Has anyone ever used an electric log splitter? Advice?

[uppityperson]

I'm looking at Northern Tool's http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200316861_200316861 and ToolCenter's http://www.toolcenter.com/Electric_Log_Splitter_65556.html

Has anyone ever used one or have any advice (beyond be safe), like brands to check out or avoid? Thanks from people with tendonitis and a bad back.

[rurallib]

1. Guy I used to work with nearly lost his hand

The old don't stick your hand in while it is running bit.
Long time ago. All I rmember is he thought it was jammed and KABOOM the ram came through. IIRC he lost the tip of his finger.
Edit to add - looks like there has been some safety upgrades. I am sure my workmate wasn't the only one.

[uppityperson]

8. The new ones need 2 hands to run.

Could probably override the safety bit, but don't think I would. I've worked ER in a rural area.

[tekisui]

2. Stay out of the way.

If you do get a jam or any problem, turn it off.

[uppityperson]

5. We are safety nuts here. Clearing jams, being careful is our motto

that and have fun. I guess putting home made firecrackers between a log and the base would be a bad idea. Actually we are very safe, just tired and sore and looking to figure out how to chop wood without hurting ourselves.

[classof56]

3. Don't want to be an alarmist, but...

A classmate of my daughters' in high school lost a leg using one of those. My spouse has used one with no problems, though, but neither had tendonitis or a bad back. Considering the issues I have with minor manouevers because of my bad back, I'd say maybe it would be better to maybe pay a few bucks for someone to do the log splitting for you. Whatever you decide, just take care and be safe!

Tired Old Cynic

[globalvillage]

4. I've used a gas powered one

Looks pretty similar to the one you're considering. It really makes the job simple, the hardest part is hefting the logs onto the splitter (which sits pretty low to the ground), but using the device itself is a breeze.

Watch your fingers!

[uppityperson]

6. any advice about brands? Thanks.

[globalvillage]

7. Sorry, no help there.

But I can tell you that I split logs with my elderly aunt and uncle on several occasions using one, and it was a blast. Load the log, push the lever, stack the wood. Not much else to it, except be careful and heavy gloves are a good idea. If you're careful and enjoy doing that kind of stuff for yourself, it's a great tool.

[uppityperson]

9. Was it an electric one or one with the handles that you push/pull to move log?

I can't tell which you mean, but thanks.

[globalvillage]

12. Looked very similar to this one

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200316855_200316855

[uppityperson]

14. Thanks, similar to what I'm looking at but gas vs electric

I think I need to go rent one for a day. No sense trying to do research, save money, and still wondering. Might as well include actually using one in the research. Thanks for your input.

[globalvillage]

16. Great idea to rent, and good luck

Thanks for bringing back some excellent memories, btw.
Oh, get a low stool, like a milking stool or a low step stool.
We did it with one person loading logs, and the other sitting and operating the splitter, then switched when the loader was tired.

[uppityperson]

19. Now that is a really good idea. Thanks.

[pscot]

20. The Ryobi gets good reviews

Go to Amazon. They are the best source of product reviews. If a dozen customers all have the same litany of complaints about a product, you are probably getting the straight dish. I was thinking about buying one a few months back. There's lots of cheap wood available, what with all of last years blow-downs. In the end I couldn't get price and function to match, so I stuck with the old reliable six-pound maul. Warms you twice, as they say.

[uppityperson]

22. Want to take a quick trip over here? I'll feed you good if you chop my wood!

DU meetup and woodchopping party! woohoo!

[frogcycle]

10. I've used gas-powered

always just rent for a day or two when I have a lot of stuff needing splitting. It is actually gas over hydraulic, and I assume the electric is also driving a hydraulic-powered ram, so little difference except for noise and pollution.

I never had any problems. I always use gloves, goggles, ear protection, and stand in safe areas. Split mostly oak, which is a pleasure - just cracks open with a snap -, but also some hickory. Now there is a pain! The splitter head would just bury itself with the two halves barely tearing apart, and then I'd have to back it out, turn it off, and use a sledge hammer to get the wood back off. Then try again and the same thing would happen.

You might try renting a couple of times if you want to learn more about what you like, what to look for.

[uppityperson]

13. I just came up with that idea too, while striking myself in the forehead

rent one and check it out. duh. So, thank you for inspiring my thought and posting it too. I watched someone try to split a piece of wood once, got their wedge caught. It was a work party so he borrowed another wedge. There ended up being 5 wedges caught different ways in that piece of wood before I left. They were discussing throwing it on the fire and getting the wedges out after it all cooled.

