How to make firewood splitters with your own hands. Wood splitter: selection and manufacture of home-made, based on the need for firewood and mode of operation

The wood splitter helps in the household when harvesting firewood. A sufficient amount of time is lost on chopping firewood and setting it to dry. There are several types of mechanical wood splitters that allow you not to apply great physical effort during work.

Mechanical wood splitters

A small amount of work can be done with a simple device. The wood splitter is distinguished by a simple design and the possibility of manufacturing from any material at hand. The performance of this device is low, but it makes it possible to safely carry out work on the preparation of firewood with your own hands. There are few perfect devices for chopping firewood that can be made at home.

The easiest and easiest option for assembling a do-it-yourself wood splitter is similar in design to a well crane. Racks are connected in a hinged way, instead of a container, handles with a cutter are installed. Such a mechanism works due to physical strength. The assembly can be made from any improvised means, you will need corners and several pipes, you can use a broken ax as a cutter.

A do-it-yourself mechanical cleaver has a number of disadvantages. For a more simplified process, an elongated lever should be used, which affects the dimensions of the mechanism. The most common option is to install a lever system with a more powerful cleaver. Due to the increased mass, the structure is easiest to pour concrete into the ground. This device is more compact, more efficient than its competitor.

Wood splitter classification

Harvesting firewood on the farm is a frequent business that requires a lot of effort. Before making a home-made device for chopping firewood with your own hands, you need to decide on the volume, purpose of the device. The proposed equipment is divided into main categories:

• Mechanical device - the presence of an engine, as a drive for a screw or hydraulics, electric and spring volatile wood splitters.
• Design features - rack, vertical, conical, horizontal and so on, there are a lot of designs for chopping firewood.
• The operating principles can be hydraulic or pneumatic, in the form of a screw.

The cheapest design option is a mechanical type cleaver, consisting of a rack and a support table. For more complex designs, such as a conical wood splitter, you will need equipment for connecting the engine and the rotating element itself. This machine will significantly increase productivity compared to a mechanical device.

Using the appropriate drawings, it is possible to make a more complex rack structure with your own hands. The principle of operation is based on the conversion of rotational energy into translational movements, based on this, additional materials will be needed for manufacturing.

Wood splitter inertial vertical

A manual vertical wood splitter, the mechanism of which consists of a metal pipe hinged to a support, contributes to the rapid splitting of firewood. A cutting element for splitting is installed at the end of the pipe, which enhances the force of the load.

A homemade product of this type of wood splitter works by sharply lowering the pipe down, which, under the influence of the load, splits the wood. The advantage of the machine is the availability of composite materials that can be found at your own or neighboring garage.

The disadvantage is the increased weight of the cutting device, for a long time a person will not be able to work due to fatigue.

Wood splitters with electric drive

Hand tools and mechanical devices help to cope with everyday tasks. However, if batch production of firewood is required, it will not be easy for a mechanical wood splitter to make a large quantity due to the physical fatigue of a person. For an easier and faster process, it is possible to use electric motors on the structures of wood splitters. It is more difficult to make an electric wood splitter with your own hands, but if you correctly fit the parts according to the drawings, it is possible to achieve a design that does not differ from those sold on the market.

Screw cone

The easiest to manufacture, reliable design is a hand-made screw wood splitter. Two varieties are used, they differ only in the presence of threads on the rotating element. The breaking of the ingot occurs due to cutting into its middle, for larger ones, the edges are first broken off, then the middle.

Before assembling the structure, it is necessary to catch the components. The splitting part must be machined according to the drawing of the conical wood splitter. If you use a tool without a thread, you will have to apply sufficient force when splitting firewood. The threaded tip bites into the wood, thereby making the process easier. The tip is made on a lathe with certain parameters. Usually such work is ordered in a turning shop, but if you have work experience and equipment, it is possible to make a device for a conical wood splitter with your own hands.

The electric motor for operation must be selected according to the parameters of power, the number of revolutions. Direct connection is possible if the motor parameters are as follows:

• The shaft speed is 300-500 rpm, a lower figure will be too small for work, it will delay the process, and a larger number of revolutions is dangerous, as it can tear the workpiece out of your hands.
• Engine power not less than 2 kW, for uninterrupted operation of the engine with hard wood.

There are cases when it is impossible to find an engine with identical parameters. Then you need to install a gearbox or belt drive. Installation of additional equipment allows you to use the engine with the required parameters. The transmission is also of the chain type, it is more reliable, but it makes increased noise during operation.

Hydraulic wood splitter

Hydraulic type models are heavier to manufacture. For manufacturing, you need a diagram of a hydraulic wood splitter; when assembling, many parameters must be taken into account:

• The location of the ingot can be horizontal or vertical, depending on the type of material.
• The dimensions of the unit are selected according to the average dimensions of the processed workpieces.
• The size of the hydraulic cylinder and the power of the drive depend on the force of splitting the log.

