With a demolition hammer. Is that the power tool alternative to a wedge and sledgehammer? In about 2 hours toady I managed to get 4 pieces split, and I've got another 10 or so to do. And those are even bigger. I'm taking something like this: http://www.ur.com/index.php/equipmen...ab=description
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Alex -
What you need is a log splitter. Most northern equipment rental places have them. HF sells maybe ten different types, including a manual/hydraulic model for about $100. -
I'd get one, but I'm dealing with giant sections of the trunk, I'm sure a few weigh upwards of 500 lbs, and I'm not sure if I could move them onto the splitter.AlexComment
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What you need is one of these
I have seen pictures of giant redwoods being split by hand into boards. They used lots of wedges, and many people swinging hammers. Paul Bunyan would also be a choice.
Seriously though, many wedges and don't work so hard. Drive a wedge in one stroke past easy. More than that and you are wasting your energy. If it doesn't split then add another wedge to the line of split. They also make wedges that have wings on them so that last stroke applies a lot of splitting pressure. I am assuming the wood is dry, wet logs or rounds are really hard to split as they have a lot of give to them. If green you may want to take a chainsaw to make the first cut and then try to split from there.
have fun.
Bill.
Over here where trees are really big.Comment
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They are green, fresh cut, and I think that's the problem.
I think a wedge and sledge hammer would work better than the splitter thingy we are using now though.AlexComment
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Is there a reason you are splitting the logs in such big sections? I grew up splitting wood with a powered wood splitter and our solution with pieces too big to lift was saw or split by hand into smaller chunks.David
The chief cause of failure in this life is giving up what you want most for what you want at the moment.Comment
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That's how the guy who cut them down left them. Don't have a chain saw to cut them down.AlexComment
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Yeah, I know how it is, we work with what we have. Ya know, the wedge does not have to be made of metal. If you start the metal wedge or just put a notch in the wood with a splitting mawl and then use a hardwood wedge you can get by without having to buy a lot of wedges. You will need a lot of hardwood ones though, they break up fast without something to act as a feral on the top. If you make your own wedges, split do not cut the wedge and wrap some heavy wire around the top end.
Bill,
funny how the memory of splitting wood is much better than the actual act was.Comment
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I have a "Monster Maul". This looks similar:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...5119_200325119
It takes a few whacks but I have split large pieces including crotches. It does not get stuck.
JimComment
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Well, there's a problem with an easy solution
Stihl would be my recommendation
Okay, that was flippant and probably not worth the cost if this is a one time gig. But, if there is a lot to do, or if there will be repeats in the future it's a good tool to have.
For splitting logs in bulk a log splitter is the right tool for the job. With the vertical ones you wouldn't automatically need to lift the log chunk if you can roll it onto the base. However, it's still sometimes worth cutting in sections first on really big chunks to get the weight down and deal with the fact that the ram/splitter won't reach to the center of a large log and may not split through.
Kristofor - Whose grandparents relied on wood heat for their old marginally insulated MN farmhouse, and who helped cut, split, and stack far too many cords of wood as a kid...Comment
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