What to make a knife for a wood splitter from. Do-it-yourself mechanical cleaver (spring wood splitter). How to assemble the motor and oil tank

What to make a knife for a wood splitter from.  Do-it-yourself mechanical cleaver (spring wood splitter).  How to assemble the motor and oil tank
What to make a knife for a wood splitter from. Do-it-yourself mechanical cleaver (spring wood splitter). How to assemble the motor and oil tank

In all areas of economic activity where, for one reason or another, work such as chopping wood becomes relevant, wood splitters are used.

Modern, high-tech mechanisms not only easily cope with the tasks assigned to them functional responsibilities, but are also distinguished by their simplicity of structural structure, so they can be made by hand if desired.

How to make a wood splitter yourself? What are its types? What technical characteristics should the mechanism have to ensure an uninterrupted and highly productive workflow? We will talk about this and much more in more detail in the article.

What is a firewood cutting machine?

A wood splitter or firewood harvesting machine is a mechanized device designed to trim and split logs and wood into logs.

It is characterized by high technical and quality indicators, functionality and practicality, ease of operation and accessibility Maintenance, has a compact size and, if necessary, can be easily transported from one place to another.

An important feature of the machine is its large working life. The splitting axes are equipped with reliable and wear-resistant parts, so they can withstand any load; they can be used in any climatic conditions, ensure uninterrupted work process over a long period of time and do not require regular expensive maintenance.

There are many types of wood splitters. They can be equipped with petrol, diesel and electric motors, differ in structural structure, divided into professional and household.

Structural structure and operating principle

The design of wood splitters, including homemade ones, is quite simple and largely depends on their type. The installations are equipped with the following main mechanisms:

  • Engine. It can be gasoline or electric. The user independently determines which unit can provide the required performance under given operating conditions.
  • Gearbox. Increases torque, reduces revs and provides consistent air pressure before every hit. It is characterized by reliability, endurance and wear resistance.
  • The bed is the stationary part of the wood splitter, made of durable and mechanically resistant metal. A motor, a gearbox and a working cone for splitting and trimming logs are attached to it.
  • Bearings. They are an indispensable part of the support; they support a movable structure - a working cone mounted on a shaft with a given rigidity.
  • Working cone. It is made of durable and reliable metal, has a threaded attachment - a gimlet.

Every structural element wood splitters can be selected individually, depending on the needs and requests of the user. In this case, the devices meet the requirements as clearly as possible and provide the necessary operating performance.

Depending on their structural structure, wood splitters differ in their operating principle. Most often in practice, a wood chopping machine is used, which is equipped with the following components:

  • Bed;
  • Gearbox;
  • Engine;
  • Working cone.

This cleaver works according to the following principle: it launches a shaft through a gearbox, on which, in turn, the gimlet is located. It rotates, screws into the block and splits it into several parts.

A cylinder is adopted in a hydraulic log splitter, it receives required charge energy from the motor and facilitates its transfer to the hydraulic rod, which drives the stop.

The smooth operation of the mechanism ensures that the blade enters the block without impact, as a result of which it splits into pieces without being compressed.

If the power of the wood splitter is not enough to crush the logs, the cylinder stops working and the pump operates in idle mode, which prevents the device from breakdowns.

Distribution by classification criteria

Wood splitters can be divided into several types; below we will look at the principle of the division.

By scope:

  • Household. The devices have low power and performance and are characterized by average technical indicators. Their advantages are mobility, versatility, compact size and the ability to fully operate in any climatic conditions, availability of repair and maintenance, and low cost.
  • Industrial. Machines with high technical parameters, characterized by a long working life, excellent performance and the possibility of long-term operation without interruptions.

According to the method of laying the log:

  • Horizontal. The logs are placed in a special horizontal trench. Their advantages: versatility, practicality, functionality.
  • Vertical. The log in the devices is installed vertically. Their advantages: compactness, functionality, reliability. Disadvantages: the need to strictly adhere to safety regulations.
  • Mixed. This class of wood splitters includes units industrial purposes, exploited in the flow production of firewood.

According to the motor power source:

  • Electrical. They are equipped with electric motors, are environmentally friendly, easy to repair and easy to operate, have compact dimensions and can be easily transported from one place to another.
  • With a gasoline engine. Unlike electrical analogues, they can be used at sites remote from centralized network. They require minimal maintenance and repair costs, are functional and highly productive.
  • With tractor traction. Their main advantage is a large working resource.
  • With combined motor. They can be equipped with a tractor drive and an electric or gasoline engine and are used exclusively in the industrial sector.

According to the operating principle:

  • Hydraulic. They have excellent technical and performance characteristics, ensure a safe and smooth workflow.
  • With a cone. Wood splitters specified type They are classified as screw mechanisms with great reliability and power. Their features are a simple structural structure, reasonable cost and excellent quality indicators.

By mode of transportation

  • Stationary. They are solid machines or massive industrial models that are difficult to transport.
  • Mobile. Equipped with wheels that facilitate the movement of devices.

Before choosing a specific version of the wood splitter, you need to decide with what intensity it will be used; its technical characteristics largely depend on this. Main technical characteristics of the machines:

Requirements that mechanisms must meet

  • Height from floor to cone is about 80 cm.
  • Minimum engine power from 2 kW.
  • The fit on the gearbox or motor shaft is tight.
  • The material for making the cone is hard steel.
  • Equipped with an oil cooling radiator and a rigid frame structure.
  • Availability of oil heating function in the hydraulic system.

