How to Build an Air Log Splitter
Homemade log splitters are often made on small trailers so they can be transported behind a pick-up truck to split and haul wood. While these splitters usually use gas engines and work well for remote use, they're not as convenient for use as an alternative to hand splitting at home with a maul. You can fabricate your own splitter and power it with an air compressor, reservoir and converted bottle jack.
Step 1
Cut heavy-gauge square steel tubing about 2 feet longer than the typical rounder or section of wood you'll be splitting. Four feet is a good length. You can cut it with an abrasive cut-off wheel. This will serve as the backbone of the splitter.
Step 2
Cut two sections of square tube steel approximately 1 foot long from steel stock just large enough that it slides over the outside of the backbone. These will serve as a carriage piece for the cutting wedge and a base for the converted bottle jack.
Step 3
Drill index holes along one end of the backbone so you can adjust the splitting wedge by sliding it and rebolting it to different holes.
- Cut heavy-gauge square steel tubing about 2 feet longer than the typical rounder or section of wood you'll be splitting.
- These will serve as a carriage piece for the cutting wedge and a base for the converted bottle jack.
Step 4
Drill holes in the sides of the wedge carriage to work in conjunction with the indexed holes.
Step 5
Weld an acute angled splitting wedge from heavy steel plate. It should be as high as the logs are wide — at least 18 inches. The angle should be no more than 15 degrees. It doesn't need to be sharp like a knife, but it should come to a point to cleave the wood apart.
Step 6
Weld the wedge to the wedge carriage.
Step 7
Weld a base plate to the second 1-foot section of tubing. It should be about 10 inches by 10 inches or larger. Drill mounting holes in the bottom of it to align with the holes at the base of your bottle jack. Bolt the bottle jack in place. Weld triangular gussets one either side of the jack, reinforcing the base plate's connection to the backbone.
- Drill holes in the sides of the wedge carriage to work in conjunction with the indexed holes.
- Weld a base plate to the second 1-foot section of tubing.
Step 8
Remove the locking screw in the bottle jack that seals the hydraulic pressure, and drain the hydraulic fluid from the jack. Replace it with the threaded end of industrial-quality pneumatic tubing with braided steel casing. If the threads don't match, you need to purchase or fabricate a brass adapter using a drill press and a tap and die set.
Step 9
Fasten a dual valve at the end of the pneumatic hose. One valve will release pressure coming from the hose; the other will allow pressure into the hose. If the second valve is open, excess pressure coming in will just escape; otherwise, it will actuate the piston with air pressure.
Step 10
Attach the two-way valve to an overflow tank and attach the overflow tank to your air compressor. You can omit the overflow tank if your compressor has an adequately sized overflow tank.
- Remove the locking screw in the bottle jack that seals the hydraulic pressure, and drain the hydraulic fluid from the jack.
Step 11
Pressurize the tank with the air compressor. Place a log on the base plate and turn the air-in valve. When the log splits, close the air valve and open the air-release valve.
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Writer Bio
John Willis founded a publishing company in 1993, co-writing and publishing guidebooks in Portland, OR. His articles have appeared in national publications, including the "Wall Street Journal." With expertise in marketing, publishing, advertising and public relations, John has founded four writing-related ventures. He studied economics, art and writing at Portland State University and the Pacific Northwest College of Art.
