DIY electric wood splitter drawing. How to assemble a wood splitter yourself? Cone or screw splitter

Preparing firewood for the winter is a labor-intensive and troublesome task. In addition to sawing, the firewood must be split and stored in a dryer or shed. The most difficult part of the work is the splitting. To make your life easier and save time, it makes sense to automate the process as much as possible.

How to make a wood splitter with your own hands, with photos and examples, their various varieties - mechanical, including spring and inertial, as well as conical electric - is the topic of this article.

Mechanical wood splitters

In cases where firewood procurement is not massive and regular, the task is quite feasible with the help of mechanical wood splitters. They are distinguished by their simplicity and low cost of construction; they are made, in fact, from scrap metal.

The simplest mechanical wood splitter

The unit is very similar, both in appearance and in principle of operation, to a well crane. The difference is that instead of a bucket there is a cleaver with handles attached. The racks and crossbar are connected using hinges, the disadvantage is that the connection will have to be lubricated often.

The principle of operation of the wood splitter is simple - the log is placed on a stand, the lever is jerked down, the splitter, under the influence of force and gravity, picks up speed and splits the log. The process is repeated, obtaining ever thinner logs.

The device is assembled from scrap materials - pipes and angles, and an old ax without an ax will serve as a cleaver. It is better to provide for the possibility of disassembling the wood splitter to make it more convenient to transport it from place to place.

The design has some disadvantages. Firstly, to stop the cleaver after it has split the log, you have to make an effort. Secondly, the device is quite bulky - a long lever is required to reduce the applied force.

Despite its shortcomings, this device greatly simplifies the process of chopping wood. In order for it to work as it should, you need to weigh down the stake with a blank welded to it, or a pipe filled with concrete.

Spring log splitter

If you modify the mechanical wood splitter described above, you can make a smaller device that requires less physical effort when working with it. For this purpose, a spring is attached to the frame, one of which rests against the crossbar, which also serves as a fastening for the cleaver.

The principle of operation is similar to the previous device, except that the load is absorbed by a spring after the log is split. The main task is to select the stop and spring so that the greatest result is obtained with the least effort. For ease of force adjustment, the emphasis is made movable.

But if it is planned that the same person will work as a wood splitter all the time, a stationary stop is made, its height, as well as the stiffness of the spring, is selected experimentally. The connection between the frame and the lever is made movable, on good quality bearings.

The height of such a wood splitter should be at least 80 cm. However, at this height it must be installed on a platform or operated in a bent position.

It is more reasonable to calculate the height of the wood splitter according to your build; to do this, calculate the height of the bed as follows - a convenient height for the location of the log plus the highest possible height of the logs being split. In this case, bending over will only be necessary to install the logs on the stand.

Inertia wood splitter

To make it, in addition to the cleaver, you will need a meter-long round pin, a piece of pipe of a slightly larger diameter, and a massive platform to which the lower part of the pin is welded. The cleaver is welded to a piece of pipe and placed on a pin.

The principle of operation is to manually lift the cleaver, place a log on the platform, then forcefully lower the cleaver. If the log is very strong, the cleaver is hit from above with a hammer.

Electric cone splitter

The principle of operation of the mechanism is that a steel cone with a thread of 3 depth and a pitch of 7 mm (most likely, you will have to order from a turner) is placed on the electric motor gearbox. Rotating, the cone works like a drill and tears apart the logs. Thicker logs begin to be torn at the edges, and then torn in the middle.

An electric motor is needed with a speed of 250-600 rpm and a power of at least 2 kW. At low speeds, less than 200, the performance will be too low, and above 500 it becomes dangerous to work.

If an engine with the required parameters is found, the cone is placed on it without a gearbox. If not, they calculate how much the speed needs to be reduced and apply a cone attachment through the gearbox.

The main problem when assembling the structure is to find a suitable cone; with an electric motor and gearbox the situation is somewhat simpler. It makes sense to make such a device when it is necessary to prepare large volumes of firewood.

