Sometimes these smaller accidents(bruises) happen to keep a person on their toes so the major accidents don’t. I’m glad you’re Ok and it wasn’t worse!

Andrew Easton, Impressive machine....But watching the video I have 2 recommendations to give this machine a leg up in my opinion if I were interested in purchasing this machine, this is what I would personally want in it. 1st is grip on the table base, a well placed set of tack welds would do wonders preventing to a degree, uneven cut wood slipping when splitting and not a bother for sliding the next round to the splitting head. 2nd is a standardized laser guide so I know where this wedge is going to hit every time as the cycle time is so fast...gives a guy or gal a quick visual where the "hit" is gonna land so fingers and such are out of the way. That is something I could use on my farm for sure. Orange and Blue all the way, SS524 owner, Love it!

My concern with people demonstrating machinery on KZfaq is that sometimes they’re more obsessed with the camera than paying attention to their work. Not the case here, but I have seen too many people trying to show how fast they can go rather than with safety. So glad you weren’t seriously hurt. It looks like it scared you more than hurt you. I know it would’ve scared the hell out of me. Keep up the great work.

Rachel: after several decades of life experience, I have come to the conclusion that everything that happens for a reason. If we pay attention, we can learn to avoid more dire results in the future. You showed behavior modification almost immediately by being more careful in your splitting process. We learn from our mistakes more than we learn from our successes. Glad to know the injury was not more serious. 😊

Glad that your hand is all right. I am surprised that you do not wear safety glasses while splitting. Just the same way that the wood slipped and caught your hand it could just as easily have splintered and a piece flew towards your face. In my 67 years on this planet I have learned that you only get two eyes and they are quite valuable during ones lifetime. Very easy for something that you don't think will ever happen to occur and ruin your day or longer.

That was totally a freak accident...we've all been there, glad you are okay Rachel, we need the Hard Working Woman with all her fingers and toes 🙏🙏

little things like your accident just keeps us more alert of the things we are doing. be safe

Was sorry to see Rachel get hurt. Wood splitters show no mercy and I’m glad it wasn’t worse. Keep the great videos coming guys!

It is always dangerous splitting woods,and always when you least expect it! Thank God you have a bruise to kiss and NOT A STUBBY!

Wow, Glad you are OK. Glad you did not smash the finger, you might lose the nail and it will be Black and Blue ! That log splitter can take Fingers and Hands off, Be safe and don't rush ! Remember what happened to Dan, from Back 40 and his hand, it happens fast.🥰😍🤩😘

You two are AWSOME!!!😀😁 Sorry to see you get even a small injury..Please, Please, be careful. you are too valuable to each other and to those who enjoy your videos. Looks like having your wood rounds pushed against the back plates may help mitigate the wood sliding at least in one direction.. BE SAFE and take care. Enjoy your channel, your excitement and enthusiasm are fun to watch.

Rachel please be more careful. I only had 1 person hurt themselves on my log splitter and that was 7 years ago. That person was fired due to their lack of safety. It is the only accident in our logging, saw milling and firewood service since I started it in 2005. Now it is 2023 with a near perfect safety record. My log splitter is a tow behind with a 22 ton ram. I'll have to check out your splitter when I upgrade again. Thanks alot and you guys be happy and careful.

Wood splitters are a blessing and a danger in one package, respect the machine. My first lesson was "I can't work at the same pace as another." If someone wants to split faster step out of the way and let them have it. Be careful, your health is far more important than wood. 😃

That's why I prefer the type of log splitter in which the wedge is fixed to the frame, and the flat ram moves. The log is positioned horizontally in the machine instead of vertically.

Way to power through the injury Rachel. Much respect! The Axis is a great machine but stuff like that can happen. Some nice looking applewood though!

What I’ve learned splitting for 20 plus years… for every action there is an equal reaction. It’s not only the wedge or push plate that ‘ll get you. Glad you didn’t crush the finger.

See how Keith keeps the Applewood up against the back wall of the splitter.

Glad you are ok Rachel and what can you say Heath is so sweet. Bees stings. Hahaha You need them fingers to make them cookies hahahaha. Apple wood is stringy stuff. Have a great weekend and be safe

May sound akward, but for situations like this always have dry ice with you, or anything cold to rapidly cool down the injury. Cold water is great too. The faster you apply it the less pain after.

