black iron pipe for log splitter?

[Sparky_NY]

I have seen many posts here concerning homemade log splitters and hopefully someone can help me.

Has anyone used regular black iron pipe and cast fittings for their log splitter? Most splitters run 2500-3000 psi and although I hear this is "technically" too high for black iron, BUT is commonly done with no problems.

I don't want to buy specialized hydraulic fittings/pipe if the black iron will do.

 

[sedanman]

Many auto parts stores make hydraulic hoses. You don't need a lot of high pressure stuff, pump to valve and valve to ram, the rest is low pressure return. The pair of hoses might set you back $60.

 

[Mange]

I have used 1/2" water pipes I had laying around to reduce the cost of tubes.
Not just on the splitter, but other stuff too.

 

[paz]

as everyone has said,,,for pressure i wouldnt try it,,,think of it as a possible grenade waiting to happen.....
when i was an apprentice was told of a guy who actually died from a leaking hydraulic pressure line,,was leaking where he couldnt see it but could see the pool of oil,,,run his hand in behind the pipe over the leak and the pressure was enough to break the skin and push oil into his blood stream........

 

[cunrya]

All these warnings are very true, I'm a farm boy and have seen a ton of old hoses burst, not a pretty thing, wouldn't want to be near one when it did. Anything that can put a dent in 1/4 steel would quite surely fracture your cranium. Have a friends father who works maintenece in a local factory have a high pressure line go THROUGH his leg, no kidding very very ugly.

As for Black Pipe and fittings, very very bad idea that pipe has seam and is not designed for high pressure, you say its running what 2-3 thousand PSI? Well that only happens when you stall out the cylinder, and I doubt those fittings would hold up to years of that kind of abuse. Any Local Tractor dealer can make you a hose with the right fittings on it very cheap, usually costs me $15 or $20 to get a 10 or 12 foot hose made. Well worth the safety factor trust me. Safety First Stupid Hurts!

 

[jp hallman]

I have seen many posts here concerning homemade log splitters and hopefully someone can help me.

Has anyone used regular black iron pipe and cast fittings for their log splitter? Most splitters run 2500-3000 psi and although I hear this is "technically" too high for black iron, BUT is commonly done with no problems.

I don't want to buy specialized hydraulic fittings/pipe if the black iron will do.

If you figure your time, custom made hydraulic hoses cost less. If you value your safety(and of those around you) they're a must.

 

[Newfie]

Just use PVC pipe. I'm sure it's not rated for that high pressure application but what the heck, it's cheap.

 

[Marco]

OK, what about using a length of pipe to make a grease fitting accesible? Grease gun is suppose to develope 10,000psi and you see pipes in factory installations of grease fittings. Get the hose though, if you need to make any corners (within reason) the hose will do it without extra fittings, which can get spendy. Viabration will screw up your pipe idea too. With any future modifications to the unit the hose may allow you some slack without having to redo the setup.

 

[geofore]

iron pipe

I have seen many posts here concerning homemade log splitters and hopefully someone can help me.

Has anyone used regular black iron pipe and cast fittings for their log splitter? Most splitters run 2500-3000 psi and although I hear this is "technically" too high for black iron, BUT is commonly done with no problems.

I don't want to buy specialized hydraulic fittings/pipe if the black iron will do.

Black iron won't do, buy the high pressure lines/fittings you need. To check high pressure steam lines at the mills I used a broom, the pressure would cut the bristles off as they crossed the leak saving the fingers and hand. An equipment rental place may have a service dept. that can make the lines/hoses for you and have the fittings you need. Otherwise open the buisness to buisness yellow pages and look for a hose shop near you.

 

[Sparky_NY]

To clarify..

Thanks for all the responses. I knew opinions would be had here.

To clarify, I intended on using high pressure hoses for most lines, but most hydraulic setups use a mix of hose and pipe. Piping for the durability and long runs, hose for vibration and flex areas.

The piping used on equipment is either a thin wall steel tube or what "looks" like black iron threaded pipe. Guess a inquiry at a local hydraulic shop is in order.

 

[BlueRidgeMark]

Guess a inquiry at a local hydraulic shop is in order.

I think that would be the wise thing to do. Too much at stake to go off half cocked!

 

[paz]

yep looks like normal pipe but it isnt...not sure what it is called(bundy tube?),,but in the machines that i have built we used a normal old plumbers pipe bender and the ends were flared(same as brake lines) and used fittings for the end,,pretty soft and easy to work with too,,,considering it was handling a fair amount of pressure.....

 

[cunrya]

Not sure where u can pick up that pipe at, sure there would be a local source, It would be the right stuff to hard line with, benders and flaring tools are really cheap so might be a good option, possibly cheaper than a total custom hose setup. I really wanted to tackle the log spliter project but after looking into it with the current new steal prices and engine prices, and counting your time and reliability factor for something, it just seemed like a better idea to buy a decent 35 ton splitter and get to the woods, just my .02

 

[WESCOMAN]

NO one mentioned how hot that hydraulic fluid can get after alot of splitting. Can you imagine a fitting blowing hot boiling oil on you at say 3,000 psi? Can you say 3rd degree burns? No thanks. I priced out stainless steel braided line for $100 bucks top for my new home built log splitter (building this winter). For about $40 I can get cat 4 wire or 4 wire hose which is beyond strong and overkill! Cheap will get you hurt everytime.

 

[Patrick62]

Black pipe

Has a pressure rating of 700 psi. It might be the wall of the pipe, or it might be the crappy threads, either way I would not do it.
Best way to set it up is to figure out where you want the pieces, and get the hoses cut to length. Swivel fittings are a nice touch.
You can use almost anything for the return line.
-Pat

 

[Rotax Robert]

The most important thing if you use pipe is make sure the I.D. is not bigger than the O.D. or you will surely have a leaker.

Rotax Robert