Omega gas splitters:
Before one gets involved with this company read the payment options You are not protected by using a charge card they will not accept charge card payment
I wonder why?
One customers story
“On the Omega Stores website, they claim that: “customer service is our number one priority”. Don’t believe it, they are impossible to communicate with, and if you do reach them they will lie to you over and over again.
http://www.complaints.com/directory/2005/october/17/29.htm
Another one
http://www.complaints.com/directory/2005/march/9/24.htm
another
http://www.sptimes.com/2004/01/25/Action/A_reminder_on_the_imp.shtml
Ebay feed back rating 88.5%. The point here is to make you aware too many have had problems with this merchant. I have personally communicated with this company and did not like the way they conduct business. I have used their one of there earlier 6 ton splitters it worked fine, what scared my off is wondering if I break something and need to replace a part, just about impossible to get in touch with
Mantis SwiftSplit 5 ton: All these splitters are similar made in China. The main problem is the lack of hydraulic reservoir capacity. We are talking pints not gallons. They will split the straight grain 6 to 8” rounds but stop dead when confronted with more difficult grained wood Forget elm I admit I have not worked or seen this brand but 4tons is not a lot of difference over the Ryobi 4 tons
Dr splitters: Much better company to do business with and could have a local distribution outlet near you threw a True Value like hardware store. At 50% more capacity than the Ryobi one notices the difference It will split the occasional piece rejected by the 4 ton ryobi, but still refused to split a straight 10 /14” elm actually the same can be said of the omega splitter I used. Is it worth the additional cost? Better company to stand behind the product is worth more?
Suggestions: go to home depot purchase the Ryobi and see what it can do. Chances are within one hour you will be impressed enough it is a keeper. If not return it for full refund. Advantages is brand name and repair centers and parts availability. plus only $300
Omega, more money more power but once your check is cashed and things do not workout or broken you own it.
Knowing what to expect and using any tool: If you are going to make multi splits why not use the tool that way. Third the log first Not every split has to be dead center making the tool work at maximum effort. If it rejects the initial effort, flip the log around and reduce the amount you are trying to split. Do not expect the same results as a 30 ton unit will deliver, that stops at nothing.
Learn your tool capacities and learn how to achieve the best results with what you have. With this philosophy is why I think you will be impressed with the capabilities of the Ryobi. Personally, I went a different route and opted for more conventional electric splitter. With real components and 4 times more power with a 16 ton electric splitter. The motor alone cost more than the Ryobi splitter.
But I burn two stoves and process twice the wood one stove owners do My supply started out at 16 cords, It had dwindled but I am also adding to it. Some of the wood I am processing, will not end up in my stoves till the year after next. I split a whole cord one weekend with the ryobi.
There is another alternative the two handle hydraulic jack splitters I have yet to use one but would like to try one out. These splitters deliver 10 to 12 tons of force and could be a cost wise solution.
The thing I wonder about them is the length of the jack travel and the speed of completing the split and repeating this action. At some point, I have to try one out to see what it can do