OT: How do you split logs?

[kingpin75s]

Originally Posted by veggieburger

This is a question for the wood burners.

I have a small electric 5 ton wood splitter that does a decent job with most logs. On the bigger pieces of wood I like to use a maul, but the one I have been using is dull, generic, and the handle is starting to split up the back. Time to replace!

My brother in law is pushing me towards the beautiful (but expensive) Gransfors Bruk maul. A coworker uses a wedge. Online reviews have me considering the Fiskars 8lb ISO.

What do you swing?

LOL. I do not do a ton of wood splitting, but when I do, I do it with style

I swing a Gransfors Bruk maul. My maul and my Scandinavian Forest Axe go with me on every long camping trip. That said, the Fiskars look like a very nice maul and a great value.

2020 maul review:

https://shedheads.net/splitting-maul-reviews/

[SlowPokePete]

We're about to take down a few large trees...red oak, an ash, and a maple.

I'm looking it splitters...my father (80 years old) has one of those smaller 5 ton-ish electric ones and he has split well over a dozen cords with it. But I borrowed it from him once and found it pretty disappointing in terms of stuff that would need to be split smaller to get it to work, as well as dealing with it when it got stuck with something it couldn't handle. It's also difficult to load the wood all onto it in the horizontal position...I like how the more powerful ones will also split in the vertical position.

We've got a fireplace as well as a wood stove in this house. The wood stove is positioned to pretty much be able to heat the entire house by original design back when it was built and only had electric heat. I plan to use it...

Anyway, I'm gonna have a lot of wood to split, so I'm keeping my eyes on thoughts and ideas in here, and snooping around the internet about the splitters. Most of what I read says what my father has is insufficient. yet that old guy disagrees.

SPP

[SlowPokePete]

Trees are down, bought a Fiskars maul, and in the market for, I think, a 25 ton splitter.

And of course I have some olderwedges, a sledge, etc...

I'll split the Ash for this year and let the Red Oak sit a while.

August 17, 2020 (tree work) by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

August 17, 2020 (tree work) by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr[url=https://flic.kr/p/2jxhdtt]

August 17, 2020 (tree work) by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

August 16, 2020 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

August 16, 2020 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

SPP

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by SlowPokePete

Anyway, I'm gonna have a lot of wood to split, so I'm keeping my eyes on thoughts and ideas in here, and snooping around the internet about the splitters.

Hearth.com is my go-to source for all things wood-heat related. Garagejournal.com may be helpful regarding mechanical splitters too...

[572cv]

Just a few observations after four decades of log splitting, for home heat and for the sugarhouse....
- Hydraulics are your friend. Really. My current set up is a vertical splitter that plugs into the hydraulics of the Kubota L2800. I don't even have to pick up the logs, just kind of roll them into position and start at it.
- a peavy really can save your chainsaw chain.
- The curve of a splitting maul's face can be a huge deal. I have one that works really well, and another that has trouble with dry popple. They look about the same.
- the same is true of splitting wedges, the steel ones, and the steel pointed ones with the replaceable wooden insert.
- electric chainsaws have come light years in the last decade. Quiet, strong enough and the battery lasts about as long as you want to work.
- a few hard plastic wedges can keep a split open if you dont have hydraulics handy.

and as Pink Floyd noted, Be Careful with that Ax, Eugene.

[SlowPokePete]

Excellent and appreciate all of that...

SPP

[Peter B]

Originally Posted by Louis

Why this, of course:

Your stem's too short.

[Peter B]

20 ton Iron & Oak splitter. Tackles whatever round I offer and will outlast me.

But wood is my sole source of heat. If you're only splitting occasionally then rent or get some exercise with a good maul and wedge. For the endless small stuff I like the kindling cracker posted by William.

[54ny77]

I'm waiting for the SRAM Red wireless log splitter that's set to release in fall 2021, that way I can craft exquisite firewood using sustainably harvested plywood whilst lounging in the comfort of Earth First-endorsed Rapha athleisure gear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElJFYwRtrH4

[SlowPokePete]

Got this in the mail yesterday.

Splitting maul arrives in a bout a week...

October 5, 2020 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

October 5, 2020 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

October 5, 2020 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

SPP

[gdw]

Small hatchet or wildlife?

[Weneed]

It goes through oak and other hardwoods like they're butter.

[SlowPokePete]

Originally Posted by gdw

Small hatchet or wildlife?

Went with the small (mini) hatchet...really debated, but wanted to be able to take it more easily on bike pack trips (none of which have happened this year lol).

SPP

[kiwisimon]

sphincter



sorry my inner 12 yr old made me do it.....

[peanutgallery]

A big bottle of liquor, no deodorant and a flannel shirt

Splitting it... that's nothing. Now stacking it correctly, that's pro right there