Designed or not, its hard to argue with over 200 cords of wood and the thing is still going strong.Several companies including Northern Tools that market a slip on wedge as well as bolt on wings for splitters that have the wedge on the ram,and there doesnt appear to be any problem.
I bought mine from NT, and modified it to fit the profile of my wedge. Cut the strap that goes around the wedge and chunk it in the scrap bin.Get you a piece of 1/4 inch plate and make a strip long enough to go around your wedge and weld it in place of the old strap on one side only.
Grind the weld out of the wedge that holds the vertical blades together,but leave enough metal to hold the thing together.now drop it in front of your old wedge and crank up the motor.
With a piece of wood laying crossways over the beam, slowly move the wedge forward.As it bites into the wood, it will spread the wings apart until it matches the shape of your old wedge.After it is seated fully,leave the ram forward and shut off the motor.
With a torch, heat up the strap and beat it around the wedge until the end meets the other side.Weld it in place.Allow the piece to cool a bit while you get yourself something cold to drink or come here and BS for awhile.
Crank up the motor, retract the wedge and remove the slip on wedge.Drop it on your work bench and reweld the welding that you ground out of the original vertical piece.You should now have a slip on wedge that fits the profile of your original wedge and is plenty strong if you welded it up good.I added a gussett across the top for added strength but suite yourself on that one.
