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3
/ 5
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Good Aid For Splitting Logs,
August 24, 2008
By OutdoorzieType
from Dayton, OH
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"I used the term "Aid" in my title because I couldn't get the tool to completely split a log. After a few pumps of the foot pedal, all practical splitting came to an end as further pumping action had no effects of furthering the log into the wedge. As long as there was a lot of resistance and back pressure felt in the pedal while pumping, I was sure it was splitting the log. When I continued to pump and no longer felt resistance, I knew splitting had come to an end. I then found my log stuck in limbo on the tool. It wasn't all the way through, so the log wasn't split. However the log was in the splitting wedge deep enough for it to be stuck in the tool. I then had to use a sledge hammer to back it off the wedge and free it from the tool. I then turned the log around 180 degrees and placed it back on the splitter to do the other side. After the same result, I used the sledge hammer again to free the log from the splitter.
While the Quality Craft Foot-Operated Log Splitter didn't fully split the logs for me, it did easily create nice cracks or fault lines in the log. I then used another wedge tool I own to complete the split.
One noteworthy point - After 30 minutes of use, the slidestop that slides along the upper bar to hold and guide the log into the splitting wedge no longer went all the way up to the splitting wedge. Upon closer examination, I found the bar was no longer laser straight. It had bent one half inch from flexing past the point of no return during normal operation. Now the slidestop only comes within six inches of the splitting wedge. That should only be a problem if I try to split short logs.
My conclusion is that it is better to have this tool than to not have it. Although I use a total of three tools to completely spit a log, this tool does take a lot of work out of splitting that the other tools can't do by themselves. I just don't recommend splitting logs on a hot humid August day. Pick a cool day. :-)"
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What is your level of technical expertise?:
Home Handyman
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| Overall Rating: |
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5
/ 5
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Works great on all types of wood!,
August 18, 2008
By MarkNY
from Upstate NY
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"I primarily bought this to do additional splitting on my delivered fireplace wood. Sometimes I get smaller pieces that weren't split at all, or split pieces I consider too large. Thus far I've found it to work very well on both sorts, even with non-straight grain patterns. Like all tools, it has to be used properly to deliver the proper results. The wood has to be placed as centered as possible, it has to be gripped firmly by the device, and yes, it will take several pumps to do the job. The device is delivering a LOT of force and so of course the gearing means a lot of input for a small amount of actual wedge movement. That's how it's supposed to work. I've had pieces up to 12" in it, knots and all, and it cracks them right down the middle. You sometimes have to peel the pieces apart by hand, but that's true of anything you split with a wedge and a hammer; again no problem there. I'm extremely happy with my purchase."
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What is your level of technical expertise?:
Home Handyman
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| Overall Rating: |
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4
/ 5
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Foot powered log splitter,
August 11, 2008
By Donjuan
from Norwell, MA
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"This gaget works surprizingly well, It splits small to medium sized logs in a slow controled manner. I especally like to use it indoors, when I can't use my splitting maul or sledge hammer. This is great when it's dark or rainy outside.
Like all splitting devices it works best with straight grain logs, and gets stuck on gnarley pieces. I would recommend it as an alternative tool for splitting wood, but don't throw away your maul; it works faster."
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What is your level of technical expertise?:
Home Handyman
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| Overall Rating: |
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4
/ 5
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Great as advertised,
April 22, 2008
By doitmyselfer
from sc
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"Workes very well easy to use but I should bought a larger unit a lot of my wood is too large for this unit think about a stronger model"
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What is your level of technical expertise?:
Home Handyman
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| Overall Rating: |
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4
/ 5
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Model LSF-001,
April 15, 2008
By Jazzie45
from Iowa
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"Product works as listed.
I primarily use it to split small pieces of wood to start my wood burning furnace.
The unit does have it's limitations, wet wood doesn't split as well, nor does a log at the units max length.
If your in the market for a portable tool to split small seasoned logs this is it."