Photos of do-it-yourself wood splitters

Procuring fuel for heating a house in winter is an important and responsible undertaking. It takes a lot of effort to manually chop wood. To speed up and facilitate the process, owners often mechanize operations as much as possible. In particular, you can make a wood splitter for home use with your own hands. Purchasing such a device will require significant financial costs, but a homemade wood splitter will cost less and will be optimized for specific conditions of use.

High-quality combustion of logs in a solid fuel stove depends not only on the type of wood, but also on the physical parameters of the logs, which include:

• workpiece length;
• log diameter;
• form.

Excessively thick pieces will take a long time to burn and may not even burn out completely. Firewood that is too small and thin will quickly burn out without giving off enough heat to the room. In such a situation, a self-assembled wood splitter, drawings, photos, instructions for which are prepared in advance, will help out.

Equipment classification

Before you make a hydraulic wood splitter with your own hands or assemble a mechanical wood splitter with your own hands in a garage, you should decide on the type of final device. Each design has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, such a device for splitting firewood will be more financially profitable than one purchased at a hardware store.

Based on the type of workpiece installation, the equipment is divided into two groups:

• Horizontal type. The log is laid horizontally on the frame and moves along its axis towards the working tool. A ready-made homemade device can be designed with a reverse action, when the cutting part itself is inserted into a stationary, fixed log.
• Vertical type. The cutting part enters the workpiece vertically. This positioning requires fixation of the log. In some cases, this is done by hand or with special devices.

• Combined type. It is quite rare in homemade circuits. In demand in industrial conditions at woodworking enterprises.
• When choosing a way to make a wood splitter with your own hands, you need to select the type of drive for the equipment:
• Due to the operation of gasoline or diesel vehicles. Such options are the most common of all autonomous homemade products. They are highly efficient and, thanks to their mobility, can be used as close as possible to the source of raw materials.
• A mechanical wood splitter is a fairly reliable piece of equipment and is used when performing a relatively small amount of work. A homemade mechanical unit requires a small amount of materials, which is its advantage over other types of structures.

• A manual do-it-yourself electric wood splitter is stationary. However, with such a design, the user will receive a less productive device.

The key element in the design of any unit, including a self-made hydraulic wood splitter, is the shape of the splitting ax - the working part of the machine. The cleaver comes in the following forms:

• Wedge shape. The wedge cuts at high speed between the wood fibers and splits the workpiece into two parts.

• Cross shape. The machine requires a lot of force to enter between the fibers and divide the workpiece into four or more parts.
• Screw (cone) shape. The working part with a cut screw profile on a cone is screwed between the fibers and thus splits the workpiece.

Types of devices

Before you get started, it is advisable to decide on the type of equipment, which is classified according to several criteria:

• the presence of an engine - these can be spring cleavers independent of electricity, hydraulics, a gasoline or electric unit;
• the design itself - vertical, horizontal, mixed type, rack or conical;
• method of splitting firewood - using a screw pair, according to the principle of a screw, using pneumatics or hydraulics.

The simplest wood splitter consists of a stationary table, console and stand.

To operate the cone unit, you will need an engine with the appropriate equipment, a drive shaft and a working element connected to the mechanism by a chain or transmission belt.

For normal operation of a rack and pinion log splitter, you need an engine, a drive shaft, a chain or belt drive, a gear and racks. In terms of self-assembly, this is a complex structure, the operating principle of which boils down to converting a rotating shaft into sequential movement of the working part.

If we are talking about a small volume of wood fuel, then a simple design - a mechanical or hydraulic wood splitter - can handle it. In addition to the fact that the assembly itself does not require exceptional knowledge, they are easily disassembled and work without an engine or complex equipment. This volume is enough for a fireplace, a bathhouse that is used occasionally, and friendly gatherings around the fire. If it is tedious to prepare firewood for heating a house in winter or for the normal operation of a greenhouse using stove heating, mechanics will not be enough. For these purposes, as a rule, gasoline or electric wood splitters are purchased.

