My 3rd and hopefully last log splitter

[rswyan]

View attachment 420598

I got it back together. I ended up using two 3/8 grade 8 bolts on the front of each side as those are the ones that take the punishment when a log slides up the push plate. And 5/16 grade 2 for the rest.

I split about a cord and a few tough pieces without any failures

Just curious: why go with only Grade 2 ? (rather than at least Grade 5, if not Grade 8)

 

[mikefromnh]

The short answer...The hardware store didn't have enough grade 8 in stock.

But I think what happened was the front of the slide was pushed up and put all the pressure on the first two bolts which failed and then the others failed progressively.

So I put the two 3/8 grade 8 where I previously had one 1/4" grade 8. The chart I googled shows each 3/8 grade 8 have a ~9500 shear rating and the 5/16 at ~2500. My thinking is the if the first 2 don't fail then the next 7 have enough total strength.

I drilled each hole the exact size of the bolt so hopefully they work together... Time will tell.

 

[qhunter]

Hi nice build!!
What about putting some welds on those plates?
You can allways grind them off if you have too.
Rick

 

[qhunter]

Hi nice build!!
What about putting some welds on those plates?
You can allways grind them off if you have too.
Rick

 

[muddstopper]

Looked for a pic of my slide, but didnt find one. I used 1/2 grade8 bolts to hold my slide down. 5 or 6 per side. Bolts are verticle so they hold in tension. I can and do stretch those bolts all the time. I have to keep check to make sure they are tight when ever I start splitting. My slide plate is 1in thick and the bottom part that hooks under the hbeam is also 1 in thick. My cyl is 5in and you said yours is 5.5in. I think you might have a continueing problem with your small bolts. Whoops did find a pic. There are 5 bolts each side but pic angle doesnt show the front one

 

[ultrarunner]

I had to replace the bolts on my slide... went larger and stronger and so far so good...

A neighbor asked if he could use it... yesterday the two of us had everything split in about an hour... he was sure grateful for the assist!

 

[LD1]

Surprised you have issues.

Mine uses only 3 bolts a side.the plate that is on top of the beam is 1" thick. Drilled and tapped 3 places each side for 1/2"-20. 2x2 angle 3/8" thick bolt to those through the sides and go under the flange.

So I have 3 bolts per side in shear, but only a 4" cylinder.

 

[davedj1]

Nice looking splitter there. One thing I have found is that the pusher plates don't have to be super snug in fact I prefer them to be a bit sloppy.
Keep up the good work.

 

[muddstopper]

Surprised you have issues.

Mine uses only 3 bolts a side.the plate that is on top of the beam is 1" thick. Drilled and tapped 3 places each side for 1/2"-20. 2x2 angle 3/8" thick bolt to those through the sides and go under the flange.

So I have 3 bolts per side in shear, but only a 4" cylinder.

I think part of my problem with stretching bolts is the height of the pusher block. The pusher is 16in tall and the blade is 24in tall at full extention. Lots of leverage on those bolts. Also have a 6way blade for splitting and regularly split 30+dia oak.

 

[muddstopper]

Surprised you have issues.

Mine uses only 3 bolts a side.the plate that is on top of the beam is 1" thick. Drilled and tapped 3 places each side for 1/2"-20. 2x2 angle 3/8" thick bolt to those through the sides and go under the flange.

So I have 3 bolts per side in shear, but only a 4" cylinder.

I think part of my problem with stretching bolts is the height of the pusher block. The pusher is 16in tall and the blade is 24in tall at full extention. Lots of leverage on those bolts. Also have a 6way blade for splitting and regularly split 30+dia oak.