When you want to split green wood – logs without using power tools , the splitting wedge is a very helpful assistant and can do the job very easily .
It’s an ancient of course way for splitting logs from the people who wanted to use wood in their fireplaces , et.c .
The sound of cracking wood while splitting , is an amazing sensation .
It may look a little tough , but it isn’t and anyone can do it , if he experiment a little and have someone to show him , some wood grain “secrets” , in order to use his wedges effectively and with safety .
The woodworking wedge is a portable cuneiform shaped piece of wood( mostly hardwood ) or metal , having several lengths and edge widths and different thicknesses .
See my Top wedge suggestions and more , in HERE .
What does a Splitting Wedge do ?
The splitting wedge assisted by a heavy enough metalic hammer – maul , is used to split wood – logs , always along the grain , into smaller pieces and keep the cutting gap between the two parts of wood ( mostly big logs – trunks ) , while we cut it .
The splitting wedges are very helpful tool for a carpenter , a logger and when we work with green wood in general .
Why do Loggers , use Wedges ?
Loggers use metalic and wooden wedges , to keep the gap open and free , between the two sides of the wood piece ( big trunks , et.c ) they cut .
Doing this and placing many wedges between the gap they continue to saw and their chainsaws , saws , don’t block between the gap .
if your saw gets “prisoned” between a gap of a heavy trunk – log , you’ll have a serious problem , especcialy if you’re alone cutting wood .
What Type of wedge is Best for splitting wood ?
We combine two types of wedges in order to split wood . We use the metalic stronger ones to firstly penetrate the log and then we continue using the wooden ones , to keep the gap open and finish our splitting .
In the below very short video , you’ll see how to make your own wooden wedge , extremely easy .
What wedge , is Used in Carpentry ?
In carpentry is used the cuneiform type of wedges .
What are wood splitting wedges Made of ?
The modern metalic wedges are usually made of aluminum alloys , but i’ve seen and worked with steel ones and iron ones , which were used mostly the “old days” of woodworking .
Do splitting wood , Work ?
Yes , for sure splitting wood into smaller pieces is a very helpful situation for the fireplaces , stoves and not only .
How does a Splitting Wedge makes work , Easier ?
When you place firstly a metalic , splitting wedge in the correct – weak place and always along the log’s grain and you make some hits ( even light ones ) with your maul , the wood fibers can be seperated very easily .
It’s a matter of correct technique not strength , even to the hardest types of wood . After you make your first wood penetrations into the wood’s fibers , the rest is a “piece of cake” .
How does a Small wedge split a Big log of wood ?
The metalic wedges which are smaller than the wooden ones , have the “mission” of the first critical fibers penetrations , from a weak spot of the log , which may be a crack , a small gap between the log’s layer stratification , et.c .
After you’ll make your first fibers seperations , the work is easy . You continue splitting easily your log and use the wooden wedges which are bigger and finish the process .
Should i use 2 or 3 Wedges ?
This is totally depending from the size , the diameter of your splitting log .
If you have a super big log and its fibers are “resisting” much till the final seperation , you may need to use 2 – 3 – 4 wedges , hitting them till the final splitting .
Is it Better to split wood with a Maul and a Wedge ?
Yes , it’s better to split wood manually with a maul and a wedge , even if there are modern alternative ways , because you get the whole feeling of working and interacting with wood .
The feeling when you hear the log cracking till to be fully seperated , is unique .
Do you remember why woodworking is the best “psychotherapy” in the world ?
See a funny story , in HERE .
What Hammer to Use , with wood wedge ?
You’ll need a heavy enough hammer from 10lbs and moreweight , having nice balance because sometimes you’ll use big movement( above your head ) to hit your wedges .
What Size splitting wedge do i need ?
To split a 12″ log you’ll need for sure an 8 wedge and you raise as your splitting needs are raising .
What is the best Angle for a wooden wedge ?
There is no “law” in here , but a angle range between the 5o degrees and the 10o , is the most common ones .
What is the best Wood for wedges ?
You’ll need hard types of wood in here , in order to handle the angle shaping , to hold your maul hits and penetrate to hardwood also .
The oak , the ash and the yew are very nice wedge choices . Almost the majority of the old times wedges were made from yew in my place , Greece .
Should a splitting wedge be Sharp ?
Yes , it should be sharp but not super sharp as your other hand tools for cutting wood . The wedges are made to seperate wood’s fibers , not cutting them .
What are the Disadvantages of wooden wedges ?
They can brake , massively if you hit them extremely hard or in a smaller spot in their edges if you hit them hard and big and not centered .
Usually the big wooden wedges are heavy tools and not very portable for your small – medium toolbox and of course they need some maintenance .
Don’t forget there’re made from wood and treated hard .
Preserve them combining oils & waxes , but also use some water based products . See some in HERE .
What makes a wedge more Effective ?
The quality of the metal if it’s a metalic one and the type of wood is very essential for the wedge’s abilities and of course its shape and size .
Longer and thinner ( but solid ) wedges are more effective in general for penetration and seperation of wood .
What is the difference between a Splitting wedge and a Felling wedge ?
The felling wedges usually are more thin and longer than the splitting ones .
What is the Diamond splitting wedge ?
The diamond type of wedge is the one which seperates wood – logs , by channeling the hitting energy of the maul – hammer into 4 directions through wood , making the splitting very easy .
What is the Cleaving wedge ?
The cleaving type of wedge is a wedge we use to “target” the weakest spot of a log and drive it , through it , for seperation .
Keep woodworking and stay happy while doing it .
