I had a rented hydraulic log splitter, vertical. I was working with oak. Came to a piece which was big and knotty and not cut straight. It kept slipping out from under the blade. I had the bright idea of putting a wedge-shaped piece of oak sideways into the mix. Sure enough, the pressure got high enough to split and the blade didn't slip. The pressure got higher and higher, something had to give.
Then the workpiece, about 20 pounds, squirted out of there like a goddamn bullet. If anyone had been in the way it would have just about punched a hole in him.
Damn dude, that was dumb. Everybody who uses axes and mauls knows that you never ever swing one with the arc of your swing aimed directly at someone else, but you move sideways at least a little bit. He actually got lucky this time that all he got was a nutshot.....that could have come off and nailed him right in the head.
Rules for splitting with a maul: Put the round on the ground. You lose too much momentum by having it high. Make sure there's no knot where you make contact.
When splitting wood right when the ax or maul hits the block ya twist your wrist just a bit. It usually pops the block and if not at least the ax or maul does not sink in top of the block.
That's what ya get for not wearing safety glasses.
ReplyDeleteOne of the more foolish things I've done...
ReplyDeleteI had a rented hydraulic log splitter, vertical. I was working with oak. Came to a piece which was big and knotty and not cut straight. It kept slipping out from under the blade. I had the bright idea of putting a wedge-shaped piece of oak sideways into the mix. Sure enough, the pressure got high enough to split and the blade didn't slip. The pressure got higher and higher, something had to give.
Then the workpiece, about 20 pounds, squirted out of there like a goddamn bullet. If anyone had been in the way it would have just about punched a hole in him.
Always told when using z sledgehammer or axe, let the heavy head do the work, not your arm muscles.
ReplyDeleteDamn dude, that was dumb.
ReplyDeleteEverybody who uses axes and mauls knows that you never ever swing one with the arc of your swing aimed directly at someone else, but you move sideways at least a little bit.
He actually got lucky this time that all he got was a nutshot.....that could have come off and nailed him right in the head.
Tim in AK
Ahhhhhhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteRules for splitting with a maul:
ReplyDeletePut the round on the ground. You lose too much momentum by having it high.
Make sure there's no knot where you make contact.
When splitting wood right when the ax or maul hits the block ya twist your wrist just a bit. It usually pops the block and if not at least the ax or maul does not sink in top of the block.
ReplyDelete