About a month or so ago I decided that I wanted an electric splitter for the wood shed. Its primary purpose would be to resize splits and possibly make some kindling if so inclined (I don't use much kindling for startup, but sometimes I do to refresh a coals only reload).
![[Hearth.com] HF 5 ton Electric review - 06/14 update](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/128/128105-1ac6c8e0b5e4d9a87ca88432e6ed7c14.jpg?hash=T63GOKESya "[Hearth.com] HF 5 ton Electric review - 06/14 update")
This was purchased on the interweb during a sale and the use of a 20% off coupon. Less than $250 to my door.
First impression - solid little sucker. Very compact. Actually built better than I was expecting.
There were a couple of specific reasons that I wanted this version when compared to others. It has an on/off push button switch and a control lever. Period. You turn it on and run it just like a real hydro splitter. No safety switches, no two hand buttons, none of that. I am a person that keeps one hand on the wood. I have witnessed too many splits trying to get revenge by shooting out from its splitting position. I want control.
Operation - as said above - one push button on/off. One control lever. I have not measured full cycle time but it is slow (as expected). I did not intend for this to be a production machine so the slow action doesn't bother me at all.
It isn't quiet, but it isn't loud either. My dog just looks at it and cocks his head to the side.
It works - the darned little thing has split everything that I have asked of it. Yes, I probably have a few in the stack that I wouldn't even try but for general purpose it works. I have used it to resize large splits as well as bust some dimensional rough cut lumber into kindling.
The self retracting ram can be good and bad. It actually retracts fairly fast. I find that for kindling purposes I wont allow full retraction and manage that by "feathering" the control lever.
To sum it up...I like it. I don't have any thoughts of grandeur that this would take place of a full size hydro splitter, but for my purpose it does a dandy job. It appears to be as solid as any other electric and I have no reason to believe that it shouldn't provide a long and useful life.
I have no affiliation with HF or this splitter other than being an owner of one. I hope this provides useful to those that may be in the market for a little electric splitter.
I now feel confident that I can split up my splitting block and hang up my axe.
This was purchased on the interweb during a sale and the use of a 20% off coupon. Less than $250 to my door.
First impression - solid little sucker. Very compact. Actually built better than I was expecting.
There were a couple of specific reasons that I wanted this version when compared to others. It has an on/off push button switch and a control lever. Period. You turn it on and run it just like a real hydro splitter. No safety switches, no two hand buttons, none of that. I am a person that keeps one hand on the wood. I have witnessed too many splits trying to get revenge by shooting out from its splitting position. I want control.
Operation - as said above - one push button on/off. One control lever. I have not measured full cycle time but it is slow (as expected). I did not intend for this to be a production machine so the slow action doesn't bother me at all.
It isn't quiet, but it isn't loud either. My dog just looks at it and cocks his head to the side.
It works - the darned little thing has split everything that I have asked of it. Yes, I probably have a few in the stack that I wouldn't even try but for general purpose it works. I have used it to resize large splits as well as bust some dimensional rough cut lumber into kindling.
The self retracting ram can be good and bad. It actually retracts fairly fast. I find that for kindling purposes I wont allow full retraction and manage that by "feathering" the control lever.
To sum it up...I like it. I don't have any thoughts of grandeur that this would take place of a full size hydro splitter, but for my purpose it does a dandy job. It appears to be as solid as any other electric and I have no reason to believe that it shouldn't provide a long and useful life.
I have no affiliation with HF or this splitter other than being an owner of one. I hope this provides useful to those that may be in the market for a little electric splitter.
I now feel confident that I can split up my splitting block and hang up my axe.
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Good unit for the money. Got mine for $229 out the door. Thanks for the mechanical stop idea