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What is your level of technical expertise?:
Home Handyman
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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| Overall Rating: |
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5
/ 5
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Log Splitter,
April 14, 2008
By Nhoj
from Ann Arbor, Michigan
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"I lost 4 beautiful elm trees 3 or 4 years ago. Let them dry out for a couple of years, then cut them down and into 16" lengths for the fireplace.
Elm, it turns out, does NOT like to split. I worked hard to break just a few pieces with a sledge and wedge.
Not only is the foot operated log splitter inexpensive, but it splits elm up to the 10" diameter log that it claims it will split!
I AM REALLY HAPPY WITH THIS SPLITTER!!!!!!! So far, I've racked up 1 1/2 face cords with little effort or cost."
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What is your level of technical expertise?:
Home Handyman
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| Overall Rating: |
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5
/ 5
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log splitter,
April 14, 2008
By sprayking
from northern Californis
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"great product, really does what it says it does. splits fairly big logs and very surprising . Waaaay cheaper than a splitter ot easier that a maul. thx."
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What is your level of technical expertise?:
Professional
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| Overall Rating: |
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5
/ 5
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Great "Occasional" Splitter Tool,
April 14, 2008
By DavidfromKentucky
from Kentucky - In Barbecue Country
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"I like to use my wood-fired barbecue smoker, primarily with hickory or apple wood. I'm not the greatest expert in using an axe to split wood. And I particularly don't want to rent a splitter to split all my wood at one time. This foot-operated splitter is just the thing for splitting wood each time I need a piece. I can split as needed, with just a few steps on the simple tool.
It's easy to use, and works just as advertised. I'm very happy with the splitter --and the results. It's now an important part of my "smoker accessories.""
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What is your level of technical expertise?:
Home Handyman
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| Overall Rating: |
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1
/ 5
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A BIG disappointment,
February 23, 2008
By MauiGuy
from Maui, Hawaii
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"Boy! I sure don't know why this product got so many good reviews. It may be that it only works as advertised under ideal conditions ... meaning soft, dry logs ... but it sure isn't working for me. And I was only trying to split small logs so they would easily fit into a little wood-burning stove. I had to pump the foot pedal 20-25 times to partially split a log that was only 7-inches in diameter. Unless the back end of the log is perfectly square to the metal plate that pushes it into the blade, the log slides off to one side or the other, and with no pressure against the blade the whole thing stops working. Then the problem becomes getting the log off the blade so you can start again. And forget about splitting anything more than 6-7 inches in diameter ... unless, I suppose, the condition of the log is perfect; ie: soft dry wood with nice even grain. I spent 20 minutes, worked up a good sweat, and had three small split logs to show for all that. And I had to pull them all the way apart by hand, too! Short version of my review: Do NOT buy this product. It's a flop."
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What is your level of technical expertise?:
Home Handyman
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| Overall Rating: |
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4
/ 5
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nice backyard tool!,
January 15, 2008
By Oventhusiast
from Eastern Massachusetts
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"A great tool for the back yard fire builder. We built a wood fired pizza oven in our back yard along with an outdoor fire place for those chilly spring and fall (and summer) nights! This tool is just what we needed for splitting those logs that are just to large for our different uses. The splitter is easy to use and pretty straightforward. Just load a log on the rail and slide the 'pusher' down to meet the end of the log and start pumping with your foot. It does take a bit of leg strength for that first push, but nothing any average person couldn't do. After that, it just opens the split log with almost no effort. Sometimes a log does get jammed if your dealing with a gnarly wood knot but overall, it's a big time saver and you get some leg exercise to boot! This tool does not take the place of an industrial splitter should you need one but it's a great time saver for someone with a fireplace or wood oven or fire pit, etc. The ONLY drawbacks I found in the quality of the tool is that the little latch which engages the jack tree on the bottom is not really ground to fit tightly into it's slot(s) as it climbs. I'll probably file it to seat better for a more positive fit. Also, the log 'pusher' could have been designed to be a bit wider. I WOULD recommend this tool as an alternative to hand splitting fire wood! It's a decent quality tool that seems like it will last a very long time with a minimum amount of maintenance."
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What is your level of technical expertise?:
Home Handyman
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