Be Careful with Splitting Wedges

[Eric Johnson]

I just read a news item about a guy in northern Maine who was splitting wood with a steel splitting wedge and a sledge hammer. Part of the wedge let go when he hit it with the sledge, sending it into his femoral artery and him to the morgue.

Hitting steel with steel is dangerous. I never use splitting wedges, but if you do, be sure to grind off all the mushroomed steel that forms over time around the head. And by all means, always wear safety glasses.

 

[Nic36]

Talk about a freak accident. What a way to go.

Yeah, the safety glasses is a good idea. I wear mine for everything. I wear them and still get stuff in my eyes. Go figure.

 

[flyingcow]

Sad story, nice guy by all accounts. Small town guy. Makes you think.

 

[woodconvert]

I just read a news item about a guy in northern Maine who was splitting wood with a steel splitting wedge and a sledge hammer. Part of the wedge let go when he hit it with the sledge, sending it into his femoral artery and him to the morgue.

Hitting steel with steel is dangerous. I never use splitting wedges, but if you do, be sure to grind off all the mushroomed steel that forms over time around the head. And by all means, always wear safety glasses.

THAT is a bummer. Before I finished what you read I was thinking "that wedge was schroomed over i'll bet". Back in the day...as a yout...I split with a sledge and wedges. The wedges were mushroomed over so bad the wedge stopped when the mushroomed part got to the wood. I took schrapnel to the bare leg once before I got smart...or smarter.