gwiley
Addicted to ArboristSite
I have been splitting 10 cords/year by hand, my tips:
1. Splitting wedges (the long tapered ones not the ones with a blunt edge) are perfect when struck by an 8# sledge
2. Use said wedges in large rounds only, keep 3 or 4 b/c some rounds will eat the wedges and you will need a way to free them.
3. A splitting axe or 6# maul applied with vigor to take chunks off the side (see above diagrma on other post) will eventually take care of just about any round.
4. If one round is too hard, move on to the next. Once you have a few bad ones, break out the saw and put a few inch deep notch in them to help get things rolling again.
5. Wear steel toe boots (broken toes are a good teacher).
6. Once you are truly worn out, stop. You MUST deliver each blow with authority or you are just wasting your time.
7. Practice aim until you can place the axe/maul head within 1/8" of the previous blow. This means staring at your target precisely where you intend to strike then follow through.
8. Swing THROUGH the round, not into it.
9. Extend your arms fully - the longer the distance between your shoulders and the striking head the faster you can get it going, F=MA (force = mass X acceleration).
1. Splitting wedges (the long tapered ones not the ones with a blunt edge) are perfect when struck by an 8# sledge
2. Use said wedges in large rounds only, keep 3 or 4 b/c some rounds will eat the wedges and you will need a way to free them.
3. A splitting axe or 6# maul applied with vigor to take chunks off the side (see above diagrma on other post) will eventually take care of just about any round.
4. If one round is too hard, move on to the next. Once you have a few bad ones, break out the saw and put a few inch deep notch in them to help get things rolling again.
5. Wear steel toe boots (broken toes are a good teacher).
6. Once you are truly worn out, stop. You MUST deliver each blow with authority or you are just wasting your time.
7. Practice aim until you can place the axe/maul head within 1/8" of the previous blow. This means staring at your target precisely where you intend to strike then follow through.
8. Swing THROUGH the round, not into it.
9. Extend your arms fully - the longer the distance between your shoulders and the striking head the faster you can get it going, F=MA (force = mass X acceleration).