Abandon Log Splitter Turned Into a Splitting Machine

[@userx702]

Did it work in the end? Yes....was it pretty? No. Did he have fun making it? Yes. I'd say this is a perfect video. I like it.

[@karlos9368]

I damn near fainted when I saw you using a perfectly good wrench as a chisel and a crowbar !

[@marctrossbach6560]

Truly enjoyed watching this! Don't mute out the machining noise please!! It helps keep the ball and chain from checking on me if there's banging and grinding noises

[@SkinnySkinch]

@@fml5910 Smart man

[@darkfactory8082]

Rule number one, when starting old sitting equipment, flush everything first, lines, pump, tank, cylinder... Then check seals and valves, then bleed air from the system. the easiest way is to turn the dismount the cylinder and turn it (free) so the hoses are on top. This way the air will be pushed out by the oil while you run it. If you have water in the system, take care of it before anything else. The cylinder is jumpy because it has some air inside, which acts like a spring. Usually the hose attachment are on the top of the cylinder, otherwise you will have problems with air. Damn, that looks nasty inside.. Good luck anyway, keep on, it's a pleasure to see some old equipment refurbished... =)

[@kevinhornbuckle]

Good advice.

[@yvesf5355]

The more I watch this Video ,the more I realize how creative you are, great Job ,smart thinking ,thanks

[@PopPopTerry]

Good job young man. Couldn't wait for more builds

[@kctyphoon]

Thats pretty impressive. I’m actually amazed that little HF engine is enough to power such a big splitter. Well done.

[@125sm3]

Great job on repairing the log splitter.

[@kirbyf7007]

Looks like you need a bigger suction going from tank to pump, that could be some of the cavitation issue.. You should vent the reservoir cap as wel.. would really help it cycle better

[@billsuddell9508]

That was a great bit of DIY. enjoyed watching. part 2 is going to be very interesting.

[@randypistritto7043]

One more thing that you should do. Take an inch or more of metal off the back of the base "PUSH PLATE". The piston when retracting wants to pull that plate back and it's flexing that plate backwards (Watch in your video when splitting your wood) it's eventually going to bust off where the piston is mounted to the head ram plate !!

[@petessite]

its called a funnel Dave , weve had em here for years now , stops all that issing around wasteing oil & stuff , great video mate !!!

[@TheHomePros6221]

I just love when u post videos!! I wish u posted more often!!

[@shaenj]

Enjoyed that, but Im still reeling over the Spanner!

[@garryhamlin9460]

Get this man a funnel 👍

[@Nortekj]

From what I could see, the new pump may be faulty, as it didn't seem like it was going into the second stage.. When in a hard push, it was actually stalling the engine, where it should have shifted into a lesser per hour gallon. Those horizontal wedges should be made from half inch plate and sharpened on the top side only. When it was splitting a full diameter log, they compressing the lower half of the log causing a lot more effort on the engine to keep running.

[@beebob1279]

I see what you're saying.

[@BB-dw4rb]

And he could tilt the side wedges slightly so the leading edge is lower.

[@ludwigvanmulders1730]

Nice job Dave. Like your vids. Greetings from Belgium.

[@DancerOfClouds]

Rule #1 Flush all lines first, including the reservoir. I believe the Ram was perfectly okay. I agree with the comment below about the pump not kicking into the second stage. The Water might have been the cause of that.

[@markbuilt]

I was given an old home made splitter that ran off a tractor . So I added a 11 hp. Honda engine and upgraded the cylinder to a 24 inch long by 41/2 Dia. ( not sure how many tons ) got a second hand pump I think it a 2 stage 16/4 psi . The axle and wheels I got were off a VW rabbit . I built a plate to mount my motor on the tongue end and the other end the splitting knife so the wood just slides off the end . I would like to make a 4 way knife like you have so your video was great information . Have fun splitting tons of blocks

[@xredman002]

49 pulls on that ol saw.... tune it up my man!

[@ROGERWALDMAN]

GREAT VIDEO !

[@billycandler6657]

My old splitter required ATF instead of hydronic fluid, I let a neighbor borrow it and he filled it with hydronic fluid and it was sluggish like yours until I drained it completely and refilled with automatic transmission fluid.

