Splitting Wood 101
Few things can match the coziness of a wood-burning fireplace on a cold night. It’s true, wood-burning fireplace bring a warm and comfortable vibe to any home, but what about keeping up with all the wood you need to burn? Well, you have a few options when it comes to getting wood for your fireplace. For one, you could hire a log splitting service to deliver plenty of split wood right to your door, or they can split the logs you already have. On the other hand, you can take a crack at splitting your wooden logs yourself.
Before you get started though, there are several safety tips and method you should know. In this video, we will learn all about splitting wood.
First of all, you need the right tools. Many people think an axe is the right tool, but this is fundamentally incorrect. A wedge-shaped maul is much easier to swing, and is designed to flow with the grain of the wood better. You may also need a wedge and sledgehammer to finish off some hard logs. Next, look for pre-existing cracks in the log. Aim for these as you swing. Begin your swing with your hand near the wedge, but let it slide back to the end of the handle as your swing comes down.
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