Woodsplitters don't cry :P Hopefully that's the worst injury you'll get while splitting wood. I've actually made a few comments over the time since Rachel has been splitting about safety. I'm not a huge fan of gloves. They protect your fingers from splinters and to a slight extent they'll protect them if you squish the fingies a bit. What they can also do is get hooked on slivers/splinters and slow you down when you need to get your hands out of the way. I have a couple of permanent scars from my days woodcutting and I'm always a bit safety conscious when I'm watching videos. Things like taking a hand off the chainsaw while cutting, reaching across the bed of the splitter when the pushplate is retracting and things that most of the time might be okay but are putting yourself/someone at risk I will often comment on. Out of all the years I've split wood probably the worst injuries I've had is some splinters, a few blood blisters and some light abrasions. Stay safe the 2 of you.

I also have an axis, I found on twisty bits of wood that if you use the back of the bed it does help support the wood. Glad Rachel wasn’t hurt to badly, sadly we’ve all been there. My motto is after a couple of goes a log is not worth you or your machine and just dump it . Great videos tho folks.

Yikes, sorry that happened to you Rachel but I'm glad it wasn't worse. Like you said accidents happen, glad to see you jump right back in there and finish out the splitting session!

Rachel, we appreciate your literal blood, sweat and tears and being real in the moment and at the end of the video. It's crazy how it takes time to register what happens in a split second then realize how lucky we can be as accidents happen. Hope you heal quickly and yes your nail still looks nice!!

I have a small, slow single-phase splitter and yet experienced a similar incident. Attention must be paid! Greetings from Europe!

Thanks for comment “ I couldn’t get my foot off quickly”, this is why I don’t care for challenges in the wood yard. Another pinch point is the ram return with a lodged piece. Good video and heal quickly. Been there and done that too🤕

I was expecting blood and gore. Glad I didn’t get it. Thanks for sharing

Rachel, glad to see you are ok!!! You are a Trooper to keep working!!! Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day

Not only is Rachel a hard working woman but she is Tougher than than anybody she never gave up great job girl

I am sorry that happened to you, Rachel! I hope your hand gets better fast! Woodyard work is certainly dangerous. Be safe and have a good weekend! 😊

US wood hounds KNOW THAT PAIN.!!! wow it was not worse . Rachel , take good care of it . make sure it does not get more bad .

What a trooper! I think I would have taken that as an omen, and called it a day right then! And yes, I've split apple a couple dozen times, mostly on the chopping block with an axe, and later with a splitting maul. Best way is when it's frozen. Let the temp drop below 15 a couple nights in a row, then on a warmer day, say mid 20's split it then. Being frozen in the core, it will be more brittle, and snap through the grain once you hit that breaking point. Kind of "pops", and sometimes a piece will fly sideways. I'm glad Rach is okay, and thanks for sharing.

Give your wife a hug and console her, think she could use both, she is tryin.

Both of you handled your Selves Very Well, Apple Wood is good for the Offset Smoker, Have a good day Heath and Rachel,

Glad to see Rachel is ok. Splitter accidents are no joke. I know from first hand experience while splitting wood with my brother in law. He got his index finger smashed by a piece on a 4 way splitter head and broke it in 3 pieces. Luckily he was ok but no more log splitters for him

I could watch this all day and night

My goodness woman... SAVE THE NAILS!!!! I'm kidding... sorta. Ok really I'm glad you didn't get hurt worse than you did. Where would the channel be without Miss Rachel! Maybe a non-skid mat under the ram? I'm an avid auction goer so I'm anxious to see what Heath purchased. ALWAYS trust in the 'Man Math"... it'll never let you down! To Heath... please give her a proper hug from all of us...

ouch are you okay that's a pretty close one and safe working on that log splitter there and good day.

My god your wife is beautiful!! You're such a lucky guy. Glad she's ok. One tip that might help though. Get some stick-on traction grip tape and put on the bed of the splitter. This should grip the wood and help keep it from slipping around on the table as the ram comes down to split the wood. If you dont like the tape Idea, maybe use roofing shingles. Nail the shingles to a piece of plywood and then clamp the plywood to the splitter bed. Anything to create a little friction between the wood and the table will keep it from moving around while its being split.

