Building an Inertia/Kinetic Splitter

[bower4311]

Hello all,

I have done a lot of research on this subject. I am not a machinist by any means, but I want to hire a machinist to build me one of these type of splitters with me. I would also like to get an official thread going with pictures of parts and the process to build one. I want to have a good price-list with different options and trade-offs. I want to build this, with everyone's help here, then give back by documenting and organizing all of the information.

I have tried to contact Cmccul8146, but I think I may have a problem sending PMs. If you see this Cmccul8146, I would love some help from you. You built exactly what I want to build. You seemed to do it the right way. At this point I think that between myself, when I build this (summer time), and Cmccul8146 if you are willing to help, we could get a lot of information documented. I would be willing to do all of this for free. But...if Cmccul8146 needs incentive to help out, I would consider paying for his services. At that point I would need to make my money back if it came to that. I do not know where the forum moderators stand with the best way to go about this if necessary, hopefully not. The joys of these forums is free information, but of course this would really cut back the price of a Super Split or DR Rapid Fire even if plans cost money.

In no way am I taking anything from Super Split. Paul has made an unbelievable machine that I only dream I can come close to manipulating. The patents have long expired so I wouldn't be running into any problems with legal matters. If I had the money I would buy one. I'm a 20 year old college kid who just could never afford a super-split despite doing around 100 facecord of firewood per year.

I really would prefer if this did not turn into a Kinetic vs. Hydraulic argument. If someone here wants to turn it into that, make a new topic or I will personally send anyone 10 topics covering the issue. I would love for this to be brainstorming for one of these magnificent machines almost exclusively. Not sure if any Mod's can help with this issue, I know none personally but I want to keep this topic strict if it does take off and I am able to get good information.

I have gathered as many pictures as I can find. I've spent hours researching and finding topics. But a great start would really be if someone had a good camera that could go all around and take pictures of the internal and mechanical components of the engaging mechanism most importantly. This can be of a Super-Split or a DR or another homemade model.


Thank you all!

I hope this can turn into a very productive topic that can help out many future builders to come.

Sincerely,

Adam

 

[nathon918]

if your going to hire a machinist to build this, it will more than likely cost you more then to just buy a supersplit.
if you have a "good" machinist friend with the tools then that might be a different story, but if not then plan on spending $60-$70+ an hour shop rate for someone to make your parts.

the price of a super split is pretty good considering all of the machine work involved...

 

[bower4311]

No, it would be a personal friend. But if I could get most of the stuff myself, I'm thinking I could get a lot welded first to get pretty close to the final product. Then let the rest get sorted out and pay the price.

 

[Hddnis]

If you go to youtube and look for videos of the DR Rapidfire you'll get your walkaround video, also one with cutaway views and action shots of the "working" part of the machine. The scenes are short, but pausing will allow all the time you need to study.

Good luck with your project, it will be a labor of love, and very rewarding once you are done.



Mr. HE

 

[bower4311]

If you go to youtube and look for videos of the DR Rapidfire you'll get your walkaround video, also one with cutaway views and action shots of the "working" part of the machine. The scenes are short, but pausing will allow all the time you need to study.

I already have some still shots of that video. I have a whole album of collected pictures. I may post some in groups for a record of what I have.

 

[bower4311]

Splitter Pictures

]Well, this thread isn't taking off like I wanted it to. Hopefully I can get some more information before I tackle some planning.

Here are some pictures I have. I would love to see some more pictures of super splitters up close with the covers off showing a lot of the internals and how the engaging mechanism works. I don't know if it's the same as the DR but I'm hoping it's not because I don't want to have to hold the handle in the entire time.

This is Cmccul8146's splitter he built.

 

[north1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXl4FZEqw6c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=256rBriIT28
http://www.log-splitter.biz/fly-wheel-style-log-splitter-lsg28hp.html

 

[bower4311]

Kinetic baler Flywheel log splitter. Splitfire Supersplit - YouTube
mechanical wood splitter - YouTube

Thank you those were helpful and I haven't seen 'um yet.

You built one of these didn't you north?

 

[zogger]

Subscribing because I have no idea whatsoever how they work, other than they have a flywheel.

