Log splitting with a diamond wedge

Рет қаралды 15,549

Жыл бұрын

I have some oaks that it is hard as steel and neither an axe or a maul can split it. In this video I'm testing the Harbour Freight diamond wedge. Let see if it gets the job done.
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Пікірлер: 76

@Dogmatick 25 күн бұрын

I feel so much better watching this, so many videos of people splitting logs in one hit ! None of them had wet Oak in front of them, I did and all the wedge did was leave a dent in the wood and more so my pride !

@BUTTEWORKS 25 күн бұрын

Hahaha I totally agree, I felt that way too. Thank you for checking the video.

@ThierryC2373 Жыл бұрын

I found that starting closer to the edge is easier with a wedge, then use a second wedge to open the first big crack and alternating the whack between the 2 wedges. I use a lighter sledgehammer 6lbs as I my back refuses to work for a long time with heavier weight.

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

Agree, that is the best way. As you can tell it was my first time trying to split a log. I was shock how hard wood can be.

@brianczuhai8909 Жыл бұрын

Exactly that. On rare occasion I've had to chain saw out some wood to weaken it to get my wedge out. Sometimes I think it is better to just abandon crotches of wood than put in the effort to cut or split them.

@alanabowker1363 11 ай бұрын

@@brianczuhai8909 Hey, I learned this very lesson yesterday. 😄

@thecurrentmoment 9 ай бұрын

it's a lot easier. The main advantage to starting the split in the centre is you can control where the split goes, and make sure the split is running across the grain. Important if you are splitting to make posts, shingles, etc, but not important for firewood

@roncar1761 Жыл бұрын

At 65.5yr you almost had it with the maul! You gave the answers on what you did wrong. A tip I learn when you have a split in it to used a small piece of wood to keep the crack open.

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip, I'll try the wood wedge to keep the crack open.

@roncar1761 Жыл бұрын

@@BUTTEWORKS I got that tip watching someone video on KZfaq. Simple and safer than using a metal wedge in case your swing is off. Tomorrow will be the first decent day to swing a axe after ten days of bad and wet weather in Portland Oregon! I feel like I am going through withdrawal syndrome! 🥺😱😳

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

@@roncar1761 Enjoy the splitting time!!!

@SimpleWayFarmstead Жыл бұрын

The best and funniest video I've seen in a long time. I love chopping wood and I use multiple wedges at times and sometimes I just keep hitting it until it splits. I love the workout.

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment. Yes, couple wedged at a time is the way to go and starting close to the edge not in the center if the wood is so hard as the one I have.

@426superbee4 Жыл бұрын

I dearly love my 4 lbs. Clone Wedge. My go to Maul is? The 6 lbs. Maul. My go to sledge hammer is? The 8 pounder.. I never get blisters on my hands. Course i wear Pig skin gloves! > I can grip the hammer better as well. I never use a short handle whacking on wood. There always long handles

@roberthamilton2334 3 ай бұрын

You gave me a good laugh,splitting wood is a tough workout!!😅

@BUTTEWORKS 3 ай бұрын

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. thank you for checking it out.

@chrissupport 5 ай бұрын

You'll get more energy into the wedge/split if put the log on a solid surface like another (BIG) log or low cutoff stump. The ground acts like a rubber cushion. It's a good workout. I just got one of those HF diamond wedges ($6 closeout), but will use a regular wedge as sometimes it works better. GREAT to see when it finally cracks!

@BUTTEWORKS 5 ай бұрын

You are right on the hard surface like splitting on a stump. Also starting on the edge not in the center, that helps a lot. Thank you for checking the video.

@vvg6111 Жыл бұрын

Hard work paid off my friend ❤

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@Ianarling 8 ай бұрын

I notice that you're using the axe wrong. You're aiming for the middle. The middle of a log is the most dense. Aim for the outermost portion of the log. The outside is less dense and when the axe beds into the wood leverage will help crack the log. Imagine a tightly closed crab claw. To open the claw you would prize it open from the tips not the center. Same principle for opening a door, it's easier to push the further from the hinges you are. The center of a log is like a hinge so get as far away from it as possible. the other comments are also correct. The soft ground is stealing all the impact force. Get yourself a solid base. Please remember to look after your back and thank you for the video

@BUTTEWORKS 8 ай бұрын

Totally agree with your comment. That was my first log split and I learned the hard way. As per the base, you are correct to, it acts as a cushion. I need to get a big old log. Thank you for your feedback.

