I'm thinking of getting one of these to crack the larger(ish) rounds and then split by hand. I can't afford a gas splitter and I do like how quick I can go hand splitting, buy kind of wonder if one of these might get through some of the gnarly pieces I end up with too. It says that it handles 8 inch diameter logs, but I have seen people on YT do larger ones without trouble. Just kind of wondering if its worth it?
My opinion, for the price you could buy a lot of saw gas/ chains, etc, and just noodle your way into and through the tough ones. Or bore them, then put a wedge in the bore hole and wedge it apart. Now, this is just me, and my opinion/idea
Good point. You see stuff like this on CL and/or FBMP for cheap all the time...or, even better, 5 ton electric splitters...I bought one for ~$65 and use it in the garage to re-split stuff that is too big for the way I want to load at the moment...love having it...sometimes I just shake my head and wonder what I was thinking when I was splitting (or not, as the case may be) a particular piece.
I have one , wouldn’t buy another. Is good for splitting small stuff I guess. Mine gets used by the younger kids when we are processing wood because they feel accomplished when they get through one. I had zero luck on big pieces and definitely no luck on the gnarly stuff.
I myself would not want one given the time it would take to pump that thing by hand and then probably have to do it from both ends. I am with B Brown and would just noodle the hard stuff. A good sharp chain on a saw can noodle through a log pretty fast. I just did a big round of elm and it took no time at all.
My opinion, Unless you are splitting small stuff, don't waist your time... Not trying to be mean or sarcastic but you will get frustrated pretty quick with it. Go right to a gas/hydraulic splitter, you'll be glad you did.
That's why I asked the question. My thoughts were to have something to take the initial split (since that usually is the hardest) and then use an axe, or to use them on the crotch sections after I have whittled my way down to them, but if its going to fail, I don't need that. A gas splitter is not happening anytime soon unfortunately. Just trying to save my back, you know!? I'm not a fan of noodling and that wouldn't be very safe on some of the things I was thinking of anyway. I guess a new Fiskars is the best bet now.
Yes!!! I went to hydraulics at about 55 years old, best thing I ever did. Did it by hand all those years before.
Maybe consider putting the unsplitable wood aside until you gather enough to make renting a splitter worth while.
This is where I got mine, I also built one. They put out some FINE deals occasionally and usually ship free! Log Splitters Direct | Online Wood Splitter Superstore
I have checked CL often and RARELY do I find anything worth anything around here. Its mostly used around here as a business directory rather than private people selling stuff. If and when I do find something, its usually newer at near retail pricing, or junk at mint prices.
I will have to check them out. I bought my brush mower and snowblower from them and they were good to work with.
For years if I had some Monster logs, I would cut them in 6" thick cookies, then split them in half. It makes an odd looking log but it burns just as good!
I do like the idea of having an effective way of splitting without the use of fuel or electricity. I have often thought of building something like this:
Yeah, I guess at the end of the day, if its dry and can fit in the stove, it'll burn. K.I.S.S. rule concepts.
I bought my 35ton Yardmax from them, best deal I saw on the machine, $1099.00 and free delivery. Lucky he had a drop gate and we slid it on a cart I had. It was 725lbs!
