Firewood - Wood Splitter - Not Tractor Attached - Whats best?

[Sawyer Rob]

I do have a complete wood working shop, but I haven't used my wood lathe in a long time...

BUT, I turn logs when I mill them... does that count?? lol

Turning the log is the only way you can get the BEST grade of lumber out of a log, and good logs should be "grade sawn"....

SR

 

[KiwiBro]

I do have a complete wood working shop, but I haven't used my wood lathe in a long time...

BUT, I turn logs when I mill them... does that count?? lol

Turning the log is the only way you can get the BEST grade of lumber out of a log, and good logs should be "grade sawn"....

SR

Yes, I've had this conversation with another band-sawer recently. I agree for grade sawing the best recoveries of the best woods are far better on a bandsaw compared to a swingblade. Swingblades are wasteful and in some wood are a nightmare to get the best grain orientation.

That said, plenty of lumber is fine with swingers, and they can break down a big log where it lays, quickly, cheaply.

If only the framesaws/sash gangsaws were not so expensive, then would have a pretty slick set-up.

Here's that ugly hunk of potential firewood, turned into something quite lovely.

 

[KiwiBro]

What's the approximate $$$ of the kinetic?

What about Used via Craigslist or etc? Too much risk?

About $2600 for the Supersplit with production table (definitely need a table) for their J model with Subaru robin engine. SuperSplitter: Testimonials

Things may have changed since others started making these but when I was looking many years ago, nobody was selling their used supersplit. I was looking at used because Paul at supersplit wouldn't sell me one here in NZ for fear of me copying it. This was before every man and his dog in USA, including speeco, DR, second split, started jumping on the kinetic bandwagon.

In the end, I found a helpful person to buy one and I shipped it down to NZ myself, have run the byjebus out of it, not copied it, and if it failed tomorrow, I'd buy and smuggle (if I had to) another one out of USA.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

That's a beauty! Nice job on that!

SR

 

[KiwiBro]

That's a beauty! Nice job on that!

SR

Thanks. I Wish I could take the credit for it but will have to save some more pennies to buy a lathe and learn how. Meantime, I have a growing stash of super-uglies that hopefully won't tear themselves to bits before I get around to turning them. I also wish AS hadn't had so many troubles and purges. I lost the only image I had of felling that tree. Took nearly three years to get it from felled to that bowl and I'm giving it to the farmers who hired me to fell the tree.

They have become good friends and it would be nice for them to have a reminder of their farm when they get out of farming soon.

 

[Teachu2]

I know I have a TSC, Northern, Lowes, Home Depot, Harbor freight, and I think a Southern States nearby.

Who carries Speedco and TimberWolf?

What's the approximate $$$ of the kinetic?

What about Used via Craigslist or etc? Too much risk?

I supplement with my big ugly homebuilt wood stove in the basement during the winter and it really works well...

Thanks again guys!

David

I got lucky on Craigslist and picked up a 27 ton Troy Bilt for $500. The ad said $1300 (Lowes sells them new for $1399) but that's what he PAID for it. He was asking $700, and took $500. When I went to buy it, I took the worst piece of wood I had - and it split it easily. So far, so good. I've used it quite a bit.

 

[CalG]

I got lucky on Craigslist and picked up a 27 ton Troy Bilt for $500. The ad said $1300 (Lowes sells them new for $1399) but that's what he PAID for it. He was asking $700, and took $500. When I went to buy it, I took the worst piece of wood I had - and it split it easily. So far, so good. I've used it quite a bit.

Are you splitting those dry land Oaks?

 

[Teachu2]

Are you splitting those dry land Oaks?

Yes, along with almond and orange.

 

[CalG]

Yes, along with almond and orange.

Lots of crotches in fruit wood

I would stick with a hydraulic splitter

 

[fishheadbob]

50 acres of tops is a lot of work. I did an average of 22 cords a year for decades; I've never thought that a real quick cycle time was important because I'm not Superman. Most splitters can go a lot faster than the operator can. My own splitter is a 3 point, tractor powered model, but that setup won't work well for most folks.
Go shopping. Looking live at splitters can be informational, and sometimes (rarely ?) talking to a salesman can give an insight or two. Last time I needed a splitter I researched TSC's and HD's splitters, especially the user reviews. If there was a common shortfall it became apparent in the reviews. I wound up finding a beauty on Craig's List for much less than half new.
If you go used I would look at the overall quality and the width of the hydraulic cylinder. A 4" cylinder will be more forceful than a 3" with the same power source. And be sure you are comfortable with the engine running things.