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General: Log Splitters and Saw Horses

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1 to 17 of 17

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    Anybody ever made a screw Type Log splitter? If so, what did you use? Are they safe? Any alternatives, I don't really want to use the axe particularly on fresh oak but don't want to spend a fortune either.

    As for saw horses, these look easy to knock up, any preferred dimensions? I've got about 12 builders bags worth of uncut oak coming so want to cut up this week.

    Thanks
  2.  
    Why not use a bottle-jack in a steel angle frame? I have a Machine Mart splitter which is basically just that, but my welding skills are absent.

    If you want to avoid hydraulics, how about a similar idea with a second-hand scissor-jack from a breaker's yard?
    • CommentAuthorowlman
    • CommentTimeMar 13th 2016
     
    Simplest is this, with a good splitting maul. You may get fed up though after the first ton.

    http://www.screwfix.com/p/roughneck-wood-grenade-log-splitter/51334

    Best is a decent hydraulic splitter, IMO.
    • CommentAuthorjfb
    • CommentTimeMar 13th 2016
     
    what is wrong with a good axe? Shouldn't take too long if they are all a reasonable width.
    Presumably you have a chainsaw if they need cutting to size before splitting.
    • CommentAuthorowlman
    • CommentTimeMar 13th 2016
     
    Posted By: jfbwhat is wrong with a good axe? Shouldn't take too long if they are all a reasonable width.
    Presumably you have a chainsaw if they need cutting to size before splitting.


    Axes don't split logs easily, the blades are too thin. For easiest splitting you need the thick bladed mauls.
  6.  
    I've got a decent fiskars axe but it/I struggle when wood is fresh.

    A screw Type splitter looks small and portable so I could store in the attic. The bigger hydraulic ones seem very bulky and I lack storage
    • CommentAuthorgyrogear
    • CommentTimeMar 13th 2016
     
    Posted By: VictorianecoI've got a decent fiskars axe but it/I struggle when wood is fresh


    I use a Fiskars also; however, I only split selected logs as I value my life & limbs...
    If it gets stuck, I "help it" by bonking the flathead with a solid lump of wood, which generally works...

    gg
    • CommentAuthorFred56
    • CommentTimeMar 13th 2016
     
    I used an Elwell Forge axe for about 30 years and would have dearly loved to have had a hydraulic splitter. An axe us very hard work.
  9.  
    I use a maul and then when it gets stuck I use a sledge hammer. I don't consider it dangerous. I am 50, 6'3" and it's still not such hard work for me. If you cut a lot to length, use a big dia saw on a horse, mine cuts up to dia 12cms easily. I looked very hard at splitters and it wasn't worth a decent one for the cost, size/storage and usage (I get through 10 tonnes of oak a year but only need to cut about 20% to length).
  10.  
    I used to be a maul man but I found it very labour intensive and bad for the back on larger logs.
    I am now a hydraulic log splitter man and it is so much easier. I purchase one from an auction site and I very pleased with it.
    I would not go back to swinging a maul with lids and dogs in the garden.
    Half the probel with a maul is fetching split logs after every whack!! Unless you split them in an old tyre and the tyre retains the logs fragments.
    •  
      CommentAuthorrichy
    • CommentTimeMar 16th 2016
     
    £200 electric log splitter from machine mart for me. Does a ton easily per hour with no danger to life or limb. The cone splitters have more risk attached.
    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeMar 17th 2016
     
    I also use a maul, purchased from Aldi a few years ago. I also have a selection of steel wedges and a sledge hammer for the really difficult knotty timber.
  13.  
    I gave up using a maul years ago in favour of a screw type log splitter. Its quicker than home use type hydraulic splitters I have seen but 'a bit' more dangerous to the foolhardy!

    The best machine I have seen is a professional bit of kit that feeds in a log, cuts it to length, then splits it into 4 and a conveyor removes the wood to dump into a trailer / lorry parked under the conveyor end. All the operator has to do is keep up the supply of logs up to 3M in length - Magic!
    • CommentAuthorowlman
    • CommentTimeMar 17th 2016
     
    I bought one of these, the smaller one, a couple of months ago. I haven't used it yet but I've got a few piles of pre-cut logs to split, and a Sycamore tree to fell, so a nice sunny day job beckons.

    I chose it because of the build quality and the "leader" system, whereby you position the position the blade gently on the log with the foot pedal before "pulling the trigger", using the two handles.

    https://www.daviesimplementsltd.co.uk/product/forestry/log-splitters/thor-alpino-and-mignon/
    • CommentAuthorphiledge
    • CommentTimeApr 19th 2016
     
    With a screw type splitter wear tight fitting gloves and sleeves. Push the log onto the cone to one side so that the log is driven against the table and it wont spin- load it the other side and when the cone starts to grip the log it WILL flip over and you'll know about it.

    Remind yourself before each use that the splitter will seriously maime you at the drop of a hat and you'll be fine.
  16.  
    <blockquote><cite>Posted By: owlman</cite><blockquote><cite>Posted By: jfb</cite>what is wrong with a good axe? Shouldn't take too long if they are all a reasonable width.
    Presumably you have a chainsaw if they need cutting to size before splitting.</blockquote>

    Axes don't split logs easily, the blades are too thin. For easiest splitting you need the thick bladed mauls.</blockquote>

    Erm, I beg to differ, or perhaps to un-informed (after 57-12 years experience) to know any better.
    I do appreciate a Maul, may be more efficient, but a well swung Axe is still effective, and has other uses, for the man who favours the "Own one Gun, and know it well" approach to life.
    And an intelligent approach, reading the grain and looking for lines of weakness.
    i.e. having split moderately large evenly diminsioned forks 100% down through the middle, with a first, perhaps counter-intituive to some, well judged swing.
    Regards
    Marcus
    • CommentAuthorgyrogear
    • CommentTimeApr 20th 2016
     
    Posted By: orangemannotcounter-intituive to some


    fascinated by choice of words: "counter-intuitive" !

    (is this anything to do with "instinct of self-preservation" ?):bigsmile:
    (I often think of the poor old Countess of Salisbury when I'm doing mine...)
    http://www.ancientfortresses.org/executions-beheading-tower-of-london.htm

    gg

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