New wedges! (A Photo Essay, Because Everyone Likes Pictures.)

[jetsam]

SO... I have some rounds that most sane people would file under 'leave that one in the woods'. It was 60 today(!), and I want to get rid of this unfinished business, so I decided to break one up.

As there was no way this thing was going in the splitter, and sawing it up looked to be a bit of a project, I decided to sledge'n'wedge it in half to get the ball rolling. It quickly ate all four of my wedges, so I had to go get more. Luckily, I found a local source that had extra-large ones...

Victory! WoodWedge2000 is a success. Dolmar 6400 in its victory pose, as if it helped, for scale.

So I split up the easy part of the small half on the ground...

At this point I realized that a wheelbarrow wasn't going to be sufficient.

I got the small half of that big honking round split up and called it a victory as the light faded. Here's what it looks like split:

...Because Everyone needs a hobby, that's why!

 

[greg13]

And you couldn't put that in the splitter because....??

 

[jetsam]

Because it was about twice as tall as the splitter's max reach, and about 24" in diameter. Dunno what it weighed but I couldn't shift it!

 

[DodgyNomad]

big wood is hard on da back

 

[Jazzberry]

Piece of cake. Easily done by a single person.

Link Removed

 

[D8Chumley]

big wood is hard on da back

Agreed, I cut my rounds about 22" and when I get into big stuff I start feeling my age (almost 49) Sometimes I have to halve them

 

[greg13]

It didn't look that long to me. I used to just work the sides and keep turning it.

 

[Lake Girl]

One of the few times sub-zero temperatures are appreciated ... far easier to split difficult wood when it is frozen

 

[Catfish Hunter]

One of the few times sub-zero temperatures are appreciated ... far easier to split difficult wood when it is frozen

I agree Lake Girl! It's cold in Wisconsin and the wood is flying apart - the saws are running awesome in this weather!! I really like being in the woods this time of year...

jetsam - great pics, those are some awesome chunks!

 

[jetsam]

I remember splitting elm as a kid- when it was -20 or so, I would always stay out just as long as I could, because the splitting gods were finally on my side FOR ONCE on those days.

(With elm, the splitting gods do tend to frown upon most of your endeavours. :/. )

 

[Lake Girl]

Have to chuckle... it's snowing today and the temperature is a bit warmer than yesterday. Warms up to snow In my immediate locale, the woods are no longer as quiet as they used to be. Sound carries well and, with a new mine going in about 20 miles away, you can hear the constant rumble of the extremely large machines they use there... Not horribly intrusive but a change.

For cutting/splitting wood, colder temps would be preferable to extremes of heat in the summer. Too cold is no fun either though.

 

[jetsam]

Our weather here on Long Island is pretty crazy. We are getting 20 degree nights, 50 degree days, snow one day and spring sunshine and temperatures the next... I enjoy warmer weather, but I bet it's playing hell with all.the plants that evolved back when we had 4 seasons.

(January 2 dandelions.)