Catersplitter fixes and upgrades.

Amsteel rope is amazing stuff. No cable splinters either.

 

Kevin, you do great work. It's like I'm looking at our machines we make at work.

Bravo buddy!

 

We do the same tapped hole and stud trick for production handles. Only we use socket set screws and cherry Locktight.

 

I trace the curve from the pattern and grind most of it out. I finish the curve on the roll wheel of the belt sander. Want these tight as I'll TIG weld.



Real close and I'll either take more off or press it in once I have the V bracket final welded.



Got the bottom one done too.



I used the grinding wheel to align everything for tack welding. I'll then double check it on the splitter before final welding.



Checked fine so I welded it on.



After getting the other side I tapped in the center brace supports. This should make it real stout.



Then the top side was done. next will be the handle screw.



A little fill welding and we are done. I'll rechase all the threads and coat it all with Anti Sieze before putting it in.

 

Put it all back on and really like how it works now. Looks better too!



Haven't tried the coat hanger yet. LOL



I used a button head cap screw on the handle lock. I may also put a poly bushing on the inside of the tube to get some of the wobble out of that. I'll see how this goes first with some use.





Still can grease it easy too. Should be better with zerks 180 from each other.



Real happy with the end result and the double ended handle will be a lot better. Loads more advantage on tightening and surface area on the tube.

 

That came out sexy ! As for the extra holes since they are so ridgid you have a "receiver" as a base for a multitude of uses. Vise mount, tool tray, light mount, beer tapper...... A quick change toolholder.

 

Nice welds Kevin in Ohio

 

I'm still learning with TIG and need a lot more practice. Real comfortable with MIG but I probably have a lot of bad habits with TIG. Eyes aren't what they used to be and that effects a lot.

 

I wish we were closer I'm just the opposite haha.. I can't get comfortable with mig. My eyes are getting poor also, my lws suggested the chin/neck guard. I have to admit that I never realized how much better it is with the helmets inside blocked from the light being reflected in.

 

As usual Kevin
And to top it off, you didn't need to fix the paint where you cut off the original nut (I hate painting)

 

Weather got worse as we had some ice on top of the snow so I decided to go ahead and take the slop out of the swing mast before even try out the new lock. Measured the difference between the 2 and it was .175 so I need a n .0875 bushing per side. I have poly that thickness but worried about it moving around. Came up with another plan using .125 thick. Measured the distance I had to deal with and took off some. Then marked that with a marker.



I thought about how to form the lip using a saw with the depth set or screwing it to a board to hold it flat. I figured with the time involved in that It would be quicker just to free hand it. I'll use a carbide burr in a die grinder. I just go up to the line while a short section is sticking out of the vise.



Here you can see forming the lip



I set a pair of calipers a little small and will use them as a go, no go gauge.



Here is an illustration. I just did about 2 inches at a time. Once I got it started it went quicker. I could get all but the last 3/4" this way and I just held it for the last bit.



All done and took about 15 minutes.

 

I then marked, cut and drill for the zerks and brass lock down.



This will help to keep it in position and allow the grease to get in there where it will keep it smooth.



Should work out pretty well.



I greased the bushing and mast lightly and it slid right in. Then pumped grease through the zerk while slowly turning the mast so it got a nice even coat in there. Did the same on the other zerk and you can see it coming out in an even pattern at the top of the black bushing.



What a difference that made. No more rocking.



The brass lock down should be better as well as it won't be on an angle. With it cocking like it was it was taking it out of alignment with the way I ground it. Everything works as smooth as silk now.

 

,,,,,,,, or an electric 3 phase over/under , posi traction , lever action , 3 speed , 4 barrel hatchet attachment !

 

I'll donate parts to that......

 

Your out of control Kev .

 

Weather has been bad here and it's either been snow covered or too wet to do anything. They're calling for more rain tonight so I decided to knock a couple of trees that I had ready to try the splitter on. It's ash so it'll be soup but wanted to see how the winch and swing would work.



I'm chunking about double normal size as I just want it to dry a little more



Makes for some nice wood and doesn't take long to do.



Moved to the other tree and I'm really happy with the swing lock. Smooth as silk and easy to use. The winch works really well too and the bigger buttons on the remote make it better than before.



Makes such a big difference in fatigue not having to wrestle stuff around. I can level the whole splitter up with the stabilizers too.



Here you can see it. Notice the wheel is off the ground to the left. A big plus is I can easily work up the bigger stuff by myself which is a huge plus to me and why I went this way.



Started to rain but got it all loaded. It was "only" one load. LOL



Probably just over a cord. We have another tree top do yet which has a couple loads but with the rain it'll be a while as it's in a fencerow.

 

Only 1 load. Lol

Nice job!

 

Darn guys down south, get a little rain & take a truck out 1/2 loaded. Great looking piece of machinery there Kevin. Thanks for the detailed pics & narrative as well, truly impressive build. Feel a little sorry for the truck though.

 

Neighbor took a short video.

https://www.facebook.com/donna.howa...Ho6aMJ5PbYZkGLvzphuFGABeaC421MwmUJD5BQVvCixul

 

https://photos.imageevent.com/kevininohio/woodsplitter/20230809_104821.mp4




Trying to post the whole video and process.