Just returned from a long weekend up at Lost Dutchman SP outside of Apache Junction. Thought I would share a couple of tricks that make dealing with firewood much easier and far more productive. Get on down to Harbor freight and for less than $20 pick yourself up a "Splitter" and a 4# hammer (I prefer the fiberglass handled models). With a splitter and the nice heavy hammer you can split wood that otherwise would be to large to easily burn. In the the following photo you can see the splitter started into the top of a log, in this case a nice Mesquite (a hardwood that burns like Oak). Immediately behind it is a stack of split wood that the splitter made quick and easy work of. It's not expensive and doesn't take up much space. With a splitter and a little practice you will be taking down wood into nice fire ring sized pieces that others can only ignore. An electric chainsaw and a bow saw also work very well and don't forget your trusty hatchet which can double as a splitter for the smaller stuff when powered by that 4# hammer. :C

I prefer a boy's ax to a hatchet. They're a little harder to find, but a lot better tool.

Agree on the splitter. Bought two of theses about ten years ago and still love them. My son now uses them to split big 36" diameter logs that are too heavy to be loaded onto the hydraulic splitter. Works great.

many years ago I used to go in to the mountains and cut our winter fire wood. have split many a log and have used one of those. in fact I think I have used just about every thing on the market at one time or another. I still have them and it has been over 25 years since I have split any wood. I am lucky now as the kids do all the firewood cutting for camping, they bring a least two Pkup loads to camp with them. I have one big split-er now I don't think I can even lift any more. a word of caution, do not hit that thing on it's outer edge, you might get an eye full of flying metal.

been doing this for years - good way to make up small kindling.. Of course you can do the same thing with an AX but with the smaller heavy hammer and wedge head you can sit in the camp chair and wack away...This is the hand AX I carry with me... 14-Inch FISKARS 7850 X7 AMAZONRoy Ken

I have all of the tools that you have in your picture and they all work great!But for splitting the smaller pieces that are in your picture instead of a hatchet, which I used to use, I found that the Fireside Friend makes the chore a lot easier while setting in that camp chair :B

Firewood made much easier... | Good Sam Community

bukhrn
Explorer III
Jan 14, 2014
rhagfo wrote:
Tom/Barb wrote:
Mo Bedda

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdXzaGFkWfU

Clicky
Where was that puppy 50 years ago, when I was helping Dad cut & split 40 cord. :E
westend
Explorer
Jan 14, 2014
Always nice to have plenty of good tools. I really don't know what-all I have, anymore. I know I have a bunch of wedges and different splitting mauls. I use them mainly for felling trees. Occasionally, I'll use a maul for splitting but prefer to back the log splitter up by the wood pile and start up the 18 hp. Onan.:B

At last count, I probably have about 6->8 chainsaws, Stihl's, Husqvarna, Echo, McCullough's, and even a small electric. The electric is nice because it's quiet and no gas required.
Jarlaxle
Explorer II
Jan 13, 2014
I burn cut-up pallets...we throw out a couple dozen a week at work. (In fact, I think I need to get another load this week.)
JiminDenver
Explorer II
Jan 13, 2014
I spent a lot of time popping wood back home and again when we had a fire place in the last house. Usually with a pair of straight wedges and a big sledge. Then in the 80's I got a awl and that changed everything.

Now if we are allowed to have a camp fire, there is plenty of downed, dry aspen that breaks up if you step on it. Should I ever need real firewood again I think I'll get some of those new fangled thingys. :)
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jan 13, 2014
Desert Captain wrote:
Ron3rd wrote:
Captain,
I can't see your photo anymore; are you talking about a splitting wedge?

BTW, the wife and I just got back from Catalina SP; nice area you live in.

I got it back up, not sure where it went. :h

We live about 8 miles north of Catalina State Park which is huge and gorgeous. Some of the best hiking, at every level, to be found anywhere. My only complaint with Catalina SP is that they do not allow wood fires of any kind. We are off to Quartzite on Monday. :C

Now I see it, I've got the same wedge. Works great. We'll definitely be going back to Catalina. Have a good time in QZ!
Mountain_Mama
Explorer
Jan 13, 2014
PLEASE be extremely careful with these types of wedges. My DH was splitting wood last year and I was watching him. Somehow he hit it wrong and it went up in the air like a missle!! We both were afraid to move as we realized it had gone up pretty high and had no idea where it would come down..and it came down (with the point down) just a few feet (2 maybe) from me. If it had hit one of us with that pointed end it would have be disasterous!!!
nomad297
Explorer
Jan 13, 2014
And you can't beat the Fireside Friend by Estwing. I own two -- one with a leather handle and one with a rubber handle. I love that tool.

Bruce
nomad297
Explorer
Jan 13, 2014
It takes me two years to wear out an Estwing 24oz straight claw smooth face hammer, but I'm a plumber and I don't use them for nails so much.

Bruce
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jan 13, 2014
Icabod: I have owned several Eastwing hammers in my day,,, They are very well built (I used to wear one out every year,,, That's how much hammering I did).

(Can you folks imagine wearing out a hammer.. Epically a hammer with a steel handle that is one piece with the head? Yup, I did one a year.)
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Jan 13, 2014
lizbard wrote:
When we traveled last year, whether in state parks or private ones, they did not allow you to bring wood from other places. In several states they were fighting some bug that would damage the forests. Texas is the same. I'm surprised they don't have police stopping people at the border, like I understand California does, to make sure you are not bringing in any pests that would damage their crops or wood.

One of the bugs you mentioned is an Emerald Ash Borer. It has infested 22 states so far and is spreading. This is a serious threat to our forests. Please don't move firewood.

Here is a link to much more information: Don't Move Firewood

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