SuperSplit owners, A few Questions????

[LD1]

I really like the super split splitters. But they are expensive. I have been wanting to build one, but currently dont have a need to as I have a hydraulic splitter, so I couldn't justify spending the money. But a good friend of mine is now in need of a splitter and is wanting to build one. So we are now looking into the posibillities of building an inertia splitter.

I think to cost to build either will be about similar. The price for a cylinder, pump, valve, hoses, filter, tank, etc should be enough to offset the cost of flywheels, rack gear, spur gear, and a few heavy springs.

So I was wondering if any body on here owns a supersplitter because I have a few specific questions. As well as if you could take some detailed photos with the covers off, that would be appreciated.

First is I would like some detail (pics) of the lever mechanism that pushes the rack onto the spur. Since the lever doesnt move, but the rack gear does, do they use a cam-follower or other type of beaing here?? And where/how is the is the rack held off the spur when in return or not in use.

Second, what is the size of the rack and spur gears?? And how big is the peice of steel that the rack is mounted to??

Third, what sized shaft do they use to connect the flywheels to the spur gear??

Fourth and final question for now. How do they drive the flywheels with the motor?? More specifically, is it directly driven with belts, or do they use soe type of centrifigual clutch or something incase the ram stalls?? If not, what do they use to prevent the motor from stalling in such a case??

Any help would be appreciated if any of you guys have a SS splitter.

 

[Ductape]

This is a picture of an ooooold SS my neighbor owns. Some things have been changed since it was in his barn that burned to the ground........ most obviously, the handle to engage the rack. Since the sheetmetal shrouds burned up bretty bad, you can clearly see the flywheels are driven by a single belt from a centrifugal clutch on the motor. You need minimal HP to run one, 5 hp is plenty. Going from memory, the rack is raised off the spur by a spring. There is a small roller on the back end of the rack, with a spring between it and the rack. I may be able to help with some more pictures and / or measurements......... but not sure when that would be.

 

[LD1]

I am not in any hurry for the measurments or more detailed pics, but whenever you do get time to do it, I would greatly appreciate it:thumbsup:

 

[dstig1]

I have one new last fall but it is not handy for pics - buried in a friend's garage for the winter. For some good research sign up on www.Arboristsite.com forum and search in the Firewood sub-forum. A couple of people have built their own over the years, and there are some pics, etc.

The only question of yours I can answer top of head is the flywheel drive mechanism. It is exactly like the photo ductape posted, and his description is still current.

Here is a couple photos of the hitch I made for towing it around the yard.

 

[LD1]

I have one new last fall but it is not handy for pics - buried in a friend's garage for the winter. For some good research sign up on ArboristsTie.com | Arborists Tie forum and search in the Firewood sub-forum. A couple of people have built their own over the years, and there are some pics, etc.

The only question of yours I can answer top of head is the flywheel drive mechanism. It is exactly like the photo ductape posted, and his description is still current.

Here is a couple photos of the hitch I made for towing it around the yard.

I am already a member there, but I dont like that forum.

And the posts I could find by searching didn't give me the answers to these questions

 

[52wej]

LD, You may have to dig a bit in the forum, but the answers to your questions are there and have been discussed a lot. The inertia splitter is a great concept, but as you know is pricey. Run a search on the supersplit and you will be able to find information on where to obtain parts and some of the basic dimensions. There are a couple of copied designs, one called a woodwolf and another by someone in Ohio that were discussed earlier last fall. Good luck . wjones

 

[jimmysisson]

Ductape, I hope your friend's pooch doesn't get his tail feathers caught in the drive belt!
LD1 - what have you thought about hardening or treating the steel for the rack and pinion? Or did you think to buy them? There is a guy (Kellog?) on arboristsite who built his own - in your neck of the woods, maybe? His hammers the wedge through, but similar otherwise. Looks very complicated - might give you some ideas.
I love the idea of an electric powered splitter for quietness, but can't swing the huge motor I think mine would take.
Jim

 

[Ductape]

I know one of the guys from one of the other forums used a rack / pinion he ordered from McMaster Carr. You could look there for a suitable rack.... I don't know enough about gear pitch, etc. to think about recommending one though.

 

[BHD]

(do not know if it would work in this situation or not),

Poor mans way of making a rack and pinion,

Is to take a length of roller chain and weld it out straight an a bar/flat and then use a sprocket to drive it, by using the chain one can do a double unit with two chains side by side, and the sprockets on the same shaft,

(I would think in a situation like this project 80 or 100 chain would be better),

I have even made "gears" by taking a round blank and wrapping it with a chain and weld/tacking it so a sprocket could mate with it, (not the longest lived but usually with in the reach of the home mechanic.

 

[LD1]

I was planning on buying the rack and spur gear and not making them. But they come in various sizes and the larger ones cost MUCH more. That is why I was wondering the size of the SS units. Because I dont want to go too small, but dont want to pay the extra $$ for overkill.

Example: A 6' peice of 10 pitch that is 1" wide and 1" thick is ~$160 at grainger. A 6' stick of 5 pitch that is 1.75" wide and 1.25" thick is ~$370:confused2: So the prices go up quick.

And I think in order to make a chain Idea work, the chain is going to have to be so big, the spur gear will have to be really small just to have a managable speed/power. I would be worried about the force required just to keep the gear engaged and not popping out. So I like the rack Idea better.

I will do some more searching on AS, but again, I would perfer not to have to post there.