Splitting logs

[cpolesen]

I am going to cut up a tree that blew over during a storm last year. I don't want to rent a hydraulic splitter or buy one. What is the best way to split logs? with a giant 20lb maul or a standard axe? also what kind of handle is better fiberglass or wood? i want less vibration feel. What do you think, other than it's too hot to chop wood.

[Ozark Tracker]

splitting wood isn't fun, hydralic splitter is best, but I've split a lot of it with a big maul, I perfer the welded in steel handle, I've broke a few of the other with a bad strike, what kind of tree was it??

[Ozark Tracker]

and about the heat and work doing the splitting in the words of Roy D Mercer, how big a ole boy are ya.

[ez bake]

Use an Axe, a Maul, and wedges.

[flatwins]

Put that new tractor to work. Betcha you could weld up some sorta splitting ram and show that tree who's boss. It's the way John Wayne woulda done it.

[thegomezclan]

Hire you some mezkins, most will work for beer and tortillias

[SMS]

+1 for maul and wedges...I prefer wood handles.

[trbii]

I split up four trees that I had cut down out of my front and back yards a few years ago. A splitting maul with a fiberglass handle worked well for me. Sometimes I had to beat a wedge or two into a stubborn split with an eight pound sledge hammer. I found that curvy, crooked wood with lots of knots was more trouble than it was worth. Guys I work with who cut and split a lot of fire wood laughed when told them about the hard to split wood. They said they just kick those sorry pieces into the weeds and leave 'em in the woods. Now I know. Only other advice that comes to mind is pace yourself, a few swings of the maul, then rest, deep breaths and watch where your feet and legs are at the end of the maul stroke.

[twoguns?]

Youll want to use a hydraulic splitter....sooner or later....but until then get one of those star shape splitter wedges and a 16# sledge. Dont forget eye protection...

[RWS]

6 or 8 pound splitting maul with wood handle. what kinda tree was it? some split easy, some dont.

[Sanjuro82]

A splitting maul and a nice axe is all you really need. You can also use a sledge and a splitting wedge for the big stuff. I enjoy splitting, soI don't use any of those fancy contraptions. If you shoulders, and back still work I say do it manually it much more satisfying.

[streak]

yep, a maul will do it if you try hard enough. A piece of advice, if it is still green just forget about it. It wont split green. Also if you can have a little patience and wait for this winter, wood splits a whole lot easier when its frozen. It just kinda explodes apart

[dennishoddy]

Green walnut can be split with a hatchet.

[SMS]

...if it is still green just forget about it. It wont split green. Also if you can have a little patience and wait for this winter, wood splits a whole lot easier when its frozen. It just kinda explodes apart

I've split plenty of wood green...some of it splits easier green. In fact, I think it's better to split it green and let it dry...lose less to rot that way. But yes on the frozen...that's a slick trick.

[cpolesen]

It is an Oak tree thats been down almost a year. It is very straight and it's 3.5' in diameter. I plan on chopping it up this fall.