How to Make a Wood Splitter
A wood splitter is a hydraulic-powered machine that uses a linear movement produced by a hydraulic cylinder to press wood against a blade, called the wedge. It is used to split large logs into smaller pieces of wood that can be used for various tasks.
Things You’ll Need
- Welding machine
- Steel pipes
- Chop saw
- Hydraulic ensemble
- Wedge
- Engine
- I or H beam
6 Steps to Make a Wood Splitter
1. Weld the steel pipes together to obtain an A-shaped frame.
On top of the frame, mount the I or H beam. Build a similar frame for the other end of the beam. Make sure the beam is at least 6 inches wide. The length of the beam is determined by the length of the cylinder when it is fully extended, and by the wedge you choose.
2. Mount wheels on one end of the A frame for mobility.
Keep in mind that the wheels must support the weight of the logs, so choose heavy duty wheels. Also, the larger the wheels are, the easier your ensemble will be to maneuver.
3. Weld the wedge on top of one end of the beam.
Get the proper wedge for your needs, as different types of logs require different types of wedges.
4. Weld the cylinder on the other end of the beam, with the piston mounted towards the wedge blade.
When fully extended the piston and the blade must not contact each other.
5. Mount the hydraulic tank and the engine.
6. Mount the filters, control valve and all the hydraulic hoses.
Make sure that all hoses can stand the pressure of the compressed fluid. Check for leaks and make any necessary adjustments.
Tips and Warnings
- Measure everything at least twice to be safe.
- Consult a specialist when buying the parts to make sure they’re all compatible.
- Be careful when choosing the motor. A low power engine may not have enough force to activate the hydraulic piston, while a too-powerful engine might put out too much force on your construction and damage it.
- Re-check every weld before starting the machine. A bad weld might damage your entire machine.
- Pay extreme attention when connecting the hydraulic hoses. If a connection fails, the high pressure hydraulic fluid might damage the machine and cause you or anybody around the machine serious injuries.
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