Ok so I have a couple of large (3' diameter) multi-forked maple chunks
from the base of a tree. I have tried everything to split them by hand,
and I don't have a log splitter yet. But I do have a 50 ton pressure
shop press, and I think I can wrestle the chunk into it. Just wanted to
know if anyone had ever done this? What kind of wedge can I use?
Thanks!
Dean
The tried and tested way. Obtain from your local saw sharpener and
paper guillotine grinder, in the uk they do both, and receive from them
2 matching pape knife blades approx 24" long is about right. Then weld
or bolt togethe as they are ground one side only to make a long wedge
shape. Proceed to chainsaw a notch in the end of log and place wedge in
slot. Now put all the protective gear you can find and hit with force
first one side and then the other. When it disappears below the surface
use wooden wedges to follow through. Have fun but do not forget the
goggles. But it does work.
Sun, Feb 27, 2005, 8:01pm (EST-3) [email protected] claims:
Ok so I have a couple of large (3' diameter) multi-forked maple chunks
from the base of a tree. I have tried everything to split them by hand,
<snip>
I'm taking it you're after firewood, but you don't say, so I'm
thinking you want big chunks. Unless there's something you're leaving
out, I go along with TaskMule on this - chainsaw. If you're willing to
make kindling, I'm sure that would be no prob - thought of that? -
otherwise, with no log splitter, I don't really see why you'd think of
anything "but" a chainsaw.
Or, you could just use an axe, and cut it into chips, and use them
as kindling. Or, make it a coffee table. Or, use it as a seat in your
shop. Or, use it as a base for an anvil. Or, use it as a base for one
of your machines. Or, cut it into slices, and make cutting boards,
coffee table tops, large wall clocks. Or, get a honkin' big wood lathe,
and turn a honkin' big bowl. Any number of uses, just use your
imagination.
JOAT
Intellectual brilliance is no guarantee against being dead wrong.
- David Fasold
"TaskMule" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:bUFUd.44924$t46.40208@trndny04...
> >
>> >
> > Chain saws don't work as well with the grain as they do cross cutting
> unless
> > you use a blade designed for it. Done right, as in a mechanical
splitter,
> > it is much faster and easier to split than to saw.
> >
> >
>
> I'd have to respectfully disagree. Of course a ripping chain would be
nice,
> but a well sharpened crosscut chain will rip this piece in 30 seconds, and
> you don't have to lift it.
> If you have a log splitter right there then this will do nicely, but if
you
> want to use the wood for some spectacular project the splitter will just
> make a mess.
> I just can't imagine trying to split it in a shop press.
>
>
I have to agree. I've ripped with my chainsaws plenty before. Makes some
big chips! I've never invested in any ripping chains since it's so
infrequent that I've had to do this, but with a good sharp chain, it's no
big deal.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:bUFUd.44924$t46.40208@trndny04...
>
> "TaskMule" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >> It can't be as hard as trying to split the buggers! I fought for an
> >> hour with a couple of them, and they are still sitting in my yard,
> >> completely whole:(
> >>
> >> Press has a 6" ram travel and a hand winch for lifting up the table.
> >>
> >
> > Why not just chain saw it and be done?
>
> Chain saws don't work as well with the grain as they do cross cutting
unless
> you use a blade designed for it. Done right, as in a mechanical splitter,
> it is much faster and easier to split than to saw.
>
>
I'd have to respectfully disagree. Of course a ripping chain would be nice,
but a well sharpened crosscut chain will rip this piece in 30 seconds, and
you don't have to lift it.
If you have a log splitter right there then this will do nicely, but if you
want to use the wood for some spectacular project the splitter will just
make a mess.
I just can't imagine trying to split it in a shop press.
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> It can't be as hard as trying to split the buggers! I fought for an
> hour with a couple of them, and they are still sitting in my yard,
> completely whole:(
>
> Press has a 6" ram travel and a hand winch for lifting up the table.
>
Why not just chain saw it and be done?
J. Clarke wrote:
> Watching those two at work gave me a new appreciation for John Henry.
> They're both dead now--didn't realize I'd miss them until they were
> gone, but they were old when I was young and that's the way of the
> world I guess.
Thanks for the post.
