[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

You need a splitting maul! two handed long handle as earlier described....axe head on one side, sledge on the other

[bcarvings]

Hi,
I know I need a splittin maul but it costs $30 dollars!!!! :'(
Well investing in one will pay off with all the wood I'm going to chop. Also I did manage to chop a log in half using just a sledge hammer and a wedge. However it was hard, and the wood now looks useless! Because much wood gets waisted when you drive the wedge through because the wood cracks unevenly. I wish there were a book on this so I can do it the right way.

And I managed to hurt my leg with the sledge hammer, as I speak I still feel minor pain. I mabye am thinking about buying a gas powered steel thing for $100, instead od buying the hammer thing for $30. Anyone know of a cheap gas powered log splitter. Just tell me, thanks again!

No matter what you split it with it's going to split in the same place and in the same way. All that's happening is the split is following the grain, which is the natural way of things. If a log is sawn the grain is violated. Welcome to the world of wood, an imperfect medium. A good book with a decent treatment of cutting and seasoning wood is 'The Traditional Bowyer's Bible, Volume 1' from Bois d'Arc press p.o. Box 233 Azle, Texas. Methinks your in for one big learnin' 'sperience my friend.

[bcarvings]

Hi,
I'm thinking about building a log splitter using my grandfather's old tracker. {It sits idle, and useless.} Does anyone have a link on where I can find free info on making a log splitter? Oh and how do you tell the difference between white pine, and yellow pine. The guy I'm going to get my wood from now says I thought all pine is white. So I'm not sure what kind it is. Is white pine more common in Pennslvania farmland? Thanks

There are several types of pine trees native to PA. Don't think the Loblolly (Yellow) is one of them. Doesn't mean somebody hasn't planted some however. You can sometimes tell by looking at the bunches of needles. The white pine will have them in bunches of five (usually) while the yellow will be in bunches of two or three (usually). There's also other differences, but that's the easiest to explain. Now you know all I know about white and yellow pine. And there's a chance it's bad info.

As for building a log splitter, think of a motorized hydraulic ram. You could probably make a manual version with a hydraulic jack to drive the wedge but haven't given it much thought and don't intend to. Anything to do with harvesting wood means hard work and I'm alergic to it, especially the hard variety.

It's cheaper just to buy the wood.

Suppose you can't pay for experience tho. Good luck.

[bcarvings]

Well it's cheaper to buy one little block like a 2x2x12 for a $1. But if I saw like 20 trees worth of white pine I could have a gold mine.

Yup ... with a lot of skill, a little luck, and even more time.

After you figure how much money you spent - really spent, and then figured out your time involved (also must figure out what your time is worth) - then you can decide if 20 logs will be a 'gold mine'.

I was under the impression that you wanted the wood for carving. All the time spent 'making wood' is time away from carving. Evidently, your goal is not carving, but financial.

If you really want to make money, buy a saw mill. One of the portable types. You will get much more utilization out of the wood compared to splitting.

I really would suggest that you paid a saw mill to handle the wood for you if it's only 20 logs. They can cut to your specifications. It will cost some money, but you can sell what you don't need and keep what you want. They may even arrange to sell the wood for you.

[bcarvings]

Hi,
I am not in it for the money. I'm going to cut these logs because #1 I have access to a lot for free, and #2 I can't find good northern white pine at a decent price! I'm working on my second folk figure using southern basswood, but I really would prefer northern white pine. The 1/2 bandsaw blade costs $12 + tax, that will be my only expense. Anyone know how to sharpen them? I try to find the cheapest way of doing things, including fixing up this old Oldsmobile I'm thinking about buying for $500. Like I said I'm not in it for the money, but I only have the money I earn, and I'm not going to blow it! But rather spend it cautously. 8)