What's faster... Horizontal splitter, Vertical splitter, or Horizontal splitter with box wedge? #93

In this video we compare the splitting speed of the Eastonmade 22-28, with the box wedge, to the Horizontal and Vertical splitter speed comparison that Matt at Firewood on the Hill did in a recent video. All are great commercial splitters that produce different final products. Conclusion is that The best type is dependent on your needs and expected outcomes.

[@billobermeyer660]

Great comparison video Dick. When I make a change it will be to the 17VS for all of the stated reasons on the video and comments. Nice to see Clifford in the woodyard!

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hey Obie. The vertical splitters are very impressive for precise splitting. I've run the AXIS and it is an amazing machine.

[@davidedwards3734]

Pros and Cons for both!! Thanks for the comparison video!! Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks David. Hope you are doing well.

[@TCsOutdoors1]

I love the video, this is a great comparison and I think you’re spot on! There are a lot of great machines out there and no one is perfect for everyone.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks Tony. The point I was trying to make is that each type of splitter fills a need.

[@Growing-Our-Retirement]

Great insight any analysis of the options! Love the box wedge but really like the control of the vertical splitter. The big game changer is really the conveyor! Saves 1/2 the handling! Also really like making square pieces vs triangles. So much better for stacking in the woodstove box.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hey Larry. You are right about the conveyor. Especially for a one man operation it is critical.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I’d say the box wedge puts itself in the category of easiest to use. The pizza wedge makes nice bundle wood for sure. Now if you’re making stove wood or boiler wood with the right sized rounds I’d say a multi split wedge would be a bit faster. I guess I need to add a box wedge to my collection to have the perfect set up.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hey Heath. The nice thing about the Eastonmade horizontal splitters is that they give you the option of changing from standard wedges to box wedge in one machine.

[@FirewoodontheHill]

Great video Dick and thanks for the shoutout. One thing I would like to add because I feel it’s worth mentioning. A horizontal splitter with a 4 way/ 6way will be faster than a box wedge or vertical splitter in smaller wood. I would say 14 inches and smaller. The other thing I want to mention is the 12-28 is in a higher class than both the 28c and 17vs. 23hp vs 13hp machines. With that being said the times would be a little closer on a machine in the same class ie 12-22. I think like you said each splitter has its pros and cons and it’s really up to the person and their operation.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Very good points Matt. I still have my Wolfe Ridge 28C and it’s a great machine. The 17VS seems to be a great vertical splitter as well. The nice thing about the 22-28 is that I can remove the box and then split with a 4 way or 6 way. It’s a dual purpose (box or standard wedge) machine. The huge factor for me is the pull back arm on the box. It makes for pretty much effortless splitting… that’s a big plus for my “old guy” status haha!

[@FirewoodontheHill]

@@oldguyfirewood A box wedge does make for effortless splitting in big wood there is no doubt about that.

[@FirewoodontheHill]

@@oldguyfirewood i think a better comparison of horizontal vs box wedge is if you did do a comparison of the 4way on your machine vs the box wedge on your machine.

[@oldguyfirewood]

That’s a good idea Matt. My guess is that the results would be about the same as the 28C. They are both fast, high power, commercial machines.

[@toddsoutsideagain]

I have been struggling with what I want to upgrade to. Vertical is what fits my operation the best but storage and maneuvering it is not so easy🤷‍♂️ The most important thing to me is precision splits for bundles and ease of storage and moving. So an Ultra or WR 17Rs makes more sense for me. I do say the pizza wedge is the way to go on the box wedges. Nice video Dick👊🏻

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hey Todd. It sounds like the Ultra would fit your needs perfectly.

[@randythomasson2393]

well done great value analysis

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks Turtle.

[@outdoorsinthe608]

Great job Dick! I think the vertical splitter is the way to go!👍👍

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hi Jeremiah. The Axis is a pleasure to run. The 22-28 gives me the option of standard wedges or box wedge, and fast production.

[@tomblack4796]

I agree with your analysis of the different splitter types. I think another consideration is how nice is the wood you usually get. Verticals look dangerous to me when they hit knots and/or unevenly cut wood. I think the best you can get from 1 splitter is the box wedge for straight grain and then switching to a traditional wedge for gnarly stuff.

[@oldguyfirewood]

I totally agree Tom. My 22-28 gives me the option of box wedge or standard wedge in one machine. A vertical splitter would be a great addition for my bundle wood business.

[@Bentwrench28]

The box wedge not only makes alot of scrap, but the wood in the basket is all shredded. I don’t want firewood that’s full of smalls and slivers.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Points well taken. Thanks for watching!

[@1squirreldog]

Good video Dick! I use the standard 7 way & it’s good but like you say you get a lot of scrap . Although I have found that I like some of the smalls & slivers in my wood to start fires . The 4 ways is much more work but you need it for the big knots . All of the commercial splitters can get the job done it’s all in what each person wants .

[@oldguyfirewood]

You are absolutely correct.

[@fricknjeep]

hi there real good show . up at Brads i saw over 1/3 cord loss per 2 cords split . that was based from what i saw in the end of the day there from Dons and dude ranch , then there are a lot of great pieces but a lot of oddball ones as well , as you menchened and so many over look clean up time and desposel time , i think i still like a signal split with a fast cycle time , the verticals are more that way and with a few minor changes could be a lot faster , good show ,best to all john

[@oldguyfirewood]

You make some great points John. In addition to speed, the main benefit of the box wedge is how the pullback arm eliminates so much physical labor.