Step-by-step plan for manufacturing a screw machine

A homemade screw-type wood splitter is very easy to make. The component parts will require a threaded cone nozzle, a frame made of durable and mechanically resistant steel, an engine of a certain performance, a reduction gearbox and a shaft.

The motor and gearbox are attached to the frame. The working cone is mounted on the shaft and driven through a reduction gearbox using a motor. Important things to consider:

  • It is prohibited to connect the attachment directly to the motor; this is contrary to safety regulations.
  • Belt and chain drives must be placed in a special protective casing.
  • The electrical part of the log splitter must be performed by a qualified technician.
  • The permissible rotation speed of the nozzle is at least 250 - 300 rpm. If it is less, the cleaver will provide minimal productivity.

Hydraulic cleaver production technology

Making a homemade hydraulic wood splitter is much more difficult than a cone splitter. The most complex component of the device that needs to be produced is the hydraulic part, consisting of a hydraulic cylinder with a pusher, a hydraulic fluid flow control unit and a pump, an oil tank and a motor driving the pump.

All these mechanisms can be purchased in specialized stores at an affordable price.

The basis of a homemade wood splitter is the frame. It is recommended to make it from a particularly durable material that is wear-resistant to mechanical stress.

During the design of the frame for homemade machine To chop wood, it is necessary to provide for its installation on wheels or a ready-made chassis. In the future, this will allow the device to be easily and quickly moved to the work site.

There is no clear diagram of how to make a cleaver with your own hands, since many nuances are permissible in its design, it all depends on the selected initial mechanisms.

Before making a homemade device, it is advisable to evaluate its economic benefits. If you need a little firewood, then it is better to buy it than to spend money on making a splitting ax.

It’s not difficult to make a machine for chopping wood yourself, the main thing is to stock up in advance necessary components mechanisms. A homemade hydraulic cleaver works more efficiently than a cleaver with a cone, but its structural structure is an order of magnitude more complex than the design.

Chopping firewood by hand is a difficult and tedious task, because even heating a small house requires no more than 5 or more cubic meters of firewood for the winter. So it's no surprise that people are looking for various options wood splitters that make this work easier. Next we will talk about:

  • various types of wood splitters;
  • their advantages and disadvantages;
  • techniques for making a wood splitter with your own hands.

What types of wood splitters are there?

All homemade wood splitters can be divided according to the method of influencing the log, the principle of operation of the mechanism and the type of propulsion. According to the method of influencing the log, they can be divided into:

  • down up,
  • top down;
  • horizontal;
  • conical

The main difference between wood splitters is in the way they act on the log. Some press from above on the knives located below, others, on the contrary, press from below, and the knives stand on top. Both methods are the same in terms of effectiveness, so everyone chooses the method of influence that is easier for them to implement. Compared to vertical impact devices, horizontal wood splitters are slightly less efficient, but much easier to manufacture. In fact, this is the same vertical wood splitter, but laid horizontally. Separately, there are cone splitters, which do not chop, but tear the wood with a special screw. If you have a friend who is a turner or you know how to work on a metal lathe, then it will be easier for you to make such a wood splitter, especially since it effectively tears logs of any thickness, the main thing is to put the log on the table.

According to the principle of operation of the mechanism, they can be divided into:

  • rack and pinion;
  • hydraulic;
  • kinetic.

Rack and pinion wood splitters operate on the principle of a rack and pinion gearbox - that is, a combination of a small gear and a rack. Their advantage is a huge working stroke, so even long logs can be split. The disadvantage of such devices is the need for an additional gearbox, because the gear ratio of a small gear and rack is not enough to form required pressure. Hydraulic wood splitters are made on the basis of a jack or hydraulic cylinder, therefore they create enormous pressure and are suitable for chopping logs of any diameter. Devices based on jacks are simpler and lighter, but can only act on the log vertically, from bottom to top. Devices based on a hydraulic cylinder do not have this drawback and can use any scheme for influencing the log, but are much more difficult to manufacture and configure. Kinetic devices are only suitable for top-down applications, and in most cases they work on muscular force. Therefore, their efficiency is low and they are not suitable for splitting thick (60 cm or more) logs.

Based on their energy source, wood splitters are divided into:

  • manual;
  • electrical;
  • gasoline;
  • diesel

TO hand-held devices we can include kinetic and jacking wood splitters, because they are driven by muscular force. All other units differ only in engine type. Electric ones are inexpensive, but they only work where there is an electrical network. Gasoline and diesel devices are noticeably more expensive due to high cost engine, but such wood splitters can be used even where there is no electricity, for example, in the country.

How does a wood splitter work?

Understanding the principles of operation of a wood splitter will help you choose the right type of device. After all, one needs this unit to split thick and long logs, almost logs, while another needs to split small logs. In addition, ease of use and performance are important, as well as the number of operations that need to be performed to split one log.

The general principle of the action of most wood splitters, with the exception of those that tear wood with a screw, is the same. The log is placed between statically fixed knives and the apparatus is turned on. He presses the log against the knives and, thanks to the enormous pressure, splits it into individual firewood. A kinetic wood splitter works differently - in it, the knife is mounted on a lever with a spring that facilitates lifting, and the log is placed on a stationary platform. Thanks to large mass lever at the moment of impact, the inertia turns into kinetic energy and splits the log.

