when does a log splitter make sense?

Jayne

Jayne

Just here for the memes
Charter Member
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Dec 16, 2016
Messages
8,028
Location
Unincorporated Wake County
Rating - 100%
34   0   0
I'm starting to get a lot of wood piled up that needs to be cut into rounds, split and stacked.

At what point does a log splitter make sense vs. just being a gizmo I use one and/or have to maintain?

And what's a 'starter' log splitter look like? Think homeowner doing wood just for themselves, not going into the business of firewood sales.
 
If you primarily heat with wood....... log splitter.

Realistically.... I could see myself doing no more than 2 cords a year with a splitting axe or sledge hammer+splitting wedge. I have split an entire cord by myself in a day (working off and on) and that's HARD WORK.
 
Jayne said:
I'm starting to get a lot of wood piled up that needs to be cut into rounds, split and stacked.

At what point does a log splitter make sense vs. just being a gizmo I use one and/or have to maintain?

And what's a 'starter' log splitter look like? Think homeowner doing wood just for themselves, not going into the business of firewood sales.
Click to expand...

As soon as you start splitting wood.
 
Ever try to split sweetgum with an axe or sledge/wedge?
Split two or three logs of that crap and your pray for a splitter.
Like was said above, if you split 1-2 chords a year your splitter will pay for itself.
Less than that stick with an axe
 
Last edited:
We put a fireplace insert in last year, trying to use it for primary heat so I'll burn some wood this winter. I've got a bunch of split wood already, trying to empty the woodshed so I can repair it without having to first empty it, then fix it, then put all the wood back.

Springtime is the time to buy these?
 
When I was a wee chap.......... we would usually rent a log splitter once a year..... We would have the logs piled near the woodshed and set the splitter up there. With 2 people, you could split and stack a lot of wood in a day.
 
Jayne said:
We put a fireplace insert in last year, trying to use it for primary heat so I'll burn some wood this winter. I've got a bunch of split wood already, trying to empty the woodshed so I can repair it without having to first empty it, then fix it, then put all the wood back.

Springtime is the time to buy these?
Click to expand...

Late fall or early winter..... most people won't be using them during this time. Possibly mid summer..... I can't imagine working that hard in the summer heat. Be patient..... Lowes/NorthernTool/Harbor Freight send coupons in the mail all the time.
 
I had a small wood splitter, gave it away. Pay attention to how much work it is to disable the safety mechanisms, cause holding down the safety button while holding down the power button is a pain.
 
Bailey Boat said:
I was a log splitter in my youth, my Grandfather would rent me out to the neighbors!!! "Go to Ms. Minnie's and split her some wood, then go over to Aunt Nellie's and split her some"...... Child labor I tell you.....
Click to expand...


Same here. When we were too small to split cord wood, we were given a hatchet to split kindling....otherwise known as fat lighter splinters from stumps the older guys pulled up to the area we worked in. We made splinter piles higher than our heads from the stumps swinging those hatchets. As time went on we graduated to splitting cord wood with an axe and a wood maul made from a dogwood stump with the trunk as a handle that was about 3 to 4 ft long.

A wood maul.
upload_2017-10-22_16-27-10.jpeg


This was all hard work that would make you glad that you ate a hearty breakfast, made you look forward to a filling dinner, and then crave a good supper. No one had to show you the pillow and bed that night.

No gasoline, diesel, or other types of log splitters were found in our parts. All of the log splitters I knew of ran on country ham, red-eye gravy, grits, homemade flour bread or biscuits, scrambled brown eggs, chicken and rice, stew beef, potatoes, cornbread, hog cracklins', collards, turnips, neck-bones, salt mullet, and other things found in a normal southern farm house. And when the log splitters were finished each home had wood stacked deeply around them to make it through even the toughest winters.

And life was good.
 
I bought a 20 ton from tractor sup, at least 20yrs ago.
Still have, and use it every year. A 20T will do what you need.
I am on my 2nd motor.
 
Bailey Boat said:
I was a log splitter in my youth, my Grandfather would rent me out to the neighbors!!! "Go to Ms. Minnie's and split her some wood, then go over to Aunt Nellie's and split her some"...... Child labor I tell you.....
Click to expand...
I also grew up as Child Labor.
Kids today have no idea what the 50's and early 60's were like.
 
