electric log spliiters

[Young Buck]

Has anybody used or purchased one of these units? If so what are your thoughts. I saw one to day at my local Rural King and it was only $250 wich it a heck of alot cheaper than the gas ones. I know there is quite a difference in power. Just wondering?

 

[johnsopi]

The small electrics are great for resplitting in the basement/garage. Thats what I use mine for. For real wood splitting buy or rent a gas powered
splitter.

 

[burntime]

My buddy has one. It will work ok but not on something like elm. If you only split oak and smaller pieces it would be great! Or as others have said for repliting in the garage it is great too. For the big stuff, I would go for a gas job... I have a 22 ton Spee Co. and it has done everything I need it to do for about a grand. Plus the 6.5 hp is good on gas.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I have an iron horse from Grossmans. It's advertised at 5 tons and does 90%+ of what I need done. It cost just over $200 on sale and it doesn't owe me a thing.

I'd like a larger splitter, but until this one is worn out, I wouldn't be able to justify one. This one suits my needs.

Matt

 

[Young Buck]

Thanks, that is what I was wanting to hear. I cant afford a gas powered on and for 2 to 300 bucks I think it would be worth it :coolsmirk:

 

[Wet1]

I wouldn't waste my money on one, they are underpowered and more importantly, way too slow. I'd buy a used home made gas unit before I wasted my time and money on a cheap electric model. The only electric splitter I would recommend (or buy) is an electric Super Split... but that's a lot more than $250.

 

[backpack09]

I find it funny how only people with gas splitters say that electric splitters are crap. While most everyone I have heard from WITH an electric splitter thinks they are just fine.

 

[Bubbavh]

I have the Taskforce one from Lowes. I use it to split pine and make kindling. I have split Oak with it and maple and whatever else comes its way. It DOES NOT owe me a penny! I agree it is not going to do the big work... but it will do most of it. I put mine up on the trailer so I don't have to bend over so far as far as cycle times it's not any slower then my friends 27 ton troy built.

Just my .02

wait for it... wait for it... (I know this post will open a can of worms)

 

[jrousell]

I own one. and I have to say-- it handles most of what I need from it. Huge chunks of knarly elm -- well of course not.... but I do like the following:
no gas engine to worry about, affordable, quiet

It is definetly great for resplitting, or handling moderately logs...

I did not have the money, nor space for a big gasoline unit... and this does save me a bunch of work.... I put it on a little bench that put it right at a nice working height...

 

[Young Buck]

I went to Home Depot and Lowes this morning and found nothing, not even a gas powered one. I did a forum search on here and read som good things about the ryobi, the iron horse and the task force. I just have got too many gas motors to take care of now not to mention I have no place to store a big splitter. A small compact one would be a much better fit for me. :coolsmile:

 

[Bubbavh]

I had my taskforce splitter pop a knotty 10lb chunk of oak 5' up in the air. It put a real nice ding it my garage door which was open at the time. So as far as power goes... yes it's got some! Just make sure the bleeder valve is open and keep your head away from the wood.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

With cycle time I usually have somebody working the controls while I load the wood. It makes the process go faster and if I were ever to do something really stupid there would be somebody to call 911 for me.

BTW it will handle a 150lb oak or maple round. If there are knots in it, it may not take it through the center but will take off slabs from the outside. When taking slabs I only let the piston retract to a point just behind the round. I can then rotate the round and the piston doesn't have to move too far in order to split the wood again.

Matt

 

[Stevebass4]

my first splitter was the ryobi from home depot as Bubbavh said it does not owe me a dime

it worked great but on the big stuff you had to shave the sides - and it's a lot slower than a gas splitter but it does do the job and my new gas splitter was 5* the money

i have since bought a 33 ton splitter but still use the ryobi to make kindling

 

[Young Buck]

Thanks for the replies guys! I think I will be going with the Ryobi as well, If I get one. I keep telling myself that I'm going to hand split it all and get back in shape :red:

 

[johnsopi]

I have had a Ryobi from H.D all I use it for is kindling. If I need to split a lot I rented a gas powered one.
I just got a homemade gas powered splitter off C.L for 300$. The Ryobi was not enough for my needs splitting
5-6 cords a year.

 

[Singed Eyebrows]

I just bought the Ryobi from HD. This was supposedly a reconditioned one, it was never used though, they had just replaced a valve they bent up. Not only does this have an amazing amount of power(rated 4 tons) most of the time it doesn't even work hard. It has gone through 12" elm without a problem. I put in a birch log about 24" dia, no problem. The cycle time is plenty fast as it can only take a 21" max log & ram travel is about 15". If you want one of these small electrics(Ryobi,Earthquake etc) you might want to get it now as there is a lawsuit going. Someone had a piece of wood come out & hit him in the nose supposedly knocking him out. I forget the brand name, it was a small electric though. His attorney is talking about machine not properly guarded etc. I bought this thinking it was just going to be used for resplitting wood in the basement. I think this will split at least 95 percent of my wood, Randy

 

[EatenByLimestone]

They do more than most people think. Glad you are happy with your purchase.

Matt

 

[Ohiopyro]

I've used a Ryobi for 3 years. I've had no problems, and am happy with it.

 

[blades]

I got the smaller one(electric from Harbor freight) 14" had for 10 years split all small stuff and kindeling with it inside, works great. I also have a 30 ton gas unit. I see now that there are units electric units available with 24" capacity. With the one I have it auto returns to home each time which on a larger unit might be kind of a pain. Mine has been trouble free from day one, gets used every day during the cold temps.

 

[allhandsworking]

I was sceptical because my 18 volt ryobe tools are crap but the ryobi log splitter is awsome! Home depo is local so you can return it and it comes with a warranty! I watched lots of videos on you tube and it looked like it worked good. When I opened the box all I can say is that it looked much chunkier and stronger than it looked in the videos. The box was so heavy!

The splitter goes threw 95 percent of the logs I get. Green Oak rounds 24" diameter no problem. sometimes you have to slit on a crack in the face of the log. Larger logs just chip away at the sides till you find a weak spot. Best of all you can sit down in your garage or basement and split! No noise,fumes and it only uses power when you engage the button! I still like to split by hand but this is so much easier. You can split for hours and wake up the next day with no akes and pains. Its safer that swinging an axe too. Do stay clear of the wedge thou because I have had splits pop and shoot 8" away!

 

[thinkxingu]

Hey There,
A buddy and I pitched in for one in spring because we weren't sure we'd want to do all the work. Since then, I've split four cord with it--works like a charm and you can take it where you want to in a pick-up and work off the tailgate.

S

 

[LLigetfa]

you can take it where you want to in a pick-up and work off the tailgate.

My gas powered splitter I can take just about anywhere. An electric one needs an outlet nearby or a heavy duty extension cord.

 

[kork]

I got an electric from Northern Tools on clearance for 299.oo pretty much the same design as the Mantis splitter in that it stands almost verticale. For my budget right now it's the best I can do. So far so good in that it's done every thing I've scrounged so far.
Hank

 

[Brian VT]

This old one is neat in that it splits both ways like the PowerHorse gas splitters.
Are most electrics this slow and noisy ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oXTT2BEKJA

 

[Stevebass4]

slow yes

noisy - not at all my 33 ton is a lot nosier