How to choose a wood splitter model

First of all, you need to decide why you need a wood splitter. After all, for splitting a small number of thin logs, the easiest way is to make a kinetic manual unit, but if you need to process 5 or more cubic meters of logs of varying thickness every year, then it is better to choose a different model. After this, you need to decide on the operating principle and available materials. If you have access to inexpensive or free jacks, or hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic pumps, then choose a hydraulic log splitter circuit. If you have access to a variety of rack and pinion gearboxes, as well as pulleys of different sizes and belts, then choose the rack and pinion option. If you don't have anything like that, then the best choice– a cone device, because making a cone and assembling any gearbox is easier than making a rack, a screw gearbox, or looking for a hydraulic cylinder with a hydraulic pump.

After this, decide on the energy source. Remember, if you want to use the unit not only at home, but also take it out to chop wood in other places, then you need to choose a gasoline engine. It costs not much more than an electric motor with a gearbox, runs on any gasoline and weighs little. A low-power diesel engine will cost 3–5 times more than a gasoline engine, will be 2–3 times heavier and is very picky about the quality of fuel. Therefore, it makes sense to install a diesel engine only on complex device With big amount functions, for example a crane for loading large logs.

Wood splitter - diagrams, drawings, photos and instructions

Below we will provide drawings and photographs of several wood splitters that will help you understand their structure, as well as provide instructions for their manufacture. From them you can choose the option that best suits your conditions and capabilities. However, first we will divide the wood splitter into its components:

  • log feeding system;
  • log supply system drive;
  • bed.

A knife is a device that splits wood. In most cases, this is a sharpened steel plate with a thickness of 10 mm or more. What is important for the knife is the reliability of its attachment to the frame and the ability to move from place to place in order to change the working length of the wood splitter and adjust it to the length of the log.

The log feeding system is the mechanisms and devices that move the log along the frame or otherwise place it on the knife. The feed system drive is the mechanisms and devices that connect the engine and the feed system, and also allow you to control the operation of the log feed system.

The bed is the support for the wood splitter, ensuring its stability in any conditions.

Knife

The knife can be of any shape, and its sharpening angle ranges from 40–90 degrees. It can consist of one plate or several, the main condition is the reliability of fastening to the frame, otherwise it will be torn out of place and it will not be possible to split the log. The more knife blades are attached to the frame, the finer it will chop the log, so sometimes a mold is made according to the maximum size of the log, in which the knives are placed so that they chop the log into firewood of the required size.

In this photo you see a knife with three blades - one vertical and two horizontal. The blades are connected by welding, the installation height of the horizontal knives is adjusted with a pin under the frame. This knife can be adjusted to optimal size firewood (lower part), and, if necessary, split the upper firewood again.

This type of knife does not split, but tears the wood. This is due to the cone shape and high torque. This knife easily splits the thickest logs, regardless of the type of wood.

A manual or kinetic wood splitter works like a regular splitting axe, that is, it splits wood due to kinetic energy. Despite the fact that it is easier to work with them than swinging a cleaver, it is still very hard work, and the device itself has difficulty splitting logs over 50 cm thick.

Log feeding system

All feed systems are divided into two types - rack and pinion and hydraulic. Rack and pinion ones create less pressure, but are much easier to manufacture and return to their original position faster. initial position, so you can use them to split more logs in the same amount of time. Hydraulic ones are more complex and more expensive, and also work a little slower (if you increase the motor power and install a more efficient pump, their operating speed will be comparable to rack-and-pinion ones), but they create much greater pressure, so they are better suited for splitting thick logs. Both types of log supply systems operate from any engine; in addition, jacking devices do not require an engine, but their operating speed is many times lower than conventional hydraulic ones.

This is the most expensive type of drive, because you will have to buy or otherwise obtain not only a hydraulic cylinder, but also a hydraulic pump with a control unit. These units can be removed from decommissioned dump trucks, bulldozers or some other equipment. In addition to the cost of purchasing units, you will have to spend money to pay for the services of a good hydraulics specialist who can set up the operation of these mechanisms.

In this wood splitter, the log is lifted by a regular car bottle jack, which is in the trunk of most drivers. Its only advantage is its low cost and simplicity of design, but it is hard and difficult to work with. After all, you will have to pump the jack with your foot and, having split the log, bend over to lower the jack using a special crane. In addition, this type of jack can only be used for splitting logs with an even cut.

Such a jack has all the disadvantages described above, except for the limitation on logs. Thanks to its horizontal position and clamps, it easily splits any logs. However, after splitting the log, you have to bend over and manually, using a special crane, lower the jack rod.

This type of feed mechanism provides enough pressure to split even large logs. In the inactive state, the rack rises slightly above the gear, so the latter rotates idle. When the rack is pressed against the gear, it begins to move forward and pushes the log in front of it. The length of the toothed part of the rack is chosen so that the pushing part of the entire device does not reach the knife slightly. When the toothed part of the rack passes further than the gear, the latter ceases to influence it, because there are no teeth on the smooth part, but due to contact with the last tooth, it does not allow the rack to return to its original position. To return the rack back, they stop pressing on it, so the vertical spring lifts the rack above the gear, and the horizontal spring returns the entire system to its original state.

In this picture you see how the return mechanism of the rack and pinion splitter, which we discussed above, is designed and works. Powerful return springs ensure greater productivity of the wood splitter, because it quickly splits the log and returns to its original state even faster.