Apple is hard and twisty. I split up a 100 year old apple tree a few months ago. It was blown down by the Fiona hurricane. My old splitter had a little trouble with it. But you have to read the wood before splitting to make it easier. Lot of what I did just came out as chunks. Great firewood. One thing I don’t like about that Eastonmade splitter, it kicks out the wood at the bottom on the table. Needs some thing there to help hold the wood on the table. Great video. So sorry Rachel got hurt, but not as bad as it could have been. Have a great day. 🪵🪓

Glad to see it's not any worse than it is. Yes, I did split apple on a Troy Built splitter. It split the same way. Knotty, twisted and somewhat stringy. Good video

I'm glad you're ok Rachel, but also very important to show how dangerous splitters can be, especially the fast ones, just ask Phil. I can tell in the rest of the video you were nervous and sore. Then seeing your tears at the end broke my heart, I'm so sorry. I hope you feel better soon. Kenny.

At 63 years old, my number one safety rule is a line from an old Clint Eastwood movie: “A Man has got to know his limitations”. 🙂

That was a blessing in disguise. Made you more aware huh

Ouch I lost the end of my thumb in a splitter glad you still have all of yours. Have a great weekend stay safe

Great video guys thank you for sharing be careful missy it bites bad sometimes ❤❤❤❤

Really glad that you are ok Rachel and it wasn't any worse. Splitting that Apple wood is similar to splitting Black Spruce in our area. Both have really twisted grain and a lot of knots. Just when you think that you got under control, you'll get a decent looking piece with a really knurly hidden center, and it will pop open as the wedge goes through it. Definitely demands your attention!

Rachel, ouch. Very glad that it was not a worse injury than it was. Take some time off to recuperate, you got my permission. 😉

Your a tuff lady Rachel! Way to get right back at it!!👍💪👍

Great video. I'm glad that Rachel is okay.

I've commented before about u guys wearing thin gloves while handling the firewood, I have never noticed that the table is very slick under neither the ram ? Hope Rachel is ok , great video

We all done stupid thing in our life but you learn fast now. God bless and keep your fingers clear of the wood now too

Hello Rachel and Heath. Relieved to see that your injury wasn’t any worse. Accidents happen so quickly. Reminded me of Phil’s incident where he almost lost his thumb. Like I’ve suggested on many previous videos on the Axis I think it “wood” be beneficial if Eastonmade added some weld beads on the table to help prevent the rounds from sliding out on you. Beads that run parallel to the back wall so you could still slide the rounds under the wedge. Cheers Woody !!!

Apple is twisty and gnarly- it's just how they grow. Super dense wood, too- that's why it's so heavy. Very high BTU content. I cut down a tree from a friend's yard this Sept, and split it all by hand. Good workout! The stump chunk was so heavy, it was all I could do to get it across the yard and into my truck. I figure I got a bit over 1/2 facecord out of it. I also cheated, and used my saw to rip the gnarliest bits and/or cut them into cookies or chunks, lol. It'll end up in smallish pieces, anyway, as it's for grilling. I just add a couple chunks to the coal bed right before the grill screen goes on. Perhaps it's just the dry weather this year, but it dries surprisingly fast.

was watching the other video with the log splitter and was concerned that it did a full cycle when you activated the forward stroke. To me after working in manufacturing for 40 years that would never be acceptable, accidents happen often because of repetitive process people become complacent. The vertical splitter you were using i believe id Canadian made and it automatically reverses when you take your foot off the pedal. If an accicent was to happen on the other splitter it will complete the cycle...eek. Glad you weren't seriously injured, shout out to the manufacture for their foresight in design of their unit it saved your finger for sure.

Sorry you got bit by the splitter. That happens so fast sometimes. Glad your ok. Good thing you didn’t damage any of your nails. Be safe.

I just found your channel and really enjoyed the video, so I subscribed - from Jena Louisiana

Thank you. Keep working, good luck to you.

Hello friends, Pastor Fred here in Rockwood TN. Just found you guys, love watching the apple wood split, I have never seen it split on a machine. Thank you for sharing. Subscribed... Have a great day!!!

