Log Splitter Build



I started out by gathering metal from our scrap pile that would be useful. An I beam, 1/2" plate, angle iron, 1" plate and some random pieces of 3/8 and 1/4 inch plate. Next I found a valve, pump, tank and cylinder that my father had leftover from various projects. I stopped by Harbor Freight and with a coupon I picked up a new 6.5HP gas engine for $100. I had most of the pieces I would need now so I got to work measuring and dry fitting everything together to figure out how to lay it out.



I made the wedge on a milling machine with a roughing end mill then cleaned up the cut with a flap disc. Next I made the slider plate and the push block that attaches to the ram. Once that was made I mounted the back side of the ram and then extended the ram to mount the wedge where it needed to be. This is about where I am now, I have 2 liesurely days into it so far. I pickup some used tires for it tomorrow and I should have it rolling with the tank and engine mounted by tomorrow evening.



Here is the splitter so far:











The sliding push block, mixture of 1/2" and 3/8" plate and a piece of channel:











Rear cylinder mount, all 1/2" plate







The 1" thick wedge with angle iron to seperate the split pieces







Got started on making the axle but need to wait for tires so I can get the overall width correct:



Well I got bored and wanted to build something. We just had a tree in our backyard cut down and they left chunks of the trunk that will make perfect firewood once it is split. Not wanting to do it by hand plus having 80% of the supplies to build a hydraulic log splitter on hand it just made sense to build one.I started out by gathering metal from our scrap pile that would be useful. An I beam, 1/2" plate, angle iron, 1" plate and some random pieces of 3/8 and 1/4 inch plate. Next I found a valve, pump, tank and cylinder that my father had leftover from various projects. I stopped by Harbor Freight and with a coupon I picked up a new 6.5HP gas engine for $100. I had most of the pieces I would need now so I got to work measuring and dry fitting everything together to figure out how to lay it out.I made the wedge on a milling machine with a roughing end mill then cleaned up the cut with a flap disc. Next I made the slider plate and the push block that attaches to the ram. Once that was made I mounted the back side of the ram and then extended the ram to mount the wedge where it needed to be. This is about where I am now, I have 2 liesurely days into it so far. I pickup some used tires for it tomorrow and I should have it rolling with the tank and engine mounted by tomorrow evening.Here is the splitter so far:The sliding push block, mixture of 1/2" and 3/8" plate and a piece of channel:Rear cylinder mount, all 1/2" plateThe 1" thick wedge with angle iron to seperate the split piecesGot started on making the axle but need to wait for tires so I can get the overall width correct: __________________

Brian

1942 Flatfender Crawler/1991 Explorer Overlander/1991 Explorer Trail Truck