Video

Well done! When I imagine me (140 pds) hitting that wedge with the hammer like you (+200pds) I feel really pain…;-)

Forkin' oak tree.

Good solution, good explanation. Better than any others I have seen. Thank you!

The switch will come out of the front fairly easily. It's held in place with a snap ring. To remove the snap ring first remove the rubber switch cover. If you have an old flashlight use a 2mm hex wrench to loosen the set screw 3 or 4 turns. If you have rhe newer flashlight it's a T8 torx. Problem is most T8 torx drivers have a shaft that is to thick to go inside the hole on the switch so biy a cheap one from Harbor Freight and grind the shaft down until it fits. I used a bench grinder but a dremel, or handheld grinder would work. Once the driver fits the hole then back off the set screw 3 or 4 turns. Remove the bulb. Once the set screw has been loosened push in on the bulb holder. It should push down st least an 1/8th of an inch or more. While pushing down on the bulb holder retighten the set screw to hold the switch down. Then use a small pick or small flat screwdriver to pry one end of the clip from the groove. Its easier to pry it up put of the groove with a pick and then push it down. Then move to the other side of the clip and pry it out and up. The snap ring will come flying out and land across the room. Then loosen the set screw 3 or 4 turns. Push in on the switch button while pushing forward and the switch assembly will slide right out of the front. If its stuck batteries get a piece of broom handle, pvc pipe, metal pipe, or a 1/2" drive extension. Place one end of the flashlight tube on a block of wood. Drop you choice of wood, pipe, or socket extension into the tube against the battery and beat the monkey snot out of it. If that doesn't work then get a spade bit, forstner bit, or even a hole saw and drill all the way through the batteries that are stuck. Then pry of the remaining part of the battery case. I use a brake hone to ckean up the tube after I get the batteries out. Neutralize the acid. Then I convert the flashlight over to 18650 lithium batteries that don't leak with an LED bulb.

I’ve never seen anyone split a crotch like that. It’s a lot easier with the other end up. Comes out looking like two Y’s .Nothing easy about it though. Your other wedge might work better if you sharpen it like a razor. some thing else that helps is if you use your chainsaw to cut it off square at the collar.

My experience with the conventional wedges is the same as yours. When I use a wedge; it's almost exclusively the diamond one. I'm glad I watched your video. I have a few "Ys" to tackle myself!

I use a wedge style but mostly when my saw gets caught up, i might have to grab one of these

The fact that you didnt go through the heart speaks volumes to the design of that wedge. I sure woudlnt do that with a traditional wedge.

I'm posting this comment on 11/27/2023. The Central Forge 3.5 lb Diamond Splitting Wedge (SKU 96701) is currently on clearance for $5.97 as Harbor Freight will no longer be carrying them once they are sold out.

The regular wedges would be good with softer woods, But yeah with oak they dont work to well.

Saw your video and brought one today! The diamond worked great

Didn't work for me. The batteries are just too jammed up in there.

Thank you for this video. I had the front end battery (HP2) solid and corroded and I did your trick buy drilling into the cell, using your method which drew it up nearer and I finally removed with a corkscrew. It wasn't a Maglite but another make but with an aluminium body. I didn't want to lose the torch because it had a 10W Cree LED.

Well done mate

About 30 years ago I bought two Maglight 3 D cell flashlights. All 3 cells imploded in one of them more than 25 years ago and I threw it in a box in my garage then. I had totally forgotten about it, last week I came across it as I was looking for something else. I tried all the methods I saw on CZcams…first filled it with oil and baking soda and waited a few days, then tried to extract it with a screw like in this video but after so many years the batteries were so badly fused to the aluminum tube that they didn’t budge. I have a heavy-duty lathe in my garage…I drilled a center hole and simply bored out all the junk in the aluminum tube. The switch assembly doesn’t come out but it works fine.

the simple black wedge is fine, it's just dull as sin with the fattest angle you've ever seen. File it down a bit it works okay enough.

I just use my chainsaw and cut a square through the top and then another from the side to connect it and it’s easy peasy. Just throw some paper and kindling in from the top.