Making a hydraulic wood splitter with your own hands is somewhat harder than the rest. Distinctive features are uniform output parts, splitting speed. The tool can be used both for domestic purposes and for small-scale production of firewood for sale on the market. The force applied during the process is large, so the material in the manufacture of a hydraulic wood splitter with your own hands must have sufficient thickness. The cutting blades are set in the shape of a square or an asterisk to cut the ingot into several pieces in one process.

Mechanical spring splitter

A modified version of the manual cleaver is a mechanical spring device. The wood splitter operates on the principle of centrifugal force, the main purpose of the design is to keep the cleaver with an impressive mass at the end of the cycle. The spring must be made movable to adjust the force applied to stop the cleaver. A do-it-yourself device should have a height corresponding to the height of a person, for the least stress.

The log clip is made for safety reasons. The frame mechanism experiences constant loads, so it is necessary to make it from double material. For possible mobility, it is possible to install wheels on one of the sides for movement.

Simple do-it-yourself wood splitter mechanic

A common type of wood splitter is a rack type mechanism. The principle of operation consists of starting the cycle, after which all the elements are coupled, the pusher rests against the workpiece and the cutting process takes place by connecting with the knife. To make a homemade wood splitter, you will need the following items:

• Drive, usually an electric motor is used. In places where there is no electricity, it is possible to use an engine powered by combustible mixtures.
• The transmission pulley is on the shaft, the transmission is connected by a belt.
• Gear gear located at the end of the secondary shaft.
• Deck frame, cutting knife, control lever.

The engine must be selected with a large margin of power. A do-it-yourself rack type wood splitter can be used with all types of wood. Control over the safety, load on the engine is achieved through improved transmission and smoothness of effort.

Also, the mechanical wood splitter has a simple design with a screw design. The smallest amount of manufacturing costs make it indispensable in the economy. With my own hands, it is possible to make a tool with an old electric motor, a prepared conical screw, basic knowledge in electrics for connecting the engine to a starting device.

How to make a wood splitter mobile

A mobile wood splitter is needed in situations where the device needs to be moved over a long distance. Attached wheels make the wood splitter mobile.

It is necessary to take into account the weight of the manufactured structure, calculate the load on the axle.

For safe operation, it is necessary to block the wheels or use the footrests while using the tool.

How to choose a wood splitter product features

The choice of device model depends on the intended use. A hand-made tool will turn out to be a budget option, and a tool bought on the market will save time and has a guarantee. The price of powerful models of wood splitters in stores can be up to 100 thousand rubles.

A self-made tool can be used for its intended purpose. The ability to add or remove features can save a lot of money in production. The only major difference will be the appearance, since a self-made device is not so neat and harmonious.

For use in production or commercial purposes, the best option would be to purchase a ready-made unit. There are models on the market with different types of engines and ingot sawing options.

Advantages and disadvantages of using a wood splitter

Before making any unit with your own hands, you should ask yourself if it is so necessary on the farm. Buying or making a device yourself will require a lot of financial costs and effort, you need to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of the device include.

1. Physical activity per person. The machine operator only loads, controls the process, the main physical work is performed by the wood splitter mechanism.
2. A device that includes an electric drive will cope with the tasks faster than doing the work manually.
3. Convenient use preserves health and physical strength.
Wood splitter application

There are noticeably fewer drawbacks during operation, but still they are present, like with every device.

1. Complex design of some models. For a more even log, a hydraulic log splitter is used in the end result. To make such a mechanism at home with your own hands is expensive and takes enough time.
2. The high cost of finished structures. Buying a ready-made wood splitter will save time on manufacturing, however, the cost of some models is so high that it does not justify itself during use.

It must be understood that for a small area, the purchase of equipment is not advisable. Having a clear purpose and constant sale of firewood, you should think about buying or making a wood splitter with your own hands.

A do-it-yourself wood splitter is a mechanism designed to facilitate the process of splitting large logs for a stove or fireplace. The attractiveness of the tool is expressed in the fact that anyone can make their own from inexpensive materials.

Device classifications

The design has many classifying factors. Wood splitters are distinguished by:

• the field of operation (private use, large enterprises);
• tree laying method (vertical, horizontal, mixed);
• type of engine (electric, gasoline, tractor-drawn, combined);
• method of transportation (mobile and stationary);
• principle of operation (hydraulic and screw (conical)).

Homemade wood splitters are most often equipped with an electric or gasoline engine. The remaining parameters are individual and are selected for personal needs. For everyone who puzzles with the question: “How to make a wood splitter with your own hands?” we will provide instructions for assembling the hydraulic and screw unit.

DIY hydraulic wood splitter

Most often, the hydraulic system for the operation of the device is borrowed from the tractor. An electric motor driven by a tractor or gasoline can also be used. The hydraulic wood splitter includes the following components:

• bed;
• pump;
• oil container;
• motor;
• hydraulic cylinder with stop;
• blade;
• distributor.

Making a do-it-yourself wood splitter with drawings, photos and instructions will not be difficult for people who are at least a little versed in the mechanics of a hydraulic installation.

