How To Make A Log Splitter With A Hydraulic Jack

It may seem like unconventional approach to splitting logs, but did you know that you can make an excellent log splitter with a hydraulic jack? Yes, really! You may have one lying about in your garage that you don’t use or have seen one floating around as scrap. Why not repurpose it to make an effective log splitter to give it a second life. Not sure on how to do this? Don’t worry, that’s what I’m here for, follow my step by step guide on how to make a log splitter with a hydraulic jack.

Find Yourself a Hydraulic Jack

First things first is to find yourself a hydraulic jack, you don’t need a brand new one to make this work. You can use an old tired jack or one that has been lying around and going unused for long periods of time, why not give it a new lease of life.

Collar It and Make a Platform

You will need to put a collar around the neck of the jack. This is a safety and practicality measure as the jack will want to pull itself away from the metal base due to the force that will be exerted on it. Make a platform for the jack to sit on, this will give it the rigidity to split the logs. Without this you will find that if you are just welding the jack to a piece of metal with no support, it won’t cut effectively and you risk collapsing the rest of the unit.

Weld the Neck

So, you’ve got this far, you’ve made a base for your jack and a collar to keep it locked in place, now you need to source and attach the jack to the neck. This will give your collar something to lock onto and keep flush with, it also gives you somewhere to place the wood that you want to cut. Weld these pieces together and you are not far off completing your new hydraulic log splitter.

Choose Your Angle

At the top of the neck, away from the jack is where the piece of metal that will split the log is going to go. All you need to do is chose your angle. This may sound like a piece of cake but there are things you need to consider before you make this selection. What is the weight rating of your jack? The heavier it is, the slower it may well be and if it is slower, you will need a more sever angle than once that is faster.

How big is the compressor you have to run your log splitter? If you have a large compressor and a light jack, the angle doesn’t need to be that sever. Whereas in contract if your compressor is small and your jack is heavy, you will need a sever angle to be able to cut through the wood.

Hydraulic jacks are slow, so don’t be deterred if yours looks as though it is moving at a snail’s pace, they all do this it isn’t just yours. Hydraulic jacks aren’t the fastest of tools, but they are exceptionally powerful, especially when you throw large compressors into the mix. In fact, a hydraulic log splitter will cut through almost all hard wood with ease. They will also bust through those difficult knotty pieces that are difficult to cut by hand, they just take their time in doing it.

Once you have chosen the type of angle your log splitter requires, weld it to the top of the neck with the angle facing down.

Make it Mobile

You’ve got the platform, neck and head all welded on and ready to go. Why not fix the unit to a sack trolley? So you can move it around and use it in different areas of your home or garden. This will also give the tool more structural rigidity.

Safety Measures

When repurposing your old hydraulic jack, make sure that you are always wearing the appropriate safety gear especially when welding. If you haven’t welded before, seek professional guidance or take it to a professional to complete. Do not undertake this task without a good understanding of welding and having the correct safety gear.

Final Thoughts

Why not repurposes an old hydraulic jack into something that you can use on a weekly basis. It is not a difficult conversion and can be done over the weekend at your leisure. Whilst hydraulic jack log splitters are slow, they are trusty and reliable, and it will give the old tired jack a new lease of life. Follow my instructions for how to turn and old jack into a new project and make sure you can always cut even the toughest and knottiest of wood.