Splitting or splitting wood requires energy, but can be done quickly with proper technique and skill. One of the best ways to split wood for cutting logs is to use wood-splitting wedges. However, using a split wedge is different from using a conventional ax to chop wood.
But how to split wood with a wedge? Using a splitting wedge in the right way can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. It may seem complicated if you don’t know how to do the process.
Hopefully, if you continue reading, you will become familiar with all the details related to the use of splitting wedges and several aspects of it.
Required Tools for Splitting Wood
- Splitting Wedge (Collins wood splitting wedge recommended)
- Sledgehammer
- Safety Glasses
- Ax (optional)
More About Splitting Wedge
If you have never worked with a split wedge before, it is wise for you to learn all about it before performing the wood cutting process. Wooden dividing wedges are triangular and placed on a top plane which is portable. A sledgehammer is used to split metal wedges into blocks or large or small wooden logs. People probably prefer to use split wedges because it provides the mechanical advantage of perfect length-to-width ratio for wood.
On the other hand, there are smaller wedges as well. These wedges have a broad side to them. While the wide-angle can help with a faster splitting process, relatively more power is required if you’re using a regular long wedge. In terms of material, high-strength steel is used to make most modern wedges. The material content was designe to produce a smooth and fast wood split.
How to Use a Wood Splitting Wedge: Step by Step Guide
The process may seem daunting to many. But, splitting wedges are easy to use, even for beginners. While using a split wedge is more convenient, doing it for long periods of time can be stressful on the body, especially if it doesn’t fall into your normal routine. Let us guide you one step at a time, and trust us; The task will seem like cake later. Let’s move on!
Step 1: Gathering Your Tools
For starters, set up your work area and grab the tools we mentioned above. However, it is recommended that you have two split wedges on the sides, large and small. This is due to the accuracy of the work and having a backup wedge in case of a break.
Splitting wedges, sledgehammers and safety glasses are mainly required for the job. The hammer is used to push the wood together. This can also be done with the flat end of an axe, but be careful as this method is a bit risky.
Step 2: Following Safety Precautions
When using a split wedge, safety glasses are especially important. Splitting wood with a wedge is done by hammering a metal wedge with a metal hammer. Metal-on-metal collisions of twisted splitting wedges can cause tiny metal fragments to fly or hang in the air. This can be dangerous, and you definitely don’t want to get those shards in your eyes. Since the tip of the wedge blade (where you strike) is made of relatively soft metal, using a decent grade of blade reduces the danger of chipping. That is, instead of cracking, it will twist and soften when hit. Even if you have the best wood-splitting wedge on the market, you should still wear safety goggles for protection. A stitch at a time saves nine!
Step 3: Locating Existing Splits and Cracks
Following, it’s your time to start. Now, you need to inspect the texture of the wood log and check if there are pre-existing splits in the wood.
This will help you identify areas within the log pattern where the wood will break more easily. Your first split will be located by aligning the blade of the wedge with any holes you’ve found.
To clarify the length of the log, if you’re splitting something short, you can usually split it straight down the center. On the other hand, it might be easier if you were to start at the edge for larger logs.
Step 4: Driving the Splitting Wedge in
At this point, the preliminary work begins. Proceed by gently striking the wedge into the log with the hammer held near your shoulder. Your objective is to get more into the wood so it can rest on its own. Additionally, try to hit your hammer in a straight direction. Hitting your sledgehammer on the narrow side can be more challenging because the wedge blade is at an angle.
Step 5: Putting Force on the Hammer
Before you get down to hammering, you might want to make sure the wedge blade is strong and won’t ricochet; Make some test strokes with your hand on the center of the hammer handle. Then, to get extra pressure, you can lower your hand on the grip of the sledgehammer.
The rest of the method is similar to hammering a screw into a wall to hang things. When you plant your split wedge into the wood you can start swinging extra energetically and there is no limit. Then, take your hand on the handle of your hammer and shoot into the center of the body of the wedge.
Step 6: Striking the Wedge through
Towards the final and essential stage of the task, use your sledgehammer to rip the wedge into the wood. This will probably require a few big hits, but keep going until the wood separates completely. Once your wedge blade is stuck, you cannot remove it.
Consequently, the standard procedure to solve the problem is to continue the operation with a second split wedge. After that, you should be able to remove your initial wedge stuck in the wood block. While following the mentioned technique, start by pushing the second split wedge into the same split as the first.
However, do not step on a stuck wedge, as this will break the blades and ruin both wedges. Alternatively, pound a second wedge near the outside of the jammed one. This will give you more strain against the log, which will almost always break the wood and free both wedges.
Step 7: Repeating for Perfect Split
Finally, when you’ve found your way with the tools and strikes, repeat the previous steps until you have the clean and smooth separation you’re aiming for. While it is true that the best tool for splitting wood is to use a wedge, some may consider using a mallet or ax; In that instance, read more below.
Splitting Wedge Vs. Maul
Other Related Post – How To Fell A Tree With An Axe?