For convenience, we will show a drawing of the mechanism and make a brief assembly guide.

Hydraulic wood splitter assembly instructions:

1. We fix the hydraulic jack on the bed.
2. A wedge-shaped blade is mounted on the other end, which will allow you to work with logs of different volume and length.
3. In the middle of the structure we have a platform for stacking logs. When interacting with the handle of the jack, the stop will push the wood towards the wedge knife, which will successfully split it.
4. After splitting, the springs will return the stop to the starting position.

Such a device is not distinguished by its high speed of work, however, whatever one may say, it is much easier than chopping wood with an ax.

DIY screw (conical) wood splitter

The principle of operation of this type of wood splitter lies in the property of a rotating metal cone to split logs due to the existing thread on the surface.

Do not try to make a cone yourself. This is a very laborious and painstaking task. It will be more profitable to buy a ready-made version, properly made and suitable for your future design.

To make a screw copy, you should use this article and watch a video about homemade wood splitters.

It is one of the most common wood splitting tools. It is easy not only to use, but also to assemble with your own hands.

Instructions for assembling a screw wood splitter with a cone-shaped splitter:

1. Decide on the power source of our unit. The drawing example shows an electric motor.
2. It is necessary to choose the right cone. Depending on the size of the device and the split logs.
3. Make a plan for the location of all elements of the device on the desktop.
4. Make bases for the entire structure. The working platform looks like a steel table with a fixed cleaver shaft.
5. Weld a kind of keel to the table to prevent log particles from getting under the rotating device.
6. Attach power supports for installation and place the splitter in its working position.
7. Connect the engine. The device is ready to go!

The engine is preferably mounted under the table. It will be protected from accidental damage and wood chips.

The principle of operation of the cone splitter

The power unit (in our case: an electric motor) imparts a rotational movement to the cone. You should carefully bring the log and gently push towards the cleaver. The cone smoothly cuts into the structure of the tree and splits it in half.

A screw wood splitter with a washing machine engine is the most convenient and functional option for home use.

In addition, it is possible to avoid the cost of purchasing a new engine. It can be used by removing it from an old washing machine.

A wood splitter is an indispensable device in a private house or country house. A large amount of information on the Internet allows you to make a wood splitter with your own hands using video or text instructions. The flexibility of the design scheme allows the use of a wide variety of components. There is always the opportunity to choose and build a unit for your individual conditions and needs.

The device and operation of a homemade wood splitter - video

With stove heating, the need to swing an ax daily quickly becomes a routine and takes a lot of time. Here the question arises of mechanizing the process - you need to make a wood splitter with your own hands! There are many options for making homemade automated cleavers - from the simplest to semi-professional. Use step-by-step instructions and useful tips from those who have already forgotten when they held a regular ax in their hands to assemble your tool.

Simple mechanisms for chopping firewood from improvised materials

Types of wood splitters:

• mechanical (as a rule, it consists of a knife, a frame and a spring);
• screw (splits firewood, screwing inward);
• hydraulic (has chisel knives that allow you to chop a log).

Wood splitter for home

Manual mechanical wood splitter easy assembly

A mechanical (or manual) unit for chopping firewood does not involve connecting a motor. It only allows you to apply less effort when splitting logs.

Here is the safest way to make a wood splitter with your own hands:

1. Weld a round frame slightly larger than the diameter of the logs (optimally 23 cm).
2. To do this, as a basis, it is necessary to take a circle of thick metal and weld two pipes to it, 35 cm high.
3. Weld a ring on top of the structure to make a cylinder.
4. Fasten a metal knife at the bottom with the tip up.
5. Drill holes in the base for mounting.

A log in such a wood splitter must be installed on top of the knife. By hitting it with a sledgehammer, you make your work safer. After all, there is no possibility of getting hurt with an ax!

Attention! Such a mechanism is only suitable for soft woods that are easily split. The resulting firewood is suitable for kindling a fireplace. For oak or elm, this device will be useless.

Safety wood splitter manual type

Scheme for the manufacture of a spring cleaver

The next idea on how to make a wood splitter at home is to make a spring mechanism. Components:

• channel section;
• metal corners;
• spring (from the car);
• plate-knife (possible from an old cleaver);
• a piece of pipe, slightly smaller than a spring in diameter;
• joint assembly
• weighting agent (rail).

Tool base

Manufacturing process:

First of all, it is necessary to make a wood splitter support by welding.

Prepare a platform for the spring.

Cutting a hole

Weld a platform, spacers, pipe to the support.

Welding parts

Make a cutout for attaching the beam to the support.

The beam is welded into the hole

Hang a beam with a hinged joint on the support.

Support must be hinged

Weld the beam, while maintaining its mobility.

Hinges provide mobility

Attach the beam and cleaver horizontally.

Cleaver position

Weld the handle and weight to the tool.

The weighting agent is the rail

The resulting mechanism is best painted to prevent rust.

