| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| pricey |
Log SplitterHas anyone ever used one of these, or thought about buying one.I know, I'm OK with axe etc... but Mrs P isn't, she's shorter than Penny and believe me that is short. http://www.clifford-james.co.uk/ProductDetailInfoWithoutOptions.cfm?Prime=Yes&ID=D1402&ShopRef=72&ShopListRec=31670 Any feed back most welcome guy's. |
| Treacodactyl |
I've never used one but do often see adverts in places, there are quite a few companies that sell them for about the same price. Your link looks like one of the best in terms of size of log they handle.
I often wonder if using an axe can lead to problems with damage to your arms caused by the sudden forces when splitting logs. Have you thought about a manual ram, something like this? Again, I've now idea how well they work. http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=50879&ts=69211 |
| pricey |
Now that's a thought, but would Rita be able to use it, rams still need force, like when your jacking the car up. |
| Blacksmith |
Should think so, the pressure piston of a hydraulic pump is only 10mm diameter, bearing on a ram piston of 50+ mm. |
| dpack |
i know nowt about mechanical splitters but a good one will probably work
for safety a pair of wedges and a club hammer work ok and are cheap the fat axe type splitters are ok ish with strait grained wood but fail with knotty wood . the fat axe with little cog wheels broke really quickly . i use an axe with a sharp edge ,narrow blade and fat belly . a neat trick is to start the split by cutting into the end grain with a blow to the log on a chopping block then holding the axe handle in one hand and the log end in the other hand raise both log and axe , with force and accuracy bring both down onto the block so as the back of the axe strikes the block and the momentum of the log drives it onto the blade .so long as the log is longer than the axe blade this is safe (a lot safer than somethings i have had to stop people doing ). giving axe classes to folk is pretty scarey sometimes 
be careful i have seen two nasty mistakes . my bet is on axe for strait grain / easily split timbers and wedges or better still cut it short and burn it whole for knotty problems i will shut up now , i can waffle on this subject for ages ,one of my party tricks is turning a 18 " ash log into short planks as fast as possible  .it is easier than it sounds but when folk see it for the first time they pay attention 
i cant have a burner here but my ex neighbour set fire to his kitchen 3 times in 2 weeks 
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| pricey |
Thanks dpack, I've got a fat axe & a sharp fat bellied axe, for me it's no problem, it's the wife.
She 5' & 8 st so she finds it difficult to lift them let alone swing it. Thats why I thought of the motored one so she has no difficulty using it, but as you and blacksmith both say the ram one should be fine. Has anyone local got one so she can have a go? |
| dpack |
no excuse, she is far bigger than me , style is what matters .
my dogs out weigh me . axe ummmmmmmmmmmmm happy is a recently used axe |
| pricey |
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| dpack |
axe works
where does any person book an axe masterclass? . some things are easy but taught skills are hard to find i need gainful employment
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| dpack |
whack |
| dougal |
shorter logs are easier to lift - and split |