Silent Splitting

[Ashful]

I'll throw another recommendation for switching to a maul. A sledge on wedge is a piercing sound, and while I think the whole situation is ridiculous, that does definitely travel farther than the swish of a maul thru wood. Unfortunately, a maul is usually not the best way to tackle real big stuff, so you'll be saving your larger rounds until the weekend, when you can go back to wedge and sledge.

I'll point out also that, technically, you're not doing "yard work". Splitting wood for heat has nothing to do with maintaining your yard. So, if the ordinance is written with respect to mowing, trimming, and general yard work, it does not apply.

 

[Woody Stover]

does the fiskar's axe reduce the effort on the big 3 foot rounds.

The Fiskars is pretty quiet, slides through the wood easily, but IMO it really doesn't have the @ss to tackle big rounds except for working you way around the edges. But on a 36" round, you are going to be chipping off the edges with just about any maul. Go ahead and get the Fiskars, too. Nice to have a lot of tools at your disposal...

 

[scooby074]

Not able to split wood in your own yard after 5? Ridiculous. Id tell them to go pound sand like the others have said. And yes, Ive worked lots of shift work. I never expected somebody to change to fit my patterns.

I'll lend you my gas splitter, it's good and loud.. Then they'll think that metal on metal of a sledge on wedge is as quiet as a duck's fart

But, Im really interested in those Halder tools! They look REAL nice. Ive seen similar mallets ( Garland, made in Maine, http://www.garlandmfg.com/mallets/products.html) but these Halder's look nicer. Wonder If they are available up here.

 

[bogydave]

Splitting in the Suburbs

It seems my new after work exercise routine of splitting wood for an hour or so may be a bit loud and annoying for the neighbors. (don't ask, it's new york). Wanting to make nice I have stopped the steel on steel wedges, but even the mauls on wood are loud.

I'm going to buy some new toys, but must choose wisely.

I know the Fiskars splitting axe is a miracle worker, but any sense on whether its quieter than the average maul?

Also anyone have experience with the superplastic sledgehammers like the Halders Simplex or the Fiskars Safety Wedge with a superplastic cap?

These are both expensive $50 for the wedge, $200 for the sledge, but willing to do so if they really are quieter so I can keep splitting at night.
View attachment 99220View attachment 99221

You have to be kidding ?
Where are you splitting, on the 3rd floor of an apartment complex/condo ? LOL
Garbage truck to noisy for me, stop garbage collection!
Eat more bean soup!

 

[lukem]

Have you considered a drill and blackpowder?

 

[Backwoods Savage]

This is difficult for me to understand. After all, don't people mow their grass? Don't vehicles make noise. I certainly would not complain about a neighbor splitting wood and I never thought it was loud either. If it were me, I'd split as I wanted except to be respectful in early morning or late night.

 

[Flatbedford]

I agree that the sound of hammer on steel wedge could be horrible after a while. Get a good splitting maul and give up the hammer and wedges. It quieter and safer too.
Where in NY? I'm in Northern Westchester County.

 

[brian89gp]

Well, I am guessing by the dinner your neighbors are still on speaking terms with you and sound like they might be reasonable. Why don't you go over there and figure out a common ground that you both can live with. You have no idea if it is the day, the time, the look of the piles, or the metal on metal sound that is bothering them.

 

[lumbering on]

It is pin drop quiet here in the evenings, so I stick out like a sore thumb...whack...whack...whack.
Everyone follows the rules. Did I mention the rule applies to weekends as well? No leaf blowers, etc. I just moved here a few months ago, trying not to start trouble.

I'm going to try the fiskars axe first. Much cheaper.

 

[Bret Chase]

Build a splitter with a straight piped Detroit diesel 8v92. Run it at governed speed.

I guarantee after a few hours of running that they won't complain about a guy splitting wood with an ax!

I try not to be the a-hole waking everyone up making noise but if it's between 6AM and 11PM I'm making all the noise I want.

no... 24V71... with zoomies! In my town the noise ordinance runs 7am-7pm... and even then.... you've got to be *really* obnoxious to get the PD's attention after 7pm....

 

[The Beagler]

I'd move away from those kooks! Head south!

