Upgrading The Eastonmade Axis With Some Bright Lights

[@hollandduck79]

hello from the Netherlands Koch Family . nice upgrade project . how long does the Ecoflow say you can have light with your set up? thanks for the video Neil . Sincerely Hollandduck

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Hollandduck! It said we would have 12 hours of light. Great question!

[@hollandduck79]

@@digdrivediy 👍

[@jamesacuff5176]

Treasure your father and his knowledge everyday no matter the circumstances you encounter because when he’s gone he’s gone-from someone who misses theres….

[@digdrivediy]

Absolutely

[@Jeremy-fy1sz]

Electric start, light system, Electric conveyor winch, Rain overhang, electric assist for maneuvering it, adjustable log peelers, great machine with lots of room for customization.

[@BG-vq9fd]

"Smoke test no. 1" made me laugh How does that old saying go "necessity is the mother of invention". Good work

[@terrybrown8292]

That’s awesome job done with the help of ur pops i was 13yr old when I lost my dad n joy seeing u two doin things together so my son n i get to do projects now

[@digdrivediy]

I really appreciate that Terry. We certainly enjoy tinkering g on stuff together.

[@waynetharp]

I believe I read a comment from Mr.Easton just the other day that they were starting design work on a light system for the splitters. You better hurry up with the Patent Process!! 🤣🤣 Nice job, Gentlemen! Very professionally done!👍

[@digdrivediy]

That's nice. I thought I heard they were working on it maybe.

[@U_ever]

Its great to get to see you and you dad hanging out doing "man pig stuff" together. Enjoyed this one immensely! "LIKE" button has been torqued to the manufacturer's recommended specification. "CLICK". God forbid you should be running around Indiana there with a loose "LIKE" button !

[@digdrivediy]

Love that properly tightened like button!!!

[@abp9519]

My grandpa made a x out of metal. added a pole in the center about eight feet tall....then added lights. free standing and could be used anywhere you could plug it in....sand bags full of what ever put on top of the x made it stand in high wind. ..we used a outside light without the dawn eye for a light...it was water proof and put out lots of light ....hope this gets your mind a working...great video.

[@paulatkinson2849]

Nice idea I love repeposing bits of scrap metal into something useful

[@edsecorr7812]

You and your Dad work good together keep up the great work love your videos thank you

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks so much Ed!

[@davidheatherly7089]

Neil: I've been slowly making my way through the old videos since I found your channel about six months ago. love the interaction with the family and friends. (I also said "That's nice!" about 2 seconds before you did at the 10:00 mark; loved that!) Keep it up, and I'll look forward to the next videos!

[@workingwithadam]

Smoke test number 1! LOL! Holy bright lights batman!!

[@jeanvaljohn3921]

☺️ The International Space Station called, They said they picked you up on visual in no time at all.😊 Another fine production, job well done And yes others with Axis splitters will be copying your simple but genius design.

[@digdrivediy]

😋 Thanks so much Jean.

[@jeanvaljohn3921]

U r welcome

[@Iowaflyboy1]

Awesome, love watching videos where your dad is helping. Thanks for all the good content.

[@mikeznel6048]

Something about bringing lights into the equation makes it that much better.

[@carlgrayman7663]

Love the projects with your dad.

[@charleskirby9190]

I was yelling at the computer during your first mock up "how are you going to get power to those lights without some bulky generator?!" Clearly I should never doubt an expert

[@digdrivediy]

Haha! But I'm clearly no expert 🤣

[@darcyscott2406]

Nice upgrade Neil and Dad! 😎 boy that’s bright 😎! Great video have a good week everyone! From Northwestern Vermont

[@jeffwhite2107]

The first thing I thought about when I saw this was you were going to add electric start for your dad and then run lights off of that

[@florencecampbell774]

Dads are very special,after all you only have one,but always remember he won’t always be at your side,so enjoy every day with them and make special memories…..Your dad looks a smart cookie.Thats a compliment.👍👏👏👏

[@DonDomel]

this channel is my relax zone ! Greetings from Poland !

[@TheOmniscientCow]

At this point, Eastonmade should be paying you for your innovations to their splitter! Seems like such a no brainer once you showed it off.

[@digdrivediy]

Some others in the comments have mentioned that they have a light kit for their electric start models. This one doesn't have any 12 volt source available so I went with this down and dirty route with the extension cord.

[@PapaRug.58]

Now that’s a bright idea 😊😊 I think I have to do something similar

[@terrancesnyder9323]

Good morning Neil

[@digdrivediy]

Good morning!

[@darellsunderlin4670]

Great job , great ideas !!! I know I don't have to tell you but I will cuz I don't have mine anymore, cherish those and all times with your Dad , there's never enough time. He seems like a swell guy !!

[@wink9970]

Nice work, explanation of thought process and execution.

[@donflack3778]

Your Dad saved you again! 😉 KC Don

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

Neil, that’ll work… splendidly! I assumed the splitter had a 12V DC starter and thought you’d go low voltage. But, that portable AC pack was a far better option. When I put lights and a plug-in in my tree house, I knew that I wanted AC power so the boys could run a fan, chargers, etc. There was an electrical outlet about 25’ away for running the pool. However, the pool was between the outlet and the treehouse. That made burying an electrical line a complicated process. Instead, I put a junction box inside the house and dropped a lead down the support post nearest the pool. To simplify the connection, I just installed a male cord end to a short pigtail about 2’ above the ground. Because there is no power in the treehouse until an extension cord is attached, the exposed male end is not a shock hazard. When I showed it to my grandson he said, “The treehouse is like a big lamp now!” My nephew, who is an electrician told me, “Good thing you live in the country because that would never meet code.” LOL As the saying goes, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat!” And, you two chose a clever one!

[@digdrivediy]

Appreciate it Dave. Yeah, I think the electric start splitters may even have a light kit option judging by the comments here. Mine just came with the strong arm start option. Sounds like we have similar philosophies on the rural living electric code:) Those type of solutions are perfect for the situations I think. Thanks as always for tuning in!

[@mylesloan]

I was thinking the same thing about going low voltage. I figured even if it didn’t have a starter it might still have a stator that could charge a big 12V battery. That big power pack is a super handy tool and looks like a great solution!

[@Gus1966-c9o]

From an Australian electrician , and subscriber . Regarding your motion sensor lights all you need is a 3 position switch. Middle off , switch up override’s sensor and switch down operates the light through the motion detector. Like your vids 👍

[@digdrivediy]

Great idea

[@jamesoncross7494]

Dad is a great man!!

[@berkleysdad09]

Neil - I’m from Ligonier up in your neck of the woods. It’s good to see someone local who has such a successful channel. I enjoy your content and the down home feel of your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks a lot Brad. Always like hearing from fellow Hoosiers too.

[@evanwolff5183]

Can’t wait for the next 318 update

[@maytham236]

Special thanks and regards to your dad for the efforts.

[@tomdonahue8110]

I was watching a video from Andrew from Easton Made. Someone mentioned your page and about your light build. First time visiting. Throughly enjoyed your video. Thanks for posting.

[@digdrivediy]

Hey that's cool to hear Tom. I didn't know about that over in Andrew's channel. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for giving my channel look.

[@e4hagen]

I love that you can do these projects with your dad!

[@joefran619]

One heck of a nice log splitter!

[@stephenwhiteley2879]

Your a man of many talents Neil, thanks for the video

[@tonynieuwlandt5407]

Uncle Jack is really becoming a KZbin Star 😂🤩

[@digdrivediy]

He's getting more comfortable:)

[@leol1682]

Thanks for the video very good idea you had Neil .

[@bobpurs]

Great upgrade Neil. Love little projects like that and make life easier. 👍✊. Andrew from Easton-made can add another option to his splitter 😂

[@rodneystewart8958]

Videos like this make me miss my 👨

[@PaulLB7]

Green to ground is easy to remember, then white to bright, black to brass. Nice addition to the splitter!

[@oakrunacres2564]

Awesome job. Andrew at Eastonmade should consult with you and add that as an option on the Axis! Dave

[@digdrivediy]

I think they may already have a light kit option for the splitters that have electric start. Mine doesn't have any electric or alternator to run 12 volts off of.

[@oakrunacres2564]

@@digdrivediy Cool. I've never seen it in any of the Eastonmade videos that Andrew puts out or in any videos of the guys that run them. What you and your Dad did is amazing and not just a hack job solution like most people would do. Dave

[@obiorah1]

That’s impressive set up 👏👏👏👏

[@dennisconlon5810]

I was very fortunate in my life. I lived in the same area as my parents and was able to visit them most every day. They gave there life for me and my two brothers and taught us so much. I miss them every day!

[@digdrivediy]

I'm fortunate in the same way.

[@timlecount8690]

Love watching you and your dad work together. My dad passed away in 2011 so it always warms my heart to see a father and son working together like we used to!

[@snoozieq4584]

This is an excellent upgrade for the splitter. Now you can have plenty of light where ever you need to split wood. Great collaboration with Dad. Love the "Smoke" test. Kind of like my uncle's "Flash" test. Or my other uncle's "Spray" test, since he's a master plumber. Thank you Neil. See you in the next one! 🥰🥰🤗🤗😘😘

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks so much Susan! Great to have you watching today 👍🏻

[@curtanderson8655]

Great video as always. We love that your dad is involved with your projects no matter how big or small. My dad has been gone for 45 years and we just lost mom 2 years ago and even though we spent as much time with her as we could it was still never enough. One suggestion is to have your dad tell stories about when he was a kid or as far back as he could remember. You don't have to post them but then you are always having them. So much was lost when mom passed, that is about my only regret that we did not have a video camera turned on. If you can't get him on camera, then have him write things down about your family. You never know when your history will be lost forever. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us, peace

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks a lot Curt. Those are all great suggestions. Sorry for the loss of your mother.

[@tysons9222]

very impressive design

[@eric_emenhiser]

Growing up we (me and ALL of my siblings) were the wood splitters, of course we had to wait until fall harvest was done, and the ground was frozen (which also meant it was like -20 outside) before we would cut and split the wood. It wasn't until all 10 of Dad's splitters moved out that he finally got a hydraulic splitter, man that would have made our life so much easier 😂😂. Great upgrade and video!

[@robertmanley7556]

Great video guys !! Your Dad is pure GOLD keep theses times with him close to your heart . I really like those lights you can't go wrong with that set up for sure very nice work !! 👍👍

[@brent.hallman4772]

I have made portable light stands that work on an 18v cordless tool battery. Bought 2 flush mount 7 inch led light bars and used an adapter bought from amazon to use a ridgid battery. No cord needed. You could use the smaller led light pods and have no problem lighting your work area

[@Steve_Wojo]

Nice fabrication work Neil. Great to see you & Dad working together.

[@goptools]

Hi Neil, that's a cool mod for your splitter. Before you pulled out the Ecoflow, I was going to suggest adding an inverter, if the splitter has electric start and an alternator. The Ecoflow will probably work much better though. Painting the new parts to match was a nice touch. Thanks for the video!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks so much! Yeah this one doesn't have electric start so the 12 volt option wasn't as easy for this situation.

[@meirionevans5137]

Lol, almost blinded Dad when you took it outside. Now you can set up a night shift! I prefer to use the dark as an excuse to go sit next to my woodburner. Happy New Year.

[@digdrivediy]

Happy New Year indeed!

[@tonykleeman7556]

I enjoy watching you two on projects together. I also really like your story telling style of videos. Thanks for more great content! Take care!

[@digdrivediy]

I really appreciate it Tony.

[@DavesRetirementProjects]

Great job by you and your Dad. Love to watch these diy/backyard fabrication projects. Especially using very few newly bought supplies.

[@digdrivediy]

We like to repurpose as much as we can!

[@jeffpopple3049]

Awesome build! You and your Dad are great! Keep it up 👍

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks a bunch!

[@RockhillfarmYT]

That turned out great

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Brock!

[@bobbrown6682]

Awesome setup Neil. Great lighting and I like how you don’t have to worry about extension cords for power.

[@MidwestToolReview]

Great project Neil, but I want to remind you, need to complete the Brutus-to-Bill project...no slacking on that one my friend...I'll be watching and waiting...

[@digdrivediy]

Haha! For sure. Haven't forgotten yet. Still at it everyday but some days are a little light 😂

[@richardgavin6712]

Ever think about made blade attachment to addon the blade on your Easton to made it a 4 and 6 way splitting system instead of the single way

[@digdrivediy]

No, actually I wouldn't want it. It would be a little more dangerous I think.

[@edsecorr7812]

Great job love your videos thank you keep up the great work

[@KingsOutdoorLife]

Sorry, I have been away from YT, I'm surprised it still ran without me. I hope you missed me. Good stuff as always! Now on to the next one.

[@digdrivediy]

I certainly missed ya KOL!!

[@AroundTheYard-MN]

Great job Neil! Always looking for ways Around the Yard to extend the working hours. The matching paint makes it look like it belongs there too. Andrew should take notes and offer something like this as an option. Have a great day, Happy New Year!! - Brent

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Brent! Someone said they may have a light option for the splitters with electric start and alternators. This one doesn't have elec though.

[@joebacarella2829]

Great plan, I love these diy projects with your dad, it`s nice and compact and looks like it came with it, that ecoflow should be plenty to run those leds for hours, nice job guys.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks 👍

[@lisaharvey4373]

So glad to see you and your Dad working together, my dad and I did many projects together when he was still here, special moments I will always remember. Great job on the lights super bright and by using your power supply you can go anywhere and split wood now awesome!

[@periwinkle-dragonfly]

Another interesting one Neil! I could hear my husband sitting next to me saying the colors of the wires and stuff along with you. He is a jack of most trades and I think especially liked doing electrician work. He also enjoys your videos. Thanks for sharing with us old retired folks. It keeps us engaged and entertained. (I think I need one of those lights in my closet!)

[@digdrivediy]

Ha! That's great! Thanks for watching along with us!

[@duramaxmak]

Always great to see your dad in the videos. I bet he's got some good stories

[@digdrivediy]

It doesn't tell me all the good ones 🤣

[@allaboutperspective650]

That's the way I cook, I follow the directions in the receipt by taking a pot with water and putting that on the stove after that it mostly turns out freestyling. Saw the question I had about the power supply was already answered. Looks great with the matching colors, so that's another well-deserved. 👍

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks so much.

[@JimFinlayson]

Your Dad did the classic Al from Home Improvement. Too funny.

[@JimFinlayson]

If your dad continues to not mind being in videos, have him keep doing that salute. It is hilarious. Sorry, got the name wrong, it was Al. Confused Norm with This Old House.

[@digdrivediy]

It's funny I didn't recognize the switch up but still knew exactly who you meant 😉

[@raytalbot5890]

Where’s the do something every day on the tractor?? Good project 🇬🇧🇬🇧👍👍

[@digdrivediy]

Still doing it. Takes a bit of time to have a video worth posting sometimes.

[@buckinfirewood]

With the starter package it would be a cinch to add lights ... great upgrade

[@digdrivediy]

Right on.

[@frontball2754]

A good quality set of “flush cutters” will save tons of time with the zip ties, and be able to work like side cutters too.

[@michaelmcguire3983]

Hey Neil nice job as always! Take care of your side kick In Texas 😉 up here we call the one “bull nose” pliers Take care my friend

[@digdrivediy]

We kept him on the straight and narrow.

[@workingmanrondoyle3287]

Thanks for sharing Neal. I thought about doing this modification to my splitter using a fold down & telescopic design🤔 using 12 volt DC lights Incorporated with dual e-track clips so that the light can be taken off and repurposed on my service body trucks for night time repairs. Now you got me thinking this might be too wobbly if equipment is running and you're slamming wood on it 🙄. I love you videos. Keep up the good work my brother from another mother.

[@digdrivediy]

Really appreciate it!

[@casycasy5199]

great job. Eastonmade might use it to mode new splitters.i can see some side lights mounted to see log pile.

[@digdrivediy]

I think they're working on a light kit if they don't have it already.

[@mainerdiy8399]

Another great project Neil and a great idea with the eco flow. I always enjoy when your Dad makes a guest appearance. Don’t get too warm in Texas.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks! It is perfect here in Texas today 😊

[@PurpleCollarLife]

Great job, Neil! Now Andrew can offer this as an option on all Axis machines. :)

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks so much Chad!

[@stanky7341]

How about a video some day on that old snowmobile I. The shop, im sure there is a cool back story to it. Neat lites on the splitter.

[@digdrivediy]

We had Yamaha Enticers like this when I was a kid. I actually just picked this one up a few weeks ago and haven't gotten a chance to run it yet.

[@1ltlbrnc]

Look up a RAB brand RAB 360 motion sensor for the flood lights on the building. It has a 360 degree sensor on the bottom and the normal 180 degree forward sensor. It will fix any motion sensing issues. We have used them almost exclusively because they work so good and last forever. Available in bronze or white at most electrical supply houses.

[@digdrivediy]

Nice!!

[@mikeznel6048]

2:40 take a fine point pick and clean the crud out of it. It’ll work better. When that stuff stays in there and you keep using it, the more you use it the worse it gets. It builds up more and more and gets packed tighter and tighter. Kind of like a file. They get dirty and do less work with more effort. I’m not telling you what to do either, I’m just giving you a tip.

[@digdrivediy]

That's a great tip. I actually didn't know it was that plugged up until I saw the close-up of it on camera! Mixed total sense.

[@Dave_Smith_1958]

That’s a great idea. Nice to see family involved in most of your videos

[@adammays9531]

Neil...how young is your dad? He's out there doing everything no matter what. AWESOME!!!

[@coldcaribbean]

Neil, I had a similar problem. I was tired of working under a headlamp during the low-light time of year splitting wood. My fix involved buying some cheap/portable battery powered LED lights on the market and building a telescoping jib/boom out of square tubing with a quick attach plate for my skid loader. I could clip the light at the top of the boom, and I was able to essentially make a portable street light I could move around the property and work at night without always being in my own shadow.

[@digdrivediy]

That's a great idea! Sounds like it works really well.

[@MasonWelds]

Neil, since you’re on the Milwaukee battery platform already, I’d recommend getting one of their cordless grinders too. Plenty of power, lightweight, and no more dragging cords around. I’ve had one for about 2 years now and I absolutely love it.

[@digdrivediy]

I just bought one for the garden tractor project! It's awesome 👍🏻

[@jimdaly5077]

Good home made salutations 👍👍🐝

[@thedelcodave]

Nice setup for nighttime splitting. Assuming your motion light under roof is hardwired... most fixtures can be "locked on" by just flicking the switch on and off a few times fast.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks! Yeah this one is hardwired in and doesn't have a switch. I've been tempted to put in a switch though to keep it on sometimes. But I like how it turns on as I walk out to fill the stove at night without me looking for a switch.

[@OneEyeCustoms]

I like your improvements! Great work and now the satisfaction of beating daylight savings!!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Doug!

[@brianworley7705]

I was initially thinking you were going to rig power off the splitter engine for some DC lights.

[@Summitoutdoorproductions]

Great idea👍🏻👍🏻. This is one of the reasons I like my tractor mounted splitter. Tractor has work lights in the rear. However the splitter is not the fastest but it works for us and doing our own firewood. Nice video.

[@blackdogexcavator21]

It looked like the sun came up when you turned those lights on. I love to see your Dad in the videos. He reminds me of my Dad. Always tinkering with stuff and fun to be around. Stay safe my friend.

[@digdrivediy]

Appreciate it BD. Yeah, I'm always glad to have him helping.

[@fricknjeep]

hi there well good idea we just used 12v led lights . went to andrew last summer an segusted to make a Eastonmade umbrella for the summer splitting , like a beach umbrella with there name on it . guess it was not a good idea . oh well you did good john

[@digdrivediy]

That would be nice too John. Mine doesn't have electric start so no 12v service on this one.

[@brentthebloodhound]

Awesome video!

[@TheHobbyShop1]

That turned out great. Nice lights and it even matches. 👍🏼

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks 👍

[@mitchjones2821]

Very nice, Kochs. There was a time when I couldn’t handle dark at 5:30. “Too much to do and I’ll be darned if I’m gonna let it stop me.”attitude. Don’t know when it left me, but it did. I enjoy too much leisure time these days. Work so hard through the day light that I don’t have much left anymore at night. Definitely not the fireplug I used to be. Man this comment has gotten depressing! 🤣 I Don’t know what’s in Texas but be safe and enjoy! From Franklin County in SE Indiana👋

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Mitch! We're on a work trip that gets to double as a vacation trip.

[@mitchjones2821]

@@digdrivediy best kind of work trip right there 😉

[@m9ovich785]

Nice build Neil. I added all the Electrics to My engine and My lights are 12 Volt incandescent Tractor Lights. Now that LEDS are more prevalent than Incandescent were when I did mine back in 07 or 08.. I might have to upgrade. Mike M.

[@digdrivediy]

Nice. If this one had electric start we'd have went that route.

[@m9ovich785]

@@digdrivediy I had to add all the parts to My 12.5 Hp Briggs. I got all the Pieces from a Blown 15 Hp of the same Vintage. basicly the Fly Wheel and 2 Ckt Stator.

[@robfate8781]

Looks good, I put a led bar on my splitter. Works off engine. Great job.

[@digdrivediy]

That would be slick too.

[@johanhermans8210]

Hey Neil , what a good idea to put lights on the woodsplitter. First I thought you where placing an alternator on the engine but I was wrong. Good solution with the ecoflow also. Nice seeing you working together with dad to pimp your splitter. Greetings from belgium .

[@enduser1982]

KICK ASS, Very nice!