i think most people are using the cracker the wrong way. it seems that everyone wants to split he wood down the middle every time. I think it is best meant to be used in this way. instead of lining it up on the cracker in the center, line it up to how thick you want your kindling to be then proceed to strike with the hammer. essentially taking off slivers all while holding onto the main trunk as it gets widdled away. as your kindling falls into the totes or onto the table. this way you are not constantly bending over to pick up the kindling to keep cracking it in half. crack it off in the sliver sizes you desire while holding onto the main piece so you can quickly reset it on the cracker. i have been thinking abou this cracker mechanism and how to make it better. brainstorming in my head. i am thinking something along the lines of a table buildt around it. built around it 3/4 of the way. leaving the 1/4 open for you to sit at and process the kindling. and as you process it as it falls. Or maybe some empty totes set up around it for the kindling to fall in.
I agree having it wider at the top would make it easier to retrieve the kindling after it is split up. A funnel shape essentially. I made it cylindrical only because it was easier to fabricate. Thanks for watching!
I saw in another comment you said a funnel shape would make it easier to remove the split kindling. I noticed some of them slipped out. Have you considered a smaller mess near the bottom or over lapping the same mess so it cuts you openings at the bottom by half. Or if you stagger the mess in both directions you can make the 1/4 of the original opening.
The cage is primarily to keep the larger pieces from hitting the ground. But i do like your idea for adding in a smaller mesh. Great point! Thanks for watching!
I like the actual tool, and mounting it on the log is a great improvement, but the cage would drive me crazy! After the first two or three splits, the pieces are in the way. I would much rather have them fall to the floor. And how do you empty it? By taking out one piece at a time? If they were on the floor you could pick them up in bunches. If you lift the cage, everything falls to the floor anyway. And the cage moves around... not for me.
I just split up a box a hour ago and was thinking I need to make a bucket with a hole in it to catch peices from flying around. I agree always picking pieces up off the ground is annoying. Great idea.
Is this product still a good one to buy? Like so many of the commenters/videos I too am in need of a splitter (I like my wood in smaller pieces for my fireplace and use an ax to split it. The results are not very good :) but before I spend $80+ I would like to know if this is still a good product to buy??
One of the best methods I've seen. I'm adding flip down casters so i don't have to carry it.
I keep mine sitting on a moving dolly. So i can wheel it around the garage. But I definitely like your idea
i think most people are using the cracker the wrong way. it seems that everyone wants to split he wood down the middle every time. I think it is best meant to be used in this way. instead of lining it up on the cracker in the center, line it up to how thick you want your kindling to be then proceed to strike with the hammer. essentially taking off slivers all while holding onto the main trunk as it gets widdled away. as your kindling falls into the totes or onto the table. this way you are not constantly bending over to pick up the kindling to keep cracking it in half. crack it off in the sliver sizes you desire while holding onto the main piece so you can quickly reset it on the cracker.
i have been thinking abou this cracker mechanism and how to make it better. brainstorming in my head. i am thinking something along the lines of a table buildt around it. built around it 3/4 of the way. leaving the 1/4 open for you to sit at and process the kindling. and as you process it as it falls. Or maybe some empty totes set up around it for the kindling to fall in.
Hi. Very nice system. I used a masons bucket and mounted the kindlingcracker thru the bottom of the bucket and on to the base.
great idea, thx
great idea use fencing I was going to use a bucket very nice i love my
cracker
That is really creative 👌
Nice job! And nice ZR1!
Thanks,
DC
This stand is a back saver! More mods on the ZR1 coming this winter/spring. Thanks for watching!
Inventive and pratical: I like it!
Thank you sir!
Hi from UK.. Brill idea, going to do exactly the same. Thanks
Should make the cage a bit wider or possibly attach lower on the base..nice set up
I agree having it wider at the top would make it easier to retrieve the kindling after it is split up. A funnel shape essentially. I made it cylindrical only because it was easier to fabricate. Thanks for watching!
Just a thought but to keep the basket from slipping off 3 bungee cords and 3 fencing staples would keep it stable
Great idea...Thanks for watching!
I saw in another comment you said a funnel shape would make it easier to remove the split kindling. I noticed some of them slipped out. Have you considered a smaller mess near the bottom or over lapping the same mess so it cuts you openings at the bottom by half. Or if you stagger the mess in both directions you can make the 1/4 of the original opening.
The cage is primarily to keep the larger pieces from hitting the ground. But i do like your idea for adding in a smaller mesh. Great point! Thanks for watching!
I like the actual tool, and mounting it on the log is a great improvement, but the cage would drive me crazy! After the first two or three splits, the pieces are in the way. I would much rather have them fall to the floor. And how do you empty it? By taking out one piece at a time? If they were on the floor you could pick them up in bunches. If you lift the cage, everything falls to the floor anyway. And the cage moves around... not for me.
Good point, but the whole idea behind it is not to have to bend over a bunch of times. Still can work both ways so im not stuck using the cage only.
I just split up a box a hour ago and was thinking I need to make a bucket with a hole in it to catch peices from flying around. I agree always picking pieces up off the ground is annoying. Great idea.
Is this product still a good one to buy? Like so many of the commenters/videos I too am in need of a splitter (I like my wood in smaller pieces for my fireplace and use an ax to split it. The results are not very good :) but before I spend $80+ I would like to know if this is still a good product to buy??
Still the best one!
26 min for what
A backsaver & no more slumping over. Thanks for watching!