Mechanical spring device

The least expensive to manufacture is the mechanical circuit. The force in it is generated by a spring. The frame made of metal square profiles is based at this time on a horizontal plane. The end of the workpiece rests on the cleaver located below.

The device consists of several elements:

• console;
• support table;
• rack.

VIDEO: A very simple but effective mechanical cleaver

Screw splitters

Recently, units with a conical screw working part have become very popular. This is due to the relative simplicity of their manufacture and convenient maintenance. Such a design requires the preliminary drawing up of a detailed diagram, drawing or measured sketch.

The components of a manual wood splitter of this type are:

• frame welded from construction metal profile and sheet iron;
• power plant in the form of an electric or liquid fuel motor;
• chain drive with sprockets and chain or belt drive with pulleys and belt;
• a shaft with a screw cone mounted in rolling bearings;
• workpiece stop.

The cone is made of steel grades St45 or 40X. It is advisable to harden the finished product to give it the necessary hardness.

During the manufacturing and assembly process, you must follow some safety rules:

• According to safety rules, it is strictly forbidden to use the nozzle directly with a motor without a reduction gear, which is usually a chain drive or an installed gearbox with gears;
• installation of the electrical unit must be carried out in accordance with basic safety standards;
• a belt or chain drive requires a protective cover to prevent the drive from catching sleeve cuffs, etc.;
• the optimal rotation speed of the working part is about 250 rpm;
• It is preferable to secure the shaft supports not by welding, but by screws.

To increase the mobility of the invention, it is worth installing the entire structure on wheels. In this case, it is necessary to take care of the presence of the braking system. It is worth considering that with a significant decrease in rotation speed, equipment performance decreases, and an increase affects safety.

How to make a hydraulic wood splitter

Inside a hydraulic cylinder, working fluids are capable of creating significantly greater forces than is possible for screw pairs. In this regard, this equipment is often used as a pusher of the workpiece to the cleaver.

To make a homemade hydraulic wood splitter at home at minimal cost, you can use a hydraulic jack for these purposes.

The operating principle of such a device is to slide a wooden piece onto a permanently installed blade. To do this, the hydraulic pusher moves along the guides from the channels to the knife.

The advantage of this design over the electrical circuit is that in the second case, the electric drive will push the stump even with high resistance, which can lead to combustion of the motor. The hydraulics build up force gradually and, when significant resistance is reached, can remain in place without breaking the structure or causing other damage to the machine.

Most hydraulic devices operate horizontally, however, the concept of both types is the same. The force developed is about 3-5 tons and depends on the cylinder used. For domestic conditions this power is quite enough. This type is considered to be more efficient than the screw design.

VIDEO: How to make a cleaver with your own hands

Anyone can create a wood splitter with their own hands, the drawings, photos and instructions for which were developed by experienced craftsmen. To do this, you can use a large number of available tools, which will not in any way impair the effectiveness of the created equipment. It will greatly facilitate housekeeping and automate the difficult process of collecting firewood.

Classification of wood splitters and their features

A homemade wood splitter is an excellent solution compared to expensive equipment of this type. It usually works on the following principle: a motor moves the wood onto special knives, which split it into several pieces. When choosing the design of a homemade device, you should pay attention to the following features:

• log laying method– vertical or horizontal. The first option is more powerful, the second helps to cut curved logs;
• performance. Such devices can be for household or industrial purposes;
• drive power. At home, it is best to make a unit with a power of up to 2.5 kW.

Equipment classification

Wood splitters, taking into account the type of drive, are divided into the following types:

• on petrol or diesel, which provides a high degree of efficiency and autonomy;
• mechanical type. Such units will be useful when working with small volumes of materials;
• on an electric drive. Such models are usually stationary, but are characterized by high productivity.

