Wood splitting performance? Good, Bad, or Mediocre
1537621
This is a tomahawk and as such is not quite a hatchet or an axe. It will do fine for cutting kindling, but for heavy cutting you'll want a camper's axe or cruiser axe (nearly same size head but handle about 24-30" and about 1 more inch of cutting edge with more weight in the head. For splitting more than a 2" branch for a camp fire it does not have the heft to split larger limbs and the handle is steel and epoxy resin so it's going to be hard on the hands after a few whacks but it's sharp and handy. That said, it's really well made and I love mine for a backpack size GP tool. Hope this helps. This is a tomahawk and as such is not quite a hatchet or an axe. It will do fine for cutting kindling, but for heavy cutting you'll want a camper's axe or cruiser axe (nearly same size head but handle about 24-30" and about 1 more inch of cutting edge with more weight in the head. For splitting more than a 2" branch for a camp fire it does not have the heft to split larger limbs and the handle is steel and epoxy resin so it's going to be hard on the hands after a few whacks but it's sharp and handy. That said, it's really well made and I love mine for a backpack size GP tool. Hope... » Read More This is a tomahawk and as such is not quite a hatchet or an axe. It will do fine for cutting kindling, but for heavy cutting you'll want a camper's axe or cruiser axe (nearly same size head but handle about 24-30" and about 1 more inch of cutting edge with more weight in the head. For splitting more than a 2" branch for a camp fire it does not have the heft to split larger limbs and the handle is steel and epoxy resin so it's going to be hard on the hands after a few whacks but it's sharp and handy. That said, it's really well made and I love mine for a backpack size GP tool. Hope this helps. « Show Less
1537622
In my experience, it's performed 'okay'. I have used it for kindling with good success and to collect branches, etc on hikes to start & sustain small fires. No complaints but it's definitely not going to work well for splitting rounds over 4" or so. For kindling and simple tender gathering tasks though it works out fine.
538455
Yes, you don't want so much pressure that it rips the wood. Use a "fan" setting. This should work well.
1663794
The axe itself is much too light for splitting and the blade is too thin to be an effective splitting wedge. I would likely get stuck. It is fine for limbing though. I most often used a much heavier double bit axe, one sharp edge for limbing and kept the other edge dull for splitting using a heavy steel wedge and sludge hammer for large twisted pieces like the ones a at the base, near the roots sometime are. I use this light axe with a keen edge for limbing now.
1903005
I concur with Randy in that it can split larger logs than 12 in diameter depending on the type of wood... some woods split clean and some types are more stringy. Splitting off center you can definitely shave larger logs down from the outside in. Although it can be difficult to balance the log and split it while operating the machine. The trick is to balance it against your leg while using both hands to press the button. Two people makes it easier to do big logs.
2077480
Crosscutting is easier on the saw than ripping, so why not just go with the full kerf? Especially with a 12" span...most decent saws will spin it easily on crosscuts. Unless your making lots of cuts and the wood savings is substantial, there's little incentive not go with full kerf in this situation.
258111
I haven't done it personally, but it's definitely a great machine and should have no problem with the right blade. Cuts through thick, hard wood with no problem - probably more taxing than thin metal done slowly?
232783
Yes - I split very hard maple from a giant tree. Most pieces went straight through. Some did require a chainsaw cut. I am impressed with it.
1357593
I'm gonna bet not. think of it as being more of an effective "smasher into bits" as opposed to "scissor slicing into bits." I tried to run some very dry desert palm tree fronds though it and all it did was make masses of fibrous strings that clumped up and clogged the shredder.
296442
If you are splitting wood that's already been quartered from rounds I think the shorter version might be the better choice. On the other hand my sister in law is 5'4 and she uses my brothers 36" splitter quite regularly with no complaints...
1924029
I have never really timed it, but it is as fast as I would want it to be. It is a joy to split wood with it. I hesitated to buy an electric wood splitter, but I was wrong. No gasoline engine to mess with and it has split everything I have tried except some 12"-14" elm pieces. I have tried splitting them with a maul, and you can drive a wedge all the way through them without them coming apart, so I am not going to blame the splitter. I will just quit messing with elm logs. I highly recommend this splitter.
1973889
I returned the unit as the wood was splitting, so I can't look at it. It had slots on both ends, but I don't remember if they connected. Splitting of the wood seems to be an issue with some of these.
1515577
I think the tool would probably be underpowered. It's better with softer woods.
421821
It's basic. The instructions tell you how to place the wood to attain the different cuts but there is some skill that just needs to be learned to use it right. I suggest trying it on scrap wood until you get a feel for how the router moves between the teeth.
415567
I have used it on oak and maple flooring a lot, that's why I bought it. It works great, albeit much slower than a circular saw. I typically use it to end cut individual boards to weave new sections in to old sections. End cut the board and then split it with a chisel and remove it. Also used it to cut in new flush thresholds, a similar cut to your cabinet cut. Like any saw, it works best with new blades. Hit a flooring nail, which are typically hardened nails, and you will trash the blade right away. Cost of doing business.
496745
Obviously it it carving into wood, so there is going to be both noise and sawdust. My experience is that the noise is equivalent to running a regular drill, and the sawdust is mostly staying on the piece during the carving and easy to vacuum up when the job is done. I'm very impressed with the noise level, I'd seen youtube videos and expected much worse than what I actually see is normal.
728193
not to bad, its not that big ... but it sure works great... been happy with it..my husband loves splitting wood now..
18821
Sir! I used this little machine in solid pine and 1/4" plywood where the cut quality did not matter. Seems to be cutting ok., but you might need to change the blade to get better cut, such as more tooth on the blade.