Michael, I love your videos. I would give anything to farmstead in Ireland. I was there as a child and fell in love with the country. You're so lucky. Thanks for making these videos!
Thanks for the kind words Usul. The scenery looks lovely in Summer, but it can be pretty wet and miserable during the Winter, and trying to make a living from the land can be an up-hill battle. Make sure you give the thumbs up to the videos. I have a few more planned in the near future.
Brilliant! this also could stop the axe flying out the side when you get those nasty deflections. I had a choping block on concrete yesterday and caught the the blade on it after a deflection. And had to file out the ding. I also have a lump like an egg on my left shin. We know how that happend.
It looks like it's about 18 inches wide. I usually have them about a foot high. That particular one, I'm sure, was split up a long time ago, and is drying away in the shed, or may even be burned by now.
I really like this and will give it a try. I've been putting a chain around my logs but it takes time with each log to wrap it. This might be faster and do just as good a job. Thank you the safety tips video as well. Good thought to place the log at the far end of the chopping block rather than in the center.
This set-up is much quicker than using a chain or bungee on its own. Also remember that a block (round) needs room in which to be split open, which a tight wrapping does not allow for. Thanks for watching.
Just split some wood myself here today in western Canada although somewhat colder than your place which looks beautiful. Your system works good and is efficient.
Roy, That video was made last summer. If you were standing on that spot today (26 Feb 2017), you would get a strong wind along with rain and sleet. At this time of the year if the wind was blowing from the East, 'it would shave you.'
A good idea and variation on the car tyre to hold split chunks. I miss occasionally and my axe ricochets so I would have to improve my accuracy to work this technique! You work huge logs with heavy mauls and axes - all great techniques. Thanks.
Thanks Vincent. In my opinion, using a car tyre means that the maul/axe handle comes in contact with the tyre wall - a hard surface - on most strikes. This is not good for the handle. In my set up, nothing like that happens, which makes for a better working arrangement.
Michael how long is the bungee cord? I am going tomato myself one of these and another one for a Christmas gift for a friend. I love your videos. Thank you!
If memory serves me correctly, each cord was four feet long. Now I use a thirty foot length of cord which I bought on-line and is easier to use. Thanks for the comment and for watching.
You got in ahead of me Michael, I stumbled across another of your videos and I was going to ask you what the craic was with the bungee cords. It's a great idea though and one I'll have to try myself.
That’s a nice setup 👍 I’ll be honest I’ve not got experience chopping wood, have done some but not enough yet LOL. My question is to me it looks like the chopping block is pretty low to the ground, is there a reason for this ? To me it seems like it wood be better a little higher. Not criticizing your way at just trying to learn. Thanks so much.
In my opinion the top of the block that is about to be split should be at about knee height. Apparently the axe/maul head is travelling at its fastest when the handle becomes parallel to the ground during the swing, which would be about right for a knee high strike. If the block is higher, there is less of a swing and less time to build up full speed. Other people have made the same comment as yourself. I have seen videos from Germany and other places where the height of the block is waist high, which I consider to be much too high. I hope that helps.
Greetings from Belturbet Co Cavan,Did you ever try splitting rounds,in a truck tyre, with the walls of the tyre removed, great job, I get mine on the motorways,that come shaped of lorry's that have blown out, I put 3 tyres on top of each other,and fill them with your rings,on a concrete base, all the rings are packed tight,and don't fly all over the place, I can send you a photo of you need,
I'm curious about your set-up. Send me a picture, so that I can comment and perhaps get inspiration. I'm at mfkearney54@gmail.com. P.S. When I came to work in Dublin decades ago, all the pubs seemed to be owned either by Tipperary men or Cavan men.
When the split blocks hit the wire mesh, which is very inflexible, a lot of strain is put on the screws holding the timber uprights and they tend to loosen in a very short time. I know, because I have tried that method. Bungee cords are ideal because they absorb the blows and take nearly all the strain, and there are no problems as a result. The odd split log escapes, but its very rare.
Michael Kearney Wonderful job sir. I will duplicate your setup here in the Sierra foothills. One change I will make is to use what I call “wiggle cable” instead of bungees. Using a swivel and drill motor I unwind short lengths of 7 strand safety cable once used on construction sites. The cable strands come in handy because they “give” like a coil spring. I wind the ends back on themselves to secure them. Works great for tensioning simple fences & gates so I am enthusiastic about trying it on your design.
Thanks again-beautiful country by the way, blessed men you are.
Thanks Johnnie.
Michael, I love your videos. I would give anything to farmstead in Ireland. I was there as a child and fell in love with the country. You're so lucky. Thanks for making these videos!
Thanks for the kind words Usul. The scenery looks lovely in Summer, but it can be pretty wet and miserable during the Winter, and trying to make a living from the land can be an up-hill battle. Make sure you give the thumbs up to the videos. I have a few more planned in the near future.
Great ideas on frame and splitter
Genius! Thanks for sharing this Mr. Kearney
I hope you get more views. You’re very camera friendly.
Well done Michael, I thoroughly enjoy all your videos. Will you please consider one about how long you season the cut timber before burning?.
Chris, I just sent myself a reminder about that. I'll try and get one done is the next few weeks. Thanks for watching.
