Nifty log splitter

[rcavictim]

I really like this! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnZUkl0NC5A&NR=1

There was a slower version of this which bolted to the wheel studs of a car with the drive axle lifted off the ground in another video called a "Unicorn Log Splitter". 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1HZztie5ac&feature=related

I think this electric one is much more appropriate for my garage.  I wonder if I could make one of these.  I have some 4" solid hot rolled steel rod and a big enough lathe.

[BioHazard]

Wow, that is cool. I've seen log splitter attachments like that for tractor augers for sale on ebay pretty cheap. Never thought about hooking it to an electric motor like that, that's neat.

[BioHazard]

Hmmm, I guess they aren't as cheap as I thought:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Screw-Type-Log-Splitter-Powered-Tractor-Auger-/220791242461?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33682efedd

I'd love to see what you come up with if you make one on a lathe....

[Apogee]

http://www.hydrocut.co.uk/hy-crack.htm

http://www.theatomsplitter.com

http://www.thestickler.com

[mbryner]

The hydrocut/hy-crack one is awesome!

[DanG]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd6lFfCUtj8 <-- a friend in Finland doing softwoods

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE6TXEe3l6g <-- for when there is a SERIOUS need for wood

[quinnf]

I like this one, best:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeanPDO-D6M


Hoping the wife will get me one for Christmas!

q.

[Tom Reed]

That Hy-crack does look cool, but then you've got to carry all the split wood around to the bucket on the tractor for transportation. Seems like it could also seriously pinch some fingers if a smaller log rotates unexpectedly.

[LowGear]

I'm crazy for skid steers but I see one job I am not applying for.  What a screaming bore after 30 minutes.

Casey

[AdeV]

I'm amazed that no-one has linked to this fabulous creation (no sound, sadly):

I mean, just how cool is that?

[rcavictim]

That rotating axe head or whatever the cutter implement is is a serious accident waiting to happen.  That machine needs some safety guards.  It appears to work well.  I saw quite a few splitters on youtube based on this theme.

[BioHazard]

Once a carbide tooth from a 10" circular saw blade came off and hit me in the chest. That hurt. Could you imagine if that tooth came off?!

[mbryner]

Speaking of teeth coming off saw blades:  I just took the family to the High Desert Museum in Bend, OR today.   They have a working-condition 1904 steam powered saw mill w/ a 4 ft diameter ripping blade.   They didn't have the boiler fired up today to actually make it run, but they had volunteers in costume who were very knowledgeable.   That saw blade had removable teeth, and each one was about 1" - 2".  Nothing OSHA compliant about that place.   Just a rudimentary screen right next to the blade where the foreman would stand.   Everyone else would have been directly vulnerable to flying saw teeth, wood chips, rocks, bullet frags, etc.   Apparently, the museum usually has the saw mill operating in summertime, making boards/posts/beams for the outdoor 1800's recreated buildings, but too many of the old-timers who know the "art" of running ancient steam powered equipment are too ill this summer...

[quinnf]

Well, if you don't like the skid-steer splitter, there's always the Electro-Split from Crazy Jerry's website:

http://www.diesel-bike.com/Wood_Splitter/Videos/ElectroSplit1.wmv

Now that's one fast log splitter.

Too bad they're so expensive.  This is something the Indians could make cheaply and might be importable.

Quinn

[LowGear]

Pretty neat Quinn,

I wonder what transfers the energy from the flywheels to the ram?

I hope he's got a steel jock on.  One ball busting splinter can ruin your whole day.

I kind of challenge the idea that those panels are supplying the power for that motor and not just because it's a cloudy day.

Casey