I'm apparently related to a man known as "Old Chris." Chris used heavy
wheelbarrows in the 1800's and early 1900's and built up almost unbeliveable
upper body strength. The story goes that in his 70's Chris could still lift
a full grown man with one arm and toss him out of the mess tent.
-- Mark
"TaskMule" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> It can't be as hard as trying to split the buggers! I fought for an
>> hour with a couple of them, and they are still sitting in my yard,
>> completely whole:(
>>
>> Press has a 6" ram travel and a hand winch for lifting up the table.
>>
>
> Why not just chain saw it and be done?
Chain saws don't work as well with the grain as they do cross cutting unless
you use a blade designed for it. Done right, as in a mechanical splitter,
it is much faster and easier to split than to saw.
[email protected] wrote:
> Ok so I have a couple of large (3' diameter) multi-forked maple chunks
> from the base of a tree. I have tried everything to split them by hand,
> and I don't have a log splitter yet. But I do have a 50 ton pressure
> shop press, and I think I can wrestle the chunk into it. Just wanted to
> know if anyone had ever done this? What kind of wedge can I use?
Sorry to go OT but I'm reminded of my Dad's solution to this sort of
problem. When he got hold of something he couldn't split, he'd call his
friend Alby. Alby was not particularly impressive to look at--he was about
5 feet tall, skinny, over 70 years old, and a gentleman to the core. Not
the sort of guy you'd expect to be capable of particularly remarkable feats
of strength. But he had another quality--he had spent a long life laying
track for the Seaboard Coastline Railroad, and what that man could do with
a 20 pound hammer had to be seen to be believed--he handled it with greater
ease than most men handle a tackhammer. Only once that I can recall, he
encountered something he couldn't handle, part of a live oak stump. That
time he called "The General". The General was much like Alby, with one
difference, he was quite possibly the largest human being I have ever met.
Watching those two at work gave me a new appreciation for John Henry.
They're both dead now--didn't realize I'd miss them until they were gone,
but they were old when I was young and that's the way of the world I guess.
> Thanks!
>
> Dean
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
I agree with TM. If they are big, bring the saw to them instead of moving
them whole to an uncertain fate with a shop press.
-j
"TaskMule" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:bUFUd.44924$t46.40208@trndny04...
> >
> > "TaskMule" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > >
> > > <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > > news:[email protected]...
> > >> It can't be as hard as trying to split the buggers! I fought for an
> > >> hour with a couple of them, and they are still sitting in my yard,
> > >> completely whole:(
> > >>
> > >> Press has a 6" ram travel and a hand winch for lifting up the table.
> > >>
> > >
> > > Why not just chain saw it and be done?
> >
> > Chain saws don't work as well with the grain as they do cross cutting
> unless
> > you use a blade designed for it. Done right, as in a mechanical
splitter,
> > it is much faster and easier to split than to saw.
> >
> >
>
> I'd have to respectfully disagree. Of course a ripping chain would be
nice,
> but a well sharpened crosscut chain will rip this piece in 30 seconds, and
> you don't have to lift it.
> If you have a log splitter right there then this will do nicely, but if
you
> want to use the wood for some spectacular project the splitter will just
> make a mess.
> I just can't imagine trying to split it in a shop press.
>
>
J. Clarke wrote:
> 5 feet tall, skinny, over 70 years old, and a gentleman to the core. Not
> the sort of guy you'd expect to be capable of particularly remarkable
> feats
Our guy is named Clyde. He's younger, and still alive. He usta could split
damn near *anything* in one whack. It was amazing to see the man work
through our "ugly stack" in just a few short minutes.
He bought a hydraulic log splitter though. I think he just had enough.
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
http://rosegarden.sourceforge.net/tutorial/
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ok so I have a couple of large (3' diameter) multi-forked maple chunks
> from the base of a tree. I have tried everything to split them by hand,
> and I don't have a log splitter yet. But I do have a 50 ton pressure
> shop press, and I think I can wrestle the chunk into it. Just wanted to
> know if anyone had ever done this? What kind of wedge can I use?
Hardest part is going to be getting that sucker to the press. It should
have enough force, but watch the wedge as you don't want it to pop out as
the press comes down. do you have enough stroke? I guess you'll know that
if the wood splits.
I've split pieces like that by hand. They are a summer projects in
themselves.
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/