Dumb noob: sharpening splitter head?

[Lyndenbrook Farm]

We have a 27-ton Troybuilt. Well, my MIL has it and says the FIL will get it back from her when porcine aviation is a thing. Long story. In any event ...

Do you ever sharpen the head on the splitter? If so, when and how?

thanks

 

[BrotherBart]

My splitter is 26 years old with hundreds of cord under its belt and the wedge hasn't been sharpened and doesn't need it.

 

[Lyndenbrook Farm]

I like that answer. One less thing to worry about!
Thanks!

 

[jillybeansisme]

Oh, you made my heart sing with that answer! I don't have any gear yet other than ear protection and a face mask. But one less thing to do is wonderful!

 

[firefighterjake]

Of course the better question is . . . how in the world would the splitter head ever get dull . . . it's not like you may accidentally split a rock in two by splitting too low to the ground.

 

[Fifelaker]

Of course the better question is . . . how in the world would the splitter head ever get dull . . . it's not like you may accidentally split a rock in two by splitting too low to the ground.

I have found nails imbedded in the wood that have left some divots in the edge. I use mine as a shop press for ball joints and other pressing duties but I made a sheath to cover and protect the edge when pressed into this duty. (pun intended)

 

[bmblank]

Heh. He said doodie...
So I've been thinking how a shop press would be a nice thing to have. Not cause I need it that often, but when I do need it that's about the only thing that can get the job done. I never even considered using the splitter as a press. That's good for thought there.

 

[bassJAM]

I just bought a shop press last fall, and realized the other day that with my new splitter purchase it kind of makes having the press mute. Although having the control of a shop press is invaluable at times.

Back on topic, IF you ever needed to sharpen the wedge due to a large nick, an angle grinder would due the trick. Or bench grinder if you're able to remove the wedge. Most hydraulic splitters should be powerful enough to push through a log even with a dull wedge though.

 

[Lyndenbrook Farm]

Most hydraulic splitters should be powerful enough to push through a log even with a dull wedge though.

It's only 27 tons

 

[rustynut]

hi all,
Those splitters also work well for knocking tires off rims to reseat them or installing tubes.......
rn

 

[Highbeam]

I took a flat file to mine to knock off the weld spatter from construction and to establish a clean edge. I also knocked off the point on the top of the cutting edge that would otherwise create a deep flesh wound if you caught it with your arm. Just sort of dull that top corner.

 

[KB007]

When I'm splitting with my buddy, I always feel like I'm dealing with a "dull wedge". Not the splitter, mind you...

I have all kinds of nicks and gouges in the wedge on our splitter from trying to make a 4 way wedge work. The 4 way didn't work, but the original wedge still plows thru anything no issue.

 

[Fifelaker]

For ball joints, I run it at an idle and feather the control. I goes slow enough you can control it if you don't get your alignment quite right. If it doesn't have enough power bump the throttle a bit and ease into it again. I did some rear ball joints on a BMW that BMW said you need a special thing for your shop press. I had all of the special tooling in my scrap pile. Some pieces of pipe and plates and viola the joints were off and back on in less than 1/2 hour not including removal and installation of the arms. It also did the wheel bearings.