by Aaron Almus
Log splitters have been used in the logging industry for years. Homeowners and small businesses using a log splitter to process firewood for their own use or sale, need access to smaller scale machines. There are several log splitters on the market today. Many of these have specifications suitable for a small user. However, some of these potential users are making the decision to build, rather then buy a log splitter. What are the reasons behind this decision?
On the surface, this decision looks reasonable. These users are not looking for high volume processors. They split fewer logs than an industrial processor. Rather than buy, they can build from scratch at a lower cost. These potential users feel that since so many plans are available to building a log splitter, it must be less costly to build rather then buy. They feel that the savings will be well worth the effort.
But don’t be fooled. Building a wood splitter on your own comes with a whole host of disadvantages that many fail to think about.
Say you’ve chosen a plan. On the surface, the cost of buying everything on the plan’s bill of materials is less than the cost of purchasing a log splitter. But do you have all the tools required for building this machine? What about specialty parts? If your intention is to build a quality product for yourself, these costs mount up rapidly.
Don’t put your check book away when you’ve finished building. There’s fine tuning and maintaining your newly built log splitter. What if the motor you’ve used cannot handle larger or heavier logs? What if the machine breaks while processing the first log. Now, had you purchased a lot splitter, you could take it back under these circumstances, since it was most likely covered under a manufacturer’s warranty of return policy. This is not an option for someone who’s built the machine themselves. They built it, they’re the ones who have to make it run properly.
The process of actually building the splitter can be just as dangerous as using one. You need mechanical aptitude and understanding to do the job properly. If you do not wholly understand the process involved it can cost a costly mistake.
Time is another factor. How much time do you have to locate plans and purchase everything on the bill of materials. How much time do you have to locate and rent specialty tools, if required? How long will it take to read and understand the plans before you start? And finally, how long will it take you to simply build the log splitter assuming nothing goes wrong. Time is money. What is your time worth?
The value of your time and the issues of safety, locating specialty items and the costs of potential re-do’s must be added to the initial cost of the materials. Unless you are a skilled mechanic with unlimited time and budget, it is simply easier, safer and cheaper to buy what you need rather than attempt to build it.
About the Author:
If you choose to
build a log splitter it can cost you more energy and hard earned money than buying one. However, buying one can also be difficult if you are not sure what type of wood splitter is best for you. You need to find one that fits your needs. Get help finding whether an electric, gas or manual
wood splitter is best for you!
Don’t Read This If You Plan To Build A Log Splitter
Log splitters have been used in the logging industry for years. Homeowners and small businesses using a log splitter to process firewood for their own use or sale, need access to smaller scale machines. There are several log splitters on the market today. Many of these have specifications suitable for a small user. However, some of these potential users are making the decision to build, rather then buy a log splitter. What are the reasons behind this decision?
On the surface, this decision looks reasonable. These users are not looking for high volume processors. They split fewer logs than an industrial processor. Rather than buy, they can build from scratch at a lower cost. These potential users feel that since so many plans are available to building a log splitter, it must be less costly to build rather then buy. They feel that the savings will be well worth the effort.
But don’t be fooled. Building a wood splitter on your own comes with a whole host of disadvantages that many fail to think about.
Say you’ve chosen a plan. On the surface, the cost of buying everything on the plan’s bill of materials is less than the cost of purchasing a log splitter. But do you have all the tools required for building this machine? What about specialty parts? If your intention is to build a quality product for yourself, these costs mount up rapidly.
Don’t put your check book away when you’ve finished building. There’s fine tuning and maintaining your newly built log splitter. What if the motor you’ve used cannot handle larger or heavier logs? What if the machine breaks while processing the first log. Now, had you purchased a lot splitter, you could take it back under these circumstances, since it was most likely covered under a manufacturer’s warranty of return policy. This is not an option for someone who’s built the machine themselves. They built it, they’re the ones who have to make it run properly.
The process of actually building the splitter can be just as dangerous as using one. You need mechanical aptitude and understanding to do the job properly. If you do not wholly understand the process involved it can cost a costly mistake.
Time is another factor. How much time do you have to locate plans and purchase everything on the bill of materials. How much time do you have to locate and rent specialty tools, if required? How long will it take to read and understand the plans before you start? And finally, how long will it take you to simply build the log splitter assuming nothing goes wrong. Time is money. What is your time worth?
The value of your time and the issues of safety, locating specialty items and the costs of potential re-do’s must be added to the initial cost of the materials. Unless you are a skilled mechanic with unlimited time and budget, it is simply easier, safer and cheaper to buy what you need rather than attempt to build it.
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