[@chrisknauss6727]

46 pulls to crank that saw would have worn me out. You are in great shape, friend.

[@cfuzzkennedy]

I have often wondered why the 4 way attachment I have is only beveled on one side of the horizontal blades. Watching this video I have been enlightened.

[@kirkstrope676]

Once you add side cutters to a wedge like that you shouldn't grind the cutting edge in the center. it should start the the bottom and slope to the top. that's why you bent your table. The gap under your side wedges that the split pieces has to pass through is from the bottom of the wedge to the table. But every piece of wood the side cutter makes is 1 1/4 inches taller then the gap it has to pas through to get out of the machine. That's why every piece wedges in and has to be forced out and bent the table

[@frederickshipp8013]

I angled my wings up one inch on the ends and in the back and beveled them before I welded them on so I could get close to a 100% weld. NEVER use galvanized pipe or fittings on hydraulics, it could flake off and destroy your pump. I know a lot of people do. That just tells me they don't know much about what they are doing.

[@allanfisher8248]

Very cool Dave::::love it…you are very patient

[@twaggs6523]

Nice work sir! You might already know this but the end of the hydraulic ram needs to push on the plate NOT on the bolt holding the ram to the plate. If the ram pushes on the bolt and if the bolt is high-tensile, the bolt will break and shoot like a bullet....ask me how I know. LOL. As a suggestion, make the horizontal wedges angle upward to prevent pushing the bottom pieces of wood downward.

[@johnvitz310]

Paint it friend, be proud of ur work

[@timdrane8733]

It took 45 or 46 pulls to get that saw running, reminds me of a crafsman back in the 70's. Nice build

[@xredman002]

49

[@Frank-bh3cm]

Mother of all Crescent wrenches, that thing is humongous!!!

[@scootersonlyrepair6773]

Not at all he could lift it with 1 hand still

[@josephbohme7917]

Even I have chisels and wedges- they are useful as well as 6' steel breaker bars. No need to be slamming hammers. Like to see one tape and make cut lines on a trunk to make even 16" or so uniform cuts random pile widths suck. you are gifted to be in the country, where anything goes.

[@jerrygoad3093]

I love it all respect I'm a true man been doing it well over 30 years and I love it all love that old log splitter once you get the little bugs and get it dialed in you got it nailed all the way around beautiful machine love the old chainsaw how it cuts sharp as hell the good thing about that machine is when you get the dirt knocked off them stumps it'll split the stump too badass God bless you and family love the video good work I'm going to show Mom and Dad next time I go down Beltsville Maryland

[@chrissmith513]

Amazing you got that thing working again !!! 🎄🎄🎄

[@denniskazich7559]

The thing I like about this is he raised an old school splitter from the dead and made it work again with the basic tools and knowledge. Only thing I probably would have made horizontal splitting blades thinner. I'm thinking it's forcing logs down onto plate after splitting making cylinder work hard at the end of travel.Other than that, bottom line it's only a frigging log splitter not a Rolex watch lol.

[@116falconer]

What size pump did you get? I’m in the process of resurrecting a big old homemade splitter. Thanks, excellent video too 👍

[@todhurley3756]

Nice job it works better than my new one.

[@georgeanderson3754]

Think you should have used scotch-bright on the outside of cylinder ram, sanded rust off beam where pusher rides, cleaned out old hydraulic fluid several times running it through pump and cylinder and retested it. Bet it would have been ok.;

[@TheMechanicDave]

That cylinder was junk

[@the86125]

Moving the tank to the pump was the only thing that old girl needed. With no load the pump and cylinder should have cycled fine even in the shape it was. The pump was aerating the oil as it caveated from trying to suck thick nasty oil through that small pick up line with no head pressure from the fliud level!! Ive got my self a Frankenstein splitter too, picked it up cheap as the p/o couldn’t get it operating well. She rips now

[@beebob1279]

@@TheMechanicDave I'm not a mechanic and know the inside was scored.

[@kevintaylor8832]

great ingenuity

[@seannarbonne2427]

I really appreciate your content please keep them coming. Cheers from Eastern Ontario 🇨🇦 .

