Cool Firewood Splitting Tip - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Chad300tdt · #1 10-20-2008, 04:15 PM

I just had a maple tree cut down. It was nearly a full cord once split and stacked. This was the first time I used a splitting axe (maul) and wedges with a sledge to split wood.

While I had a great time swinging the axe and watching the pieces fly, it got tiring having to pick up the pieces and put them in the cart for later stacking and re-aligning the log on my chop block for more splits. I think I picked up every piece of wood about 3 or 4 times.

I spent 6 hours splitting, bending over and stacking wood. I haven't been this sore since high school sports.

I just came across this tip which I plan to utilize for my next splitting session. I have a set of bundts with old tires that I'll use to construct my new chop block with retainer.

http://www.woodheat.org/firewood/splittingblocksandtires.htm

Anyone have any other tips for working smarter, not harder?

Medmech · #2 10-20-2008, 04:21 PM

Its an excellent tip but don't get lazy and hit the tire your axe will end up in the neighbors yard.

A264172 · #3 10-20-2008, 04:30 PM

My only tip is, it gets easier next year.

Carleton Hughes · #4 10-20-2008, 04:37 PM

Chopping your own firewood warms you twice.

A264172 · #5 10-20-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carleton Hughes

Chopping your own firewood warms you twice.

Which is great.

If you chop it in the winter.

Chad300tdt · #6 10-20-2008, 04:49 PM

I've read that some unseasoned woods split easier in winter when they're frozen. The maple wood split pretty easy right after being cut down ... except for all the sections with multiple knots.

pwogaman · #7 10-20-2008, 04:55 PM

Just get a bigger fireplace and burn the wood without splitting it.

kknudson · #8 10-20-2008, 04:55 PM

Much easier to split once dry some, I would halve it, stack it, then finish splitting next year.

If it was live stuff, DO NOT Burn it until next Season !!!

Mistel · #9 10-20-2008, 04:58 PM

Here`s a tip.

If you cut down the tree when it has green leaves on it, if you can let it lay there for a few days, the leaves will keep transpireing water and the wood will be dryer when you cut and split it.

A264172 · #10 10-20-2008, 05:00 PM

Maple is a pleasure to split. Sounds like you don't have a 'splitter', like me (edit: meaning I also don't have one). If I can, I just leave the knotted ones as rounds or liberally use the chain saw to make hunks out of them.

I'm working my way through some, what I think is, elm. It does not like to be split... at all.

#11 10-20-2008, 05:00 PM

I'd get my exercise by splitting a few logs w/ the axe.

Then go rent a log splitter for the rest...

Chad300tdt · #12 10-20-2008, 05:12 PM

A splitter is too easy.

Actually, I went to several stores in an effort to purchase a manually operated hydraulic splitter and all anyone had in stock were electric and gas splitters. The electric splitter was $299 and the cheapest gas splitter was $749.

I saw some manual hydraulic splitters online for $90 - $150. I may order one of those once I start getting tree chunks from my landscaper buddies that don't want to make a living on splitting firewood from the trees they cut down.

I do like to use the hand tools though ... with assistance from my chainsaw of course.

Quote:

Originally Posted by A264172

Maple is a pleasure to split. Sounds like you don't have a 'splitter', like me (edit: meaning I also don't have one). If I can, I just leave the knotted ones as rounds or liberally use the chain saw to make hunks out of them.

I'm working my way through some, what I think is, elm. It does not like to be split... at all.

I used my chainsaw to cut slits in the knotted rounds and then used a cone wedge with the sledge hammer to finish it off. It worked great for most of the knotted ones, but a couple needed to be cut completely with the chainsaw.

Medmech · #13 10-20-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carleton Hughes

Chopping your own firewood warms you twice.

I'd like to get in down to twice.

1. Carry gear to cutting site
2. Cut wood
3. Load wood
4. Unload wood
5. Split wood
6 Stack wood
7. Move stacked wood from seasoning area
8. Stack wood
9. Light fire

Medmech · #14 10-20-2008, 05:31 PM

Now that the Ash Borer has taken out 1/3 of my woods I'm going to do some serious cutting I already cut almost everyday during the winter but I'm going to make some serious stacks with my new neck. The new plan is to drag logs out of the woods to my barn and cut and split in a more controlled environment with no rocks to dodge, ruts to get stuck in, raspberrys to get tangled in....all that in close proximity to the beer.

A264172 · #15 10-20-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howitzer

....all that in close proximity to the beer.

Make sure to wear your steel toes.