Feed system drive

Regardless of the type of motor used, a gearbox is necessary because the motor shaft speed is much higher than necessary and the torque is much less. The simplest and therefore popular type of gearbox is a belt drive. The transmission coefficient depends on the difference in the diameters of the pulleys on the motor and the wood splitter - the greater the difference in diameters, the more the gearbox reduces the rotation speed and increases the torque. Moreover, the larger the diameter of the pulley on a wood splitter, the higher the difference between the specific rotation speed and torque of this pulley and the same parameters of the wood splitter shaft. The result is a double conversion of torque and rotation speed.

bed

The frame has two purposes - to ensure the stability of the entire structure and to support the log so that it does not jump out or fall from the wood splitter. Therefore, I develop the frame based on the selected configuration of the device and the available units. A horizontal bed is, most often, strong table(for a cone log splitter) or a beam (for all other types) on four legs. The frame has fastenings for knives, because they need to be periodically sharpened (we recommend doing this before the start of the wood chopping season), as well as changing the installation height for better splitting of large logs. The bed can be made mobile; in this case, instead of legs, two or four wheels with a locking system are installed.

If a fixation system cannot be made, then good way out– drop-down legs. They can be made either hydraulically or screw driven. This approach will not only eliminate the need to install brakes, but will also provide maximum stability on uneven surfaces. In addition, the frame can be hinged, designed to be attached to a truck, for a passenger car or tractor. If the machine you are attaching the bed to has a hydraulic drive or power take-off shaft, then you can use its motor as a motor for a log splitter. This will reduce the cost of manufacturing the unit.

It is impossible to give clear instructions for assembling a wood splitter with your own hands, because such instructions imply access to the same components and tools. In addition, there are many videos on the Internet of creating wood splitters with your own hands, so we will only give general tips. Before developing the drawings of the wood splitter that you decide to make yourself, make a list of the equipment available to you. A lot of useful things can be found at collection points for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, as well as in storage areas for decommissioned equipment. To create any wood splitter you will need welding inverter and the ability to use it. If you don’t have such a device, then buy it; if you don’t know how to use it, learn. Without it, you will not be able to make a normal wood splitter.

If you decide to do cone splitter, then be sure to take into account the direction of rotation of the engine, because it is necessary that the threads on the cone be cut in the direction of rotation. Otherwise, the cone will not screw into the wood and tear it. If you choose a belt drive, consider moving the motor to adjust the tension of the belts. If you got the hydraulic cylinder and other parts from a junkyard, ask the hydraulic specialist to check their condition and, if necessary, repair them. Remember - than simpler design wood splitter, the easier it is to make, while a simple rack-and-pinion wood splitter is in no way inferior to a complex and expensive hydraulic apparatus when chopping medium-sized logs. However, for chopping logs over 60 cm thick, it is advisable to use a cone or hydraulic apparatus, because a rack-and-pinion apparatus will not be able to create the necessary pressure.

Now you know how to make a wood splitter with your own hands, how to draw up drawings for it, and have also seen photos of actually working devices. In addition, you learned about the advantages and disadvantages various types and models of wood splitters, so you can choose the combination of this unit that is most suitable for your conditions. You have learned what is needed to draw up a diagram and drawing of the device, so you can design and create a wood splitter yourself.

Many owners of private houses heated by stoves and solid fuel boilers, to prepare firewood for the winter, they use wood splitters. Not everyone can purchase industrial units because of their high cost. To make a wood splitter with your own hands, it is enough to have its diagram at hand and follow the sequence of work performed.

What it is

Equipment designed to split wood into logs is called a wood splitter.

For professional harvesting, wood splitting machines are produced in industrial quantities. These complexes are capable of trimming logs into pieces of the required length and splitting them into logs. Finished products are removed from the working area by a conveyor.

Log splitters are used in sawmills to split logs into logs of the required size.

A household wood splitter is intended only for splitting logs into logs, but the log must first be sawed into blanks. The performance and operating time of this equipment is limited. With the help of household wood splitters in the private sector, firewood is prepared for the bathhouse, fireplace and for the winter.

Logs after splitting can be used as fuel for a boiler, fireplace or stove

Kinds

The devices are available with vertical and horizontal workpiece arrangements. In the first version, the workpiece is placed on the bed and the cleaver is lowered from above. The advantage of vertical wood splitters is that curved logs can be placed on the frame, but you will have to hold them with your hands, strictly observing safety precautions. In the second type of wood splitter, the workpiece is placed in a horizontal chute and moved to the knife. These devices are more practical and safer than vertical ones, but take up more space.

According to the type of energy used, axes are divided into:

  • Kinetic (manual);
  • Mechanical.

The first type of cleavers works by using human power and does not require additional technical means. These products are the most economical and most popular due to their low cost and ease of manufacture.

Crowbar cleaver

It is a long metal rod with a pointed cone on one side and a handle on the other. The cleaver is lifted by hand and forcefully lowered into the cone onto the log. Productivity is low and work is physically demanding.

The crowbar wood splitter copes well with heavy and thick logs made of soft wood.

Cylindrical manual

Compact and easy to carry. Used for preparing a small amount of firewood (for a fireplace or sauna). A frame with an upward-pointing blade is fixed to the stand. The workpiece placed inside the frame is struck with a sledgehammer. The blade separates the log into logs.

For a private home, one of the simplest and safest options is a cylindrical manual wood splitter

Spring

The most common and productive among kinetic devices. The workpiece is split by a working part mounted on a beam and damped by a spring. Requires little effort.

Mechanical wood splitters are divided into:

  • Hydraulic;
  • Conical (screw);
  • Rack and pinion.

In a spring log splitter, the main force is taken by the spring.

Hydraulic

The advantages are smooth running and the creation of a large load on the workpiece.

Despite the creation of a large working force, the hydraulic wood splitter does not have a high operating speed

The energy from the electric or gasoline engine is transferred to the hydraulic cylinder. The working fluid enters the rod, which moves the stop with the workpiece to the permanently fixed knife. The force created by the hydraulic cylinder can reach 10 tons. The stroke of the rod and the direction of movement are regulated by the distributor. It also protects the mechanism from breakdown if its power is not enough to split the lump.

