29. October 2009

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How to Make Your Own Homemade Log Splitter

In order to build your own log splitter you will need to have some mechanical knowledge and experience. If you don’t have this experience, don’t get discouraged because you can still save money by purchasing a used log splitter.

Making a Log Splitter

If you think you are up to the challenge of making a log splitter, then there are a number of parts that you will need. those parts needed are listed below:

1-Cylinder – While choosing the cylinder for your log splitter, make sure that you choose one with a working pressure of 1500 psi.
2-Valve -
3-Hydraulic hoses
4-Wood beam (6 inch)
5-Five gallon hydrolic tank
6-Wedge
7-Triangle push block support
8-Steel Blades

If you want to go all out, you may also want to build a log splitter that uses and engine or pump. This will make your log splitter more powerful.

The actual unit will either be operated by the engine you choose, or by the hydraulic pump. These log splitters can typically chop an entire load of wood within 30 minutes (try doing this by hand!).

At the end of the press, you will need to weld steel blades. These are the blades that will actually chop the wood, so they need to be extremely strong and sharp. Steel blades are the best choice when making a homemade log splitter. These steel blades will have to be welded together, and also attached to the hydraulic unit.

Benefits of a Homemade Log Splitter

The main benefit of making your own log splitter is the cost savings over new wood splitting units. If you are mechanically inclined and like working on projects like this, you will save a large amount of money.

Another benefit of a homemade log splitter is that you can customize it to fit your specific requirements. Although there are many different types of log splitters available on the market, you will find that there may not be a model that meets your needs. This is where making your own log splitter can really be helpful.

Remember, even if you decide to make a semi-automatic log splitter that requires you to use your hand or foot, it will still make wood splitting much faster and more efficient than if you were to do it by hand.

I hope I haven’t discouraged you from making a log splitter too much! In all honesty the project is not something that I would recommend for beginners, you really should have some experience before attempt this.

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22. October 2008

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How to Properly Use a Log Splitter

If you are a person that is always cutting trees for firewood, then you will want to think about getting a log splitter. Log splitters are a very expensive machine that is often purchased when there is a lot of wood that needs to be cut. Wood splitters are most commonly used for firewood or logs for furniture making. In fact, you can buy one wherever equipment for logging is sold; as well as on the internet.

One of the best selling log splitters is a hydraulic log splitter. In fact, there are many benefits of hydraulic splitters over any other ones. Some of the benefits of wood splitters are that they are very easy to use; they have either a gasoline or diesel engine; which is what makes the machine fire up.

When it comes to the features of a hydraulic log splitter, there are many to look for. In fact, one of the biggest features that people look at is the engine size; which ranges from 5-8 horsepower. Generally, any home wood splitter has a small engine that is commercially used. In most cases, it will have 10-25 tons of force when splitting wood as well as have a 2 stage oil pump.

For most people, the only purpose they have a wood splitter is for cutting logs into firewood; however, the tree must first be cut down and de-limbed by a chainsaw. In fact, the process of making firewood with a splitter is much easier and faster than doing it by physical labor; as it would take hours and even days to complete the job.

One of the biggest things to think about when using a splitter is safety. In fact, there are many tips that should be followed; and those are:
1. Children should never be allowed to operate the machinery.
2. Always make sure there are no children present, as there can always be debris flying.
3. Always wear protective gear (steel-toe boots and safety glasses) as well as no loose clothing; as it could get tangled in the machinery.
4. Before using it, read all the directions and owner’s manual.
5. Make sure there is a safe perimeter around the machinery.
6. Don’t ever make any adjustments while the machine is running.
7. Never operate the machine during the evening or night; always during daylight.
8. Never be impaired when operation the machine; no drugs or alcohol.
9. Always use on a dry surface.
10. Do not put anything else in the cutter except for wood.
11. Always make sure the guards are in place.

On some occasions people have purchased wood splitters for the purpose of furniture making; which is possible. In fact, many splitters can be set up for log furniture making; however, a chainsaw will still be necessary among other tools. Some of the other tools you will need for making log furniture are different sized clamps, instructional videos and books, larger sized chisels, mallet, wood guides of various sizes and a tenon among other things.

Ken Morris’s articles can be found on different websites with reference to log splitter hydraulic system. His abstracts on hydraulic log splitter can be discovered on his webpage as well as other online sites.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_C._Morris

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