Press / Log Splitter

[Parm]

I’ve a hankering for a press, don’t really need it but want one, I have all the metal and looking at a 12 ton bottle jack to use in the arrangement below

Now the interesting bit, I also need a log splitter but I dont need two bits of kit as neither will be used often, but the press will be more handy
I have plenty of rounds from a tree that was felled in my garden, and I need an easier way to split them

If I was to add some sort of axe head at the business end will this work or is it a non starter?
What size of bottle jack is recommended?

I’m not looking for speed as it’s just a few times a year to chop wood for fire pits and bbq etc, I don’t have a log burner

 

[fizzy]

An axe head will work ok but log splitters tend to have a wider wedge to split the wood over a shorter distance.
Make sure it is fitted parallel with the cross rails NOT at 90 degrees. That way the log can continue to split out past the cross pieces.
12 tons will be ample.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Wasn't there someone on here who had done it the other way...converted a log splitter into a press?

 

[Erie Fred]

Press needs:
1. top beam not angles, there is really no material at the extreme fiber on the tension side.
2. simplify by turning the jack upside down, drill out cross hole plug at base of pump, install hose barb, and feed with a small tank overhead.

Wasn't there someone on here who had done it the other way...converted a log splitter into a press?

yes, i did.
i posted it.

 

[JOEPRO]

Food for thought - this a log splitter I have-

 

[Parm]

Press needs:
1. top beam not angles, there is really no material at the extreme fiber on the tension side.
2. simplify by turning the jack upside down, drill out cross hole plug at base of pump, install hose barb, and feed with a small tank overhead.

yes, i did.
i posted it.

Ive looked at this but my research suggest that return springs are still required to return the ram to the home position, therefore its easy to just keep all as is

 

[Parm]

Food for thought - this a log splitter I have-

View attachment 486430

Now that looks handy, where does one enquire about these?

 

[fizzy]

Food for thought - this a log splitter I have-

View attachment 486430

Does look useful - where did you get it?

 

[Erie Fred]

Ive looked at this but my research suggest that return springs are still required to return the ram to the home position, therefore its easy to just keep all as is

Return springs is the whole thing ?

No, the idea of turning the jack upside down (done this on 2 presses I built)
eliminates all the guidance pieces you need to build.

No plunger, bearing block, etc. to build.
Also more clearance in the pressing area.

Of course either way still needs return springs.

 

[JOEPRO]

Now that looks handy, where does one enquire about these?

I bought this used but it looks like they still make it-



It's a good job. I have a 20 tonne shop press too. The construction of the "axe" on the press above may be useful to copy.

Edit - looks like these are discontinued

 

[Parm]

Press needs:
1. top beam not angles, there is really no material at the extreme fiber on the tension side.
2. simplify by turning the jack upside down, drill out cross hole plug at base of pump, install hose barb, and feed with a small tank overhead.

yes, i did.
i posted it.

Have you got a picture of your modified set up?

 

[Erie Fred]

Have you got a picture of your modified set up?

I gave the one press away, the other is outside under a cover, will be a few days.
Look at your jack, at the pump, clean off the paint at the bottom of the pump cylinder bore.
On the outside area, should be 2 plugs for cross drilled holes (hammered in, and filed flush when made) one leads to the suction side of the pump.
Drill it out, tap and add hose connection there.

 

[Erie Fred]

This looks more elegant:

 

[reb78]

I know you say you arent looking for speed but i would think you would be there all day to cut one round with a jack powered press/log splitter conversion. I would stick to an axe...

 

[sako243]

I'm with @reb78.

I'm looking at building a firewood processor (saw and splitter) but was looking at using at least a 5" ram to get 30+ tonnes of force.

@fizzy thought I was mad because it would be too slow and unnecessary, better off with a smaller ram. My reasoning is the smallest hydraulic pump I have is 80lpm so a push stroke on a 6" shear grab ram with about 16" of travel was sub 10s. The reason for such a force was to have a 6, 8 or possibly even more way splitter to process 2ft rounds in one stroke. No double handling and resplitting.

Admittedly I've got strong arms and reasonably young but putting a 2ft ash round in a tyre I can split it with an axe in under a minute comfortably and do that most of the day. So anything needs to be either automated or faster.

I'd be sticking with an axe in your situation @Parm and exercise is good for you

 

[Parm]

This looks more elegant:

Ok cheers, i get the modification required

But, is there an easier way that doesn't involve dismantling the jack?

 

[sako243]

Ok cheers, i get the modification required

But, is there an easier way that doesn't involve dismantling the jack?

Buy a jack with it already done.

 

[Parm]

I know you say you arent looking for speed but i would think you would be there all day to cut one round with a jack powered press/log splitter conversion. I would stick to an axe...

I'm with @reb78.

I'm looking at building a firewood processor (saw and splitter) but was looking at using at least a 5" ram to get 30+ tonnes of force.

@fizzy thought I was mad because it would be too slow and unnecessary, better off with a smaller ram. My reasoning is the smallest hydraulic pump I have is 80lpm so a push stroke on a 6" shear grab ram with about 16" of travel was sub 10s. The reason for such a force was to have a 6, 8 or possibly even more way splitter to progress 2ft rounds in one stroke. No double handling and resplitting.

Admittedly I've got strong arms and reasonably young but putting a 2ft ash round in a tyre I can split it with an axe in under a minute comfortably and do that most of the day. So anything needs to be either automated or faster.

I'd be sticking with an axe in your situation @Parm and exercise is good for you

Cheers chaps, but swinging an axe is getting tiring now, plus i haven't built anything for a while. This is me getting my Mo Jo back and wanting to play in the workshop

 

[Parm]

Buy a jack with it already done.

Recommend me something please

 

[fizzy]

I'm with @reb78.

I'm looking at building a firewood processor (saw and splitter) but was looking at using at least a 5" ram to get 30+ tonnes of force.

@fizzy thought I was mad because it would be too slow and unnecessary, better off with a smaller ram. My reasoning is the smallest hydraulic pump I have is 80lpm so a push stroke on a 6" shear grab ram with about 16" of travel was sub 10s. The reason for such a force was to have a 6, 8 or possibly even more way splitter to process 2ft rounds in one stroke. No double handling and resplitting.

Admittedly I've got strong arms and reasonably young but putting a 2ft ash round in a tyre I can split it with an axe in under a minute comfortably and do that most of the day. So anything needs to be either automated or faster.

I'd be sticking with an axe in your situation @Parm and exercise is good for you

I will have to bring one of the stubborn ones down to you