Log splitter

[Silver993tt]

When is the best time to use a log splitter, just as the wood has been freshly cut or when it has been seasoned for a couple of years? Does it actually make any difference?

[Boosted LS1]

Once it's started to dry out would be a good time. I assume you mean a wedge that you smack with a large hammer?

[Silver993tt]

Boosted LS1 said:

Once it's started to dry out would be a good time. I assume you mean a wedge that you smack with a large hammer?

well, a bit more sophisticated - one that's electric or petrol powered since I have a few tons of wood to sort out.

[eps]

Are we talking hydraulic ones?

Dry is easier.

Wet/fresh can be hard - especially if it doesn't split the whole way and you get a bit keen... Pick it up, release the pressure and then accidently put your thumb in the middle... Wood sets itself back and your thumb is trapped... Ow!!!!!!!!!!!! Not that I've done something like that, ahem. Luckily someone was with me at the time, otherwise I truly don't know how I would have got my thumb out. I'd been using it all morning and the previous day with no problem, one little moment later and ARGGGGGGGGGH!!! Not something I would want to repeat or others to do. For this reason alone dry is better!!

I use a combination. I've got access to a wood wedge, own a wood grenade and part share in a hydraulic splitter (Toolstation or something).

[Silver993tt]

ok, great, so since the wood was only cut a week ago no rush to get the log splitter then

[treehack]

It all depends on spieces, some will split better green some when seasoned. A splitting maul would also be alot quicker but you need to learn what how to read the grain pattern of where to hit. And another point try to cut so as to avoid branch unionand knots as much as possible.

[Silver993tt]

Mostly Weeping Willow and also some Leylandi

[pokethepope]

eps said:

Are we talking hydraulic ones?

Dry is easier.

Wet/fresh can be hard - especially if it doesn't split the whole way and you get a bit keen... Pick it up, release the pressure and then accidently put your thumb in the middle... Wood sets itself back and your thumb is trapped... Ow!!!!!!!!!!!! Not that I've done something like that, ahem. Luckily someone was with me at the time, otherwise I truly don't know how I would have got my thumb out. I'd been using it all morning and the previous day with no problem, one little moment later and ARGGGGGGGGGH!!! Not something I would want to repeat or others to do. For this reason alone dry is better!!

I use a combination. I've got access to a wood wedge, own a wood grenade and part share in a hydraulic splitter (Toolstation or something).

Is that as awesome as it sounds?

[Iain328]

Silver993tt said:

Mostly Weeping Willow and also some Leylandi

Not sure abbout the willow, but you don't want to burn the leylandi - it'll make a right old mess of your chimney

[Silver993tt]

Iain328 said:

Silver993tt said:

Mostly Weeping Willow and also some Leylandi

Not sure abbout the willow, but you don't want to burn the leylandi - it'll make a right old mess of your chimney

really? even when seasoned? I know burning it fresh is quite smokey. I suppose it's the resin is it?

[treehack]

Silver993tt said:

Mostly Weeping Willow and also some Leylandi

Both will require seasoning, are easy to split. Not ideal firewoods as when dry will burn fairly hot but very fast.

[Iain328]

Silver993tt said:

Iain328 said:

Silver993tt said:

Mostly Weeping Willow and also some Leylandi

Not sure abbout the willow, but you don't want to burn the leylandi - it'll make a right old mess of your chimney

really? even when seasoned? I know burning it fresh is quite smokey. I suppose it's the resin is it?

See:
http://www.woodburnerwarehouse.co.uk/useful_inform...

[Silver993tt]

Iain328 said:

Silver993tt said:

Iain328 said:

Silver993tt said:

Mostly Weeping Willow and also some Leylandi

Not sure abbout the willow, but you don't want to burn the leylandi - it'll make a right old mess of your chimney

really? even when seasoned? I know burning it fresh is quite smokey. I suppose it's the resin is it?

See:
http://www.woodburnerwarehouse.co.uk/useful_inform...

hmmm...that website suggests that Willow 'Even when seasoned, it burns slowly, with little flame'. However, the day is was cut, some of the logs I tried on a bonfire and after a few minutes they burnt very well and seemed very hot and burned quite quickly.

[anonymous-user]

Iain328 said:

Silver993tt said:

Mostly Weeping Willow and also some Leylandi

Not sure abbout the willow, but you don't want to burn the leylandi - it'll make a right old mess of your chimney

Ive burnt loads of Leylandi! as long as its well seasoned (couple of years) and dry its perfectly ok!

[-Pete-]

Recently cut wood burning fast with a bright flame doesn't necessarily mean it's good for use in your fireplace, but you should split them and air-dry the split logs for 18 months or more before you use them. Leylandii apparently produces good heat, willow produces very little heat. Make sure the fire is burning hot, maybe mix them with some conventional hardwood logs.

This is quite a good logsplitter for the money:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-LS5T-...

[netherfield]

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Ground+Maintenance...

[Silver993tt]

netherfield said:

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Ground+Maintenance...

I think I will just rent one for the day in abouth 18 months when the wood has seasoned.

[jjones]

split most wood with a sharp felling axe, mauls are heavy and only suit certain woods in my experience.

[mosstrooper]

You should really be splitting them sooner rather than later. Once they are split they will dry faster and to a lower moisture confent than if you leave them in the round. Drier logs mean higher calorific value. They will burn hotter and cause less damage to your chimney.

And it will be a good way to work off those Xmas pies......

[dugt]

pokethepope said:

eps said:

Are we talking hydraulic ones?

Dry is easier.

Wet/fresh can be hard - especially if it doesn't split the whole way and you get a bit keen... Pick it up, release the pressure and then accidently put your thumb in the middle... Wood sets itself back and your thumb is trapped... Ow!!!!!!!!!!!! Not that I've done something like that, ahem. Luckily someone was with me at the time, otherwise I truly don't know how I would have got my thumb out. I'd been using it all morning and the previous day with no problem, one little moment later and ARGGGGGGGGGH!!! Not something I would want to repeat or others to do. For this reason alone dry is better!!

I use a combination. I've got access to a wood wedge, own a wood grenade and part share in a hydraulic splitter (Toolstation or something).

Is that as awesome as it sounds?

unfortunatly not, the wood grenades take some effort, but do work. there basically a metal wedge that you smack into the end of the wood with a sledge hammer, great for venting anger, but not for tons of wood.

we've done a lot of cutting/splitting using a hydralic (5 ton i think) splitter (electric/hydralic)

to be honest were chopping and then splitting straight away, this is on wood that has been down a year, but in 2 to 3 foot diameter drums and wood that came down last week.