Screw

The principle of operation is based on screwing a cone-shaped working element into a workpiece and splitting it into 2 or more parts. Release screw devices in 3 versions, with differences in the methods of transmitting energy from the engine to the working cone. The cone is fixed directly or through a flywheel on the shaft of a low-speed electric motor (up to 5 kW, 400-500 rpm).

A cone-shaped cleaver is most often used in gasoline and electric models

From the engine, torque is transmitted to the cone using a belt or chain drive. The pulleys are selected so that the cone speed does not exceed 300-400 rpm. Sometimes the engine transfers energy to the cone through a gear motor. This design is relatively complex and is used mainly in industrial wood splitting machines or by folk craftsmen.

For productive operation, the drive power must be at least 1.5 kW

Rack and pinion

The operation of the device is based on the rack and pinion method of operation. The movable transmission rack operates due to a gear mounted on a reduction pulley of the belt drive connected to the engine. The contact between the gear and rack is provided by the control handle. The toothed rack moves along guides mounted on a reinforced frame, and on the other edge of which there is a cleaver. The reverse motion of the rack is carried out by a return spring. Rack splitters are reliable, economical and have excellent performance.

The splitting ax in the design of a rack-and-pinion splitter is attached to a rack that moves due to a gear drive

According to the type of traction, wood splitters can be divided into:

  1. Electrical. Power is supplied by an electric motor. These devices do not require maintenance and are easy to operate. Indoor installation possible. The downside is low mobility due to attachment to a source of electricity
  2. Gasoline-powered wood splitters have more power and productivity. They are used both in everyday life and in industrial preparations.
  3. Wood splitters with tractor traction. The working cylinder of the device is connected to hydraulic system transport, which significantly increases the speed and working life of the wood splitter. These models are used when it is necessary to prepare large volume firewood in forestry or on a farm
  4. Combined traction. It is used on industrial wood splitting machines and comes in two types: tractor hydraulic drive and electric motor, tractor hydraulic drive and gasoline engine.

To solve everyday problems, manual and electric wood splitters, less often - gasoline.

Factory models are much more efficient and presentable

Before purchasing or manufacturing any wood splitter, you must pay attention to the following technical characteristics:

  1. The splitting power of the hydraulic device should be in the range of 3-7 tons.
  2. The acceptable rotation speed of the working cone of a screw wood splitter is 400-600 rpm.
  3. The working length (the distance between the piston and the knife) shows the maximum longitudinal size of the workpiece being split. In household wood splitters it is 0.5-0.6 m, in industrial ones - 0.5-1 m.
  4. The presence of a piston stroke limiter increases productivity and saves resources when processing short workpieces.
  5. The optimal speed of piston movement when moving forward (working) is 4 cm/sec, backward - 7.5 cm/sec.
  6. The engine power in hydraulic wood splitters is 1500-2300 W, in screw splitters - 3000-4000 W.
  7. Dimensions and mobility of the device.

Making a wood splitter with your own hands

Purchasing a factory-made wood splitter is not always economically justified, especially since some types of this mechanism can be assembled with your own hands from simple materials.

Spring

To create it you will need the following material:

  • Channel;
  • I-beam;
  • Pipes or angle for the frame and stiffeners;
  • Metal corner;
  • Square pipe;
  • Automotive spring;
  • A piece of pipe with a diameter slightly smaller than that of the spring;
  • Hinge joint;
  • Cleaver;
  • Weighting material (a piece of rail or channel with a thick flange).

For a stationary wood splitter you can fill concrete base, inserting a stand into it. In this embodiment, there is no need to make a frame. All parts of the wood splitter, except the hinge, are connected using electric welding. Cut off pieces of the channel for the frame and the I-beam for the base. The length of the support is 0.6-1 m. The height of the base is selected individually. The support is connected to the frame, strictly maintaining an angle of 90 degrees. To ensure stability of the structure, pipes are welded horizontally to the ends of the frame. The connection between the frame and the base is reinforced with spacers.

To increase the stability of the structure, it is necessary to install spacers

The platform for the spring is a piece of channel 40-50 cm long. On one side of it, a hole is cut out with a grinder to connect to the base. A guide for the spring is welded to the other edge. To determine the mounting location of the platform, you need to subtract the length of the spring from the height of the support. The platform also needs to be reinforced with spacers from the corner.

In order to determine the place of attachment of the platform, it is necessary to subtract the length of the spring from the height of the support

In the upper part of the base, a seat 8-10 cm deep is cut out for the outer element of the hinge unit. Then the channel for the cleaver is prepared. To do this, on one side of a channel 0.5-0.7 m long, at a distance of 10-15 cm from the edge, a rectangular hole is cut out of such a length that the base beam does not interfere with the movement of the channel placed on it. The inner rod of the hinge assembly is welded in the center of the hole. A seat for the spring is attached to the second edge of the channel.

The beam will move using hinges

The distance from the base to the lower and upper spring cups should be the same.

A cleaver is welded to one side of the metal square from below at an angle of 90°, and a weighting agent is welded on top. The second side is connected to the channel for the splitting joint so that the total length of the resulting arm is 1-1.5 m. The resulting assembled structure is put on the base so that the outer elements of the hinge fit into the seat on the beam, fixing them by welding. A spring is put on the landing cups. For ease of use, a handle is attached near the cleaver.

The rail welded above the cleaver will act as a weighting agent

To make the device mobile, 2 wheels are attached to the frame from the base side.

