tab and was unable to find anything like that. I’m sure this seems like a very simplistic thing to a lot of you, but I can complicate the most mundane of things with my overactive brain. So, I humbly ask, would someone please be so kind to provide the crudest of sketches showing how they work through their rounds? A simple circle with a 1, 2, 3… is all I’m really looking for, but feel free to go as in depth as you’d look. Thank you for any and all help with something so trivial!

Now, the 2nd part of the bad pun is simply to share the beauty of your splitting spots. It might not be much, but I feel very blessed to be able to enjoy the view that I have while doing what most would consider a chore.

Thanks again and happy weekend all!
-UC

 

You have to learn to read the grain of the wood...for example, if you have a round with a large knot where a branch came off, you'll need to split that knot right down the middle to have even half a shot at a clean split.
If you have nice straight grained wood then you have to decide if you want pie slices, or squares...I often do a combo...I split the round in half, then lay it on its flat face and take the corners off to "square it up"...after that you can make squares until it's down to size.

 

Nice picture and view. Trying to figure out where that is, along the Susquehanna River perhaps?

 

Depending on the size of the round. If it's, let's say, about 12" diameter or larger and clear grain though out. I'd split it in about three 3-4" thick slabs to start and then work those down to firewood size. Smaller than 12", I'd probably start by splitting them in half.

 

I don’t have a diagram but I split rounds in 1/2 first, then for each 1/2 I split off one triangle and try to make the rest rectangular or square to help make cribbing ends, then end up with one more triangle piece on the other side. Yes, weird grain or crotches from limbs change this strategy but for the most part, that’s how I do it.

 

Thank you all for your feedback! The initial split(s) I understand, as well as dealing with knots, crotches, etc. I typically let my rounds sit for a while before splitting them, so I’ll get cracks starting to form which give me my starting spots. It’s once those are split, once or twice, and getting the stacking size pieces where I find I struggle. Maybe I’m just overthinking it too much but depending on the size of the round, I feel like I end up with a piece that’s borderline too big but it also doesn’t warrant splitting in half again, unless I’m trying to make kindling. Then other times I’m getting the ideal size. I’m sure my consistency will improve as I continue to use the splitter, I’m just trying to learn the “right way” and any other helpful tricks/tips, sooner than later.

 

Thank you for taking the time to respond, with such a busy day, and I’m in no rush for a diagram. I just appreciate the input.

Congrats and happy birthday! I hope you enjoy your day!

 

That’s a good eye, I do indeed live in a small town along the Susquehanna. It’s just on the opposite side from you.

 

The "right way" is the way that works best for you with the least waste. Always gonna be some "waste".

 

I usually run a 4 way wedge so I just keep putting the big pieces back in until they are down to size. It works great. The bottom pieces end up at about 4.5” and the top pieces are all over the map depending on the diameter. I can split smaller pieces by using one wing or just the top of the wedge, or by removing the 4 way and using the single wedge.

 

Disclaimer: There isn't any "right" way. It's what works best for you. It is also very subjective. What kind of wood is it? How big are the rounds? Are the rounds knotty or straight grained. What size stove do you have? How small do you like your firewood? And on and on! I mostly use Doug Fir firewood and here are a few tips that work for me. (I did this on my CAD program mostly as a fun exercise so don't laugh). The pictures show 1) how cheesecake splits make nice cribbing, 2) half logs make nice cribbing, 3) some rectangular stacking/cribbing at the lower right of the shed. I'm sure your mileage will vary and you will quickly pick up what works best for you and your particular species of wood!

 

Great topic UncleCub !!!
When I first started splitting for my Uncle, there were no instructions, other than to make them "about this big." So I split like metalcuttr's top 2 pics. (Great diagrams btw). To me that seemed to be the only way to do it. After a few months, I watched how my Uncle did and he split like the 3rd diagram. My mind was blown.

So, like others said, no wrong way and at the end of the day, they are all going to burn up the same.

 

Great view, great thread title and great pile of splits.

Most of the time I'll split a round, regardless of size down the middle to make two halves, unless I'm thirding it. Ill then work that half into assorted shaped splits...triangles, rectangles, squares etc. I try to keep them somewhat uniform in size, but sometimes will have an over or undersized one. My average size split is maybe the size of a 4x4. If I encounter a chunk or round that's too knotty or gnarly I'll use the chainsaw to size it up rather than end up with some ugly splits.

Hope this helps

Hope this helps

 

There really isn't a wrong way to split. Experience is a great teacher and after a while you will find a comfort zone.

The other word of advice I will give is to be very mind full when the ram is moving either in or out. Lost the tip of my left thumb in 2022 from a hydro accident. The split pinched my finger when the ram was returning. Not trying to scare you but accidents can and do happen. Here's that thread.
Hydro Accident

 

To start things off, nice view! As far as splitting methods, I sell wood so time is money and I have two different splitters. One has a 4 way wedge while the other has a 6 way. The smaller wood is saved for the 4 way since the 6 way splitter also has a log lift. When I am putting a log on the beam to split it, I take a quick glance at what method is going to involve the fewest strokes of the ram and go with that. Factors that impact that are diameter and if it has any knots or crotches. Shape of the splits is not a factor for me at all, just size because as they say, size matters.

 

I personally like to split planks or squares instead of triangles.
Small stuff I'll split in half first.
Bigger rounds I split planks off the edges and work my way in

 

All right angles... no isosceles or equilateral triangles! Right triangles, squares, rectangles only. Makes for better stacking both in the yard and in the stove. Boys and girls, you have to pay attention in 10th grade geometry.

 

Never thought to much about it
I split logs in half then split away at the half at the size wood I want
Always different sizes

 

Thank you for taking the time to draw those up, they are very helpful diagrams! Also, I love the wood shed, beautiful splits and stacks. That second picture looks like it should be on the cover of a firewood magazine