Speeco 5-Ton Electric-Would you buy it for this?

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richg

Minister of Fire
Nov 20, 2005
888
Gang,

It's on sale at tractor supply for $250 vs regular price of $300.00. I can rent a gas splitter whenever I want for $50.00 per weekend from a local tree guy, and also have a megal maul and a fiskars ss. My planned usage for the speeco was to make kindling and re-split larger pieces. Waste of money or a useful tool to have for these applications?

Thanks.
 
I have the Task Force 5 ton electric splitter and find it very useful for your intended purposes: kindling and resplits. It does a decent job of splitting rounds that aren't too big or messy (knots etc.)
 
I have a small electric splitter, and have split an amazing amount of stuff with it.
Can be moved around very easy and even use it inside, out of the weather.
 
Rich, as long as you rent a bigger splitter I would not go for this purchase. If you want to make kindling, you can't make it faster than you can using a hydraulic splitter. I actually find it fun to make kindling every year with the big splitter. Also, you can make kindling just using an axe once you get the hang of it.
 
I would think your Fiskars would kick any splitter's butt for resplitting and making kindling. Lots faster.
 
I have a Ryobi 5-ton electric splitter and I LOVE it. I've split some decent size rounds with it and those I can't I just bash with the maul. It does make for a good firewood "customizer". I keep it on my porch right next to the wood pile.
 
The Ryobi is apparently no longer available, but is available under a different name (see photo of Ryobi at this distributor's website):

http://powrkraft.com/products.htm
 
I hate renting, especially when I can buy something that will do 90% of what I need to.
SO: having owned an electric splitter, I'd say buy it if a gas is not in your budget now or in the future. Then you can split most of your wood and rent the splitter rarely. You'd only have to skip 5 rentals to pay for the electric. May be a good investment, not to mention that it would get rid of the whole having to arrange for, pick up, and return the rental.

S
 
That little electric will do 90+% of what you want to split. I have a little electric that I picked up for around $250 and it doesn't owe me a dime.

Matt
 
Gents,

Thanks for your replies. I have decided to refrain from purchasing the electric for a few reasons:

1. While the purchase price is $250.00, with New Jersey's lovely 7% sales tax, the total cost is $267.50
2. There are always gas splitters to be found on Craigslist....I saw the Huskee 22-ton for $800.00 the other day and it looked mint. No sales tax on a Craigslist deal.
3. I have a dang garage full of top-of-the-line power tools that I don't use. Better to sell them and generate funds for a tool I will use.
4. Buyers remorse....don't want to spend $267.00 and then think, gee, for only $500.00+- more I could have had a gas splitter.

Thanks again for your replies, and Happy Burning!
 
I agree with others who say to forget the electric and just get the <$1000 gas splitter. Have no regrets.
 
Gang,

A line from one of my favorite songs: "Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right". Well, I'm downing beers with a buddy yesterday who is big time woodburner, as is his next door neighbor. We agreed to go in for 1/3 each for a kick-@$$ gas splitter. I drive very close to his house on the way to/from work, so pickup and drop off won't be an issue.

Problem solved!
 
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