I was thinking along the lines of splitting kindling from a split of wood. I use the axe but my axe is not ground properly and it does not work well and I tend to miss when it gets down to smaller pieces. I don't have any sort of hatchet. I used the electric splitter one day but that splitter is a bit slow.
Even if you have to use the ax, you could place the blade directly on the split, and use a hammer to drive it home. Yes it's easier with a hatchet, but you don't have one. But the ax and hammer combo will split plenty of kindling.
I think I would rather take the money and buy a really nice splitting hatchet like some of you have shown. However, it does give me an idea. I could take the splitting maul that I don't use that often; the thing is just too dang heavy for me to use. It has a wide head; lay it on the ground business end up and I have some heavy hammers like they used on that contraption; see how that works. I also intend to look up how to grind an axe head. I have tried putting the axe on the wood and then taping the wood on the ground but that doesn't work very well with my axe; I think it is not ground properly. Now I lean up a piece of the poplar and smack it with the axe. I do OK at first but the smaller the pieces get, the harder it becomes for me to hit them
There are a few things. It needs a chain guard that would push up out of the way when you push a branch up into the chain.
Which is exactly when you need the chain guard. Hmmm. The law of averages may be on his side, but it only takes one slip to make a hand unappear. That would make the law useless. I'm with Dennis.....although interesting and innovative, not a good idea.
The foot switch is a good idea on his part, it is only running when he is ready for it to run. My friend that is now gone told me one time that the only way to make a table saw safe was to weld a bucket around the blade; he was being a bit sarcastic of course; now there is a device that will prevent one from being cut by a table saw. I wouldn't want to use his contraption. Most of what he was cutting can be done with a good pair of hand shears.
I got one of those crackers for Christmas from the wife, it's nothing short of amazing. I used hatchet for years and will never look back. The cracker is way faster and way safer. There was free shipping and some discount coupon she used and ended up paying 70.00. I used to hate making kindling but that thing is even kind of fun. Plus now I get to keep all my fingers, I was always safe as possible when using hatchet but it only takes that one time...
Nothing personal, but I think I'll keep doing it the way I am now. It helps work off my belly so I don't get winded while cutting up a yard trailer full of twigs. Just being real here.
If he were to slip and fall onto the foot switch with either knee he could easily kindle his nose, ears, face, arms, hands. Do not like. They do make a guard for the foot switch but still do not like.
Thanks for a real world review. I might try my splitting maul idea first and see how it goes; I will report to the forum when I do.
Get it up off the ground, as you said it would be situated (above).... work in a comfortable standing position. Bolt that maul down to something stable. Safety . Be careful.
Kimberly, let's go back to your idea of a splitter resting on its back with the business side up. That sounds like a good approach to me. That crazy bast**d with the electric chain saw can keep it. It is way too dangerous for my tastes.
I have the saw buck that my chainsaw mounts and pivots on. I can cut 4x as fast and be much safer. I use it to cut stuff under 4 inches in diameter.
I do kindling even cheaper. Just collect twigs and sticks and small limbs that fall in the yard. Break 'em by hand, and stick 'em in the kindling box in the garage. We can easily get a year's worth of kindling after just a few wind storms! Now that's called... Doing it Cheap!
Use that electric splitter to make kindling. I've got one and I have it in my den. I use it to resplit big pieces and to make kindling.