[AndyTiedye]

17. 5 Wedges? That Must Have Been a Gnarly Piece of Wood

[uppityperson]

18. funny thing was it was a small piece, 9 inch diameterX6 inches long

looked really funny with all these guys standing there peering at it saying "1 more wedge should do it! Nope. That didn't work. Let's try another." They kept putting in more trying to get the first 1, then 2, then 3, then 4, out.

[AndyTiedye]

21. Gotta Put the Wedge In Near the Edge if the Wood is Like That

then you can continue to bash on it, and if the wood really won't split, you can get the wedge out easier.

[frogcycle]

24. I learned why the nickname "Old Hickory"

It's not just because they are really straight. The word "tough" is inadequate!

Back when I was using a lot of firewood in cast iron stove, I collected wood wherever I could get it - my own woods and neighbors had plenty of downed trees - sliced it into 18-24" lengths and stacked them by the fence. Then a day or so of a rented splitter did the job. You can generally rent better (bigger) power equipment than you'd buy so you get the work done faster, less likelihood of jamming with more power, and you don't have to store the thing 360 days/year to use it for five.

OTOH, if you prefer to do just a little every now and then, well, buying might make sense.

I bought a small chipper; I just stack that which it won't handle, and every once in a while if i have tree people trimming the upper parts of trees i give them a few extra bucks to get rid of the pile of limbs. I have plenty of space to store stuff like that though - and I'd rather see piles of wood than machinery - as would the chipmunks and birds and stuff

[appal_jack]

26. there's a better way

When a log gets stuck with the ram-wedge part-way through it, back off the ram enough to get a log to lay perpendicular to the stuck-log, and next to the plate. Thios will make the ram effectively longer, and you will push right throgh that hickory, no extra wedges necessary.

It's late, so my writing is prob. unclear, but it really works, if you can figure out what I mean...

-app

[uppityperson]

27. That's a good idea. Don't remove it/start over, but make longer/continue

I get what you mean and it sounds like a good idea. Thank you.

[shraby]

11. I've used the gas ones and if you're

careful, you should be okay..just keep your feet out from under where the piece of wood will fall. Hurts like hell when they land on your foot. Been there done that.
Another think, don't do elm..that stuff grows in a spiral and to split it, you have to start at the outside and take a piece off at a time. Won't split from the middle. Had to burn a couple of wedges out of a piece before I got smart.

edited to add

[AndyTiedye]

15. Be Careful Moving Really Heavy Logs to the Splitter

Don't injure your back moving the logs and manhandling them into the splitter.
They are often heavier than they look.

With a maul and wedges you can split the log in place.
(Maul weighs 8 pounds, log weighs ????).

[Speck Tater]

23. A tree out back split when hit by lightning. Does that count? nt

[SpiralHawk]

31. The lightning-charred wood is big medicine

from the Thunderforms...

[LWolf]

25. Thanks and a question

First of all, thanks for posting this. I need a log splitter myself, so I'm reading the thread with interest.

I have never used a log splitter. I am a 47 yo female, and while I can probably split some wood by hand, I don't think I can do it all by myself.

Questions for those that have used splitters:

Does the piece have to be round, or can I split pieces that have been previously split into smaller pieces?

How do splitters work on oddly shaped pieces? I have a lot of juniper, which is tough and twisted.

[newfie11]

28. answer for LWolf

Yes you can use the log splitter by yourself. I am now 61 and have gone to pellet/corn stove because we have moved and don't have enough trees here to cut.
But for the past 15 years in South Dakota Black Hills we cut and split our own wood. Yes I can and did use a chain saw (husband has a bad back)and I was not the only woman doing so in the Hills. In fact it was a great surprise to see how easy it is to use a chain saw.
Most of the time the wood was split by hand.
We did use a log splitter that belonged to a friend of our son in law. WOW
It split anything (even Elm) and no the piece does not need to be round. As a woman you can do it. This one could split in horizontal or vertical position (maybe they all do). It was just a matter of setting the wood on the splitter and bringing the wedge up to the wood then step back and split it.
If you follow directions I don't think you will have problems.
You go girl!
Sherrie

[LWolf]

29. Thanks!

As soon as I get my chainsaw back and make sure it is still working properly, the splitter is at the top of my list of implements needed.

:hi:

[LWolf]

30. Update:

I looked around online and locally. The local options were limited; one at Home Depot, one at Lowe's, and I couldn't find any others. I wonder if it is because, here in tree country, people use heavier-duty models? :shrug:

I had to replace my chainsaw, which I did today, so couldn't invest in a log-splitter too. My mom, though, happened to mention how much trouble she's having with all of her downed trees; she lost a bunch of pines in a storm last year. Enough to keep her in firewood for 2 years. She usually goes out with a permit to cut her own, but now all she had to do was split. In her late 60s, she can't split much herself. When I mentioned the electric log splitter, she decided that she'd buy one we both could use. She shopped, compared, read reviews, and selected it herself, since she's paying for it.

