[Greenbuilding] Splitting wood

[John Salmen]

For years I used a heavy maul - and then switched to a very sharp well
designed splitting axe. Much easier and much more satisfying. Wood is pretty
'gnarly' and the maul would get hung up on the knots. Axe seems to find the
path of least resistance requiring the use of an additional sledge
occasionally. I do keep my stance a little wider though. (I do use a
splitting wedge occasionally)

Just saw in a 'canadian tire' flier an electric splitter - cheap like
'borscht' guaranteed to last till you return it or leave it uncovered.




JOHN SALMEN ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
4465 UPHILL RD,. DUNCAN, B.C.  CANADA, V9L 6M7
PH 250 748 7672 FAX 250 748 7612 CELL 250 246 8541
terrain at shaw.ca


-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of RONALD CASCIO
Sent: November 2, 2007 4:21 AM
To: George Tremblay; dpwentling at comcast.net
Cc: Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Splitting wood

I too have learned to use a regular splitting maul effectively in my 35+ 
years of splitting hardwood by hand, and have also come to rather enjoy it. 
I've tried a Monster Maul and found it to be clumsy and unrefined, even 
dangerous for a little tyke like myself.

Knowhow trumps power anyday.


Ron Cascio



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "George Tremblay" <George_Tremblay at antiochne.edu>
To: <dpwentling at comcast.net>
Cc: <Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org>
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 6:14 AM
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Splitting wood


> My Dad is a fan of the Monster Maul, so I've had plenty of opportunity to
> try it out at his place.  I've always felt like it's overkill for much of
> the 5-6 cords I split each year--I'd prefer not to swing all that weight
> (I'm pretty sure it's over 20 lbs.) when I can accomplish the task with
> one or two swings of a 6-8 pound maul.
>
> George Tremblay
>
> dpwentling at comcast.net writes:
>>For the last 28 years I have been using a "Monster Maul" which looks like
>>a large triangle of steel welded to a slightly bent steel handle. The
>>"Orange monster" allows my 140 lb short frame to split most logs with 1 -
>>6 strikes. If the species is wet tangled fibers then I split off side
>>pieces to reduce size.
>>
>>Many friends I work with are always amazed by the effiency of the tool.
>>Weighing about 15 lbs you lift the maul straight up in front of you and
>>swing downward with a slight rotation at the last sec to apply maximum
>>force.  In my younger days I would cut & split a cord a day, five days a
>>week (I was foolish & young!). Now at a half century old I can still
>>split 30" red oak rounds with 2-3 strikes (only now it's once a week for
>>few hours).
>>
>>I have not seen this advertised for many years. A recent google search
>>found it called "Splitzall Maul".  Would be interested in knowing if
>>others have every used one.
>>
>>--
>>David Wentling
>
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