With force, falling onto a log, the cleaver splits it into two parts. And immediately returns to its original position. This saves a lot of human energy.

Wood splitter-carrot in step-by-step instructions

The affectionate name "carrot" such a mechanism was due to the conical shape of the knife. Screwing into a log according to the principle of a self-tapping screw, it splits the wood from the inside. The wood splitter is powered by an electric motor.

The process of making a screw wood splitter

Make a screw wood splitter with your own hands using drawings and step-by-step instructions:

1. Make a 45 steel cone 13 cm long and 5.5 cm in diameter (thick part) at an angle of 30°.
2. On a lathe, cut a persistent left-hand thread 2 mm deep in increments of 6–7 mm. The nose of the cone must be very sharp.
3. Install the shaft in bearings and weld the flange (sprocket) on the back side.
4. Put the cone tightly on the shaft and fix it with a pin (an M8 bolt will do).
5. Weld the bearings of the automobile cardan to the bearings (the mechanism will be attached to the table on them).
6. Make a spacer between the shaft and the engine, with which the chain will be tensioned. To do this, fit the pipe and nuts.
7. Make a table from thick boards (an old door will do) with iron legs 40 cm high.
8. Fix the cardan bearings and the electric motor with a power of 2 kW. Pull the chain.

Cone knife drawing

Attention! The direction of the thread is not critical. But when cutting right-handed threads, there is a high probability of spoiling the tool or cone.

Shaft and cone support drawing

Important tips for work:

1. When making a cone wood splitter with your own hands, it is worth remembering that the distance from the cone to the table should be minimal. Then the log will not be pulled out of your hands.
2. The splitting log can only be installed vertically. Otherwise, the wood may get stuck between the cone and the table and bend the shaft.
3. The chain and the motor must be protected by a casing. This will reduce the risk of injury during operation.
4. Logs should not be longer than 0.5 m and wider than 0.6 m in diameter.
5. The rotation speed can be from 150 to 800 rpm (optimally 400-500). To do this, use a gearbox (for example, from an old motorcycle).

How to make a hydraulic wood splitter - aerobatics

If a lot of firewood has accumulated and you need to chop it constantly, you should build a hydraulic wood splitter with your own hands.

Video: do-it-yourself hydraulic wood splitter

Constituent elements - budget calculation

The principle of operation of the hydraulic mechanism is as follows. A log on a sliding platform is fed to the knives. Under the pressure of the cylinder, the log splits into 2, 4, 6 or 8 pieces, depending on the design of the knife.

For the hydraulic mechanism you will need:

• gasoline engine (from 6 hp);
• hydraulic cylinder;
• gear pump;
• hydraulic distributor;
• pump bracket;
• metal for knives (MAZ spring is suitable);
• channel 80 mm;
• profile 60x60 and 30x30 mm;
• pipe 50 mm;
• I-beam (for the support beam);
• metal plates;
• wheels (automobile);
• pulley;
• belts;
• oil tank;
• fittings, adapters, couplings, bolts, screws, nuts, etc.

Wood splitter drawing

The budget that will have to be allocated for the purchase of components is approximately 60,000 rubles. The purchase of suitable scrap metal can reduce the cost of the finished product.

The basis of the wood splitter - how to assemble the frame

The first step is to assemble the front and rear axles to which the wheels will be attached. Since all the emphasis falls on the rear axle, car tires should be here.

Front and rear axles

Step-by-step instructions for assembling a hydraulic wood splitter with your own hands with drawings and photos:

1. Weld hubs from a 30x30 mm profile to a 50 mm pipe so that two triangles are obtained. Weld the base of the future frame to the hubs.
2. Weld spacers from a 30x30 mm profile to the front axle from a 60x60 profile. Attach small wheels to the axle.
3. Weld the engine mounting base to the rear axle.

The turn of the frame has come:

1. From two channels, weld a frame for a movable structure.
2. Assemble the movable platform from the 80 mm channel onto the cylinder rod.
3. Weld a triangular platform from the same channel. She will push the log to the knives.
4. Install supports on the sides of the platform to prevent the logs from falling.

Advice! Instead of a sliding platform, it is better to use a wheeled trolley. To do this, inside the channels from which the platform is made, you need to install bearings. In this embodiment, the wood splitter will last longer, as the friction force will be reduced.

Base for motor and pump installation

Wood splitter heart - how to make a splitting knife

For a knife, trimming an I-beam or a spring from MAZ is suitable. Operating procedure:

• cut a piece of wood with an angle of 60 °;
• sharpen metal like a chisel;
• fold the hex knife with the workpiece (setting it between the segments);
• weld the knife to the bed.

hex knife

The central (vertical knife) should enter the log first, then the upper side ones, and only then the lower ones. Otherwise, the load distribution will be incorrect. As a result, the wood splitter will not be able to cope with viscous wood species.

