Wood splitters are expensive. The cheapest horizontal log splitters start at 160 euros, a high-quality vertical log splitter can cost up to 1000 euros or even more. This is why talented do-it-yourselfers often come up with the idea of building a log splitter themselves. We'll explain below whether it's worth it and what alternatives there are.
Is it worth building a log splitter yourself?
Building a log splitter yourself is not recommended due to the complexity, high costs, time required and safety concerns. An easier and safer alternative is to build your own manual log splitter, which is operated by levers and springs.
The construction of a log splitter
If you want to build a log splitter yourself, you should first know how it is constructed and what parts it consists of. With a log splitter, the log is pressed against a splitting wedge using a piston and split. This requires a gasoline or electric motor, a hydraulic unit (pump, tank and cylinder), control unit as well as all metal struts, frame parts, iron supports, screws, etc. Modern log splitters are also designed in such a way that two levers have to be pressed for it to start. This ensures that both hands are in a safe place.
Why it's not worth building a log splitter yourself
You might already guess based on the parts of the log splitter listed above. There are a lot of things that speak against building your own log splitter:
Complexity
The construction is so complex that the know-how of a do-it-yourselfer is usually not enough. Because here you don't just have to work with welding machines and screw connections, installing the hydraulics, the control unit and the motor are not easy jobs and require a lot of expertise.
Costs and time required
The hydraulic pump, hydraulic cylinder and tank alone cost over 500 euros - significantly more than a complete, high-quality wood splitter. A self-made wood splitter can cost well over 1000 euros in total. If you add the working hours, you can quickly reach over 2000 euros.
Security
First of all, you should think about your own safety. If you make a mistake when building your log splitter, parts can quickly fly around your ears or hoses can burst. There are also public requirements that must be observed: self-built and industrially manufactured wood splitters must comply with current safety requirements. If you or others work with the self-made log splitter and an accident occurs, no insurance will cover the damage if the log splitter does not comply with the work and accident prevention regulations.
The alternative: the manual wood splitter you build yourself
If you enjoy working with metal and, above all, want to experience the construction process, there is an alternative that is more suitable for talented DIY enthusiasts: build a log splitter that has a long lever using springs can be operated without a motor or hydraulics. This is not only much cheaper but also safer. Instructions and suggestions can be found in this video:
