Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Make Splitting Logs Easy with a Hydraulic Log Splitter

By Ray Walberg

A log splitter is a very important tool which you need to use if you have a lot of wood to cut up. These can be used to cut up fire wood or to make furniture out of logs. You can find these quite easily form the same places which sell other logging equipment. In order to save some money you could consider purchasing a used log splitter or even make your very own. You can find hundreds of different log splitter plans on the internet for free.

Benefits of using a Hydraulic Log Splitter

Hydraulic log splitters are actually fairly simple, these use a small engine which provides power for the machine. This is attached to a pump which pressurizes oil to power the hydraulic cylinder. The pressure of the oil is what actually splits the logs. A big tank contains all of the oil which must occasionally be changed.

Typical Features of Hydraulic Splitters:

Most of these are powered by fairly small gasoline or diesel engines which are 5-8 horsepower. Home splitters normally use smaller engines compared to the ones that are used in commercial applications.

Most hydraulic splitters have between 10 and 25 tons of force to split logs.

A two stage process

Most home splitters are used just to cut up logs to use for firewood. You must first cut down the tree and remove all of the branches by using either an axe or a chainsaw. The trunk is then cut into smaller pieces which can then be split using the splitter. This makes cutting up wood for fires much easier and faster. Normally this job might take hours however using a log splitter you can shave hours off this time.

Important Safety Tips

You should keep this equipment out of the reach of children, you should also never allow children to operate this equipment as it can cause serious injuries.

When using the machine then make sure you wear suitable shoes which are flat, preferably ones with protective toe caps.

Make sure you do not wear any loose or baggy clothing as it could get caught in the moving parts of the machines.

Before you use the log splitter make sure that you read every page in the manual, I mean really read it!

Make sure nobody else is close as it could potentially cause logs to fly out of the machine.

Wait until the machine has stopped moving before you make any adjustments.

Only ever consider using the machine with wood.

Splitter and Furniture Making Tools

Log splitters can be used for a number of different purposes other than just chopping up firewood. You also need a chainsaw in order to use log splitter.

Some Tools Needed for Log Furniture

Clamps will be needed in order to secure the materials and prevent them from moving around

Books and videos can help teach you new techniques

Router to add detail

Selection of chisels in different sizes

Mallet to strike the chisels

Tenon saw - 15252

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