So sorry about your finger man that hurts for a few days, hope all is good.

Poor Rachel! My heart was broken for you, I’ve had smashed fingers splitting wood before glad you had gloves on. I hope it never happens again God bless and be safe! 🙏

YEEOOOW! That is my favorite word for a painful accident like that. My hat is off to you for continuing to split. I have had numerous smashed fingers on a splitter, usually when positioning a huge oak round on a vertical splitter. I have even been pinched by a crack from a previous split that didn't go all the way and had to be repositioned. Don't leave your fingers in those cracks cause they can close suddenly and pinch while trying from a different angle. Hope that made sense. I wear cowhide gloves when splitting, and thought they are thick leather, they don't really protect you in a pinch like you just had. Glad I got to meet you guys at Paul Bunyan. I was the guy who turned down the offer of a shirt or hoodie from Heath. Well, I guess you may have others besides me, but it was late morning on Friday and I'm from Missouri. Oh, and I was telling Heath that I was going to visit a cousin in some city named something Haven on Lake Michigan. It was Grand Haven. You guys be safe and careful. It is an inherently dangerous work, and I enjoy it.

Rachel, I’m glad to see everything is ok and it ok to cry lol

Ouch just glad you did not get hurt worse. That was an enormous apple tree. Is it just my imagination or is the beautiful Miss Rachel loosing weight? Great video I hope your finger stops throbbing fast.

So glad you're safe! We live in an orchard area, and yes, most fruit wood is very twisted.

Just watched the video and I’m glad you are okay.

I enjoyed watching the video, just becarefull.

Hope all is well with your finger Rachel. Same thing happened to me while grabbing a piece of split wood from my 12-22 but it slammed my index finger against the wedge resulting in a broken finger. Cheers guys love the content. 👌🏻🔥🇨🇦

I have 2 diffrent splitters, one is an older horizontal one and the other is a newer horizontal vertical one you can use either way, when I'm splitting wood when the wood hits the wedge i let go of the wood, this keeps my hand from getting caught, also only one person should be operating the splitter for this reason, if 2 people are operating the one that has the control may not know the other one has their hand caught. Hope this helps to all the folks that may have or thinking about buying a splitter. The one you have is a nice setup, be careful and be safe.

Yeah, Rachel, you had me worried after you get your finger in your you look to me, awful timid on that machine girl, take control of it, please keep your hands-on that wood, I'm afraid that if you're not holding on to it, it's gonna fly out and hit you in the stomach. And that will be worse than your finger. Hes start cottonwood strator so you minimize that risk and yes, I find the older the apple tree. The twist dear it is but I only ever experienced splitting it on a horizontal. Anyways, great video. Can't wait to see what you got at the auction.😂

I am glad your alright Rachel!

Glad to see that Heath scored that apple for his inventory…! Great suggestion about leaving that sugary apple bark on…!! 😉 I know a guy who does the same 👈🏻👈🏻….!! That stuff will work great dropped vertically in the Master Built gravity smoker! Sorry you got hurt Rachel…! Gotta be careful Momma…! Don’t need an injured HWW….!!! Your family needs you!!!

Where that wedge comes down , you might consider Drawing a line Straight out so you can look down and see the wood setting on the Line, your eye balling trying to figure out where the wedge will hit and split, all the line will do will make it easier for setting the wood in place. With the Orange- black would stand out the best, you could try white, but it will get dirty - just something to think about -

Rachel, I’m glad to see everything is ok. Out here doing the things that us wood hounds do. when things go sideways they can go really wicked really quick. I’m just glad that it wasn’t a serious injury. and, watching fully to the end of the video has increased my level of respect for the both of you even more. You guys were brave enough to display the side of being a human that is most special ,these behaviors are what separate us from the rest.🙂👍🤜

I noticed that when your partner, as well as yourself were using the wood splitter, that the bottom portion of the log often slid away on the base (table) of the splitter, as the splitter engaged the top of the log. . If I may make a suggestion for everyone's safety, I would like to suggest that if you could install a rubber material such as a horse stall rubber mat, or a used conveyer belt onto the splitter table, or base, I think it would most likely prevent the log from sliding away, thus hopefully making the operation of the splitter safer for yourselves. >>>I enjoy your videos, and I hope that your hand was not badly injured.