Great job splitting that! I used the "old man rule" on pulling the chain saw out! 😁 🪓🪓🪓

I stay away from Harbor Freight ! Reason? > It take so long for it to get here! Up to 6 weeks some times. It much much faster. Just go down to my Lowes store, and get it NOW! > Not next year by mail

I love my diamond wedge i got from Lowes. Lowes call them CONE WEDGES 3 whack the log is split. I'am talking big round heavy Red Oak! That i cut 17" long > Never try to split a Y in a log in the middle! Split one of them in the middle of the log! I just don't have any luck at it! Splitting in the middle of a Y > I mostly take the Y facing down on the ground, Leaving the log on top. Split it that way, is much easier

Dude, Like a corkscrew. Sometimes, other measures will be needed. For instance, fatter units (D-cell) and longer torches (3-7 batts). Try manually dislodging the batteries by "excavating" them with small form spatula instruments ,(preferably, non-metal...but use what you need to preserve the torch). Sometimes, you will need to neutralise the batteries; a solution of baking soda in water will work. A better bet is to drop some oil (penetrating is best) into the aluminum tube. Use something to insert between the battery case and the inside of the flashlight housing. Anything that can be inserted works; think plastic knife or paper towel core. Sometimes, really long calipers or forceps work. Importantly, completely clean the inside of the tube after extraction. Use detergent to remove any oils and clean contacts with mildly acidic

Thanks for the video I went and bought this wedge based on this review and has worked great over a few days

THANX FOR BEING BRIEF AND TO THE POINT SIR OR IN OTHER WORDS NOT RAMBLIN ON IN DEPTH 😉👍👍

Im using this wedges for 11 years for splitting olive wood its a hardwood whith a ten kilo hummer there's nothing resist in that

I second the recommendation, I've been using one for over 10 years. They are so much easier to start in the wood also.

My experience stay away from the grenade wedge splitters are a waste money and break. Best splitter is $25 estwing wedge as has offset wings. Then the cheap $10 harbor freight standard edges as backup to keep a big log crack open .

I like that wedge it does a good job I have a couple of them I bought from harbor freight the problem is the steel is weak and I've broken two of them so far

I just bought one of those wedges this week. I’m impressed with how well it works. Way better than a standard wedge

awesome, thanks for sharing. :)

Splitting wood is good exercise and therapeutic for a man trying to provide basic warmth for his family.

The big head on the wedge helps a lot. The thin-headed wedges are really tough to hit squarely with a full power swing.

Great video! I’ve been trying to decide what I need to split what I have instead of renting a splitter cause it’s not worth buying a splitter at this point. Subscribed. You should check out Andy’s Corner HVAC. I’m always looking for other channels I like to feature and talk about to get all of us out there to more people. Check it out! Have a great day!

Great work 👏. Out of shape or not. You never miss hit ,but smashed through a tough fork. Well done

Great post

Obrigado amigo , estou exatamente com esse problema , porem a oxidação é bem maior , acho que vou perder minha maglite de 4 pilhas , mas obrigado pelo video , abraço

So the switch will pass all the corrosion inside the tube? If people wish to first try banging the flashlight to dislodge batteries: To avoid damage to the threaded end where the screw cap fits, remove the spring & spare bulb from the screw cap then fully screw it back onto the flashlight. Then you can vertically tap/bash the end onto a hard surface. Hint: A folded towel on the hard surface will help prevent damaging the finish on the screw cap. If the batteries aren't too far corroded, they should dislodge.

Men u the best

Thank you for this very simple way of removing stuck batteries.

My batteries are so stuck that even a very course and fairly large diameter screw threaded into the battery about and inch and a half will pull out of the battery not even budging the battery.

Dollar tree batteries are bad for this

you lucky, i have 3 stacked battery. I shredded the first one (i used scissors for metal and pliers) and now there are two more left in the depths

thanks, my brother.

Best description so far, short, precise, no blabla, thanks alot!

Why would you use an acid like vinegar to neutralize battery acid? Why not use a base such as water and baking soda instead?

A very pretty rocket stump.

Thanks for the advise. The aluminum can be damaged very easily, as I have ruined others by banging on the table too hard. For a moment I thought it was my wife's head and came down too hard!

While following the directions to remove the corroded batteries from my mini Maglite and putting it all back together, the small metal pin was damaged. Do any of you have an extra one laying around that you don't need and would be so kind as to mail it to me at: Stan Dawson, PO Box 122, Kilmarnock, VA 22482-0122

Good idea! What if you can't even get the cap off though?

I used vinegar for a soak, rinsed with water, then WD-40, and ran the edge of a steak knife around the battery, and got it to move. Always open your Maglight monthly to release any gases that leak from the batteries. The best plan is to store batteries in a zip lock bag and assemble when needed.

the Indian made ring stretcher looks similar to the Chinese, are the internals the same?