How to Split Gnarly Firewood
Get out your tools., Cut the wood to the shortest usable length., Cut a large, flat section of log for a splitting block, to place the segments you are splitting on., Look for checks (splits which occur as wood dries) in either end of the block you...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Get out your tools.
For normal wood splitting, an axe might be all you need, but for gnarly wood, if you don't have access to a hydraulic log splitter, you will need the following:
Axe Maul (aka: splitting maul, busting maul, etc) Sledgehammer Steel wedge (preferably more than one). -
Step 2: Cut the wood to the shortest usable length.
Because the crooked, irregular grain, (and likely knots) will make the splitting job more difficult, start out with the shortest cut you can use. , This will save a lot of bending over, and make the use of the Sledgehammer and maul much easier. , These indicate weak grains, which may be easier to begin a split in. , Even if the wood looks gnarly, it may not be as bad as it appears.
If you see a large check crack on one end, this is what you will want to aim for. ,,,, Set the wedge in any crack that you can see, then tap it into the wood like you would begin driving a nail. , Use a good, solid blow, taking care to place it accurately.
The wedge should begin to split the block by forcing the grain to separate where the wedge penetrates the wood. , If your wedge is thick and wide enough, eventually, the wood will split.
If you end up burying the wedge completely and the wood still hasn't split, you may have to drive a second wedge in further along the crack. , You may find you have to chop apart some splintered wood grain around large knots to completely split the block. , As the blocks become narrower, they should split much more easily. , -
Step 3: Cut a large
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Step 4: flat section of log for a splitting block
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Step 5: to place the segments you are splitting on.
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Step 6: Look for checks (splits which occur as wood dries) in either end of the block you are splitting.
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Step 7: Try the maul one or two times.
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Step 8: Measure the point of your expected impact by getting into your swing stance (feet spread
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Step 9: knees possibly bent slightly)
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Step 10: and while you hold the handle of your maul as you would swinging it
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Step 11: set it on the location you want to hit the block you are attempting to split.
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Step 12: Bring the maul back up over your shoulder on the side of your dominant hand
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Step 13: then bring down in a chopping motion with a hard
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Step 14: solid blow.
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Step 15: Look for a widening of any cracks
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Step 16: if the wood does not split completely when the blow is struck.
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Step 17: Use a steel wedge
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Step 18: if the maul will not split the block of wood.
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Step 19: Strike the wedge with the sledgehammer.
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Step 20: Continue driving the wedge into the wood.
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Step 21: Continue wedging the block of wood apart until it is split.
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Step 22: Split large blocks of wood in half
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Step 23: if possible
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Step 24: then split these in half again.
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Step 25: Stack your split wood to dry when you are finished
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Step 26: clean and sharpen any tools that have become dulled with use.
Detailed Guide
For normal wood splitting, an axe might be all you need, but for gnarly wood, if you don't have access to a hydraulic log splitter, you will need the following:
Axe Maul (aka: splitting maul, busting maul, etc) Sledgehammer Steel wedge (preferably more than one).
Because the crooked, irregular grain, (and likely knots) will make the splitting job more difficult, start out with the shortest cut you can use. , This will save a lot of bending over, and make the use of the Sledgehammer and maul much easier. , These indicate weak grains, which may be easier to begin a split in. , Even if the wood looks gnarly, it may not be as bad as it appears.
If you see a large check crack on one end, this is what you will want to aim for. ,,,, Set the wedge in any crack that you can see, then tap it into the wood like you would begin driving a nail. , Use a good, solid blow, taking care to place it accurately.
The wedge should begin to split the block by forcing the grain to separate where the wedge penetrates the wood. , If your wedge is thick and wide enough, eventually, the wood will split.
If you end up burying the wedge completely and the wood still hasn't split, you may have to drive a second wedge in further along the crack. , You may find you have to chop apart some splintered wood grain around large knots to completely split the block. , As the blocks become narrower, they should split much more easily. ,
About the Author
Debra Adams
Brings years of experience writing about cooking and related subjects.
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