Oil tank assembly

Driving Force - Motor and Oil Tank Assembly

An empty propane tank will fit under the oil tank. Operating procedure:

1. Fill the bottle with water.
2. Cut off the valve with a grinder without draining the liquid.
3. Make a sump: separate ¼ of the cylinder with a steel partition 10 cm high, cut into the inside.
4. At a height of 5 cm from the bottom, install a filter mesh with a magnet. It will catch metal chips, which will extend the life of the motor.
5. Weld a pipe through which the pump will suck in oil. The pipe must be deepened so that the fence does not occur from the very bottom. After all, all the garbage that got into the tank settles on it.
6. Install the tank above the pump in level.

Insert pipe

When all the elements are ready, it's time to assemble the structure. A do-it-yourself wood splitter should be painted.

Life hack from a Finnish farmer - how to split a log with a minimum of effort

Movement with an ax is one of the most balanced loads for the human body, so chopping firewood by hand is undoubtedly useful. But this work can be improved! How? Reduce the number of unnecessary movements.

What makes chopping wood uncomfortable? Constantly scattered chips and a cleaver stuck in the ground. Solving this problem is very easy.

It is enough just to install a log in a car tire! Pick up a rubber wheel with a diameter slightly larger than the log. Or take a large tire and install some logs into it. And there will be less housework immediately!

Advice! You can increase the diameter of the tire by cutting off the side parts so that only the tread ring remains.

Use of old tires

Video: Wood splitter with a washing machine engine

Assembling a wood splitter is a troublesome and costly business. But, if you have the skills to work with metal, this is a justified way to save money and your own strength. It will take you half a day to make the simplest mechanism. Whereas a complex unit will take 1-2 months. However, you can always turn to professionals! This is a sure way to save time. What is more expensive - it's up to you!

Manual chopping of firewood is a difficult and tedious task, which can be facilitated by using various types of special equipment, including modern or home-made wood splitters. A do-it-yourself wood splitter is a necessary and affordable device that greatly facilitates the independent preparation of firewood.

What is a wood splitter, the history of the creation of the device and its purpose

Wood splitter (English logsplitter) - a machine that is intended for splitting firewood. This type of tool is often referred to as a wood splitter, splitter, or wood splitter. At the same time, wood splitters also perform trimming of firewood and splitting them into separate logs.

The first mechanisms for chopping firewood appeared in Europe in the 16th century. They were purchased by the owners of large industrial enterprises in order to create thermal energy. Replacing traditional manual labor helped cut firewood faster. Since then, engineers have created several types of wood splitters, differing primarily in the principle of operation.

Small volumes of firewood were handled by ordinary mechanical wood splitters, which were distinguished by their simplicity of design, as well as the minimum number of complex nodes. The simplest mechanical wood splitters resembled an ordinary well crane, but instead of a bucket, a cutter with handles was fixed in this design. The post connection and crossbars were articulated with a good lubricant. The principle of operation of this design is intuitive and involves the installation of a block of wood on a stand with a sharp pull of the lever down. The inertia of the cutter gained considerable strength, due to which the block of wood split, and the whole process was repeated until a log of the desired thickness was obtained.

Modern log splitters are most often hydraulic devices and are widely used for cutting logs quickly and easily. The main advantage of operating any modern wood splitter is the highest possible safety, therefore gasoline or electric type cleavers are many times superior to the already traditional ax in most indicators.

General classification

All types of wood splitters differ in the method of stacking logs, the volume of processed wood, mobility and the type of drive.

Horizontal

In horizontal models, the log is placed inside the horizontal chute, after which the stacked element is pushed towards the knife. In some tools, the log may lie motionless inside the chute, and the knife itself moves towards it. Horizontal models can be on short legs (desktop) and on long ones (for full-length work).

The machine is a solid horizontal frame on which a splitting chute with a dividing knife is installed.

vertical

In vertical models, the log is set vertically, and a knife is pushed from above by means of a hydraulic cylinder. The efficiency of this machine is higher than that of horizontal models, which is due to the absence of log movement during the splitting process without creating additional friction. Nevertheless, working with crooked sawn elements requires their manual holding, which is contrary to the safety precautions for operating this equipment.

The machine is a solid vertical design

Industrial

Industrial log splitters, most often equipped with an electric motor, are used with a 220 or 380 V motor with a power of 3 kW or more.

Industrial wood splitters are very powerful, able to cope with huge volumes of firewood harvesting.

Household wood splitters

Household models are characterized by maximum structural simplicity, maximum ease of operation and absolute unpretentiousness in terms of maintenance.

The design of the simplest mechanical wood splitter resembles a well crane

Types by type of drive

With an electric, gasoline engine, with a power take-off shaft or with a hydraulic system and a combined drive type (according to the drive type).

Gasoline wood splitters are suitable for medium-sized businesses

A small electric wood splitter is perfect for domestic use

Stationary and mobile

The first version of such mechanisms, as a rule, is represented by massive industrial models or entire multifunctional machines. The operation of a stationary wood splitter in domestic conditions is most often not at all appropriate. Mobile or mobile models are equipped with transport wheels, which greatly facilitate the movement of the device to almost any place of work and are optimally suited for domestic use.

Classification of homemade wood splitters

Do-it-yourself wood splitters can be mechanical and equipped with a conventional electric drive of hydraulic, rack and screw type. Conical, screw wood splitters are represented by a “screw” cone, which, when “drilled” into a wooden blank from the side of the bark, splits it into pieces or so-called into logs.

External characteristics of the rack and hydraulic drive of the wood splitter

Rack-type wood splitters split logs due to the strike of a rail with a tip into the end part of the log. Hydraulic wood splitters function similarly to rack models, but the operation of the drive depends on the hydraulic pump, and is designed to process large, knotty logs. It is important to remember that hydraulic models have significant power ratings, respectively, and it is more difficult to make them yourself than simpler cone designs.

Mechanical

This version of the device is quite simple to manufacture with your own hands and subsequent operation. The most successful options are represented by units arranged according to the principle of a lever, including models supplemented by a spring, and inertial devices based on a pair of pipes with different diameters. The device operates using a return mechanism, and due to the presence of powerful return springs in the design, a very high performance of the wood splitter is ensured with a quick return of the mechanism to its original position.

Electric

Wood splitters equipped with an electric drive can have rack, hydraulic and screw versions.

Hydraulic version of the wood splitter with a vertical layout type

Rack splitter device

The rack version is represented by the following elements:

• 1 - swivel mechanism for adjusting the height of the knife;
• 2 - hydroelectric tank;
• 3 - hydraulic cleaver knife;
• 4 - stationary tray;
• 5 - split workpiece;
• 6 - brace fixation in the upper part of the knife;
• 7 - movable thrust heel;
• 8 - front support of the hydraulic cylinder;
• 9 - hydraulic distributor;
• 10 - hydraulic cylinder;
• 11 - rear support for the hydraulic cylinder;
• 12 - electric motor;
• 13 - input device for the electrical network;
• 14 - filler pipe of the hydraulic tank;
• 15 - bracket for hydraulic pump;
• 16 - frame.

Screw wood splitter device

In the screw version of the wood splitter, the dimensions of the drill, as well as the optimal indicators of the angle of inclination of the cone, which determine the maximum dimensions of the log to be broken, are selected individually or in accordance with the table values.

Table: parameters of screw-type wood splitters

Step-by-step instructions for making a tool with your own hands

Of course, the easiest and fastest to make on your own is a mechanical type of tool that does not need the use of special units or any professional equipment. Nevertheless, the electric wood splitter has a wider application, it is practical and very convenient to operate.

Mechanical option

The most popular and easy to manufacture is the standard rack design.

Rack wood splitter is the easiest to manufacture

Wood splitter with electric drive

For self-production of a unit for chopping wood with an electric drive, you should prepare the materials presented:

• steel frame for fixing all elements of the installation;
• engine, the power of which is selected in accordance with individual needs;
• gross mechanism;
• reduction gear;
• threaded cone.

Three types of motors can be used: collector, electronically controlled or asynchronous, but the latter option is the most popular and common.

A simple but functional mechanism under the uncomplicated name "Carrot" is easily made independently and does not require the use of high-tech or too expensive parts. Self-manufacturing involves the preparation of a drive, a simple gearbox with a belt drive, a pair of bearings and a shaft, as well as a threaded cone and a frame table.

Before making a wood splitter, read the diagram of its device

A drive with power ratings of about 2 kW or more can be dismantled from any old washing machine, and the most difficult part of such a system is represented by a cone, which is purchased ready-made or made to order. Fast and easy splitting of wooden chocks occurs due to the process of screwing the cone into the wood fibers.

The rack design is less popular, due to the increased level of danger during the operation of this device. In this case, the rail and the pusher plate must be placed on the carriage moving along the frame. Maximum attention will need to be paid to the stability of the frame, as well as the quality characteristics of the installed rail.

The operation of such a home-made design involves a very careful calculation of the speed of rotation of the gear, which transmits the force to the rail. Most often, splitting logs with the help of such a wood splitter is carried out easily and quickly. The operator sets the device in motion by pressing the rack against the gear. As a result of releasing the handle, contact with the working gear decreases, which is due to the presence of a spring and the operation of the return mechanism.

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Precautionary measures

Particular attention and increased caution requires working on electric wood splitter models:

• the wood splitter can only be used for its intended purpose;
• before operation, you must carefully read the instructions;
• do not operate the wood splitter if there are third parties in the area of ​​operation, especially children or animals;
• when working, special gloves, personal protective equipment for hearing and vision are used;
• do not leave a running machine unattended;
• hands must be kept at a sufficient distance from the cutting mechanism;
• before work, you need to make sure that all nodes are securely fixed;
• the wood splitter must be serviced, repaired or transported in the off state.

It is forbidden to split too large logs or logs with nails and other foreign objects that can cause damage to the device. Before operation, check the hydraulic system and make sure there are no oil leaks.

Advantages and disadvantages of home-made and purchased models of wood splitters

Homemade wood splitters, as a rule, are noticeably inferior to factory settings, not only in terms of power, but also in terms of external data.

However, if you need to process a small amount of wood in a home production environment, do-it-yourself devices fit very well and have a number of advantages presented:

• cheap compared to professional machines;
• simple self-assembly using the simplest materials;
• gaining experience in the manufacture of household appliances.

Nevertheless, in the process of self-assembly, all the design features of the mechanism must necessarily be taken into account, therefore, along with the factory settings, all do-it-yourself wood splitters comply with a set of basic minimum requirements:

• standard minimum motor power - about 2 kW;
• production of all stationary and movable elements based on solid steel or sufficiently strong alloys;
• the minimum distance from the cone of the device to the floor is 80–90 cm;
• the number of revolutions for installation in domestic use is 400–500 per minute.

Wood splitters can not only be made independently, but also purchased ready-made, assembled. The fundamental difference is represented by the price, since the cost of sufficiently powerful models is several tens of thousands of rubles. The main advantage of such a factory assembly is that there is no need to spend time and effort on manufacturing, and the finished unit is safer to use. The dimensions of the installation are selected strictly individually, but the standard version of the wood splitter requires compliance with the dimensions L / W / H at the level of 85/40/65 cm.

Simple mechanical, reciprocating and foot redwood splitter

Table: Comparison of prefabricated wood splitters

Model	Type	Security and reliability	Power	Cost, rub)
Champion LSH5000	electric (230 V) horizontal	High	2.2 kW	from 17 thousand
AL-KO KHS 5204	electric (230 V) horizontal	High	2.2 kW	from 19 thousand
Texas 520H	electric (220 V) horizontal	High	1.5 kW	from 20 thousand
Raptor t700	electric (230 V) horizontal	High	2.2 kW	from 25 thousand
AL-KO KHS 3704	electric (230 V) horizontal	High	1.5 kW	from 19 thousand
PROFIPLS 700E	electric (230 V) horizontal	High	2.3 kW	from 19.5 thousand
Texas 600VG	Petrol vertical	High	3.7 kW	from 55 thousand
CHAMPION LSV6000	electric (230 V) vertical	High	2.7 kW	from 38 thousand
MTD LS 550	Petrol vertical/ horizontal	High	5.5 kW	from 220 thousand

As operating practice shows, a home-made wood splitter can be quite configured for convenient operation and practical use, such a do-it-yourself design costs an order of magnitude cheaper than finished and modern factory products.

If you have the necessary materials, it is quite possible to make one of the options for a simple mechanical wood splitter with your own hands or equip such a device with an electric drive, which is the best option for working with a small amount of firewood.

The next day after chopping firewood, even if your health allows you to load yourself with such physical activity, you feel, to put it mildly, not very good. Everyone who has ever chopped firewood remembers this feeling - the hands do not rise, the back splits. What can we say when you have to prepare for winter! Before the start of the season, it is necessary to chop at least 5-6 cubes of logs. Not everyone has assistants ready to help out and do the hard work for you. For such cases, a separate tool for chopping firewood with a foot pedal has long been invented. It significantly reduces the load on the back and arms, while increasing productivity. Is it possible to make such a tool with your own hands, what you need to know about the design of the cleaver and the nuances of its use, we will tell in this review of the editorial site.

The basis of wood splitters of any type: mechanical, electric, gasoline - is based on the same principle. All of them consist of a cleaver, with a sharp blade sharpened to about 30˚, and a mechanism that sets it in motion. Moreover, the ways of creating this force can be different: piston thrust, and maybe physical effort created by a person. By the way, mechanical hand-drawn cleavers also exist.

Such a cleaver is one of the simplest devices designed for mechanically chopping firewood. Consider all the variations of devices in more detail.

For your information! The weight of the "head" of a traditional manual cleaver usually starts at three kg.

Mechanical devices for chopping firewood: from the simplest nozzles to lever models

Most often, two types of mechanical wood splitters are used in home workshops: spring and gear. Consider the designs of their main ones in order to decide which device will be easier to make at home.

Advice! For some types of work, you can get by with a conventional wood chipper. Crushers usually consist of a protective casing, a delimiter strip, a sieve, a body, most often equipped with an electric drive.

So, consider the types of mechanical wood splitters:

• Spring. The principle of operation is based on the reverse energy of a compressed spring. Usually there is a pedal or lever. Working with such a mechanism requires physical effort of a person.

The version of the cleaver in the photo consists of a metal frame. The design must be equipped with supports. The boom acts as a lever, the system is hinged. She, as seen in the photo, relies on a spring, which is sandwiched between two cups. On the other side of the lever is a cleaver and a handle.

Important! The design of the frame must be such as to prevent possible tipping of the cleaver.

This design has a number of advantages:

• does not require connection to electricity;
• simplicity of design;
• available materials;
• allows you to cut logs of different sizes.

Among the minuses is the mandatory control over the condition of the fasteners of the cleaver, the exact calculation of the length of the lever mechanism. Otherwise, you may get injured.

Let's return to the discussion of types of mechanical wood splitters. So, the second type remains.

• Geared. In this case, the cleaver is driven by a gear and a gear wheel. Sometimes this type of wood splitter is called rack and pinion, since its mechanism includes a long rail equipped with a gear or worm gear.

For your information! The wood splitter can be with two different types of blades: flat. It cuts a log into 2 parts and a cruciform one. In this case, the log is decomposed into 4 parts.

Mechanical for chopping firewood are distinguished by their compactness. Usually, home craftsmen prefer foot-operated devices. They are more secure.

Electric firewood splitter

Electric wood splitters are more advanced units. They can be both vertical and horizontal. Most often they work with a cone nozzle, which is simply drilled into the log. It makes sense to use such aggregates for large volumes of wood harvesting.

Vertical wood splitters are considered the safest. However, despite all the convenience, there is one caveat, the machines operate on a voltage of 320 volts. In addition, any unit requires a certain skill to work. It is important to ensure the free movement of all mechanisms, to carry out regular maintenance to prevent jamming and damage to the device.

Gasoline units for chopping firewood: features of use

Even more professional devices are those that run on gasoline. Such equipment is used in logging enterprises. The operator is only required to control the progress of the work. Such devices are not suitable for installation in . They are quite large and noisy.

What are the attractive devices for chopping wood with a foot drive

Mechanisms for chopping firewood with a foot drive are optimally suited for home, seasonal wood harvesting. They can easily split medium-sized chocks and free your back from overload.

If we talk about mechanical models of wood splitters, then it is almost impossible to injure them. Such a tool is intuitively easy to use and suitable even for the elderly, in fact, even a teenager can handle it.

Important! The smaller the diameter of the cleaver, the easier it will be to work with the mechanism. However, remember, logs should be selected exclusively for the working diameter of the unit.

The device is easy to fold, does not take up much space, suitable for use on or. If necessary, it can simply be removed to the barn.

For your information! On average, the weight of a mechanical foot splitter is from 8 to 10 kg. It is made mainly from durable steel.

Overview of the most popular models for chopping firewood

You can buy a tool for chopping firewood in specialized stores for special equipment or household goods. Usually they are not brought in large quantities, so it is better to speak with a store representative in advance to clarify whether the device is in stock.

Most often, Russian consumers praise Logmaster brand special tools.

Logmaster mechanical wood splitter

The wood splitters of this series are distinguished by high build quality and amazing performance.

Briefly about the characteristics:

• weight - 9.5 kg;
• drive type - foot;
• working force - 1200 kg;
• price - from 4,000 rubles.

Logmaster mechanical wood splitter

Mechanical log splitter ZIGZAG from Yardworks

Mechanical wood splitter ZIGZAG is one of the lightest mechanisms for chopping firewood. Provides a simple and quick splitting of logs without. By pressing the foot pedal on a steel wedge, a pressure of 1200 kg is created. Dimensions of processed log: diameter up to 25 mm, length 45 mm. The cost of such a model is 4900 rubles.

Mechanical log splitter ZIGZAG from Yardworks

Cleaver Hecht 6 with a foot drive of the popular manufacturer of municipal equipment and special tools Hecht

A handy tool for those cases when you urgently need to prepare firewood. All elements are made of hardened steel.

According to consumer reviews, the device is practically trouble-free in operation and copes even with damp firewood. However, remember, it can lead to rotting of wood, in addition, such canvases greatly lose volume as they dry.

Wood splitter Hecht 6 with foot drive

How to make a homemade hydraulic wood splitter: drawing and step by step guide

Simple schemes for making a wood splitter with your own hands can be found on the Internet. The easiest way is to create a spring mechanism. Here are some schemes (both the entire unit and the cleaver) that may be in operation.

However, many craftsmen set themselves an even more difficult task - to create a hydraulic wood splitter. Let's help with that too. We offer you an overview photo-instruction for the manufacture of such a unit.

Advice! Log feeding speed to the hydraulic cleaver blade is up to 5 cm/s.

After you have decided on the drawing, studied the photo of the hydraulic wood splitter with your own hands, you will need a small overview photo instruction:

Illustration	Action Description
	The first stage is the manufacture of the frame. In our case, the rear suspension from a Volkswagen Golf car was taken as the basis. The device turned out to be mobile.
	From above, 2 U-shaped channels are welded to the base as guides. In some cases, metal corners can also be used to strengthen the frame.
	At the back, a platform is welded to the hanger, on which the engine and other working elements are located. The oil pump ensures trouble-free operation of the machine.
	The knife has a very interesting design. It is able to cut logs into 4 even pieces. The nozzle may be removable.
	The device has a universal device and allows you to quickly cope with a large amount of firewood. In addition, it can be transferred from place to place.

And if you want to know more details about the hydraulic cutter for firewood, watch this video.