crash325
Elite Member
After spending quite some time looking at log splitters on the net and watching videos of them in operation. Then looking at the cost of 1 that would actually do the job, it was either keep splitting by hand or build a splitter. My shoulder told me to build one, it just would not take the pounding any longer.
Almost all the metal used was out of my treasure (scrap) pile. I did have to buy the 2x2" ｼ wall square tubing, about $30. All the cutting was done with a 4.5" angle grinder and slitting disks. All welding with an old "Lincoln Buzz Box", AC only. Nuts, bolts, welding rod & ?? Was all stuff that I already had.
Were my shop set up properly and with the right equipment, a lot more of the splitter would have been bolted together. That would make repair or parts replacement a lot easier. But I will wear out long before much repair is needed. The slide is removable with 4 bolts, planned on 5/8" and drilled out for them, but had 1/2" on hand and they have not sheared.
Material list:
2"x2" 1/4" wall Sq. Tubing. Were I to build another I would use 2"X3" set vertically. I did add 1'2" x 1.5" steel plate to stiffen the 2x2'S as they did flex now and then.
Old R/R track plates - 1/2" mild steel plate will work here.
1/8"X2"X3" angle iron
Some 1"X3"X1/8" C channel
3' 1" pipe
A little rebar, a few bolts & nuts, odds & ends of scrap metal.
Finished is not the right way to describe the splitter. But it is up and working and has split about ｽ Cord of wood. Not wimpy straight grain pine & such. Hard and nasty eucalyptus, mesquite & China Berry, crouches, knots & stumps. Largest diameter so far is just over 14", twisted grain eucalyptus and rock hard China Berry. Some stumps were a little larger with a lot of cross grain in them.
When finished it will have wheels, a tow tongue, control handle mounted on the splitter and a catch rack for the split wood. The current 3" bore x 10" stroke cylinder will be replaced with a 20 to 24 inch stroke cylinder with a 3 to 4 inch bore. Wheels will raise it a better working height. The catch rack will eliminate some bending and pick up work. May add kickers to the wedge so the logs pop apart a little sooner.
It runs off the tractor hydraulics and I am currently using the tractor lever for in and out control. Cycle time is about 9 seconds, more than fast enough for me. Even with a 10" stroke most wood pops apart with out help, at times I just stick another chunk behind the first one. Most of my splitting will be in the 16 to 18 inch length range as that is the best lengths for my stove.
I posted a video in my video of the splitter in action.
Almost all the metal used was out of my treasure (scrap) pile. I did have to buy the 2x2" ｼ wall square tubing, about $30. All the cutting was done with a 4.5" angle grinder and slitting disks. All welding with an old "Lincoln Buzz Box", AC only. Nuts, bolts, welding rod & ?? Was all stuff that I already had.
Were my shop set up properly and with the right equipment, a lot more of the splitter would have been bolted together. That would make repair or parts replacement a lot easier. But I will wear out long before much repair is needed. The slide is removable with 4 bolts, planned on 5/8" and drilled out for them, but had 1/2" on hand and they have not sheared.
Material list:
2"x2" 1/4" wall Sq. Tubing. Were I to build another I would use 2"X3" set vertically. I did add 1'2" x 1.5" steel plate to stiffen the 2x2'S as they did flex now and then.
Old R/R track plates - 1/2" mild steel plate will work here.
1/8"X2"X3" angle iron
Some 1"X3"X1/8" C channel
3' 1" pipe
A little rebar, a few bolts & nuts, odds & ends of scrap metal.
Finished is not the right way to describe the splitter. But it is up and working and has split about ｽ Cord of wood. Not wimpy straight grain pine & such. Hard and nasty eucalyptus, mesquite & China Berry, crouches, knots & stumps. Largest diameter so far is just over 14", twisted grain eucalyptus and rock hard China Berry. Some stumps were a little larger with a lot of cross grain in them.
When finished it will have wheels, a tow tongue, control handle mounted on the splitter and a catch rack for the split wood. The current 3" bore x 10" stroke cylinder will be replaced with a 20 to 24 inch stroke cylinder with a 3 to 4 inch bore. Wheels will raise it a better working height. The catch rack will eliminate some bending and pick up work. May add kickers to the wedge so the logs pop apart a little sooner.
It runs off the tractor hydraulics and I am currently using the tractor lever for in and out control. Cycle time is about 9 seconds, more than fast enough for me. Even with a 10" stroke most wood pops apart with out help, at times I just stick another chunk behind the first one. Most of my splitting will be in the 16 to 18 inch length range as that is the best lengths for my stove.
I posted a video in my video of the splitter in action.
Bet there are some beautiful mesquite crotch pieces in there.