@Ianarling 8 ай бұрын

@@BUTTEWORKS you're welcome and thanks again for your video. I purchased a roughneck grenade this morning. I'm struggling to process some ash because it's like Granite. My chainsaw just hovers over the surface and I've had to change my technique to prevent it from smoking as it slowly cuts through. I was destroying the back of my axe by hitting it with my splitting maul and I wasn't getting anywhere fast. This grenade is fantastic though and I managed to process about two months worth of wood today using it

@rickeyrick1190 Жыл бұрын

This is more realistic than some of the other videos, not saying the others are fake. I had a hard time chopping with the ax also

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment Rickeyrick1190, I guess that depending on the type of wood, splitting is not as easy as it seems to be on TV and movies

@426superbee4 Жыл бұрын

That was unbelievable tough! Much force you was using, it should have split in 1 whack. I try to stay out of the middle of the log. I fine cracks on the out side of the middle to start on. Most of the time, with in 3 whacks the log is split. 33" round. 17" long RED OAK > I have to split these bad boy up! To be able to pick them up, and finish them off on > the log splitter

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

Next time will put the log on a stump, much solid than the ground so it does not dissipate energy. But yes, that wood is gnarly as it can be.

@426superbee4 Жыл бұрын

@@BUTTEWORKS That stump wood like that is only good for bonfires > Yes that would help 👍👍

@danleeber8023 Жыл бұрын

For better results and less "whacks" I believe you have to have the log you are splitting OFF of the ground and on top of a "chopping block". The force of you blows are being transferred down into the earth and not fully absorbed into the log you are trying to split. Plus the log is up higher off the ground making it easier to attach.

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

Totally agree, I will use one of the stumps as splitting block.

@johnthompson9032 5 ай бұрын

You are 100% correct, I’ve tested this, I concur 👍🏻👍🏻

@ronfox5519 5 ай бұрын

This is a good idea, particularly for tall people, but you have to be more careful. Raising the block gives more chance of putting the maul into your leg in case of a miss or an easy splitting log.

@AgentWonderbread45 7 ай бұрын

The middle of a Log is the strongest point of the log, Always go for closer to the edges.

@BUTTEWORKS 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for your comment. First time splitting wood, rookie mistake.

@charlesburgoyne-probyn6044 3 ай бұрын

Start slightly off the centre with a diamond/grenade style version and always have a couple on the go or more and alternate strikes

@BUTTEWORKS 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for your comment. It makes sense, and that is the way I will try next time.

@charlesburgoyne-probyn6044 3 ай бұрын

@@BUTTEWORKS it's to do with uneven strain on the wood. Interestingly I've just been reprofiling a Ludell triangular shaped wedge which I think was the predecessor of the diamond types so ubiquitous now. They were made in Japan for the American market and stopped in the 1990s? I bought it on eBay and had it sent to the UK. I also have a turned conical version which was discontinued in the 1990s as it couldn't compete with drop forged competitors . The diamond types tend to split facing the flat edge 90° to the diamond side so worth considering to avoid a split log hitting ones shins! In some of the earlier diamond shaped ones there were issues with the steel quality and the tips snapping. Twisters can be prone to jump as they have a low contact area this is also an issue when breaking up stumps. The plain types useful for easy grain and when doubled with stumps and in conjunction with a diamond type after it has pioneered. Also pointed types can be used on a piece which won't stand up driven in from the side. Earmuffs are important to avoid the harsh metal on metal sounds 👍🏻

@BUTTEWORKS 3 ай бұрын

@@charlesburgoyne-probyn6044 I'm going to make a video testing all the ideas in the comments and she how much better my splitting experience changes. You all have provided me a lot of great advice. Thank you very much.

