Charles in Aus.
Well-known Member
I made this from scrap steel and components from the local junk yard . It has cost me Aus.$15 so far . The springs are from a big tilt door , the red components from industrial racking . I had everything else . It is still very much a prototype so I would welcome any thoughts that might improve it .
The theory is that you can compensate for the speed of the splitting head with extra weight ;[color=darkblue:b4207ac31e] Force = weight X velocity [/color:b4207ac31e]
The weight is approximately 55 kilograms , it is almost perfectly balanced by the springs , so it takes very little effort to get moving .
I think it is more suited to splitting kindling and small stove logs but it can handle 12'' hardwood pieces as long as there are no knots .
It still needs a handle and a stabilising frame . I cut a few barrows full today , it takes almost no effort and is very easy to use . No fear of cutting fingers and if the maul gets stuck it is just a matter of thumping it down again . Best advantage , especially for kindling , is that the splitting happens above the barrow . No bending and picking up matchsticks !
The theory is that you can compensate for the speed of the splitting head with extra weight ;[color=darkblue:b4207ac31e] Force = weight X velocity [/color:b4207ac31e]
The weight is approximately 55 kilograms , it is almost perfectly balanced by the springs , so it takes very little effort to get moving .
I think it is more suited to splitting kindling and small stove logs but it can handle 12'' hardwood pieces as long as there are no knots .
It still needs a handle and a stabilising frame . I cut a few barrows full today , it takes almost no effort and is very easy to use . No fear of cutting fingers and if the maul gets stuck it is just a matter of thumping it down again . Best advantage , especially for kindling , is that the splitting happens above the barrow . No bending and picking up matchsticks !