The best set up I've ever seen!!
Thanks Ed. It went through a few different variations before I settled on this one.
Brilliant! this also could stop the axe flying out the side when you get those nasty deflections. I had a choping block on concrete yesterday and caught the the blade on it after a deflection. And had to file out the ding. I also have a lump like an egg on my left shin. We know how that happend.
Thanks Scott. Stay safe.
What a well thought out design,really clever time saving way of processing wood!.What is the diameter of the block and also what height is it ?.
It looks like it's about 18 inches wide. I usually have them about a foot high. That particular one, I'm sure, was split up a long time ago, and is drying away in the shed, or may even be burned by now.
I really like this and will give it a try. I've been putting a chain around my logs but it takes time with each log to wrap it. This might be faster and do just as good a job. Thank you the safety tips video as well. Good thought to place the log at the far end of the chopping block rather than in the center.
This set-up is much quicker than using a chain or bungee on its own. Also remember that a block (round) needs room in which to be split open, which a tight wrapping does not allow for. Thanks for watching.
I like it, sir! That would work well with an ax as well as a maul.
Just split some wood myself here today in western Canada although somewhat colder than your place which looks beautiful. Your system works good and is efficient.
Roy, That video was made last summer. If you were standing on that spot today (26 Feb 2017), you would get a strong wind along with rain and sleet. At this time of the year if the wind was blowing from the East, 'it would shave you.'
Thanks for enlightening me Michael and we had a "shaving" wind here this morning when i had the dogs out.
A good idea and variation on the car tyre to hold split chunks. I miss occasionally and my axe ricochets so I would have to improve my accuracy to work this technique! You work huge logs with heavy mauls and axes - all great techniques. Thanks.
Thanks Vincent. In my opinion, using a car tyre means that the maul/axe handle comes in contact with the tyre wall - a hard surface - on most strikes. This is not good for the handle. In my set up, nothing like that happens, which makes for a better working arrangement.
You always need to be 'switched on' when working with these implements. Otherwise, the consequences can be unpleasant.
Michael how long is the bungee cord? I am going tomato myself one of these and another one for a Christmas gift for a friend. I love your videos. Thank you!
If memory serves me correctly, each cord was four feet long. Now I use a thirty foot length of cord which I bought on-line and is easier to use. Thanks for the comment and for watching.
@@michaelkearney5562 THANK YOU!
Great! Going to make one same as yours 👍
You wont regret it as it will double your work out-put and make the whole job much more satisfying!
You got in ahead of me Michael, I stumbled across another of your videos and I was going to ask you what the craic was with the bungee cords. It's a great idea though and one I'll have to try myself.
Thanks Thomas. Its a simple idea but the result is much higher output and the satisfaction that comes with it.
That’s a nice setup 👍 I’ll be honest I’ve not got experience chopping wood, have done some but not enough yet LOL. My question is to me it looks like the chopping block is pretty low to the ground, is there a reason for this ? To me it seems like it wood be better a little higher. Not criticizing your way at just trying to learn. Thanks so much.
In my opinion the top of the block that is about to be split should be at about knee height. Apparently the axe/maul head is travelling at its fastest when the handle becomes parallel to the ground during the swing, which would be about right for a knee high strike. If the block is higher, there is less of a swing and less time to build up full speed. Other people have made the same comment as yourself. I have seen videos from Germany and other places where the height of the block is waist high, which I consider to be much too high. I hope that helps.
It's a "KEARNEY BLOCK"...
I'll go with that!
Greetings from Belturbet Co Cavan,Did you ever try splitting rounds,in a truck tyre, with the walls of the tyre removed, great job, I get mine on the motorways,that come shaped of lorry's that have blown out, I put 3 tyres on top of each other,and fill them with your rings,on a concrete base, all the rings are packed tight,and don't fly all over the place, I can send you a photo of you need,
I'm curious about your set-up. Send me a picture, so that I can comment and perhaps get inspiration.
I'm at mfkearney54@gmail.com.
P.S. When I came to work in Dublin decades ago, all the pubs seemed to be owned either by Tipperary men or Cavan men.
@@michaelkearney5562 will do, they probably came from very hungry backgrounds, unfortunately some of those pubs may never open again,
Maybe wire mesh or net around the perimeter if you keep getting small pieces flying out.
When the split blocks hit the wire mesh, which is very inflexible, a lot of strain is put on the screws holding the timber uprights and they tend to loosen in a very short time. I know, because I have tried that method. Bungee cords are ideal because they absorb the blows and take nearly all the strain, and there are no problems as a result. The odd split log escapes, but its very rare.
OK, that makes sense. I suppose you could always tie vertical pieces of string to the bungee cords every few inches if it starts becoming a problem.
Michael Kearney Wonderful job sir. I will duplicate your setup here in the Sierra foothills. One change I will make is to use what I call “wiggle cable” instead of bungees.
Using a swivel and drill motor I unwind short lengths of 7 strand safety cable once used on construction sites. The cable strands come in handy because they “give” like a coil spring. I wind the ends back on themselves to secure them. Works great for tensioning simple fences & gates so I am enthusiastic about trying it on your design.