@raycaster4398 Жыл бұрын

Buy TWO wedges. A long piece of hard wood useful as a wedge to pound into a crack when a wedge gets stuck. Frees up the wedge for removal. Happens on log rounds cut too long.

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

Thank you, yes two wedges make a huge difference, also not starting in the center but a bit closer to the edge.

@ubuntuposix Ай бұрын

I'm no specialist, but trying to split the log sitting on the ground is a mistake. Put it on top of another log. Then watch if it has "nodes" (if there's a branch forming there, or its a root) and avoid splitting there. Split first where the fiber is straight.

@amurphy5687 8 ай бұрын

because the wood fiber is gnarled and therefore it's physics gnarled fiber is difficult to split. A circular saw is also a better option in this case. Roots of trees cannot be split either to the same reason.

@BUTTEWORKS 8 ай бұрын

Thank you, I will try the circular saw this weekend to open up the log a bit and then use the wedge.

@johnthompson9032 5 ай бұрын

Honestly it was like watching me when I started, I’m not much better, so I bought log splitter 😂

@BUTTEWORKS 5 ай бұрын

hahaha wise man!

@John-cj3ve 5 ай бұрын

What kind of wood is this?

@BUTTEWORKS 5 ай бұрын

Oak, very aged and dry. I already had a hard time cutting the dead tree with a chain saw.

@justsmitty1709 Жыл бұрын

Around here we call that kindling. Where's the big stuff? Nothing beats an old fashioned wedge or 3.

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

Like these guys splitting granite with 20 wedges. I guess it the way it is, using more than one.

@justsmitty1709 Жыл бұрын

@@BUTTEWORKS tuff job any way you split it

@ChainsawUsers 2 ай бұрын

What sort of wood is that ???

@BUTTEWORKS 2 ай бұрын

It was an old oak tree

@user-ym5pv5tq4p 6 ай бұрын

Your suppose to start the wedge at least 3 inch from the edge of log not in the center if you start at center your just going to bury the wedge

@BUTTEWORKS 6 ай бұрын

Yes, I learned that the hard way. Thank you for your comment

@tdz69 11 ай бұрын

Turn those big logs on their sides and then have at it with the axe. They will split like butter

@BUTTEWORKS 11 ай бұрын

Never thought doing that, I'm going to try this weekend. Thanks for the tip.

@harlincolkmire933 5 ай бұрын

You need to hit the wood on the edge. Not the middle.

@BUTTEWORKS 5 ай бұрын

Yes, I found out the hard way. thank you for your comment.

@helmutboutros5006 Жыл бұрын

You need a choping block and a bigger sledge, and you need to learn hox to swing it, the way you are doing is going to destroy your back

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

Yes, I agree with everything... The block or stump is way better than having the log on the ground.

@Ashley-rx9tf Жыл бұрын

You would be better cutting a groove with a circular saw of centre than use a wedege it works very well 😉

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the idea. I will make a video trying some of the ideas people gave me after I posted the video to see which one work best. Yours make sense to me.

@jasoncrane4951 Жыл бұрын

Rent a wood splitter

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

Oh yes, I learned that the hard way.

@RicStaR2410 Жыл бұрын

Why don't you just use the chainsaw you used to cut the wood up? No getting through that wood without crazy unnecessary effort.

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

Wanted to feel like a lumberjack but reality slapped my in my face. Not as easy as it seems.

@RizzosProtectiveGroupLtd Жыл бұрын

Where are your gloves? Talkin' about blisters ... plus the stump moves ... that isn't good. Good work, nevertheless. This video helped me.

@BUTTEWORKS Жыл бұрын

I can promise you I ain't touching and axe without gloves anymore. thank you for your comment.

@RizzosProtectiveGroupLtd Жыл бұрын

@@BUTTEWORKS ... Yes! I do everything with gloves now. Run the lawn mower, rake, use the axe to split wood...everything! Be safe brother! God bless you! Gr8 video! Thank you!