Video: how to make a spring log splitter

Cone or screw

The main operating part of this wood splitter is a threaded cone, which splits the wood by screwing into its structure like a self-tapping screw (“carrot”).

The splitter of a screw splitter is a cone-shaped element, also known as a “carrot”

In order to make this mechanism you need:

  1. According to the drawing, make a cone from an ST-45 cylinder with a diameter of 55 mm and a length of 14.5 cm at an angle of 30 degrees.
  2. On a turning machine, apply a thrust thread to the cylinder with a pitch of 6-7 mm and a depth of 2 mm.
  3. The finished cone is placed on the shaft and secured with a pin.
  4. On the opposite side of the shaft, 1 or 2 bearings are mounted and a flange is welded (a sprocket for a chain or a pulley for a belt).
  5. Supports are welded to the bearings to fix the mechanism to the table.
  6. A spacer is placed between the shaft and the engine to tension the belt or chain.
  7. The conical structure with an electric motor using supports is fixed on a table made of dense, strong wood with metal legs.
  8. The cone is attached at a height of 10-15 cm from the table surface.
  9. The engine, belt or chain is covered with a metal casing for safety reasons.

During operation, the cone slowly cuts into the log and breaks it into several parts

If making a cone yourself is problematic, then it should be purchased at a specialized store.

The direction of the thread does not matter, but when cutting a right-hand thread, there is a possibility of ruining the cone

Video: how to make a “carrot” in the garage

Rack and pinion

First you need to decide on the drawing according to which the unit is manufactured. The desired performance, type of wood and installation location must be taken into account. Using these data, the engine power and the parameters of the rack and pinion mechanism are calculated.

The basis of the rack and pinion log splitter is a powerful steel frame to which the drive and frame are attached

  1. The mobile frame is made of a profile pipe and angle. For a stationary wood splitter, the frame can be made from heavier channel bars and I-beams.
  2. When welding the frame, you need to strictly observe verticals and horizontals, which will subsequently affect productivity and safety.
  3. The structure must be stable, the wheels on the frame must be securely fastened and secured during work.
  4. The length of the slats should be 1.5 times the distance to the cleaver.
  5. The log feeding speed is selected individually and is regulated by selecting a decreasing number of pulleys.

The horizontal stacking mechanism in the form of a trench ensures optimal movement of the workpiece to the cleaver.

Video: homemade rack and pinion wood splitter

Hydraulic wood splitter from a jack

The simplest hydraulic wood splitter is made according to the following scheme:

  1. A vertical frame with a base for car jack. The height of the frame depends on the length of the workpieces being split.
  2. In the center of the upper frame bar, a conical wedge is installed on helical gear. To do this, the necessary thread is cut into the hole on the frame.
  3. The workpiece installed on the jack rod is first fixed from above with a wedge using a screw. Next, using a jack, the log is strung onto a wedge and split into logs.

A car jack is suitable for making a hydraulic wood splitter.

There is no universal technology for creating a hydraulic wood splitter. It all depends on the hydraulic system available, which consists of:

  • Hydraulic cylinder with pusher;
  • Hydraulic pump;
  • Distributor of working fluid flows;
  • Oil tank;
  • Electric or gasoline engine.

The frame is constructed from a metal channel, an I-beam, an angle and a profile pipe. For mobility, it is recommended to place it on a ready-made chassis or wheelset.

An example for handmade creation This unit can be used by factory models or one-piece copies of craftsmen, photos and videos of which are published on the Internet.

An example of a horizontal design of a hydraulic log splitter with an oil tank

Video: hydraulic device made from improvised means

Safety precautions

To work safely with a homemade device, you must follow the following rules:

  1. The process of harvesting wood should be carried out in closed clothing, gloves and safety glasses, so as not to be injured by chips flying away from the workpiece.
  2. The workpiece must be firmly positioned in the chute and not move during movement.
  3. When the piston moves, it is forbidden to reach out to the knives and adjust the shifted workpiece.
  4. Any manipulations with the workpiece are performed after turning off the unit and completely stopping all its components.
  5. Work on repairing or replacing the components of the wood splitter is carried out by disconnecting the electric motor from the mains power.

Wood splitters greatly facilitate the preparation of large volumes of firewood, saving effort and time. However, to provide firewood for a fireplace or bathhouse, there is no need to purchase complex, expensive equipment. It is much more pleasant and healthier to use an ordinary ax.

Plenty for suburban buildings operate on wood. In the 19th century, cutting wood was done by hand, but with the creation mechanical wood splitters man's work became noticeably easier. The very first devices were steam-powered and could not be built at home. Nowadays, you can assemble a wood splitter with your own hands. Drawings, photos, instructions will help you do this without any problems.

This device allows you to cope even with large logs and logs.

Read in the article

How to choose a wood splitter: product features

If your farm needs a wood splitter, then it is important to decide whether to buy a finished product or assemble it yourself. When implementing last option specific skills will be required. For example, you can study the catalog of components for screw and cone wood splitters from any manufacturer and assemble a reliable and productive unit yourself.


Other equipment options work on the principle - the motor moves the log special knives, when pressure is applied to which the log splits. To create quality product It’s worth studying information on how to make a wood splitter with your own hands and what type of device is best to choose.

There are a lot of installations working on this principle and they differ from each other according to certain characteristics:

  • according to the method of laying logs. There are vertical and horizontal mechanisms. Vertical type devices are considered more powerful and can work with thick logs, but for a crooked log you should choose a horizontal device;
  • the maximum possible values ​​of stacked firewood. Depending on this factor, equipment is divided into industrial and household;
  • drive types. For domestic use, it is enough to use an electric unit with a power of about 2.5 kW.