I did my share of child labor too..... And it sucked! I would use a double head axe to make a slit and then use a wedge (like a felling wedge) with a sledge.....rotate, repeat......

Today.......we have the spiraled pyramid splitting wedges.....which work wayyyyy better than the older style wedges.
 
The point where I have to pick up a spliting maul or axe it makes sense. Cutting, stacking and using the splitter is enough work I do not need to add to the process. Never tried a electric but thought about putting electic motor on my gas powered one time but I like splitting further away from house to keep mess away from house and wood shed so desided getting power to run a larger electric motor remotely was not a good idea in my case. i do not think some of the small electrics you see for sale would have enough power for some of the gum and oak stuff I split since it challenges my little home built I have.
 
It makes sense when you're a pansy!!!!!

I'm only partially kidding by that statement because I heated my old house primarily with wood and I split everything by hand. When I was a kid, I split wood to supplement our heating. I know how to use a sledge hammer and a wedge, an axe and a chain saw.
 
I picked up a relatively inexpensive HF two way log splitter. It will split in both directions. Heres a pic of my log splitting system. I've modified the splitter with a valve that latches in both directions. I just put the lever in the direction I want it to go and it will auto stop when it gets to the end point. The valve that came with it required you to hold the lever the entire time. A safety measure I know. I disconnect the seat safety on my mowers as well. And I run with scissors in my hand.

64t33o7l.jpg


I also raised the splitting deck so I don't need the car ramps anymore. It's been a good little splitter. It's done everything I've asked of it.
KpAWlcEl.jpg
 
Last edited:
A gas powered splitter is a GOOOOOD thing! Family would get together a few Saturdays and fill the woodshed. Did it by hand many years. Thought prayers were answered the first time I used one.
 


I used to get my logs all cut into rounds. Then I would rent one on Friday afternoon at 5 pm and have it back by 8 am Monday, only having to pay for one day, $55. We'd split wood all weekend, between beers, about 6 or 7 cords. I'm now married with a FIL that has 2 splitters. He has an outdoor furnace that heats the house and water, which imo, is the way to go. All the mess is outside and you're not paying Duke to take a shower.
And that's not my FIL in the video, but he does look like my dad.
 
Last edited:
the 22 ton at Tractor Supply is excellent for the money. When the splitters got 2 speed valves that's when they really got efficient.

I borrowed a 37 ton that was slow AF, and then some scumbag drove up into our driveway and relieved me of it several years ago. We were in Fl and had a no-so-attentive house sitter.

So I paid for one that I do not own.
 
Last edited:
spittinfire said:
It makes sense when you're a pansy!!!!!

I'm only partially kidding by that statement because I heated my old house primarily with wood and I split everything by hand. When I was a kid, I split wood to supplement our heating. I know how to use a sledge hammer and a wedge, an axe and a chain saw.
Click to expand...
So, you changing your screen name to "Splittin Fire?" :)

I've done my share of maulin. Rent a splitter, become convinced, buy a splitter.
 
Revisiting my own thread since I'll have the shed (mostly) redone by this weekend and it will be time to get to all the splitting.

HD, Lowes, Tractor Supply, Northern Tool... they all make 5 ton electric units in the same price range. Anyone have first hand experience with any of them?
 
I've not used an electric splitter. If you haven't already done so, check out the Youtube vids on them to see if they'll do what you want them to.
 
Had one from Northern. It worked okay for smallish stuff. Hated the safety switches, one for each hand so you can’t guide the log, and it powers down when you let go. It’s slower than splitting with a maul.

If I was doing it again I’d put it on a table and wire around the power switch.
 
Strongly advise gas over electric, just my opinion.
Check your local equipment rental or hardware/feed stores.
You should be able to rent one for a few days pretty cheap.
I actually only use mine 2 weeks a year. Still wish I had bought it 20 years sooner!
 
My Dad bought a splitter when I graduated and left home. I never had one, heated with wood, just picked wood that would split easily. Oak, maple, hickory, little poplar, as he, no sweet gum at all.
Would burn 4 or 6 pickup loads a year.
CF
 
Splitting wood was one of Ronald Reagan’s favorite forms of exercise.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom