4 way splitter wedge fail

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Decided I would take some random scraps and do a quick-and-dirty 4 way slip-on wedge for my 28 ton splitter.I get wood 15 cord at a time so the time savings should be worth it. Never occurred to me that 28 tons may not push a four way...  But since it was supposed to be a success, I took some pics, may as well post them Cut off log strippers to make room for side wings.State of the art paint booth  (bungee cord from the ceiling)(You guys keep painting everything so I had to too....)Slips on like a glove All stick welded with more free 20 year old 1/8" 7018 Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Worked perfect for straight grained easy stuff, got stuck in anything it wouldn't cut - that sucked to removeWent back to single blade, will have to rethink how far back the wings go or something...Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I would have just moved the wings back so that there is 3-4" behind the vertical edge. this will give the wood time to split before impacting the wings so you're not trying to split 4 ways all at once.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerI would have just moved the wings back so that there is 3-4" behind the vertical edge. this will give the wood time to split before impacting the wings so you're not trying to split 4 ways all at once.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDavePretty much what I'm thinking as well, didn't have time to start splitting and then it hit the wings and stopped.Only about an inch back from the edge now.
Reply:Check out the wedge on this splitter.  http://www.kelleymanufacturing.com/p...24HA/index.php I know this is different than yours but this wedge design is very under rated.  The leading edge tip style is the only way to go.  The machine in the link is very impressive, particularly when you look at it's component size.
Reply:Originally Posted by cd19Your wings are about the right distance back, cut the edge of your wings to make the outer tip hit the wood first and edge where the wing meets the main wedge back by 3/4 inch or so.  Also I'd only have a single bevel on the wing, beveled on the top side so that it doesn't try to force wood underneath that can't fit.  Also wouldn't surprise me if the splitter doesn't put out what it says, I know some of those commercial units seem a little trumped up.
Reply:Dave, just use a fireplace screensaver and buy a heater.. Its allot less work Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugDave, just use a fireplace screensaver and buy a heater.. Its allot less work
Reply:Just build one like this:https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...VQhkZpdT-vnFEQ
Reply:I like this one.
Reply:this one is fun to watchNothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:28 tons wont split a log?   I mean my 55 ton jack will bend two 1" x 6" steel plates loaded in the strong direction.  How do you know you are making 28 tons?  I have splintered many 6x6 timbers with my 25 ton jack and I'm not even trying to split them, I'm usually trying to pull hubs off shafts.
Reply:15 cords at a time is a lot of wood dave. you need to spend less time on the fancy paint jobs and more on engineeringi.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Originally Posted by 76GMC150028 tons wont split a log?   I mean my 55 ton jack will bend two 1" x 6" steel plates loaded in the strong direction.  How do you know you are making 28 tons?  I have splintered many 6x6 timbers with my 25 ton jack and I'm not even trying to split them, I'm usually trying to pull hubs off shafts.
Reply:Originally Posted by docwelder15 cords at a time is a lot of wood dave. you need to spend less time on the fancy paint jobs and more on engineering
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireI like this one.
Reply:You and I both know those fancy multi wedges will only split straight grained wood!Not the notty tough oak and hickory desired up here in the Northern reaches for heat!Measure the cylinder diameter, subtract a little for probabable wall thickness, put a pressure gauge in the pump line.Run the engine to rated speed, then run into a block of wood crossways on the wedge! When the cylinder stalls, you should hit your bypass pressure. This will give you the Max PSI, a little Math and VIOLA! You should know what power your splitter is really making! Then go back and turn up the pressure to match your desired output providing its not more than your weakest link!
Reply:Drujinin - it's not really straining the motor at full stall so you could be right, a little simple math may be in order.  I'll have to look through my bin and see if I have the parts to throw a gauge on it.Ya, the stringy knot filled oak would definitely stall any four way I put on this model splitter.....nothing stalls my tractor with the "corkscrew" splitter on it I welded one up similar to this brand several years ago:Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveDrujinin - it's not really straining the motor at full stall so you could be right, a little simple math may be in order.  I'll have to look through my bin and see if I have the parts to throw a gauge on it.Ya, the stringy knot filled oak would definitely stall any four way I put on this model splitter.....nothing stalls my tractor with the "corkscrew" splitter on it I welded one up similar to this brand several years ago:
Reply:My 22ton tractor PTO (45 hp) driven splitter came with a 4 way wedge and has an optional 6 way (Timberwolf TW-3HD).  It will split just about anything.They want something outrageous for the 6 way wedge and I want to try building one myself.
Reply:If I had the money.....
Reply:Originally Posted by turismolover22If I had the money.....
Reply:You crack me up, Dave! You finally painted something and it was something that was going to have the paint rubbed off during normal use. LOL!GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelYou crack me up, Dave! You finally painted something and it was something that was going to have the paint rubbed off during normal use. LOL!The paint may have increased the friction. May explain the lost power of the splitter.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveI think there was some paint left on the bottom of the handle
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelYou painted the bottom??? WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU DO WITH DAVE!?!?!?!?
Reply:Twenty eight tons is about twice what I'm familiar with. I tore my nose off and put six cracks radially from the hole where my nose had been with a 15 ton.
Reply:I have a similar splitter as the one pictured, I removed the original wedge and made a new 4 way wedge.  I don't like the ones that slip on to make a 4 way, they tend to twist and get stuck easier.
Reply:from what i saw 28 tons could cut elm logs side ways... with much less than that around here they split maple and cherry four ways as butter...but the extra blade is about 3 inches behind...and a very nice thumb cutter by the way...  don't give up you're close to make that fail work. or buy a bigger cylinder lol
Reply:I built a couple splitters in 1982. In those days elm was pretty common wood. My 12 ton I presently use would cut any elm lengthwise and all but the biggest crossways. I've got to believe that a good wedge shape would be effortless with 28 ton to do 4 way. I'm curious how big your trees are that you need to quarter everything. I tend to pop them open once, unless half won't fit through the door of the stove. Split too fine, you have to start the fire again and again.
Reply:Originally Posted by snowbirdfrom what i saw 28 tons could cut elm logs side ways... with much less than that around here they split maple and cherry four ways as butter...but the extra blade is about 3 inches behind...and a very nice thumb cutter by the way...  don't give up you're close to make that fail work. or buy a bigger cylinder lol
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireI like this one.
Reply:Originally Posted by k45And a supply of perfect logs to split ;-)
Reply:this is what you need.sorry, didn't see it posted already. Great minds think alike. hahaLast edited by 204ruger; 06-27-2014 at 11:26 AM.
Reply:While those huge commercial processors are pretty cool, I always thought this design was kind of neat.  I don't think it would be to hard to make on a budget at home.