In addition, the mass of household tools matters. You can design such a product yourself.

Classification of wood splitters

To understand the drawings, photos and instructions of something you created yourself, you should know what types of these devices there are.

Classification of wood splitters is made taking into account the type of drive:

  • simple option on petrol or diesel fuel, which is characterized by autonomy and high efficiency;
  • for small volumes, mechanical type devices are recommended;
  • To stationary options These include models that operate on electricity.

By design features and the splitting principle, the wood splitter comes in the following types:

  • electric wood splitter with a vertical log arrangement;

  • rack type device;

  • screw has great power;

  • hydraulic.

For everyday use, you should choose hydraulic and screw versions of the wood splitter with your own hands. The video demonstrates how to make such products yourself.

Characteristics of models with a cone-shaped cleaver

In electric and diesel devices, a cone-shaped cleaver is used, which splits the trunk using mechanical pressure and due to the movement of the tip of the cleaver. This requires little effort and minimal fuel consumption.


The device consists of the following parts:

  • a motor with a power of 1.5 kW, a number of revolutions of about 400 and a voltage of no more than 380;
  • the frame is a tabletop surface where firewood is stored;
  • The gearbox is used to control speed.

If you decide to make such a wood splitter with your own hands, then drawings, photos, instructions for it will be easy to find on the interior pages, and all components can be found at affordable price. Similar devices are used for small, and.

Features of a hydraulic log splitter

Using a hydraulic model, you can process a significant volume of raw materials in as soon as possible. The operation of the device is carried out by a motor and hydraulic equipment.

When assembling such a model, it is worth considering some features:

  • arrangement of logs vertically or horizontally;
  • permissible dimensions;
  • cylinder dimensions and motor features, which affect the power of splitting raw materials;
  • motor power.

It is more difficult to build such a unit than a screw product. This device has higher performance; it can be used not only for domestic purposes, but also for commercial ones.

Nuances of the rack and pinion option

In a rack-and-pinion device, the cleaver is fixed to a rack, which moves using a gear drive. The log is installed between the thrust device and the cleaver. The log is split by pressing on a special handle of the equipment. After this, the gears mesh tightly, and the rack with the cleaver moves forward to the log.


The reverse movement moves the cleaver to its original position, and the split log is removed. Such a device operates from an electric motor and does not require complex maintenance.

For a rack and pinion unit, the following parameters are considered important:

  • possible length of the canvas;
  • a type of cleaver;
  • force that is applied to the workpiece.

A comment

Tool selection specialist at VseInstruments.ru

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“A rack-and-pinion wood splitter can be purchased as a factory-installed unit. Cone or screw models are not offered assembled. You can separately find a steel cone, and assemble the remaining parts from improvised means.

"

Step-by-step instructions: assembly features

At home, you can assemble any wood splitter with your own hands: drawings, photos, instructions will help you do it correctly. Each model requires a separate approach.

How to assemble a rack wood splitter with your own hands: visual drawings, instructions and photos

From the description it is clear that rack and pinion design you can install it yourself. To do this, you should adhere to certain recommendations and sequence of work:

Image Stages of work

Selecting a drawing.

Preparation of necessary materials.

Assembly of the frame. An important element is supporting frame, it is made from a channel, I-beam or profile pipe.

Installation of structural parts. The pusher mechanism is being installed. You can install additional parts:, protective coupling.

A four-cut cleaver should be chosen.

It is better to equip the rack unit with a horizontal laying device, which is made in the form of a gutter.

Features of installing a hydraulic log splitter with your own hands: simple instructions, drawings and photos

Assembly of the hydraulic model is difficult due to the mechanism. You will need to find an oil tank, a special cylinder, a fluid flow control unit, etc.


First of all, the frame is made. It is better to mount it on wheels or a chassis to move the device in Right place. The main hydraulic part is attached to the frame. Instead of a knife, a conical wedge is fitted, which is moved towards the log using a central screw.


Cleavers with motors are characterized by greater productivity. Their installation requires a hydraulic cylinder, an oil tank, a control unit and an electric motor. Such a device works faster than a mechanism with a jack. This requires less effort.

Using the control button, a command is transmitted switchgear to supply fluid into the cylinder cavity. As a result of this, the persistent heel moves in the desired direction.


Similar design It doesn't work very fast, but it is somewhat convenient.

Helpful information! Most often, the hydraulic installation is taken from the tractor. A gasoline-powered engine is also used.

How to build a model of a screw wood splitter with your own hands: drawings

The easiest way is to assemble the screw unit yourself. To do this, you need to buy a screw cone for a wood splitter. You will also need a powerful, strong frame, a reduction gearbox and a shaft.


First of all, the motor and gearbox are mounted to the frame. A cone is attached to the shaft, and the mechanism itself is connected to the reduction gearbox using a motor. Important points to consider during assembly:

  • the nozzle cannot be directly mounted to the motor;
  • if you do not have the skills of an electrician, then electrical mechanisms should be made by a highly qualified specialist;
  • Belt and chain drives are protected by a special casing;
  • The minimum rotation speed of the cleaver is 250-300 rpm.

This type of wood splitter works with the help of a rotating metal cone that splits logs due to a special thread. When assembling a screw model with a cone-shaped splitter, it is necessary to select the correct cone depending on the logs used. The base for the device has the form of a working platform with a fixed splitting shaft. A keel is welded to the table to prevent particles from falling under the rotating mechanism. Power supports are mounted, and the splitter is installed in working position. Then the motor is connected.