Types of wood splitters

When making a wood splitter with your own hands, you should understand that it can have a different design. This affects the appearance of the following types of equipment.

Rack and pinion (electric) type

This type of equipment is quite easy to make. It is distinguished by the presence of a special pusher, which feeds the logs to the cutting mechanism. To make such a unit on your own, you can use parts from a rack jack. Difficulties rarely arise during the operation of this equipment (due to the absence of complex mechanisms).

Hydraulic type

This device operates on the principle of a hydraulic press. In this case, a hydraulic cylinder moves the log onto a sharp wedge, which splits it into several parts. The operation of such wood splitters is possible due to the presence of an oil pump in their design. It is usually powered by a diesel or gasoline engine.

The main disadvantage of such equipment is its high cost. But it is compensated by high performance and ease of operation.

Manual type

The manual wood splitter has a simple design. It consists of a metal pipe, which is connected to the base using a hinge. On a kind of “crane” there is a working blade and several reinforcing elements. To make the process of lifting the pipe easier, sometimes additional counterweights are installed on it.

To split wood, the “crane” is sharply lowered down. Under the influence of inertial force, the tree breaks into several parts.

The advantage of such a wood splitter is its simplicity of design and low cost. To manufacture the unit, it is enough to buy several pipes. The main disadvantage is the need to use physical force.

How to make a wood splitter yourself?

To make a wood splitter yourself, you need to prepare all the materials and find the drawings. After this, you can proceed to the manufacture of the main structural parts and assembly of the unit.

Materials and tools

To make a functioning wood splitter, you need to prepare the following materials:

Elements that make up a wood splitter

• cone. If you have the appropriate skills, you can make it yourself or purchase a finished part;
• pulleys;
• stars;
• drive belt. You can use a chain from a car or motorcycle;
• bearings equipped with housings;
• metal corner or pipes;
• steel sheet 4 mm thick to form the working surface;
• metal scraps;
• Electrical engine;
• wiring;
• bolts and nuts;
• magnetic switch.

Assembly rules

After preparing all the necessary materials and tools, you can proceed to assembling the wood splitter with your own hands:

1. Using a grinder, angles and pipes are cut into pieces of the required length to make the frame.
2. A table cover and a shelf are cut out of a metal sheet.
3. Using a welding machine, the elements of the wood splitter frame are connected.
4. To make the unit mobile, it is recommended to attach wheels to it.
5. A tabletop and shelf are installed on the finished frame.
6. Install the electric motor support frame and the power unit itself.
7. The cone shaft is assembled: the bearings are mounted in housings, the shaft and pulleys are installed.
8. After assembling the unit, it is secured to the frame using bolts and nuts. It should rotate freely.
9. Install the belts. To make the equipment work efficiently, be sure to check the straightness of their movement.
10. The screw cone is installed on the shaft using a key connection.
11. Mount the divider.
12. Install an RCD, a magnetic starter, and electrical wiring.
13. If you managed to do everything correctly, the wood splitter will start working.

How to make a hydraulic wood splitter?

If you need to make a hydraulic wood splitter with your own hands, you must, in addition to the main list of materials, prepare an oil tank and pump, metal beams, high-pressure hoses, and a hydraulic cylinder. The manufacturing technology of the unit is as follows:

1. A frame is formed from rolled materials.
2. A hydraulic cylinder is installed above the beam at a height of 5 cm.
3. A pusher made of sheet material is mounted at the end of the rod.
4. It is necessary to make a housing for the knife to ensure its movement along the bed.
5. Several holes are made in the body and the knife is secured using bolts and nuts.
6. All elements of the hydraulic system are connected into one circuit - pump, tank, hydraulic cylinder, control unit.

