My 3rd and hopefully last log splitter

[aczlan]

Not sure I want to meet the stove that needs that size wood...

Aaron Z

 

[mikefromnh]

Nice touches.

I welded on my log cradle/rest/stop ... and my lift will be non-swappable, side to side.

I was thinking though, since your log cradle/rest/stop is removable, it would be nice if it were adjustable (in/out) to accommodate the occasional huge round.

Just a thought.

Not a bad idea... Maybe some sort of hinge to adjust it from flat to angled.

Mike... any plans to add a gusset to beef up front to back pull on the real axle? Looks like you have the side to side built very stout.

I've got a lot of rough to very rough terrain that are hard on spring and axle mounts.

I haven't done anything yet but will add some braces.

Your pictures reminded me of something I saw in a Mennonite shop some time ago. Most thought invoking!

View attachment 413938

I had thought about doing a self propelled splitter. Even found an old golf course mower with hydraulic wheel motors, steering valves etc. And an 18hp JD diesel engine.

I spoke to the guy a couple times and could have had it for $800 but when I went to pick it up the air filter box was buried under a couple seasons of grass clipping and the air filter was missing. So I passed and decided it would be easier to build it with four wheels and maybe pickup an vintage garden tractor to pull it around the yard with.

 

[mikefinger]

I love it when an otherwise informative and interesting thread gets hijacked over a pi$$!ng match!

 

[Stihl Man]

I love it when an otherwise informative and interesting thread gets hijacked over a pi$$!ng match!

You are absolutely correct. I couldn't agree more!!!!!!
Not a pissing match on my part. I just don't want anyone to believe that a vertical web ads no strength to a beam...
Closed subject on my part...

I do apologize to Mike and everyone else...

 

[LD1]

I love it when an otherwise informative and interesting thread gets hijacked over a pi$$!ng match!

I hope you are not talking about me.

It is not my intent to hijack anyones threaad. I am actually enjoying following this build, as I just built my splitter last year.

My intent is to clear up some mis-information and share some knowledge. And who knows, maybe someone will learn something along the way. You do always have the option not to read. Besides, your post isnt any different than those of us that have strayed. Oh wait, yours didnt provide any useful information.

 

[mikefinger]

As many of us heard as kids, "It's not what you said, it's how you said it."

 

[murphy1244]

I want to see the log lift go on.

 

[franklin2]

With the log splitters I see there seems to be two major design routes. I wonder if we can talk about that.

Design #1. The splitter can be set vertically or horizontally. This is the way I made mine. I find myself using it vertically more than horizontal. I am given a lot of wood that other people don't want to mess with, because it's huge. No way could I lift it up on a horizontal only splitter.

But I see in his design he is making a log lift. So;

Design #2. Horizontal only. What is the advantage of horizontal only logsplitters? One major change is the wedge is stationary. Is there an advantage to this? I can see when you split the wood it's pushed clear and out the end of the splitter. If you need to split it again you might have to go and pick it up off the ground again? Or will the log lift extend out that far or will there be a table out there? Is there an advantage to picking up all your wood(if you don't have a log lift) compared to splitting it with the splitter vertical? When I use my splitter vertical I will usually find a decent round chunk and use it as a chair to sit on while I use the splitter vertically.

He is making his splitter horizontal only, and doing that on purpose, so I was wondering if there was an advantage I was missing.

 

[LD1]

With the log splitters I see there seems to be two major design routes. I wonder if we can talk about that.

Design #1. The splitter can be set vertically or horizontally. This is the way I made mine. I find myself using it vertically more than horizontal. I am given a lot of wood that other people don't want to mess with, because it's huge. No way could I lift it up on a horizontal only splitter.

But I see in his design he is making a log lift. So;

Design #2. Horizontal only. What is the advantage of horizontal only logsplitters? One major change is the wedge is stationary. Is there an advantage to this? I can see when you split the wood it's pushed clear and out the end of the splitter. If you need to split it again you might have to go and pick it up off the ground again? Or will the log lift extend out that far or will there be a table out there? Is there an advantage to picking up all your wood(if you don't have a log lift) compared to splitting it with the splitter vertical? When I use my splitter vertical I will usually find a decent round chunk and use it as a chair to sit on while I use the splitter vertically.

He is making his splitter horizontal only, and doing that on purpose, so I was wondering if there was an advantage I was missing.

At the risk of getting flamed for hijacking, I'll respond with my opinions and why I did mine horizontal only.

The combo horizontal/vertical is slightly more difficult to design and build. Gotta make sure the hoses reach in both positions, have a pivot pin and get measurements right so it is stable when vertical. Adds time (and cost) to the process.

But for me that wasnt the reason. Already have a vertical model for big stuff. When using it in horizontal mode, you end up with a pile of wood in the way pretty quickly And have to relocate that pile, or the splitter. Means more handling of the wood.

With my horizontal only, I do have a table off the end. So anything that needs split again just gets slid back around, no picking it up off the ground again. The ones that are split to final size just drop off the end out of the way. IT also gives me the ability to back the splitter over the trailer, and all the split pieces land on the trailer without me having to pick them up and toss them in there. So for me, it is about handling the wood less, and spending more time running the splitter instead of moving wood around.

 

[chad22]

Loving the splitter. I started on one a year ago and haven't finished it yet.

Now it's gonna be on the back burner for a little while longer now as I'm busy with remodeling a 100 year old house I bought in December. "Moved back to my home town"

But hopefully I can get back to the log splitter soon. I'm just itching to get out my welder and lay some welds down again. I love melting metal together.