log splitter

[Dustymillrat]

Are there any sites that have free to build plans for a hydraulic log splitter.

 

[koditten]

I really think you will find it hard to build your own for less than buying one ready made. I looked into this a bit ago and it was cheaper to wait for one to go on sale. Unless you have the main pieces "laying" around, I doubt you will save money.

If you are set on building one, just go down to the stores that sell them and take some pictures. Adjust the design to your prefference.

 

[JCQuick]

I have one of those 10 ton manual ones it works pretty well. I think it would be easy to hook up an air over hydraulic pump to it. I think a gas or electric power unit would take quite a bit more work

 

[Buckgnarly]

I'm looking at the same thing, and I jsut can't see the big savings. I guess if you have an engine or hydro pump it might be cheaper, but the pieces are so close to the total cost I can't see it being worth it.

 

[rburke65]

IMHO.....just buy one......IMHO

 

[Jagmandave]

That new DR mechanical one is interesting.....instead of sending the splitter into the log, it pushes the log thru the splitter post, using a mechanical arm driven by a sort of rack and pinion device.

 

[Bear]

Why not go whole hog?

 

[tlowery04]

I saw a really cool one a while back, home made, used gears as a force multiplier off of a 4 foot handle. Not as easy as a hydraulic setup but if you are bored and you have parts...

 

[1grnlwn]

I just went half hog!http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=167697&stc=1&d=1328706197

 

[rocklobster]

Agreed with what the others have said that buying one is cheaper unless you can source materials very cheap.

The Huskee ones at TSC have got great reviews and they usually go on sale for about a grand.

If you want to fine some very nice builds with hydro log lifts and such go to aboristsite.com and look in the firewood section.

 

[babzog]

Second teh above. You mioght not save much money, if any, by building your own, but, you could probably make up a really nice, beefy splitter with log lift, adjustable wedge (ie: 4 way wedge with adjustable height) for the money you'd spend on a good quality used splitter (ie: a nice used Wallenstein). That, and you can build it to your height specs to save your back, put on the axle of your choice, etc etc...

That said, I bought a Speeco 22ton at TSC last Dec for $1149 (same as the Husky 22ton at TSC USA). Works well, though it grunts a bit on some of the big elm. Well built machine... I'm happy with it.

 

[buildmyown]

That new DR mechanical one is interesting.....instead of sending the splitter into the log, it pushes the log thru the splitter post, using a mechanical arm driven by a sort of rack and pinion device.

or the original version
http://www.supersplit.com/
I have one thats 30 years old and it still just chugs along. The only way id ever go back to a hydro splitter would be to go with a timber wolf with a multi way wedge and log lift. For now I just 1/4 all the logs with the saw that are to large to lift.

but as others have already said unless you have the major parts laying around youll be money ahead to buy a new one or find a used one that might need some work.

 

[Larch]

He has all the parts, and a good idea of what he is looking to do. I think he is looking for conformation more than anything else. (Just got off the phone with him, he forgot his password )

 

[Mr.A]

I have done this before, built something just to find out you could have bought one cheaper. But I always have no regrets. The one your will build will be better, stronger, easier for you to fix and best of all you will have the pride of doing it yourself. Have fun and build it yourself. I picked up box of old popular mechanics magazines and was amazed at the number of plans to build it yourself stuff. I think we sometime forget the fun of doing it ourselves and focus on the budget and if you do spend more I would not think it would be much more. Dust off the tools and go for it.

 

[brownbagg]

but this is garage journal its not a question to buy one already built but to build one yourself just for the fun of it. those that buy one already built take the fun out of living, almost like those that paint stripes on drywall

 

[Larch]

He came up to the farm I work at a couple months ago and we raided the bone pile. He has everything he needs to build it, for less than 100 dollars invested. His plan is a tow behind unit that pivots up for splitting or can be used horizontal. Basically like this:
http://www.troybilt.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_14102_1535031_55971_-1

 

[bigbubba]

I have done this before, built something just to find out you could have bought one cheaper. But I always have no regrets. The one your will build will be better, stronger, easier for you to fix and best of all you will have the pride of doing it yourself. Have fun and build it yourself. I picked up box of old popular mechanics magazines and was amazed at the number of plans to build it yourself stuff. I think we sometime forget the fun of doing it ourselves and focus on the budget and if you do spend more I would not think it would be much more. Dust off the tools and go for it.

I to built one,I had EVERYTHING laying around. All i was out was some mig wire,gas and the hyd. fluid! Used the motor from an old riding mower pump and valve from a box of stuff from an auction years before.Cyl. was leftover from tearing down an old lift.Had the hoses and tank from another project that got scrapped.Figure i had less than $50 in it not counting my time(Which aint worth much)

 

[Dustymillrat]

Thanks Larch. My & in the first place does any buddy know about free plans. I like the idea of taking the pics. thank you. Besides anybody can buy one.

 

[rwhite692]

Unless you can get the steel for free, it's not worth it.

If you are dead set on doing it, you can start by observing existing designs. Go to your local tool rental place and look around. They are not complex machines.

Northern Tool (Which used to be named Northern Hydraulics) has everything that you need.

Design it yourself. Besides, anyone can build one off someone else's set of plans.