[@marcelduval4292]

bucket is overfull never heard of a funnel man you crack me up

[@kirk467]

Those swing down jack stands at Harbor Freight are cheap and one with the dual wheels is what I installed on my trailers, works great especially if the trailer has a lot of tongue weight! I’m a retired welder of 38 years and have built a lot in my time, you’re doing great but the jack stand would save your back if it was hitched to your truck brother! Just saying, believe me I’ve made them like yours back in the day but you still have to lift the weight to let the stand down my friend! Good luck my friend! 👌🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@Stang413]

You did a great job redesigning this. That chainsaw was not happy about starting

[@larrybye6657]

Hard to watch a person destroy a perfectly good cylinder!

[@TheMechanicDave]

That cylinder was junk

[@TheHomePros6221]

Cyl was crap needed honing at the least!

[@JohnSmith-ww3tk]

its slow needs a 3.5" dia rod cyl for faster cycle time

[@caseyangeletti6300]

No Doubt! Another know it all blowing money. I shit when the clown dumped 30 bucks worth of fluid in there without draining the cylinder. Confucius say " A fool and his money will soon part ways"

[@kctyphoon]

@@caseyangeletti6300 whats the point in leaving a comment like that, degrading the person whos video YOU just spent an hour watching?

[@johnandersson]

I’ve only watched a little bit over one minute but I already love this video! 👌

[@kevinhornbuckle]

You are an industrious young man.

[@netromrep6325]

Great work. The splitter might have an easier job if you move the horizontal wedge somewhat further back. The splitter will then first do the vertical split, then the horizontal split, and not both splits in one go.

[@craiglove3179]

Not only that , you have tapped the wings wrong..you only needed one angle. Now the wood is pressured the underside of the wing and table plus the metal is far too thick

[@randypistritto7043]

Bringing this wood splitter back from the dead and making improvements. Job well done. Only one more thing you should invest in is " A $10.00 PLASTIC FUNNEL" !!!

[@johnbowen1493]

You could have had that cylinder honed and rechromed and it would have been fine. Your pump is your problem. Looked to me like the heel plate is cracked wich means the pump is cavitating and not pushing fluid the way it should because it's sucking air on one cycle and leaking out the heel plate on the pressure stroke. You don't really need to pull the tank apart you need to put a filter in your return line so you can filter the fluid and protect the cylinder and pump both from debris and moisture. One thing to remember is your tank is going to condese moisture just from the heat it genterates as the fluid gets hot from use so a water collection chamber may be needed to keep your fluid clean and dry if you want to call it that.

[@TheMechanicDave]

Maybe I could have had the cylinder bored and rechromed, but it would have costed more then a new one, and still would have been to short

[@oby-1607]

Just a word of advice. There is an invention out there called a funnel. Good save of an old splitter.

[@basshunter4144]

I agree with Karlos holy crap. the problem you have is called cavitation cause by air getting in the hyd system normally on the suction side the tank showed a lot of air

[@allanpeters4403]

Great creative work - turned out nice.

[@samsiryani9023]

And on the 47th try it’s alive lol, great project to have done and to work at the same time great work sir and great skill’s as we’ll.

[@problemchildprojects7694]

2 suggestions: If you had a larger return system, would the ram pull back faster? Partially automating by making use of stops and travel triggers?

[@doylerabjohn3435]

Great jod.... I would have fush the system first. But the cylinder was definitely junk. Can't wait to see part 2.

[@TheMechanicDave]

Part two is live kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmivdpqbZtKfiNk

[@rotex380]

Nice job👍 works awesome bring on part 2 lol.. 🍻

[@stanleykeith6969]

If it runs OK I would add an Oil Filter to the Hyd. tank. Might have to replace Hyd. cylinder and or pump. Well at least you got it running. Start it up and see if the rod will push itself out. Make sure your Hyd. oil is clean and get a Big Filter so all that gunk does not screw up the new cylinder. Tank is off, wash it out at a car wash with Hot water and see what else comes out. Great to have all the tools to work on things like this. I have the skills, no shop or welder. I think you need a better hood for cutting, protect your eyes. I think you will find that those wings could have been leaning out. Wood will get on the side of those and get caught and bend them. I think you will see this and have to change it. You should make the 4 way wedge removable. You better extend the cylinder to see how far it will go, then weld your back plate on. Nice Job.

[@stanleykeith6969]

❤

[@morgansword]

You done a nice job on it, could probably use one or two more horse powers

[@philliphall5198]

Honda GX 390 would be about the right size 😊😊😊

[@scotttillman6714]

Good design , good job

[@skipstein744]

Works great! Onward!

[@anthonymiller7003]

loved that bit of work mate.. pump has a problem but you will work it out..

[@debbiebristow6501]

When he got that hammer in his hand everything became so clear !

[@charleysosa1918]

Yeah I was watching your splitter rebuild, cylinders are usually taken apart by cylinder press, you could have used a come along and chain would have been alot easier , I'm just saying.. I'm old and wise been around for 70yrs worked on hydraulic cylinders on heavy equipment,,, that being said,,, I like your content keep up the good work,,, everyone has to learn by example,, lol 😂

[@danielluma2948]

For what you went through to get this log splitter going I'll give you a thumbs up and may I suggest you need a better chainsaw ? I recommend a Stihl chainsaw or a 460 Farm boss Husqvarna both are great chainsaws with 24 inch bar's and will last for years an only little maintenance .plus it helps to use non ethanol gasoline cause ethanol will seize up your 2 cycle engines. I use 91 octane gas or Recreation vehicle gas for all my chainsaws and older truck's witch we used to call it Ethel

[@peterkohl1863]

Funnels work pretty good, when you have them

[@edwinleach4013]

Really cool. That is something my Dad would have done.

[@thomasr.miller5553]

Great Job.. Will you get a bigger 16 hp motor ? Tiny motor dont handle big chunks to well . thanks

[@janeordway4841]

Didn’t your farther tell you not to abuse your tools like that. Don’t beat that crescent wrench that way . Get A crowbar.

[@TheMechanicDave]

I’ll do what I want

[@TheHomePros6221]

Haha hell yea tell em dave!! I’m sure he has like a thousand crescent wrenches

[@BrianCooper-lu2oj]

Great score. Life will be easier when the bugs are worked out.

[@matthewm9913]

Not sure how many cc the saw is , but kinda looks like your chains a little dull. Nice work on the splitter.

[@koningbolo4700]

A steel box on there would be nice to store some engine and hydraulic hose related tools and some spare parts, a bracket to store a jerrycan for fuel, a place to put some logging related tooling in the I beam there like a cant hook, an axe and maybe a shovel and a crowbar.

[@anthonyturner6533]

Very nice.

[@stevenbenavente1229]

Good job

[@TheCuttingtorch]

If you can use reverse polarity use 6010, the arc will strike much easier for tacking things up

[@chib9427]

also get real good penetration with 6010

[@markwhitfield5412]

whats those plastic pipes called? you know, really big and wide at the top, and thins down at the other end. I can't for the funnel of me think what it is called.

[@bennyhill3642]

Good job. Only thing is will it be able to split a good knot? That's the only thing that gave me troubles.. Take care😇

[@Farm_fab]

If you want to change the tires on this, there are a couple things you could do. You could try to locate some used mobile home tires, you might be able to get different hubs for on that axle and go with standard trailer wheels, or you could maybe weld new spindles into the existing axle, and go with different wheels. My trailer has both a boat trailer tongue, and a remade axle made from an old one with new box tube.

[@Mad.Man.Marine]

With the crack in that pump you are right about it sucking air. And air compresses. So it would build up a little and pressurize the air. Then jump ahead and release the pressure.

[@kylejones2075]

First of all I was thinking about that conveyor real early on in the video so it's kind of cool that you thought of it too and I love the way you polish a turd because that is the most awesome customized log splitter I think I've ever seen and I like that antique look too so thanks for sharing see you next time

[@tonywilson6032]

I have never written a negative review before but You may be able to weld BUT it doesn’t make you an Andrew or Deisel Creek. That splitter is a disaster “restoration” from beginning to end. Brute force ruined perfectly salvageable items and the anchor bracket for the new ram was installed the wrong way round - the power stroke is outward so the meat of the bracket needs to be in the opposite direction, and please explain the idea behind the extra blades on the cutting blade - all they do is increase the force needed to split a log meaning that you will need larger ram, larger pump, more flow etc. Before you think of another project remember that preparation is all important (ie make sure the chainsaw works)

[@TheMechanicDave]

Cool story

[@TheHomePros6221]

Some people just know it all don’t they? I just don’t get why people write crap like this.. it’s not like he’s building a dang space station it’s a freakin log splitter before it was rusting away and now it’s a useable log splitter… and you not knowing what the extra ears are for on the splitter answers my question, it’s so you can split a log in 4 peices at one time which is quicker. Dave don’t worry about idiots that write stuff like this, your a great guy and doing a great job!

[@stevelalondejr2183]

@@TheMechanicDave You did fine for a young man better than some. Yes you could use some honing on your welding ,mechanical ,engineering & plumbing skills ,but maybe a little guidance and mentoring would serve you better than negative criticism. I grew up on a farm and in a family business ,so fabricating and now a machinist background with hydraulics etc thrown in. If it works for now run with it you can go back an fix or repair the broken if it suits you an your needs that is all that matters. Knowledge an skills come with practice and time ,I've made things work where others say wow really and it has lasted years. So be proud it works as you wanted or needed it to. Congrats a job that works is well done,right can be something else to someone else right to you is what matters most. An yes I've built a few log splitters in my day that work and split anything you want split and we have some nasty hardwoods here in NW Ohio,USA!

[@litman252]

Just because you can type, doesn't make you a consultant, especially since you don't understand a fixed 4 way wedge. Nicely done, minimal investment for back saving work.

[@tonywilson6032]

True I don’t have a lot of experience on 4 way wedges - they don’t have a need for them on fixed and rotary winged aircraft but I do have many years KZbin viewing under my belt. My final advice to you and others - not everyone has the 100% right or wrong opinion - perhaps take on board comments of others and learn by them. Stay safe.

[@djea3589]

I would have figured a way to bring logs to the home, change the ga motor for 220V. You could cut, split and stack all at once.

[@stefanm67]

Class video Dave..Thanks.

[@elbertfreeman8124]

"Broken spline" is a "spider"!

[@mariorodriguez3944]

Lucky guy. An abandoned car with inflated tires.

[@CABINDAD]

Galvanized fittings on hydraulics? Am I seeing correctly?

[@peterkohl1863]

besides sticky rods your weld joints look pretty good

[@jayedavies3686]

Ever heard of a funnel. It makes life easier to pour oil into a hole

[@georgeobrian5269]

The oil in the tank should not be foamy. You definitely have an air leak. It is sucking air somewhere. That is also why it it jerking as it goes in and out

[@eddiejohnson3458]

run a cylinder hone through it to clean it out and then replace the seals or source a dump truck pump from the junk yard

[@johnrankie4004]

I own a home made splitter, have for twenty five or so odd years, it blew the Hydraulic seal and somehow I fell onto your site, great video; I hope you never painted her! I dropped in to let you know that the fellow that made my splitter (and it was old when I acquired her) added a brass plate under the push plate, mine is worn out and I'm hoping to replace that when I work on the hydraulics.

[@robertdominiczak6523]

You literally destroyed a good hydraulic component because you don’t know what your doing

[@TheHomePros6221]

Dude no one is perfect

[@TheMechanicDave]

That cylinder was junk

[@frankchandler8005]

GREAT JOB MAN .

[@jakeduffin4626]

Great job and really enjoyed the video!

[@JDanielsOffGrid]

Yep. Did it just right. Nice video.

[@rayraycthree5784]

Invest in a $1 plastic funnel. Also, a cheap pressure guage on the pump outlet will tell you a lot about what's going on in the hydraulics.

[@min-dakwoodhound7314]

An implement jack would have best as a 3rd leg... plus it'd adjustable. Consider paint... or do you prefer rust?

[@peterkohl1863]

chain looks like it might need some tender sharpening

[@brucebonkowski7253]

Hey Dave if you should find another one abadadon I live in Michigan I like it get it

[@BRI33NOR]

Some of the oils that were wasted would have been more useful on the rusty dry part of the mechanism, the part that was moved by the ram in particular

[@kymmarshall1116]

Try using a funnel to pour the hydraulic fluid.

[@peterkohl1863]

time 52' using the right tool for the job - Hammer and Adjustable wrench instead of pry-bar ???