It's shipping tomorrow, to my house. I get to deliver it to her when I'm done. I'd better get that new chainsaw busy tomorrow on MY downed trees!

I'll report in at the end of the month, once I've used it.

[LWolf]

32. Using the electric log splitter:

I can split a day's wood in 5 minutes without any more effort than placing the log, pulling the levers, and stacking the results.

So far, so great!

It's so easy that I've gotten in the habit of stopping to split a few logs every time I walk by the shop on the way to the barn and back.

[uppityperson]

33. That sounds good. What kind did you get?

MrUP just told me we ARE getting one since I've been on a weight lifting restriction, teen is gone and he's getting tired of splitting wood.

[LWolf]

34. My mom chose this one:

(the gold model)

http://www.omegastores.com/omegasplitters.htm

There wasn't much available locally. She was frustrated with not being able to find consumer ratings scores for them.

When it arrived, we had to send the motor back, as a part had fallen off. Not an auspicious beginning!

The new motor arrived promptly, and assembly was simple. It was complicated by the fact that I couldn't find the right size socket for my socket wrench to tighten a couple of bolts, and by the assembly directions, which were not well organized. The directions for assembling and attaching the motor were in one book, and for assembling and attaching wheels in another. Then, some of the pieces in the directions came already assembled, which left me scrambling to find the point that I needed to start at.

It's light enough for me to drag around on my own, although I'd get help to lift in into the back of my truck.

It's sitting on the covered porch of my shop, plugged into the current there. Directions say to plug it in directly, or, if an extension cord must be used, to use a short one.

It splits seasoned wood of moderate diameter in seconds. If the wood is a little green, it tends to stop about an inch or two short of finishing. I use a block of wood behind the log to extend the "push" and finish splitting those.

I got some very large rounds for free; I don't even know what kind of tree they came from. Not pine or juniper; something deciduous, hard, and very dense. Those are two large and two hard for the splitter. The logs jam on the shaft that splits the wood. I spent about 30 minutes today wrestling with one, unjamming, applying pressure in a different spot, and starting over. I did finally get it split into about 5 workable pieces. I wouldn't want to do that all the time, but it's not often that I get offered free hardwood. Most of the wood in this area is pine and juniper, and the trees offered for the forest service aren't too big around for this splitter. Local permits cost $10 a cord to cut your own.

It takes me about 5-10 minutes to split enough wood for 24 hours. I'm going to have to get busy with the chainsaw, because I'm splitting faster than I'm cutting, lol. Right now I'm working on several dead pines on my place.

[uppityperson]

35. Update, bought a 4 ton one and it is great!

$250, and hoping it will last a few yrs. We put it on the tailgate of the truck to get it high enough, and it splits most everything without pain. Rather than whacking 4 times to get a big log split, it chops pieces off the sides, getting down to a smaller piece. Since we have really cheap wood available, it will pay. MrUP came in to tell me he bent 1 bar seeing how big/knarly he could put through, argh. Of course MrUP also said he is having the problem of splitting to small since it's fun to use. But it is all good and now we can split a bunch in an hour on the weekend and have wood for the whole week.

[Lupin]

37. Ryobi works -- for a while

I have the Ryobi RY49701 and it worked great for about 20 hours then the power began to drop off. The hydraulic oil is fine and there are no leaks. I am past the warranty period of 2 years and their "Technical service" people will only say that you need to change the oil. They can give no other advice except to say bring it to a service center. I am at 50 hours now and I cannot split a 6" pine.
If you bought this dog make sure you have it repaired before the 2 years are up. It was made in China so good luck getting a replacement.

[Matthewtheogre]

36. Never have, but

I know they sell them at home depot.

[newfie11]

38. Only a gas one.

We loved it. We were using only wood for heating (South Dakota winter). We split enough wood in one day that would have taken us a week to do. It even made quick work of splitting elm.

[lumberjack_jeff]

39. Here's a woodsplitter for you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bVAAx3mMKY&feature=related

Safe? Not so much.

[WhiteTara]

40. does it have both vertical and horizontal

positions? THat is really important for the back issue. If it has vertical then you can just roll the log onto the platform and Bob's your uncle!

And of course, watch your fingers. I had worker almost lose his hand. I spent a fortune on his emergency room visit!