A popular model of a wood splitter with an engine from. Three types of motors can be used: asynchronous, commutator or with electronically controlled. The most common option is asynchronous motors. Older models have a separate winding for starting.

Swinging an ax over a huge pile of firewood, you can’t help but think about how to make this hard labor easier.

A chainsaw is not an assistant here, since it is designed for cross-cutting wood. Only in hopeless situation with its help you can loosen a board or timber. A thick wedge and a heavy hammer will help split a particularly hard and thick log, but this work cannot be called productive.

A screw firewood splitter - a simple and reliable device - will help you combine high speed wood chopping with minimal physical effort. Its operating principle is based on the ingeniously simple combination of a screw and a wedge.

An ordinary screw can be easily screwed into wood, but can only slightly push its fibers apart. But when a double-start persistent thread is applied to a steel cone, the desired result is achieved.

Expert advice! It is important to pay attention to the type of thread: a persistent two-start thread is required; if you use a single-start thread, you will have to forcefully push the block onto the carrot cone. Ask your sellers for a two-start thrust thread. Otherwise, when using a single-start thread, you will have to force the logs onto the screw cone with great effort!

Only the two-way cone is easily screwed into the log and, due to its wedge-shaped shape and persistent thread, splits it into two parts.

There are two main design diagrams cone splitters. In the first, the screw cone is installed directly on the shaft of a low-speed electric motor with a power of 3-5 kW (speed no more than 500).

Another option is realized through the use of double-strand pulleys different diameters and flexible drive belts. A small pulley is placed on the shaft of the electric motor, and a large pulley is placed on the shaft of the wood splitter screw.

The ratio of their diameters is selected so as to reduce the propeller speed compared to the engine speed by 2.5 - 4 times to 300-400 rpm.

The rotation speed of the cone screw can be reduced using a gear motor - a single unit in which the electric motor is structurally connected to a reduction gear. However, such models are not widely used in the market of screw axes.

Those who want to make such a machine with their own hands should remember that high speed rotation of the screw cone (more than 500 rpm) increases the risk of injury, since in this case the log is difficult to hold in your hands.

In order to reduce the risk of injury to the machine, a stationary steel wedge is placed under the screw cone, which protects the log from jumping off.

Main types of screw wood splitters

Manufacturers produce household cone splitters in both stationary and mobile versions. In the latter case, the frame is equipped with an axle with two wheels, thanks to which the machine can be freely moved to the place of chopping wood.

According to the type of drive, screw cleavers are divided into electric and gasoline. In addition, models are available industrial type driven by the tractor power take-off shaft (PTO).

Electric wood splitters can operate from both single-phase network, and from three-phase. However, installing three phases on your site is quite an expensive undertaking, so owners of country houses choose less powerful, but more practical single-phase models.

When choosing a wood splitter screw, pay attention to the type of cone thread. Metric thread It wears out faster and when working with such a cone, there is a high probability of the log jumping off. The best option is a persistent thread, which fits better into the chock and lasts longer.

Estimated prices for screw-type wood splitters range from 16,000 to 38,000 rubles. The type of engine (220 V, 380 V, gasoline) has a significant impact on the price. Fully autonomous machine equipped with engine internal combustion, costs on average 10-15% more than an electric one.

Making a wood splitter-screw yourself

The simplicity of the design and impressive performance are strong arguments for making such a machine yourself.

Most main detail– a screw cone for a wood splitter can be purchased at a specialized tool store or ordered at a turning shop. The cost of screws depends on the diameter (80-100 mm) and ranges from 1500 to 5000 rubles.

If you don’t want to search for pulleys and make a shaft yourself, then buy a ready-made wood splitter unit. It consists of a screw cone (carrot), a shaft with bearings and a double-groove pulley with a diameter of 200 mm. The approximate price of such a kit ranges from 3200 to 5600 rubles.

This solution will make it much easier and faster to make a screw wood splitter with your own hands. All you have to do is draw a drawing of the machine, indicate the dimensions of the work table, the design of the frame, the mounting points for the engine and the wood splitter unit.

From exotic options for homemade wood splitters should be called the installation of a small screw cone with a diameter of 30 mm on the shaft of a hammer drill or a powerful low-speed drill (1.5 kW, at 500-600 rpm).

However, this one is simple homemade wood splitter cannot be called universal and very effective in operation. Maximum thickness The length of the log to be split by a perforator-wood splitter does not exceed 10-12 cm.

When the screw is deepened into the chock, it develops a powerful torque, so it is quite difficult to keep it from turning with your hands. This problem can be eliminated by permanently mounting the hammer drill on a workbench.

Considering the possibility self-made screw for a wood splitter, it should be said that only experienced turners can do this work. There are stories circulating online that it is possible to sharpen a cone with a grinder, but they cannot be classified as serious advice.

The precision of manufacturing thrust threads must be high, so no grinder can replace a good lathe and a high-quality cutter.

When ordering a cone screw for a wood splitter, leave the turner not only a detailed sketch, but also parameters tested by craftsmen in practice: taper 1:2, double thread, pitch 5-6mm. The thread tooth profile should be the same as that of a wood screw.

Craftsmen who worked on homemade screw wood splitters write in their reviews that this process requires great care. Only serve logs with bare hands. The mitten can easily be twisted onto the screw, which can seriously injure your fingers.

When splitting logs with large knots and logs from the butt part of the log, you need to be especially careful, since the screw often gets stuck in them and is difficult to remove if the engine does not have a reverse.

Useful video