[@davidcarrow5419]

Good job comparing. The box wedge is least amount of physical work and a good pick for big rounds 😂

[@oldguyfirewood]

The pullback arm on the box wedge really does eliminate a lot of physical work.

[@Splittin_Sticks]

Good video Dick! and yes the box wedges do produce alot of trash you have to deal with, some of can be used for kindling but then alot can't.

[@oldguyfirewood]

It's a trade off. More production with less physical work, but having to deal with scrap. I'll happily deal with the scrap!

[@hayesrutherford9415]

Liked your video and happy with my order for a 22-28. No intentions to sell bundle wood so going with regular 7 way box, tall 4 way and 6 way..

[@oldguyfirewood]

You will absolutely love the 22-28 Hayes. I hope my videos helped you make that decision!

[@mikesherman2612]

Great comparison video Dick…you’re right…just need to have all 3. Haha Some day I’ll decide between the 12-22 or the Ultra…though the Axis seems awesome as well. 🤷‍♂️

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hi Mike. The nice thing about the 12-22 is you can get the box wedge and standard wedges in one machine!

[@adirondackwoodsman]

I like the box wedge but don’t forget the tall 4 way for some precise splits if you have some knottier wood slower than the axis but good compromise if you have a horizontal splitter like the 12-32 or the 22-28

[@oldguyfirewood]

You're totally right Jeff. The 22-28 give me the option of box or standard wedges in one machine.

[@bwillan]

The commercial horizontal splitters practically need 2 people to operate it, especially if using regular wedges. Even with the box wedge, if you get those really big rounds, you still need to man handle the round to rotate it. I think the commercial vertical splitters are the way to go for a solo operation. You get complete control over the size of splits (small to large) and there is next to no scrap to deal with.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Very good points. You are correct about needing 2 people to get maximum production.

[@lillysfarmfirewood]

😂 thanks man now I need another splitter

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hey Matt. The box wedge has been a game changer for sure.

[@MillersStumpsandFirewood712]

Great advice Dick.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hi Ted. Thank you!

[@danshouseofsmokeandoutdoor7119]

The vertical makes the nicest wood. I think say 12 inch smaller single push throw 6 way and small stuff 4 way produce the most wood.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Great point Dan. One push and done with the smaller stuff.

[@craignash4736]

Hey Great video, very informative. I’ve been around wood stoves all my life . And I can honestly say I enjoy all aspects of wood burning. Felling tree to bucking up .love stacking . lol I’m 72 ….. you mind sayin your age ? Thanks for sharing. Craig Pa.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hey Craig. Thanks for watching. I just turned 75 in January. I feel really blessed to be able to continue to so the things I enjoy.

[@staceyweston9694]

I very much agree with your analysis Dick. After much careful consideration and watching every video I could find on the Axis and the box wedge machines, I determined that the Axis was the first purchase I needed in my situation. One of the biggest factors is that there will be times when I will be working alone, where the vertical machines shine. The other is the belief that eventually I will be able to work into the bundle/campfire/cooking markets where the profit margins are the greatest. Finally, I chose the Axis because for any pile of rounds, I can be producing bundle grade, bulk firewood, boiler wood and even kindling simultaneously into separate IBC totes placed strategically around the machine. I can see also having a box wedge machine like the 22-28 or a small processor like the Japa 405 in the yard as well. That would be the ultimate setup for me ala www.youtube.com/@ohiowoodburner

[@oldguyfirewood]

Great comments Stacey. Joe does have a pretty sweet setup!

[@digger0429]

Good talk thanks Dick like your videos stay well

[@oldguyfirewood]

I always look forward to your comments digger. Thank you!

[@OpenAirAdventure]

Hey Dick. You say half and half. Personal firewood and a little sales on the side? Do you recommend the vertical?

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hi Kenny. If you are doing any substantial amount of bundle wood I'd go with the vertical. I've only run the AXIS but it is a great machine in my opinion.

[@johnpierce1251]

That was fast but speed is low on the list not burning yourself out and getting hurt I’d still go with the box hello Clifford tell him saftey first lol stay safe my friend

[@oldguyfirewood]

I hear you John. Clifford gave you several tail wags!

[@davidcheek3026]

Hi Dick. Have you ever figured out how many cords of firewood you are producing now after the Eastonmade came into your stable of tools?

[@oldguyfirewood]

Hey David. At a comfortable pace I can process a cord per hour working alone. Of course that doesn't include any felling, bucking, or staging rounds to be split. I'm planning on bout 40 cords this year... not too bad for an old guy haha!

[@obiorah1]

You have a good point if your doing Bundle Wood Boiler Wood or Tree Service Wood or Working on your own the Axis is the way to go it produces better wood then the 22-28 if you doing production and you have a second person helping you splitting face cords of wood per hour with the conveyer the 22-28 is the way to go,

[@oldguyfirewood]

Exactly.

[@outdoorswithlarryrobin]

Hello Dick, Good comparison my friend 🤘🏻🪵🇺🇸

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks Larry. Hope you and Robin are doing well!

[@leonardryan8723]

Your a 99% on your splitter Dick & Clifford.

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks Leonard!

[@inthebackyardwithdel438]

Hey Mr Dick , very nice comparison . There are some super nice splitters out there and like for me . I do more bundle wood so I would do better with a vertical splitter !!👍🏻🪵🔥

[@oldguyfirewood]

Thanks Del. For bundle wood the AXIS is the way to go.