Basic safety regulations when operating a wood splitter

Safety precautions when working with a wood splitter

If you managed to make a wood splitter with your own hands, you need to take an equally responsible approach to its operation. Due to the high torque on the cone shaft, this device may be unsafe. It is recommended to plant the chocks with bare hands. This is the main danger. The worker uses gloves, so there is a possibility that they will get caught by the screw. This can cause serious injury to the upper extremities.

Particular care should be taken when splitting logs with a large number of knots, chocks from the butt part of the round timber. Even if you do everything correctly, there is a possibility of emergency situations occurring. The shaft may jam, splinters may be thrown in different directions, or the log may spin.

The increased speed of rotation of the cone also poses a potential danger. In this case, it is very difficult to control the workflow. Therefore, it is recommended to ensure that the shaft rotation speed is within acceptable limits.

Video: How to make a wood splitter with your own hands

For some, chopping wood is an old Russian pastime. And in many regions of vast Russia, this is a way to survive and not freeze in winter. And in more civilized regions, there are stoves and fireplaces at the dacha. By buying ready-made firewood, you save time, but not money.

That’s why sawn logs lie in many woodsheds under the shed, waiting for the owner with an axe.

To make this troublesome task easier, Russian “left-handers” began to make a wood splitter with their own hands. Such devices are also sold in stores, but 90% of residents of rural areas with stove heating use homemade devices.

Types of devices for splitting logs

Homemade hydraulic wood splitter

The principle of operation is that a pusher, driven by a hydraulic drive, feeds the log to the wedge system. A compressor is required to operate. It can be electric or internal combustion. The design is efficient and quite reliable, since there are few mechanical parts. Only the hydraulics themselves need maintenance.

Industrial hydraulic wood splitter

Making it yourself is quite problematic, unless you manage to get a hydraulic drive from decommissioned agricultural machinery.

The video shows an example of how a homemade wood splitter works. As you can see from the video, there is nothing super complicated in its design. The main hydraulic cylinder from the auger of a combine harvester has a rod stroke of 50 cm.

The pusher is driven by a rack-and-pinion pair; the mechanism is clear from the illustration. The drive can be electric or gasoline. The torque from the electric motor shaft is multiplied many times over using a gearbox.

Using a lever, the rack is pressed against the rotating traction gear, pushing the pusher onto the log. The spring then returns the mechanism to its original position. This type of wood splitter is not as powerful as a hydraulic one.

However, it is quite suitable for home use. The cost of the device is quite affordable. Disadvantage - the working gear wears out quickly and the pair requires replacement.
You can make such a device yourself.

This video shows a homemade rack and pinion wood splitter with a belt drive. Nothing fancy, a simple and effective design with productivity that is higher than that of a hydraulic wood splitter.

Screw (cone) wood splitter

Homemade screw wood splitter

The most popular design of this device. Available in different sizes and price categories. The operating principle is simple - the log is fed onto a rotating cone made in the form of an Archimedean gimlet.

Many people want to make a mechanical wood splitter with their own hands. However, not everyone knows where to start. It is interesting to read about the design of a particular device. They look quite attractive in the photographs.

The retail chain offers those interested a whole arsenal of machines for splitting logs. Quite interesting videos have been made for some of them; the features of their work have been demonstrated over the years. On the stands near the proposed models there are results of chopping firewood into individual logs.

Why do we need firewood - improving fuel quality

There are quite a lot of energy sources in the modern world:

1. Natural gas is available over large areas. It is enough to open the burner and light it, and a bluish light appears, which releases a significant heat flux.
2. The liquid fuel supplied through the injectors burns with a bright red or yellowish flame. Even heat engines use different types of liquid energy carriers.
3. Coal and its processed products have a long combustion cycle. The reddish flame gives off heat for a long time not only by convection, but a powerful flow of thermal radiation reaches all surrounding objects.
4. Firewood was the first available source of heat. They remain relevant today.

Many homes use stove heating. Baths and saunas, when advertising their services, indicate that they use wood of certain tree species as a heat source. Outdoor cooking traditionally involves the use of wood in the technology of cooking food.

