Conical screw log splitters

Whatever you come up with DO NOT design it like this one.

The ones with a table are no more dangerous than the business end of the chainsaw we use to cut the wood. I built one with an electric motor and it works great. Treat it with the respect you would any other power tool you'll be fine.

Great that it is working for you! The table setups do look a lot safer.

I would be interested in knowing what horsepower motor you are doing, and what speed you are running the cone at. Oh, and what kind of a cone you are using.

Just came upon a couple YouTube clips that should be of interest to all the unrepentant screw cone enthusiasts here:

Yes, I own a barkbuster still and have easily split 25 cords with it. Identical to the one in Butcher's photo but I still have the original loading bar and not that weird square stock job they have. Usually, depending on the wood, I am much more productive with the 1000$ huskee splitter. Smaller stuff, like under 18", and straight grained like red alder I can go faster with the bark buster but the huskee is quite nice and of course it is much safer.

Only a fool would argue that the cone style is just as safe as a hydro. Experience tells me that it is possible to be fast and efficient with the BB and not be injured.

The splits from the BB are not as straight and pretty as those from a hydro. More cracking and fraying.

I tried to sell the BB but no takers. I didn't try very hard since I am concerned with liability. Search on my username and see the very huge and long thread I made about my "unicorn" style splitter. Lots of pics.

Many years ago, I bought one and operated it with a 135 MF diesel. I used this (dangerous) splitter for several years and never came close to an accident. I am not saying they are not dangerous---a pocket knife can be dangerous---I believe most of the accidents were the fault of the operator not following safety guidelines.
Before I used mine the first time, I devised an easily reached "kill cord" for stopping the diesel engine. THIS IS IMPORTANT Be sure to never run the tractor at high R.P.Ms. and have a kill switch or someone on the tractor.
I split many cords of wood with my diesel tractor running at about 1,300 rpm

What could possibly go wrong?

LOL! That is pretty ridiculous! See the horse stumble at the end? And he isn't getting any production. What's even funnier, is that the horse tread mill is for sale. I used a " The Stickler" screw type cone splitter starting out. Yes, it works but was a pain to use. Mostly because I was going back and forth from pushing a round into it, and pushing the gas pedal on my truck to power it through. It was always in the back of mind to never turn my back on it. I had nightmares of backing up to it and having it tear through my calf. Manufacturer instructions are to sit in front of it and have a partner feed rounds to you. Too many precautions and possibilities for accidents. Last time I used it, I ended up knocking the rear end of my truck off the jack stands trying to split larger than recommended rounds. It was a bit of a curiosity in the neighborhood, people would come out and watch me use it, ask questions, etc.

No thanks.

this one is very similar to what my parents had back in the late 70's early 80's, I was about 10yrs old. Taught me respect for machinery and personal responsibility. I liked the hydraulic splitter, that came later on, a lot better. we also had a crazy giant saw blade powered by pto driven belt. used it for slab wood. Just thinking of that one (the sound of that blade) kind of gives me chills.... hahaha. oh the memories.

ahh yes... the "buck" or "buzz" saw.... I've got one in my yard.... powered by a 16hp Kohler... I've got 30" saw blades in my shed.... I remember using those death traps when I was 12..... powered off of a belt... off of an ANCIENT case tractor..... so old... the clutch was a lever....

I'll take my husky chainsaw and hydro splitter any day of the week....

I take that back, after going farther into this tread, I would have to say this is what we had..