Glad you didn’t get seriously hurt Rachael. I dropped a big maple round on my finger in the spring. Dislocated the sob. Still hurts when it’s cold. That is some beautiful wood I can smell it through the screen lol. Another great video

Experience is what you get right after you need it .

OUCHHHH. No doubt that hurt and left a mark too. Thank goodness it wasn’t worse. Hope you’re feeling better now. I’m sure it is sore. Excellent video guys. Tell Heath he’s gotta pamper ya now. lol. Y’all keep up the great work. Bruce in Wv!!!

I sure am glad that Racheals injury was minor. I too have been bit by splitting

hi there wood splitting is a brutal jog sometimes , so good it was minor , sorry to hear or see you or anyone get hurt , best wishes for a speedy back to normal . john

Glad you didn't get hurt. But the little accident are a good way to help you stay focused and safe.

Glad you are ok. I've been considering that type of splitter and was wondering about the safety vs. horizontal. It always makes me nervous when you guys are racing to split firewood. Not that you were racing this time but maybe going a bit fast. I find it relaxing and enjoy taking my time. How about some non-slip stair tread stick on pieces right under the wedge. I think that would really help keep the wood from slipping out from under.

Glad you didn’t get hurt worse !!!👍🏻

thank god your ok. accidents can happen so fast!!!!

Be careful Girl! He was not sensitive to your pain (or your tears) Watch his eyes when he "hugs" you.

I noticed that when splitting the wood on that painted surface, it was moving all over the place. My suggestion is to maybe put down some sticky sandpaper to keep it from slipping. Just a thought.

Owle, those blood blisters really hurt lol, I've had quite a few of those, be careful racheal

How many say the show should be called " Hard Working Women " I think I heard you say it once. Love the videos learned a lot..

Good video and job I have split Apple I think all of it is like that almost as bad as twisted maple. The bee's were after the Apple yellow jackets will eat the apples. Take care of your finger that has happened to me many times. Best thing for bee strings is chewing tobacco. Take care be safe and well.

Yikes! That was a close one! I got bit 3 times a couple weeks ago...a split came flying off the table back towards me and hit me right in the n*ts, (that. one. really hurt), dropped a round onto the table and caught my. finger on the 4 way, (that one left a nice black fingernail) and last. one, not splitter related,, bringing home my wood for a wood shelter build I had 16ft long 2x6's and when I open the dump trailer door it sprung open and caught me in the gut. I think I'm going to take advantage of the rainy weather and watch football all weekend lol Glad it wasn't any worse for ya!!

Minor accident every once in a while is actually good for you keeps you aware and hopefully helps avoid a big one

Try looping a piece of twine around the wood being split. Hang onto the twine and allow it to flow with the wood. Place twine half way up the wood. Try it

We pulled up 780 apple trees. That made good firewood.

I know two people who lost parts of their fingers in accidents like this where they weren't cut off but were crushed to the point of being unsalvageable. One of them reflexively reacted to the pain by pulling his hand away which resulted in a spontaneous amputation of the end of his finger.

WOW, that's one hell of a big apple tree. We don't have apple trees in MA. that big, I don't think? Well Rachel, if you want to look at the upside you learned a big lesson without being really hurt🤫

Tony from COOL TOOLS, added some sheeting to his lift so that the rounds didn't hang up sliding from the lift to the platform. Good video.

Heath this one not Orange like us ... Must harm her! ... 🤣

Rachel, on the verticle splitters I see most people have their hands on the top side of the log. When it starts going sideways they pull their hands away from the log. Hope your finger is ok. God bless.

Sorry, you got hurt. Holding on to the wood as it travels through is not safe. Safety glasses are a must also, as wood will splinter as it splits.

Hope your feeling better. Apple gets split here every year. It’s tuff splitting wood. Very unpredictable because of the crazy grain and knots. Great “team” work especially 😉 from the camera dude I mean hardly working man lol. Have a great weekend!

Great video that looked like it’s going to hurt days. Ya not all apple wood is like that I did some the other day it’s straight.