Hand-Held Splitter Makes Wood "Chopping" Easy

Hand-Held Splitter Makes Wood "Chopping" Easy WOODLOT EQUIPMENT Wood Splitters 27-1-20 Screw-type wood splitters are not new but Charlie Ellison of Dapp, Alberta, is the first person we've heard of who put one on an impact wrench. He calls it "Charlie's Wood Splitter" and says it's easier to use than anything on the market. The threaded, cone-shaped wedge fits any 3/4 or 1-in. sq. drive. A pin slides through a hole in the splitter base and locks in the hole in the wrench's drive. Ellison says there are some impact wrenches that don't have a hole through the anvil, but for safety sake, he recommends using one that does. "The wedge is made from specially hardened steel and it is so easy to operate that it's ideal for women, the elderly, or anyone who might otherwise struggle physically with what was once a demanding and tiring chore," Ellison says. "You can actually split wood one-handed, and it will work on any length and diameter of wood. It's not as fast as hydraulics, but the trade-off is that there isn't the lifting or carrying required. What's great is that it actually works fastest on the harder woods." The splitter ise applied to the bark-side of the wood (not the end), since going across the grain of the wood assures that the splitter will pull itself into the wood. It can be driven by an electric or pneumatic wrench. Ellison sells impact wrenches that come in an attache case with room to carry the splitter as well. The unit can then be easily transported behind the seat of a truck. "It's ideal for taking along on camping trips and the impact wrench becomes a dual purpose tool. You can used it to prepare wood for your campfire, or take the lug nuts off your RV tire if you get a flat," he says. Dapp has been burning wood as his main home heat source since 1981 and says, thanks to his new wood splitter, his wife now does all the wood splitting. When he first began experimenting with ways to drive his wood splitter, he tried using a _" drill, but because the unit relies on constant torque, it promptly twisted out of his hands and the cord wrapped around the drill. Substituting an impact wrench to drive the splitter solved this problem, however. Ellison currently has four Alberta dealers and welcomes other dealer inquiries. There has already been a lot of interest in the unit and Ellison has had calls from Nova Scotia to Vancouver. He sells the 3/4-in. wood splitter attachment for $195 (Canada) and the 1-in. model for $290 (Canada). He can also supply an impact wrench. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Charlie Ellison, Box 9, Site 3, R.R.#1, Dapp, Alberta, Canada T0G 0S0 (ph 780 954-2528, toll free 866 954-2528, cell 780 349-1150); E-mail: dappalta@telus.net; Website: www.wood splitter.net).

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