Theoretical foundations of heat engineering - solid fuel combustion

To make it easier to set fire to wood, it needs to be split into relatively small fragments. After splitting the logs into separate logs, the surface of contact of the combustible material with the air is increased. As a result, instantaneous heat transfer inside the firebox increases in proportion to the combustion area. Therefore, the procedure of chopping wood is a technique that allows you to increase the efficiency of fuel use.

Attention! Firewood chopped into logs is placed in woodpiles. They dry out in them. The moisture inside the wood evaporates rapidly. The apparent heat of combustion increases, since there is no need to waste energy on evaporating the liquid located in the intercellular space.

In thermal engineering, the following concepts have been introduced to characterize fuel:

• The highest calorific value, implying the total heat released during the combustion of a specific type of combustible substance.
• The lower calorific value is the actual amount of heat, which takes into account the energy costs for heating the fuel and the removal of ingredients from it during the combustion process that are not involved in the process itself.

Therefore, drying firewood is a technique that improves the performance of a fuel cell. Preliminary grinding increases the efficiency of drying firewood, and subsequently combustion in a stove or other device for burning solid fuel.

Wood splitting process

There are different ways to chop wood. Traditionally, it is customary to strike with an ax, trying to split a sawn fragment of a log, striking the end part.

A heavy wedge (the ax is wedge-shaped) is inserted into the body of the log. If you come across wood without knots and a loose structure, then even with relatively little physical effort, the wedge will be inserted inside. Tangential forces will push the fibers apart, causing the body to split into two components.

If the apex angle is made small, then the wedge-shaped body will penetrate deeply inside, but the magnitude of the tangential forces will be small. The destructive force will not be enough. The ax will jam in the resulting gap.

When a less acute angle is formed, the tangential forces will be more significant. They can split wood.

The rheological properties of different types of wood are studied in laboratories. Viscosity depends on many factors. It has been established that for most types of wood it is desirable to have a wedge with an apex angle of 25...30 °. For such a cutting tool, the chopping properties are the best in terms of splitting properties.

With slow penetration of the wedge, the kinetic energy not accumulated as a result of the swing and subsequent impact becomes decisive. The process occurs by introduction into a plastic body, where, when certain values ​​are reached, the bonds between the fibers are broken.

Research has shown that for wood splitters the apex angle should be 30...38 °. Then the penetration of the wedge will be accompanied by the breaking of bonds with less effort. Only some species will resist: elm, maple, apple, cherry.

For pine, oak, ash and a number of other species, a small penetration into the body is sufficient. Breaking ties is quite easy.

The length of the block also influences the magnitude of the forces. The shorter it is, the less resistance the tree has when splitting. Usually the length is determined by the depth of the firebox - the firewood must be placed inside the stove so that the door can be closed.

Mechanical assistants for splitting wood

A number of metalworking enterprises produce wood splitters. Based on their operating principle, they are divided into several types:

1. Cleavers are installations for chopping action. The logs are placed on special supports, and then blows are applied with a weighted chisel.
2. The chopping wedge is placed motionless, and the objects to be split are supported on them. The blows are applied with heavy sledgehammers, the splitting is carried out when passing through a passive working element.
3. Pressers are installations with a mechanical pusher drive. The log is laid on a bed, and then it is pushed through a flat or cross-shaped knife.
4. Screw destroyers are embedded inside the layered material. Penetrating deeper, they split even strong and twisted wood.

Cutting wood with wedge devices

Wedges are the simplest devices for cutting wood. In them, the level of labor mechanization is minimal. The main task of the device is the oriented fixation of the block relative to the cutting edges. The blows are delivered by the user himself, swinging a heavy hammer or sledgehammer.

In cleavers, the movement of the wedge ax is performed along a constant trajectory. The processing object is placed on a stationary platform. To maximize the impact force, the mass of the actuator is increased.

