Question about Gas Splitters - 2way vs 4 way

[stevej8910]

It is that time of year for me to rent a splitter from my local hardware store. I have always rented the 2 way splitter but am curious if there is a real advantage to renting the 4 way.

Will I be able to split more wood with the 4 way than with the 2 way?

Thanks

 

[gpcollen1]

It depends on how you like to split your wood. I like splitting mine in blocks or slabs rather than in pie shaped pieces so I prefer what I have over the 4-way. If you just want to run some small or medium rounds through once, then a 4-way is the way to go.

 

[stevej8910]

What I will be splitting will be from 6" to 20" diameter with a majority of it being about 14"

 

[Backwoods Savage]

On that size a 4-way will work nicely. But like CTwoodburner, I like to split a lot of the wood into square or rectangle pieces. It makes for easier stacking, especially on the end pieces and it also works out great in the firebox. But go with whatever you are comfortable with.

Steve, in the future, you might want to consider doing your splitting a bit sooner. If you plan on burning that wood this coming winter it would be much better if it had the whole spring, summer and fall for drying.

 

[krex1010]

i have run into problems with 4 way splitters when trying to split tough notty wood, i tried it once on some gnarly pin oak and it wouldn't split it, i had to go back to the two way wedge. but if you have some easy splitting wood then the 4 way can be nice, but to me the 4 way wedge is more of a specialized tool, if i had to choose one i would always take the 2 way.

 

[stevej8910]

On that size a 4-way will work nicely. But like CTwoodburner, I like to split a lot of the wood into square or rectangle pieces. It makes for easier stacking, especially on the end pieces and it also works out great in the firebox. But go with whatever you are comfortable with.

Steve, in the future, you might want to consider doing your splitting a bit sooner. If you plan on burning that wood this coming winter it would be much better if it had the whole spring, summer and fall for drying.

Yeah, I usually do split it earlier but I got sidetracked this year.

 

[stevej8910]

It sounds like I am going with the 2 way. I like splitting to the smaller pieces and with the large 20" rounds it sounds like I can split that to my preferred size easier.

Thanks

 

[Clarkbar2311]

Smaller straight stuff goes through the 4way nicely. Gigger stuff is more trouble than its worth. IMHO.

 

[firefighterjake]

Never used a four-way . . . and I have to admit the appeal of being able to split more faster is certainly there . . . but a lot of my wood is gnarly, twisted and knot-filled which I would guess would be problematic. In addition I often slab off the sides and make rectangular and square splits . . . helps for stacking with the ends . . . and it works well for me when filling up the firebox . . . and the two-way does a nice job of making these shapes.