How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

[TresMon]

Obtain Antique Black Powder Log Splitter. (ABPLS)

Obtain time delay fuze.

Procure Black Powder (FFG)

Peripheral tools needed: Ram rod (suitable stick,) packing to hold powder in (napkins) sledge hammer, lighter.


1. Put a 30 second length (typically 12" when working with civvy fuze) in flash hole of splitter.

2. Pour in 150 grains of Black Powder (with MY splitter, your's will be different. In fact back this charge off by 112% and work up carefully. However if you attempt this you will be maimed for a trilli-second, just prior to the following painful & certain death.)

Pack/Tamp something (napkins) into the bore of the Log Splitter to keep the Powder snug in place during the next step:

3. Bore a 1" dia x 4" deep hole in the end of a TOUGH AS HADES piece of farwood. Right in the center, In the Heartwood.

4. Use sledge to drive the log splitter into the farwood. DON"T BOTTOM OUT THE SPLITTER in the bored hole. Only Go half way. You need this "air gap."

5. Lay the splitter/farwood on the ground horizontally. Butt another HEAVY piece of farwood up to the butt of the splitter. (this keeps the splitter from merely launching like a bullet out of the farwood it was driven into.)

6. Light fuze & run like HADES. (Same Hades that is making the far wood so tough to begin with.)

7. BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8. Inspect results:

Black Powder Log Splitters were used back in the day to split whole lengths of logs with a single boom vastly expediting the creation of a split-rail fence system.

And you boys thought I had taught you everything I know'd!!!

 

[Suasponte]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

Youtube video would be the ticket! hint hint!

Terry

 

[Maggot]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

No home should be without one.

 

[marukka]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

What happens to that log splitter when it goes off? Does it stay in place or fly in to the air?

 

[thespecialist]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: marukka</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What happens to that log splitter when it goes off? Does it stay in place or fly in to the air? </div></div>

You get all the kids together just before it goes off, then play a game of run go find it

 

[former naval person]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

I used to think that brute force was the answer for splitting logs. Now, I'm not sure. About 10 years ago, back on the farm, a tornado dropped a huge red oak in my side yard out "in the country". As I pondered the usage, a middle aged black man stopped by to ask if he could have some of the wood. I told him he could have the whole tree if he would take it off. He trimmed it down to the trunk, leaving the 4 foot diameter trunk. Cut it into 2 1/2 foot rounds. Then he and his grand daughter came to split it. No hydraulics. No massive 25 pound splitting mauls. They sat down beside the huge rounds and unlimbered a few 5 or six pounds mauls and a few wedges. He would judge the round, place a wedge or two in the proper place, and with a few taps, the log would split. Repeat. Split. Repeat, split. I complemented him on the technique and he replied that he had learned it from his granddad. A few taps in the right place and it split where it ought to. No big effort required. A proper lesson for us all.

 

[Cascade Precision]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

Uh, mind sharing that technique I know you stoled from him?? Could be useful to us out in the sticks...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: former naval person</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I used to think that brute force was the answer for splitting logs. Now, I'm not sure. About 10 years ago, back on the farm, a tornado dropped a huge red oak in my side yard out "in the country". As I pondered the usage, a middle aged black man stopped by to ask if he could have some of the wood. I told him he could have the whole tree if he would take it off. He trimmed it down to the trunk, leaving the 4 foot diameter trunk. Cut it into 2 1/2 foot rounds. Then he and his grand daughter came to split it. No hydraulics. No massive 25 pound splitting mauls. They sat down beside the huge rounds and unlimbered a few 5 or six pounds mauls and a few wedges. He would judge the round, place a wedge or two in the proper place, and with a few taps, the log would split. Repeat. Split. Repeat, split. I complemented him on the technique and he replied that he had learned it from his granddad. A few taps in the right place and it split where it ought to. No big effort required. A proper lesson for us all. </div></div>

 

[Mutt]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

Everyone laughs and points at the hillbilly rednecks...


...until they need their truck patched up right quick or see him blowing sh!t to high hell for useful purposes.

All the zombie kids are going to TresMon's farm when the SHTF!

ps, call me when they get there, I hear they have some nice gear.

 

[TresMon]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: marukka</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What happens to that log splitter when it goes off? Does it stay in place or fly in to the air? </div></div>

The furthest I have found the splitter is 3 feet from the pre blast location. Often it just goes straight to the ground. The splitter prolly weights 4-5 pounds. 150 grain of Powder is not a lot in regards to an equal & opposite effect on a 4 pound hunk of steel.
But then I have never not put a backer log up against the butt of the splitter.

 

[bohem]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

My dad calls this his "Elephant powered splitter".

Coming from the fact that the first time we did this we used an ancient pound of FFg "Elephant Brand" BP.

Cool, Tres, very cool. I didn't think we were the only people screwin around with stuff like this, just didn't figure I'd find it on the Hide ever.

 

[Captain Moroni]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

I used flash powder on a stump in my back yard and while it did work I was left with toothpicks and not fire wood. I guess you need kindling too.