To soften the operation of the device, it is equipped with powerful springs. They soften the impact at the end point, preventing the wedge from touching the supports (preventing the wedge from dulling). Along the way, the springs help the user lift the heavy knife to strike again.

In a stable position, the entire system is in a balanced state. The moment created by the weight of the load G located on the arm L₁ is balanced by the force of the spring F on the arm L₂.

G·L₁ = F·L₂

It is most convenient to use springs from a car. For standard cars, the initial compression value is F = 8 kN (800 kg). Shoulder L₁ = 2.0 m. Taking arm L₂ = 0.3 m, the weight of the load G = 300 kN (30 kg) is obtained. The spring mechanism works quite softly, although the action of the wood splitter is based on striking the logs being cut.

The person lifts the load from the waist level by 0.5...0.6 m. Then the wedge is released. He falls and breaks the log. If complete destruction has not occurred, then you have to lift the cleaver and the block. With subsequent impacts, the weight of the entire system acts, and the impact is stronger. Even knotty scraps break when struck repeatedly.

Mechanisms for feeding logs for splitting

Wood splitters, which implement the principle of pressing through fixed knives, mechanize the main technological process: splitting logs into separate fragments. Based on the type of pusher drive, it is customary to determine:

• Hydraulic, in which the pushers are connected to the rods of hydraulic cylinders. The pump creates pressure in the oil, which is transmitted inside the mechanism. These are the simplest designs, since hydraulic drive devices do not have additional energy converters.

• Inertial ones use rotating masses. The energy accumulated by the flywheels is converted into forward movement of the pusher. The devices use special clutches that are engaged by the operator after installing a piece of log on the bed.

• Rack and pinion mechanisms use a converter from rotational to translational motion using a gear and a rack with teeth. At the right moment, the gear rotates until it engages the teeth of the actuator. The pusher moves the block onto the stationary knives. It splits into smaller elements.

• The crank mechanism receives torque from the gearbox. It is converted into translational movement of the pusher. Switching on (off) is regulated by a constantly open clutch. At the right moment, the operator engages the clutch, the crank begins to rotate, causing the connecting rod to move forward. The cycle ends with the return of the crank and connecting rod to their original position.

• Split nut and lead screw. The engine turns on, the rotation of the shaft is transmitted to the lead screw. At the right moment, the split nut is connected, the rotating shaft moves it, acting on the pusher. To return, the direction of rotation of the shaft is changed (a reverse rotation gear is used).

Such devices do not have high performance, but they take up relatively little space. They are installed in woodsheds (rooms for storing firewood). There they also split the bars into small logs and wood chips.

The machine includes:

1. An electric motor transmits torque from it to the actuator.
2. Drive and driven pulleys with a V-belt, a reduction V-belt transmission helps to increase torque and also reduce the rotation speed on the main part of the device.
3. The cone is the main working body. A persistent conical thread is cut on the conical surface. When rotating inside the body being destroyed, the conical screw part cuts deeper, pulling the log towards the support.
4. A wedge is an auxiliary device that helps destroy a drawn part.

The mechanism is simple, it is controlled by one person. During the work, you have to feed the block of wood onto the cone. Its design is more complex. The thrust thread is cut with a pitch of 7 mm.

Making your own wood splitter

Many residents of rural areas, as well as summer residents, have questions: “How to make a mechanical wood splitter with your own hands? How difficult is it to make a wood chopping machine?”

Even more questions arise during the manufacturing process. You can start with the simplest device. Having mastered the techniques of working with it, you can move on to making more complex wood splitters and more.

Step-by-step guide to making a spring log splitter

To complete the work you will need the following tools:

• Angle grinder (grinder) with a set of cutting discs and cleaning flap wheels.
• Welding machines and modern inverter-type household devices for welding steel structures are relatively small in weight. The process is carried out using direct current, so the welds are neat, and the molten metal of the electrode completely fills the joints between the parts.
• Clamps will help connect the parts to be welded.
• Measuring and marking tools will help produce blanks for future designs.

