Lightweight/small steel wedges?

FortyTwoBlades

FortyTwoBlades

Baryonyx walkeri
Dealer / Materials Provider
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Mar 8, 2008
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Anybody know a source for SMALL or lightweight splitting wedges? Would be handy for splitting rails or for other tasks when opening a split that you finish with a glut. All the wedges I keep finding are 4-5 lbs.
 
Stitl make plastic wedges that work great and are light but they are plastic you could always have some made at and steel yard.
 
True Temper has a 3 pounder. Forestry Suppliers has some aluminum ones...
 
You could cut the heads off a couple Estwing Fireside Friends. :D

Oregon makes good plastic wedges as well.
 
Harryepstein.com has some small wedges. They are machinery wedges, used for doing millwright work.If mentioning that website is any violation ,I apologize.
 
another vote for plastic wedges. they work well for that sort of thing, in my experience. they're inexpensive and light, so having several (and replacing them now and again) is no big deal. many makers, wide range of prices. I have a few stihl branded ones, and maybe a Husky or two. look at a Bailey's catalog.....they have a huge selection.
 
I'm aware of plastic wedges. I'm looking specifically for small steel ones. If there was someone out there making a 2lb. one it'd be perfect for what I'm looking for. Unfortunately I think machinist's/welder's setup wedges aren't designed for impact and wouldn't hold up. They also tend to have a very narrow angle.

Plastic would be perfect for packing. I'm looking for use around the homestead. Transport isn't the issue--it's just that using 4-5lb. wedge for the tasks I want it for is like sandblasting a soup cracker. Big time overkill.
 
M3mphis said:
You could cut the heads off a couple Estwing Fireside Friends. :D

Oregon makes good plastic wedges as well.
Click to expand...

LOL!
I am sorry FortyTwoBlades. I know I shouldn't encurage him.
I admit that I have inlisted old riggin axe heads at times.
 
I think Memphis is on the right track. Aluminum wedges won't cut like steel wedges will. If you know a local blacksmith it wouldn't be too tough to bang out a couple of these.

I'm curious, what will these be used for?
 
Square Peg: I'll be using them for splitting rails from relatively narrow birch trees. A big ol' 5 lb. wedge would be tough to start and would have too rapid of a splitting action. I'd like to use a series of three wedges to work my way down the length, controlling the split through gradual application of force along the formed line of the wedges.
 
I think you have the right idea. Large cold chisels could do the fob but you'd need to re-grind them. Thin down the end and give them a concave grind so they'll stick in the wood.

Alternately, get a couple of cheap import hatchets and use them as wedges - they're not much good for anything else.
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And if you use a hardwood maul to strike them then the polls won't mushroom.
 
On a whim I checked the wedges made by Stubai (Austria) and they have one that's 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds).

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A place in the USA sells them, called StubaiDirect.

Barco makes 3 pounders.


Stubai also makes a socket wedge:

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Steve Tall said:
On a whim I checked the wedges made by Stubai (Austria) and they have one that's 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds).

6728.gif

6728.gif


A place in the USA sells them, called StubaiDirect.

Barco makes 3 pounders.


Stubai also makes a socket wedge:

6725-53.gif
Click to expand...

PERFECT. That's exactly what I was looking for. You come to the rescue again, Steve! :D
 
What are the dimension you want? I am a machinist, I could make a few from stainless possibly.
 
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