 

[TresMon]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Moroni</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I used flash powder on a stump in my back yard and while it did work I was left with toothpicks and not fire wood. I guess you need kindling too. </div></div>

LOL!

So black powder for far wood, Flash powder for tender. Cool. Got it down in my notes.

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ogreshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Uh, mind sharing that technique I know you stoled from him?? Could be useful to us out in the sticks...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: former naval person</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I used to think that brute force was the answer for splitting logs. Now, I'm not sure. About 10 years ago, back on the farm, a tornado dropped a huge red oak in my side yard out "in the country". As I pondered the usage, a middle aged black man stopped by to ask if he could have some of the wood. I told him he could have the whole tree if he would take it off. He trimmed it down to the trunk, leaving the 4 foot diameter trunk. Cut it into 2 1/2 foot rounds. Then he and his grand daughter came to split it. No hydraulics. No massive 25 pound splitting mauls. They sat down beside the huge rounds and unlimbered a few 5 or six pounds mauls and a few wedges. He would judge the round, place a wedge or two in the proper place, and with a few taps, the log would split. Repeat. Split. Repeat, split. I complemented him on the technique and he replied that he had learned it from his granddad. A few taps in the right place and it split where it ought to. No big effort required. A proper lesson for us all. </div></div> </div></div>



Make sure it's dead 2 seasons before attempting?

Seriously though, I use a splitting mall on 2 and 3 ' diameter Fir trees - it takes me 4 or 5 whacks but it does work.

Dead center, offset it back about 1" and tap in it, 2 or 3 really good whacks generally does it.
I think the wood being cured/dried for a season or two works better this way though...when it's wet it just sucks it up inside it.

If you've ever tried to split a Madrona log WET you know what i"m talking about..

 

[Kinsman]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

I find it easier, but I'm sure not as much fun, using a 27 ton hydraulic log splitter.
I will try the black powder. Do you think if I drill a 1" hole, load in about 100 gr of 4f, fuse it and pack in a wadding it will do the trick?

 

[Ring]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

oddly enough.. this is me cutting down a tree with some home brew tannerite

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rti0ddLx8B0

<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rti0ddLx8B0"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rti0ddLx8B0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>

 

[NativeCraft]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ring</div><div class="ubbcode-body">oddly enough.. this is me cutting down a tree with some home brew tannerite

</div></div>
Home brew tannerite? Do tell....

 

[rpk762]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

That tree had it comming.

 

[GardDog]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Moroni</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I used flash powder on a stump in my back yard and while it did work I was left with toothpicks and not fire wood. I guess you need kindling too. </div></div>

I was in Cabelas the other day with a buddy of mine who was fresh home from Afghanistan. We were looking around the reloading section, when two 20-something looking mouth breathers walked over and asked my buddy if he reloaded. He replied that he did. The kid asked him which one of the powders on display had the most "velocity". I asked him which round he was looking to reload, to which he chuckled and replied, "None, we're looking to blow something up. A stump.... that we really need gone." He then proceeded to tell us that he had poured a whole bottle of 4831 on the stump, but it just "smoked a bit" when they lit it. I was concerned and doubting how to end the converstaion, when my buddy stepped in. He told them that we must be getting old, because what they were looking to get into sounded more dangerous than fun... I guess they either didn't have access to the internet or the google-fu to find out out how to get it done.

 

[TresMon]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

Wow. Yeah had they only known Unique powder goes at the same velocity yield old school TNT does they could have really maimed themselves.

Kinsman;
Yeah drill the hole deep tamp in your powder and fuze. Pack lots of dirt or sawdust in the remaining hole on top of the charge. Cap it off with another chunk of big wood or real heavy rock. This keeps the pressure in the core to blow the wood. Otherwise you lose a lot to roman candle effect.

 

[Prairie Wolf]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

It's funny I never thought of trying this, despite having seen the Youtubes of it.

I've got some fir rounds that were given to me. I whack em for all I'm worth with an 8 pound maul. It literally bounces off. I have split a couple with a wedge, but I was considering piling them up and burning them.

They are very handy for getting the fire going from a cold start, though, because the pitch ignites easily. That may be a reason not to try to blow things.

 

[TresMon]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.


for sure firs & hemlocks as well as cedar is great for starting fires, especially in wet weather. Don't waste it!

 

[Handloader]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SUuUzAieig

Around 2:38 it splits the log.....old school!

 

[Rover31]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

Awesome! (this just proves what a redneck I am! )

 

[noz455sd]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

Give us the recipe!

 

[Clark]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

In 2000 I was on a volunteer work detail for missionaries two miles North of downtown Sendai Japan. We were speaking English, but guys from places like Norway had never been to the US. We were running a log splitter. I didn't know anyone.

What do you talk to THOSE guys about?

Red Green and duck tape.

 

[Bub]

Re: How to reload your LOG SPLITTER.

And to think all these years I used a splitin mall and wedges. Lol