Log Splitter I-Beam BENDING...!

[BukitCase]

Lot of good suggestions on strengthening the I-beam, but I think you shot yourself in the foot when you changed the angle on your horizontal wings -

If you think about it, once a block starts thru the wedge, your NEW sharpening angle will try to force the block DOWN against the I-beam, seriously INCREASING the force required to push the block thru the 4-way wedge.

If the wings are strong enough, it will only increase the force required - if not, the wings will either bend or break.

The original sharpening angle would allow the part of the block BELOW the wings to just slide thru without creating a WEDGE effect that tries to LIFT the entire wedge off the I-beam. This is why all the horizontal wings I've seen commercially are sharpened ONLY on the upper side, so that "wedge" effect only raises the part of the block that is NOT trapped between wings and I-beam.

Of course it's up to you; but personally, I would add "putting it back the way it was" to your list of mods while you're at it... Steve

Edit - Just noticed the "beavertail" under your actual wedge, so maybe that feature would lessen or eliminate the need for "single edge" on the wings - I would still keep an eye on that part to see if it IS a problem.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Lot of good suggestions on strengthening the I-beam, but I think you shot yourself in the foot when you changed the angle on your horizontal wings -

If you think about it, once a block starts thru the wedge, your NEW sharpening angle will try to force the block DOWN against the I-beam, seriously INCREASING the force required to push the block thru the 4-way wedge.

If the wings are strong enough, it will only increase the force required - if not, the wings will either bend or break.

The original sharpening angle would allow the part of the block BELOW the wings to just slide thru without creating a WEDGE effect that tries to LIFT the entire wedge off the I-beam. This is why all the horizontal wings I've seen commercially are sharpened ONLY on the upper side, so that "wedge" effect only raises the part of the block that is NOT trapped between wings and I-beam.

Of course it's up to you; but personally, I would add "putting it back the way it was" to your list of mods while you're at it... Steve

Edit - Just noticed the "beavertail" under your actual wedge, so maybe that feature would lessen or eliminate the need for "single edge" on the wings - I would still keep an eye on that part to see if it IS a problem.

This is exactly what I was thinking was the problem.

Even with the "beavertail" I think this is the single biggest cause of your problems. The lower angle of the wedge appears steeper than the beavertail. Without doing the trig or layout in cad, I'd suspect that at say 1/4 of the way into a block, the end of the block at the ram would naturally want to be several inches above the I beam based on the way the angles appear. This, combined with the increased force required is more likely the cause of the beam bending rather than a weak beam.

 

[Artisan]

I am no expert on this subject. I am starting a splitter build after the new year. I will weld a 1/2" flat plate to the top of my I-beam. I plan to weld some scrap pipe to beam flange and web similar to what Shield Arc posted. I may also add pipe to bottom i-beam flange. i will box in both ends of beam and add gussets where able. This should provide some strength.

Also, most important IMO, I will ensure that the cylinder extends and retracts parallel to the top plate. Any angled pushing may cause the slide to push up or down on the top plate. Finally, I will mount the cylinder parallel and as close to the top plate as possible. This should minimize any up and down forces on the slide as it contacts the wood.

Just a few points I am considering. Not sure if they are helpful to you. Good luck with your repair.

And make sure if you have a horizontal wedge, that it is sharpened to a 50-50 edge and
not just a one angle edge like mine had. In one of my pics I drew in magenta color
what the edge of the horizontal wedge "was". THAT I do believe is what started
all my bending, loading in a monster round that had a limb and 71 THOUSAND
pounds of pressure "Popping" it into smitherinens.


Shield Arc and LeeJohn and all thanx for the pics.

I just heated er' up and got some pretty good compliance.

Some new under flange retainers and spacers will be
cut 1st of the week, steel on steel. I am nixing the brass
that was there. The price is RIDICULOUSLY INSANE anymore.

 

[Artisan]

snip

Edit - Just noticed the "beavertail" under your actual wedge, so maybe that feature would lessen or eliminate the need for "single edge" on the wings - I would still keep an eye on that part to see if it IS a problem.

Ah HA! Someone is looking! When I removed the material on the bottom I considered
such forces as best as my burnt lil brain could calculate and I decided that I was
only going to go w/ 50% or so of the top angle.

The I Beam does drop away so the cant's (?) or split pieces of wood can drop away
as they are wedged apart but I wanted to try to AD somedown force to try to
create some equalibrum if you will in the up and down forces created.

There are just shy of a bazillion variables here me thinks!

As always I appreciate the input much!

 

[Arc weld]

Shield Arc, did someone else weld the 3 pt. mounts on the log splitter you built? You might have mentioned it before but I forgot.:ashamed:

 

[Shield Arc]

Shield Arc, did someone else weld the 3 pt. mounts on the log splitter you built? You might have mentioned it before but I forgot.:ashamed:

No, I did all the welding. Which is strange, my brother-n-law has forgotten more about welding than I'll ever know. He was an Electron Beam welder. Worked on several Space Shuttles. For some reason, and he won't say. He use to go to New Mexico to weld on Nuclear bombs.

 

[Arc weld]

If I recall, you weren't sure how long to make the mounts and that's why they extend inside the tubing?

Roswell New Mexico/area 51? Maybe he was repairing alien space ships?

 

[Shield Arc]

If I recall, you weren't sure how long to make the mounts and that's why they extend inside the tubing?

I don't remember that. The whole thing was his design. I just supplied all the material, except the PTO pump, and a couple hoses.

 

[Arc weld]

Seem to recall something about it being painted before you had a chance to cut the mounts flush? I'm just giving you a hard time because if Lanse had built it, it wouldn't go unnoticed.:laughing:

 

[Shield Arc]

Oh I see!:laughing: Now that you mention it, wonder why I didn't cut them off, I normally do things like that! See what old age does to a guy?!:laughing: