Making a HUGE log splitter. part 1

[@gbentley8176]

Always shocks people how massive a good log splitter has to be. Brought a trailered one back from Austria 20 years ago and she splits everything. Diesel operated rated at 35 tonnes or so. This is looking to be a veritable beast too!!

[@mikehunt3222]

If they’re built right they don’t have to be that massive though. My 50 ton splitter is only 5 1/2’ long, is run by a 5hp Predator engine and will split up to a 24” stick. I pull it around with my 4 wheeler. My ram is a lot shorter than his but bigger around. The only wood I have trouble with is stuff like big maple with a lot of knots in it. I rebuilt it though because when I got it the wedge was on the ram and the plate was on the back so when I split it the wood would fall at my feet. I reversed it and put the wedge on the back so that when I split the wood it would fall off the end.

[@aerialrescuesolutions3277]

My first thought was, " This is huge" The plate is very thick. Monster dog.

[@mingthemerciless6855]

Proper British Log Splitter. Can't wait to see the final result. Cheers

[@seansysig]

Biggest 3Point Hitch mount I’ve ever seen. You really tackle big jobs. I split 16” diameter rounds on my splitter. Yours will easily split 36” rounds.

[@andyscott2806]

I could sit and watch these types of projects/videos all day absolutely love them.

[@ebzZzZ]

engineers poem - 'yes the heart of fabricating something is the experience of the skills you need to create the parts of it but also the thought that goes into the order to do it that not only increases accuracy but also changes the amount of time it takes'

[@flange0r]

Looks good! Maybe cut some fork pocket holes in the web of that big beam so you can move it about?

[@snowballengineering]

Good idea

[@BrucePierson]

Very interesting seeing a log splitter designed and made. Years ago, I knew a woodcutter who had a log splitter. His splitter would split the log into six pieces, all in one go, so it made his job a lot easier than splitting the logs by hand like he used to do before he got the splitter.

[@davideddy2321]

Can’t wait till you split some hard wood …We could use that one in Australia’s for our winters 🎉

[@raygreene73]

There you go with the mad max designs again love it great designs,I would suggest making the splitting heads removable between 2 way and 4 way or even a eye hitch on it too for towing a trailer behide it too great quality work

[@warrenjones744]

Nice bit of welding there Oliver. Well done on that pin fit.

[@cheechU38K]

Fantastic CAD. I’ve used a VR headset which really helps seeing prototypes working at scale. Less mistakes when engineering. Love the power of hydraulic rams 👌🏻

[@MattysWorkshop]

Gday, I’ve been using Fusion360 and that’s been a learning curve, this is definitely going to be an industrial wood splitter, great job mate, cheers

[@graemewhite5029]

Good to see you here Matty, I was gonna mention on your last video to check out Olly as you said you were considering making a line borer and his home built one would be a good one for some inspiration ?

[@snowballengineering]

Is that what you use to draw things for your 3d printer matty?

[@MattysWorkshop]

@@snowballengineering I do, then export as a STL file to Cura for slicing

[@krazykanux]

What a beast of a splitter, cant wait to see tge rest. Great job mate.

[@homemadetools]

Nice work. We shared this video on our homemade tools forum this week 😎

[@snowballengineering]

Thank you!

[@theessexhunter1305]

Looks like it will be a beast.

[@petecross9470]

Blown away by your skills! You make everything look so easy! Just amazing! Thank you!

[@toine1915]

I really enjoy looking at your videos, my friend. I can't work anymore I am disabled but I like what you show. You know what you are talking about and are a craftsman. And I like your shop, man. Thank you for sharing this, my friend. Antoine.

[@ruthbees7214]

Hey olly love that splitter. I hope the tractor has assister rams on the hydraulics😂 by the time it's finished your gonna need them. I think the big advantage you will have the way you are building the splitter will save a lot of unnecessary cutting on the logs. Superman would have job stopping that when she's pushing hard cool as cannot wait for part two hope we can see it in action.😁❤Ruth

[@jasondedic]

Forget the logs, you'll be able to split cars in half with that thing 😂. What a beast!!

[@thepagan5432]

Very interesting project, gives us an insight into your engineering brain. The log splitter looks very substantial, which I personally think is the best way to go for longevity. Looking forward to the next installment. Keep safe and well 👍

[@yeagerxp]

Excellent work 👍👍👍. Thank you for sharing. Be safe 🇨🇦

[@Zogg1281]

Very nice!! I've seen someone else in the last few months converting his homemade log splitter over to being able to split logs into 4. In the end he went for a removable pair of horizontal blades so that he didn't loose the ability to just split the wood in half. If you go down that route there's also nothing stopping you from making another removable splitter that mould be designed to split wood into 6 pieces..... just right if you do some really large trunks. Looking forward to the next video 😊👍👍👍👍

[@johnss123]

You'll struggle to find a log big enough! Made a fair job of that👌👌

[@joemcgarry6915]

Big bit of a machine, I made one from scrap material that was lying about and have split knotted oak with it, I think you could sheer steal beams with your design or even make it into some form of horizontal press and super log splitter. You make good videos keep them coming.

[@71Giggles]

It’s a beast. Brilliantly work. Ever thought of getting a tool cart with all your often needed tools? Just push the whole lot to whichever spot you’re working. You must be knackered going backwards and forwards all day to get a pair of pliers!!

[@richarddey6793]

Another quality job from snowball, such a talented young man, keep the videos coming

[@crystallakegarage]

Makes my splitter look like a child's toy. I believe you could crush cars with that, very nice.

[@brucecliffe6213]

Interesting as always Ollie. A block splitter? Nah, THIS is a block splitter, mate. (shades of Crocodile Dundee.) My god mate, what a block splitter. When you make a block splitter the blocks must quake in fear. Haha. Now, the next thing is, have we got a tractor big enough to carry it around. I have a 40 tonne hydraulic splitter so on that scale I guess yours is a 200 tonne splitter. All jokes aside, nice job and well engineered as always Ollie. Keep them coming. Really appreciate your efforts mate. I like your work. Cheers, Bruce.

[@anthonykent7983]

That's what I like to see, proper steel for a proper job. Looking forward to seeing part two. Cheers

[@johncollier7744]

Another great video Oliver, looking forward to part 2. Your press brake must have some power behind it to bend thick plate like it did. I too like to use 3D CAD, I’m a bit older than you but find it’s a great tool to visualise a project before I start to cut metal. Keep up the great work.

[@alanrichardson1672]

Super work as usual. Nice to see you using 3D CAD modeling, it's the way to go for sure. I'm a retired electrical engineer and self-learning Fusion 360 at the moment. 😊

[@TheRossi48]

Ótimo trabalho. muito inteligente a tecnologia e o o profissional. Abraços do velho professor do Brasil. Parabéns!

[@julianhawker7672]

Your going to need a big old tractor working hard to pump enough oil to cycle that ram at a reasonable work rate!! You might consider doing what I did and making splitter PTO powered with its own tank and gearbox&pump. That was my answer to cycling a big ram, not using much fuel ( DB 995 runs it fine). HTH PS: A big table was another good addition to mine

[@johnkaup6382]

I built 2 of them years ago from scratch. Only had a lathe and a dc welder. Ram, pump and motor were supplied by the owners. Make sure you anchor the front end of the ram to the beam or it can buckle the rod. I learnt the hard way on the first one.😊

[@thelastreformationarizona8132]

Thanks for bringing us along for the build .. super creative and functional tool build .. consider cutting holes in the I-beam with your torch.. it will remain plenty strong enough and lighten the project

[@davetaylor4741]

Beautifully executed. Computers have certainly made some things easier. A technical drawing guy could have spent days mapping out that lot. In the end it still requires a skilled fabricator to put it all together. Certainly should split a few logs.

[@markfiges999]

Looking good Houston

[@nmccw3245]

A beast of a log splitter! 👍🏻 Definitely removable splitting head so you can sharpen / change split patterns / etc. with ease.

[@artisansportsman8950]

Love it , can't wait for part 2, these would sell like hot cakes...

[@graemewhite5029]

Think I'm too old to learn CAD, I'll just have to stick to drawing on the back of an old envelope ! Looking like a useful splitter, really hope you're gonna put some sort of table or guides on it to stop the split sections falling to the ground, it's a pain having to double handle stuff all the time.

[@snowballengineering]

Yes, that’s the plan. Still to be designed 😆

[@jimrankin2583]

You may actually want a hydraulic loading cradle for large rounds that you roll up to the splitter. Mine is trailer mounted but not a lot taller than yours will be and that would be a very nice addition. Funny how your mind gets to designing things to make a job easier as you’re doing it!

[@al4142]

Repair paltisers is what you’re best at from what I remember ~ following Doberman 😂

[@mikedolman7056]

Ollie what a robust long lasting piece of kit that will be, I think that I would be inclined to consider fitting fitting some heavy duty caster wheel to it for ease of moving it around when off tractor, Somerset Mike.

[@chrismarshall45]

If you clamp the end of the cylinder you will bend the rod eventually , only use the ram on its original mounting points I speak from experience as I made one exactly the same many years ago,and bent the rod, good videos keep up the great work

[@QWERTY7773]

Love your posts i don't no whetheryou follow Cutting edge Engineering Australia but they do a simular thing to yourself. Keep up the good work and looking forward to your next post 👍👍

[@ronsimpson143]

I have seen designs like this where the splitter blade is removable and you can make several types. Single blade, crossed blades, six pointed star, and even some that have an internal four and external eight blades so you can split huge logs. You might put on some small wheels to make it easy to move when not attached to the tractor.

[@Histandard2011]

Previous comments are spot on about ONLY having 2 points of contact for the ram. Rear one and then the one for the push plate slide unit. Do not secure the front of the ram to the I beam.

[@peterhornung3184]

Ich sehe die Sorgfalt bei jedem Arbeitsschritt und bei jedem Job, und das gefällt mir sehr gut. :D

[@alanremington8500]

Holy splinters, nice build !!

[@TonyFromSydney]

Good stuff Oliver..I look forward to your videos. You do interesting work and you come across good on youtube .Keep up the good work mate.

[@stuartturner8178]

What temperatures are you looking for between passes when your welding? Interested in the theory behind what your doing.

[@georgeross9834]

Handy weekend project although your average DIYer might struggle with your dimensions .😊

[@jamesmorris3175]

She’s gonna be a beast!

[@JonDingle]

What a great build and a beast of a log splitter young man. That thing will split some chunky logs or you could adapt it to bend some chunky steel!

[@astravanmk2]

Excellent work good sir. That’s going to be a fair bit of tackle.

[@nelson00-qk5ef]

Excellent job and channel, looking forward to see your channel grow

[@snowballengineering]

Thank you!

[@jst.hilaire354]

Nice job. I think you'll need a road wheel on the end so you can stèer your tractor on the way to the jobsite. haha.

[@snowballengineering]

It will be going on a big tractor, don’t worry 😆

[@jackofall2305]

Just a hobbyists but man i would love to weld of steel that thick all the time. Nice shop

[@philipdevonald1273]

Excellent work, I just wish I could weld half as good as you.

[@mikeboring1293]

Would love to see what the tonnage is after it’s built, I’m sure it’s well over 35 ton force

[@alandawson2813]

Another awesome video, keep up the awesome work.

[@snowballengineering]

Thanks! Will do!

[@petessite]

if the ol blade gets blunt on the chop saw , you can sharpen it no problem , take the blade of then get angle grinder , dont grind the teeth its the piece behind the the tooth ,dont have to take much off ,try it did mine worked a treat , love your videos great stuff ,regards from Essex

[@waynep343]

Make sdditional blades that drop over the welded on blade allowing you to easily remove to sharpen. Or to swap between a single blade and multiple wing blades depending on the size of the log your splitting Since its on the 3 point mount. Make it so you can mount it upside down to allow you to operate it like a backhoe from the driver seat by backing the tractor and lowering the splitter over the logs on the ground. A plate to pin to the splitter 3 point to allow you to mount it on a skid steer also jaws down.

[@kenwood8665]

Thanks for another amazing video

[@samleigh7817]

Would you need to sharpen the blade? Then it should be removable, but the forces required to split the wood might shear bolts, but if there is so much force then a shear bolt is better than a bent ram or blown seals. Damn that is some rabbit hole to go down! It is a bit bigger than I though it was going to be!

[@thedon4288]

Makes my splitter look like a toy and it’s not even finished yet. I have a question. I’m a total nine when it comes to welding but I noticed that you kept using a thermometer. Why are you checking the temperature??

[@jerryglenn7323]

You are a fantastic builder. Cheers🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@whitehoose]

I'd definitely include some sort of cross cutter. Unless you are cutting saplings or burning wood in a skip, cut once and get manageable pieces or allow for changing blades or inserting a cross piece. Versatile is easier to do first and adding and it later is a pain

[@dand5593]

1:30 i would make a sledge to follow the "i" beam to suport the piston push end and avoid lateral tension on it. It will be a monster 😮

[@jimwarmington3933]

Nice work.

[@stanley626]

Do you plan to include a log lifter? A simple swinging boom with a cable and scissor pinch Or a side table with a ram.

[@frfrpr]

Great video!

[@johnholness1470]

if your thinking of holding the ram solid at the end of the cylinder and fitting some kind free floating push plate on the end of the rod theres a chance over time that the rod will bend (yes i know its a big bugger) better just to have a sliding push plate mounted to the rsj . PS is it going on the te20😂🌳

[@adamdiaz8442]

I’m designing a single column forging press in a similar fashion cheers for this vid really going to help with my production

[@adamdiaz8442]

I’ve built similar one in the past but the was similar to your size but the webbing was to thin it flexed like mad

[@carloskawasaki656]

Thank you for sharing 👍👍👍👍

[@roydawson4882]

What a log splitter,on its side to nip the tree off,nice job stay safe .

[@marctunney3743]

Just brilliant real talent 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@MadMods4u]

Amazing work as always. keep up the great work. 👍

[@vishakuv5252]

Eagerly waiting for the completion....

[@kentuckytrapper780]

Excellent job..

[@fwflyer78]

You deserve a lot more subs!

[@snowballengineering]

Thanks! Only been on KZbin 6 months so not doing too badly so far.

[@rohde1017]

I have to say that my favorite part is seeing the proper PPE for every job. I wish I'd known about/used the EP sooner cause tinnitus stinks. Also, what is the fresh/filtered air rig you are using when welding? Asking as it seems less unwieldy than some of the stuff I've been able to find locally.

[@snowballengineering]

Yes, I didn’t used to wear EP at my old job and my hearing has suffered. I wear them for every noisy job now. I’m in this career for a long time so I try to project my eyes, ears and lungs the best I can. It’s a 3m adflo system that feeds filtered air into my welding mask.

[@rohde1017]

@@snowballengineering Thanks! I'll have to go look for that now online, since I haven't seen anything 3m locally.

[@PaulaOwens-v4k]

nice work will be a bit heavy for my massey 135

[@rogerhutchings5811]

Made a similar splitter years ago not as big but instead of retaining the cylinder body I made a guide that the rod pushes the log with to stop any unwanted movement of the rod

[@fjjunker8388]

A good work but why dont you repare the hose pack of your welding machine?

[@AdamCichanowski]

Pozdro😊😊😊😊 Tesz zawodowo spawam . Podziwiam zaradnosc jaka prezentujesz😊

[@kieranosullivan02]

when bending on the press do you know how far to go or just do a bit then check and redo if needed?

[@snowballengineering]

Yes, I do a test press first and I also have previous press settings written down from other jobs to give me an idea before I start

[@gerryduffy6700]

Super work as always. I can’t find part 2 though?😢

[@snowballengineering]

I haven’t made a part 2 yet that’s why. 😆

[@rudyrivera7426]

Great work! Keep them coming! Thanks for sharing! 👌👍

[@luisbatista1103]

20:12 - that backpack you have on is that a special respirator? What's it called I've never seen that in N American yt welding videos - great channel gonna subscribe thx 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🇨🇦I

[@ktmstick]

Air feed for the helmet. Blows filtered are into the mask.

[@waynedunne4507]

Great work. Cheers n beers.

[@DuncanSlater-r7y]

Хорошие видосы получаются, спасибо!

[@Gyppor]

Oliver, I'm curious what settings/wire/gas you use you're mig welding thick stuff like that. The welds look really nice.

[@aidanreilly520]

Looks good, with a hydraulic ram that big you'd need at least 30mm flat on top of section for wear & to stop it warping splitting knotted timber Keep up the good work i really enjoy your channel

[@markallen6961]

You might want to put some feet off of the lower link points to stop it falling over when its not hitch to a tractor,great machine.👍

[@RocketSkates99]

When I see beams on site, they have corners cut off the stiffeners which I assume are for expansion when welding. Why aren't they needed all the time?

[@floydblake175]

Dont attach the front of the cylinder to the beam. You will put the piston in a bind and damage seals. Cylinders can stay straight with two point of contact not three.

[@carlf8291]

Very nice job looks like it will split some big log's.

[@dtnicholls1]

That is one hefty log splitter. Should consider a gusset going from the TPL tube down to the end of the web on that beam. As it sits all of your force will be taken up by those two cheeks, right across that radius where it turns upwards. A gusset going from that piece of tube down onto the web will add quite a lot of stiffness to that part, which will be good both for when it's being used but also when it's being transported. That is going to be quite a lot of weight to be bouncing behind a tractor.

[@johnsimpson8652]

You could put a mole plough leg on the back that ,I have seen one done before.

[@michaelkato642]

Monster Splitter ...it would be interesting to see this apparatus manupulus

[@fricknjeep]

hi there looks real good . john