 

[Bret Chase]

It is pin drop quiet here in the evenings, so I stick out like a sore thumb...whack...whack...whack.
Everyone follows the rules. Did I mention the rule applies to weekends as well? No leaf blowers, etc. I just moved here a few months ago, trying not to start trouble.

I'm going to try the fiskars axe first. Much cheaper.

I would move back out... my land has been in my family for over 150 years... and my home has been heated by wood for 138 of it's 148 year existence. others have moved in... and left.... but we're still here... and the last thing I'm going to do is change what *I* do... on *MY* land... for someone who as just moved in...

 

[Josh Hufford]

Maybe you need to find something that your neighbor does on a regular basis, and find a reason that it annoys you, then go complain to them about it and see their reaction.

 

[Ashful]

Maybe you need to find something that your neighbor does on a regular basis, and find a reason that it annoys you, then go complain to them about it and see their reaction.

"There you go, breathing again..."

 

[nate379]

Reminds me of my neighbors I used to have next door. Saturday afternoon like 2PM and she comes over saying my nail gun was making too much noise. I was in the middle of building a shed.

Wanted to tell her exactly where I could fire that nail gun, but instead said... "Oh I'm sorry, let me put it in quiet mode for you"... Turned my back to her and "You can remove yourself from my property now".

I try not to be an a-hole, but those people must have had super human hearing or something. Couldn't even pass a fart sideways in my bedroom without them bitching about it.

 

[Bret Chase]

Reminds me of my neighbors I used to have next door. Saturday afternoon like 2PM and she comes over saying my nail gun was making too much noise. I was in the middle of building a shed.

Wanted to tell her exactly where I could fire that nail gun, but instead said... "Oh I'm sorry, let me put it in quiet mode for you"... Turned my back to her and "You can remove yourself from my property now".

I try not to be an a-hole, but those people must have had super human hearing or something. Couldn't even pass a fart sideways in my bedroom without them bitching about it.

I would have become twice as loud...maybe 3 times....

 

[steeltowninwv]

i dont think i could deal well with what you are going thru...im a likeable guy and would do anything for a neighbor...but if i wanna split wood late at night im gonna do it....and i sure wouldnt spend money on tools to make splitting quieter...im not sure there is a silent way to split wood...best of luck with ur neighbors

 

[save$]

Make a keyhole firepit, then invite the neighbors over and have them help with the fire. Might change a few minds, maybe you will get invited to their firepit meal.

 

[Ashful]

I would have become twice as loud...maybe 3 times....

i dont think i could deal well with what you are going thru...im a likeable guy and would do anything for a neighbor...but if i wanna split wood late at night im gonna do it....and i sure wouldnt spend money on tools to make splitting quieter...im not sure there is a silent way to split wood...best of luck with ur neighbors

Make a keyhole firepit, then invite the neighbors over and have them help with the fire. Might change a few minds, maybe you will get invited to their firepit meal.

I think the point is being missed, here. The trouble is not simply complaining neighbors, but an ordinance that states he can't make noise doing yard work after 5pm. If the interpretation is that splitting wood is somehow "yard work," then he's dealing with the PD, not just the neighbors.

I argue that splitting firewood has nothing to do with yard work. How does the ordinance read? Can you post it here?

 

[Wildo]

If you get them too riled they may ban wood burning

 

[billb3]

You need the Cone of Silence
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cone_of_Silence


A couple inches of soft mulch might help absorb a small amount of the thump.

 

[gerry100]

Never live anywhere you can't piss off the back porch

 

[dyerkutn]

I would move back out

We all have our reasons for living where we do--wouldn't want to judge without knowing the situation--but maybe on a cold night next winter (or when the elec. is out) invite them over for dinner/coffee whatever and they will see why you do it.

 

[lumbering on]

Admittedly it's touchy. I've had visits from the constable already for my lawnmower and during my remodel. BUT, I've sunk my life's savings into the house and I ain't going anywhere anytime soon. Totally appreciate the sympathy as well.

BUT if I'm going to live in harmony, I've got to quiet myself down.

Has anyone actually used the thermoplastic gear and can attest to whether its quieter?

 

[firefighterjake]

Noise ordinances . . . nosy neighbors . . . law enforcement.

No answers for you Lumbering . . . but I do want to say I am mighty glad to be where I am with the neighbors I have.