Materials needed:

1. Channel No. 10...16 (the number determines the height expressed in centimeters).
2. Profile pipe 40·60 mm (30·60 mm).
3. Rail 300…400 mm long.
4. I-beam No. 12...16.
5. Corner No. 30...50.
6. Bushing from the car suspension (it may have wear).
7. Pipes with a diameter of 40...70 mm.
8. A suspension spring for a passenger car, for example, from a VAZ.

Before starting work, a preliminary design is drawn. Some craftsmen have mastered engineering design programs, with the help of which they can work out the details of a future product. Manufacturing details are shown below.

An approximate diagram will help you navigate the process of manufacturing the installation.

The support is made from the channel. A stand is welded to it. It is best to use an I-beam for the rack. This type of rolled product has high rigidity. Under prolonged loads, it is quite difficult to bend such an element.

To ensure stability of the base, jibs are welded to it. Additionally, stops are created from the existing pipes; they will prevent a possible fall of the entire product.

A support for the spring is cut from the channel. A square hole is sawn through it. This will allow you to securely fix the element on the rack in the future.

The installation height of the support is determined by the length of the existing spring. At the same time, they focus on the height of the entire wood splitter, as well as its ease of use for humans. It is convenient to lift a load located at waist height. You will have to lift it slightly above chest level.

All these considerations will allow you to choose the height of installation of the spring support on the strut.

The corners are used to make jibs. They will hold the support. Then, when the wood splitter is dynamically loaded, there will be no displacement of the supporting surface.

To fix the lower end of the spring, you need to make a cylindrical clamp. A small piece of pipe is used to make it. It is advisable to select a pipe according to the inner diameter of the spring. Then it will not move during operation.

There is a slot in the top of the rack. A bushing is installed in it. Then it is boiled. When installing, you must maintain perpendicularity to the rack. The hub axis must be parallel to the ground. For welding, a conductor is used that will allow the specified conditions to be met.

The shaft is installed in the sleeve. A rocker arm is welded to it (a channel is used). A small piece of pipe is mounted on the lower part of the rocker. The upper part of the spring will be fixed in it.

In order for the rocker to move freely, a window is cut in it; its dimensions depend on the parameters of the rack.

A profile pipe is welded to the rocker arm. A chisel is installed at its end. These tools are made from carbon steel U9...U10. The hardness of this metal is HRC 60...63. This tool will last a long time. During operation, it is easy to sharpen it using an angle grinder and a grinding wheel.

The wood splitter becomes operational. A load (part of the rail) is welded above the chisel. For ease of use, the handle is welded. To reduce damage to your hands, wear rubber elements. They will dampen vibration upon impact.

To work, you will need to install a large piece of log. Logs will be placed on it, which will have to be cut.

The log is held with one hand. They raise the cleaver and then strike.

The cleaver goes down. The fragment located below splits. The chisel goes lower. If a complete split occurs, the point hits the wood support and does not become dull.

Organization of the production process

After making the wood splitter, you will have to start chopping firewood. In order for the job to be done easily, it is necessary to properly organize the production process.

The sawn fragments should be placed on one side. To get less tired, the distance should be only two or three steps.

It is advisable to place the chopped logs on a cart. The volume of the cart is small; no more than 30...40 kg of firewood will fit into it.

After filling, they need to be transported and placed on a woodpile. While the chopped firewood is being transported to the storage location, you can take a break from your main work. Changing activities is also a vacation.

Video: do-it-yourself mechanical wood splitter or how to assemble a wood splitter.

Conclusion

1. You can make the preparation of firewood easier by using wood splitters. The simplest types of these devices can be made by hand.
2. By following step-by-step steps when making your own spring device, it is easy to independently make a convenient impact wood splitter.