Reply To: From tree to planks
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In case you still need it, I took one of my logs at the weekend and split it using wedges, a splitting hatchet and a heavy hammer. Photos show the results. To get a better set of final split parts, I maybe should have cut the knotty parts off each end of the log before starting, but, as this is only a demo and I have more logs, I am not too worried. I used plastic wedges, which work perfectly well for splitting, but which do not function well if you try to force them through a branch.
The splits still need a deal of work to get them flatter, but that is just plane / large chisel / rip saw work that can be done on the bench.
I would not normally use this method with a log like this, but it serves as a demonstration on how to break the log to more manageable and usable parts.
I started by examining each end in case there were any obvious checks that can be used as a starting point to split the log in to two. Hammer the hatchet in to start a split, insert a wedge, then back to the hatchet. Start on the end, and then move down the side. On a big log like this, don’t be afraid to knock it over, sometimes that can help the split to propagate. Once it was in two pieces, then each half was split in to roughly 4 pieces (same method).
Shorter logs may only need a single split before you decide to use a rip saw.
There are many other ways to do this, I just happened to have this equipment available.
- This reply was modified 2 years ago by Colin Scowen.