Log Splitter advice
Author
Discussion

Puggit

Original Poster:

49,441 posts

271 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
quotequote all
We've just ordered a humongously expensive wood burning stove - a very small one. This means the wood will need to be cut down/split to fit in and burn.

Any advice - just something cheap and cheerful but functional and lasting!

Thanks smile

KrazyIvan

4,341 posts

198 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
quotequote all
Sorry, read the title and promptly pissed myself laughing, I tought it was going to be about you blocking the crapper hehe

I just bought a little chopper from B&Q, which rasied a few eye brows as I poped in on my way home from work so was in a suit and looked pretty pissed off, I thought the girl serving me was going to call the manager when I told her it was for personal use tongue out

rudecherub

1,997 posts

189 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
quotequote all
an axe?

The thing with logs is that splitting them is easier the thinner the trunk slices are.


Is it multifuel? Coal is actually a hell of lot easier to burn, when you count in the time you spend sawing/chopping wood.


Mobile Chicane

21,807 posts

235 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
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Splitting logs is shagging hard work, plus they have to be cross-cut (with a chainsaw) to the right length to begin with.

I have all the gear but buy mine ready cut.

whitechief

4,431 posts

218 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
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Puggit

Original Poster:

49,441 posts

271 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
quotequote all
whitechief said:
Looks good! What hammer would you pair it up with?

Engineer1

10,486 posts

232 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
quotequote all
That wood grenade is great, but get a good axe and some wedges as well, last time I was splitting logs for my parents the splitter got stuck and needed the use of a couple of wedges and an axe to open the cracks to get it out.

rudecherub

1,997 posts

189 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
quotequote all
Puggit said:
whitechief said:
Looks good! What hammer would you pair it up with?
14lb

CerbitonFlyer

155 posts

222 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
quotequote all
Puggit said:
whitechief said:
Looks good! What hammer would you pair it up with?
Agreed, these are brilliant when used with a large sledge hammer. The splitter will naturally find the weakest line so are a breeze to use compared to an axe

SystemParanoia

14,343 posts

221 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
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done!

Marcellus

7,193 posts

242 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
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Why not buy the right length logs.... We used to be able to buy 25/33/50cm and 1m logs which were delivered already split.

If not then you can easily make a log holder with 5 pieces of 2x1.

Or you can buy something like this (which what I've got and works superbly);



And then use an axe and chopping block.

Edited by Marcellus on Wednesday 1st September 14:12

Stu R

21,427 posts

238 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
quotequote all
I've yet to be faced with a log that a decent splitting maul can't handle with a manly enough swing. Good for the arms and shoulders hehe

A splitting wedge can be used with them too (clatter it with the non pointy end, obviously) for huge stuff, but I doubt you'll need it.

It's all about technique smile

If you just want a dropsack of kiln dried, pre cut logs I can drop you a link, but it's much more satisfying doing it yourself IMO yes

Edited by Stu R on Wednesday 1st September 14:14

Puggit

Original Poster:

49,441 posts

271 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
quotequote all
Stu R said:
If you just want a dropsack of kiln dried, pre cut logs I can drop you a link, but it's much more satisfying doing it yourself IMO yes
Thanks Stu - I'll take you up on the link. Just for the first load (honest!).



For our house in France we have a 2 hectare wood, a chainsaw, and a south facing covered shelter. We burn the logs on a dog-basket in an massive open fireplace. Now that is satisfying - waiting 2 years to burn the logs hehe

rudecherub

1,997 posts

189 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
quotequote all
Well if you want to go the whole way get one of these



It cuts em then splits em.

The little digger has more attachments than a swiss army knife




http://www.avanttecno.com

-Pete-

2,914 posts

199 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
quotequote all
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-axminster-ls5...

I use on of these, I'm very pleased with it and it seems to be best value for money out there. But you'll need to raise it up off the ground, I put mine clamped in a large B&D Workmate but it takes two people to lift it.

Before splitting, cut the logs to length with a chainsaw, I use a petrol one but electric might be ok. Learn how to use it and buy safety gear too.

The Black Flash

13,735 posts

221 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
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A felling axe and a viking demeanour are all you need. Raaaaaar!

Stu R

21,427 posts

238 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
quotequote all
Puggit said:
Stu R said:
If you just want a dropsack of kiln dried, pre cut logs I can drop you a link, but it's much more satisfying doing it yourself IMO yes
Thanks Stu - I'll take you up on the link. Just for the first load (honest!).



For our house in France we have a 2 hectare wood, a chainsaw, and a south facing covered shelter. We burn the logs on a dog-basket in an massive open fireplace. Now that is satisfying - waiting 2 years to burn the logs hehe
Dropped you an email with the details chief. Not that it's a secret or anything hehe It's coals2u.co.uk but there's a discount code and referral thingymabob so I though I'd email it.

It's worth picking up a couple of bags of anthracite coals too, chuck a dozen or so in with the wood. They're smokeless and kick out a lot more heat than logs alone, last ages too.

Hope this helps smile

10JH

2,070 posts

217 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
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Got the motormart catalogue through the post today. Noticed they had a large range.

richyb

4,615 posts

233 months

Wednesday 1st September 2010
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A decent Maul will see you right. I sell a lot of my arisings from tree work and cross cut everything to 15"s then split it. I use a 4 metal wedges as well for the massive stuff. Its hard work if you aren't used to it but you'll end up with some manly calluses.

Scraggles

7,619 posts

247 months

Thursday 2nd September 2010
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tend to use an 8-9 lb wedge splitter axe from a hardware shop, very nice it is

got a scar in my upper leg from the last time that used a metal hammer onto a metal wedge, almost lost the leg due to the resulting infection, had a 3 inch long by 3 inch deep cut in my leg to get the fragment out...not fun