Log splitter press

McAhron

McAhron

Joined
Feb 23, 2005
Messages
1,129
Heres my splitter/press.I reinforced the ram,beam,and wedge.The die holders are 1/2 steel.The moving die holder is attatched useing three 1/2 grade 8 bolts,the other die holder is welded to the I-beam and the I-beam is held on by 4, 1/2' grade 8 bolts and rest squarley against the splitters 'foot'.The flattening die is 3/4 thick by 3x1.5 and the drawing dies are rounded 3/4".You can see the first billet on top of the beam in the pics.She squishes the steel like clay with no flex in the beam.I actualey mucked up part of the billet because the steel moved so easily.I needed a log-splitter because of a bad back and the fact I use 8-10 cords of wood a year.I can turn it back to a splitter in 5 min or vice versa.I had a lot of fun doing this.The only downside is the noise of the engine.The engines 8 horespower,11gpm haldex pump,4 gallon tank,prince valve.
 
Hows "Apple Jacks".Used to be one of my stops when I was a drinker.
Randy
 
How fast does that move? FPS? I have heard about people converting a splitter to a press like you have, but the downside was that it moved too slow and your billet cooled off before you got a good press in.
 
It travels the 30 inches in 13 seconds eventhough the brochure said 15 seconds,so about 2.5" a second.Its plenty fast!I think the key to splitter conversions is begin with a heavy duty,large engined,and high ton rating.The most important thing is to use smaller dies.Less contact area is the less power you need.I could have built a press cheaper but needed a splitter as priorly mentioned.

P.S. you realy only want to squish a 1/4" at a time and I can draw out a 6-8" billet once in one heat
 
I was woundering if it was possible?
Great Idea!!!
I have a home built log splitter w/ a 24ton capacity and 16 gallon pump
Some day I may try your plan.
 
Great idea! It is always cool when you have to drop a chunk of change on a piece of equipment to at least get some multiple uses from it. My shoulder is good for about an hour of wood slitting and then I have hell to pay. Every year I get closer to buying a splitter.

The other dual use is for most of us we could convince our spouses that we need a wood splitter alot easier then a forging press. Then after we get it we could "discover" how to convert it over to a press. After all that is the same tactic the government has been using for years and we still fall for it every time.
 
I saw a splitter similar to this in front of the Home Depot, and thought .... Hmmmm. (already had a forging press, so it was a short Hmmm...) Nice to see someone did it.
 
Thanks for the info McAhron.That is just what I was thinking to make a press.I dont think I'd be able to run 220 volts 100 feet across the street to my shop,so a gas engine is perfect.I've been skimming the local classified ads for a decent splitter.After playing with Bertha last weekend I think I NEED a press :D Another upside to a splitter press is you can tow it around to all the hammer-ins
 
valimas said:
Thanks for the info McAhron.That is just what I was thinking to make a press.I dont think I'd be able to run 220 volts 100 feet across the street to my shop,so a gas engine is perfect.I've been skimming the local classified ads for a decent splitter.After playing with Bertha last weekend I think I NEED a press :D Another upside to a splitter press is you can tow it around to all the hammer-ins
Click to expand...
Yep!!! Big Bertha will do that to you.;) She is addictive.:D :D
 
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