 

[bower4311]

Subscribing because I have no idea whatsoever how they work, other than they have a flywheel.

Yeah that was me at one point. I've learned a whole lot recently but I hope to refine every part to a process anyone can follow.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[north1]

Thank you those were helpful and I haven't seen 'um yet.

You built one of these didn't you north?

yes I have made a kinetic spliter

# flywheels weight 45kg 48cm diameter
# rack module 4
16 tooth gear
# powered electric motor 1.1Hp for now , In the future Gasoline engine 5hp
# flywheels rotating at 220 rpm
# possibility of towing and adjustable working height

 

[vinced]

Alright I'll join in. I've studied these splitters, followed Cmccul8146's build, read all the pages about the DRs and the Speedpros, watched every video on the Supersplits, and I would love to build one of these for myself. It just never seems to get to the top of my projects list. Plus I'm still kind of looking for the correct key pieces for the build. I'm a weldor by trade and I have a small well equipt shop at home (large lathe, fullsize kneemill, and too many welders.). My plan would be to try to use (or reuse) has many "off the shelf" parts so just about anyone could build it and it would only be a welding project. Some of the key parts to source are flywheels (been looking for common 15"-18" 70lb-100lb flywheels haven't found any yet), Rack gear (can be purchased new but isn't cheap), engagement mechanism for the rack, and reduction drive to get the flywheel speed low enough. Sure I could just go out and get a couple 2" pieces of steel and machine my own flywheels and get a piece of 2"x2"x36" bar stock and cut my own rack, but where is the fun in that? I think it would be cooler if it was put together with off the shelf parts. So I'm here to brainstorm with you.

 

[walkerdogman85]

I am also interested in building one my wife's grandpa has a few fly wheels of of some old pump jacks I would like to use these as they would be free. I am not sure on the engage mechanism I can usually find the rack at work in our scrap pile it would be perfect for this build. Thanks for starting this post!

 

[vinced]

I am also interested in building one my wife's grandpa has a few fly wheels of of some old pump jacks I would like to use these as they would be free. I am not sure on the engage mechanism I can usually find the rack at work in our scrap pile it would be perfect for this build. Thanks for starting this post!

What is the diameter of the flywheels and how much do they weigh??

 

[bower4311]

Alright I'll join in. I've studied these splitters, followed Cmccul8146's build, read all the pages about the DRs and the Speedpros, watched every video on the Supersplits, and I would love to build one of these for myself. It just never seems to get to the top of my projects list. Plus I'm still kind of looking for the correct key pieces for the build. I'm a weldor by trade and I have a small well equipt shop at home (large lathe, fullsize kneemill, and too many welders.). My plan would be to try to use (or reuse) has many "off the shelf" parts so just about anyone could build it and it would only be a welding project. Some of the key parts to source are flywheels (been looking for common 15"-18" 70lb-100lb flywheels haven't found any yet), Rack gear (can be purchased new but isn't cheap), engagement mechanism for the rack, and reduction drive to get the flywheel speed low enough. Sure I could just go out and get a couple 2" pieces of steel and machine my own flywheels and get a piece of 2"x2"x36" bar stock and cut my own rack, but where is the fun in that? I think it would be cooler if it was put together with off the shelf parts. So I'm here to brainstorm with you.

This is exactly where I stand. I want to be able to have others buy the parts and go to a welder to have it put together. Flywheels can be purchased directly from super slit so I hear. I think the flywheels will end up costing and probably have to be machined. They're a very important part of this.

Figuring out a price on the same rack and pinion that Cmccul9146 used is where I want to start. Unfortunately I know nearly nothing about machining. No experience leads to a lot of research and reading for me which I'm fine with.

I have the money to start buying parts. So once I can, I will start buying up. I think that it is wise if possible to buy a new Rack, Pinion, shaft and flywheels. I don't think re-using these parts or settling on a used part is a great idea. Everyone is free to do what they want, but for my build at least, I will have all new of those parts. I plan on saving with finding a used I-beam, (you'll be surprised what you can find for near nothing on craigslist as long as you have the muscle power to move it) along with the axle and wheels. Any other scrap metal I can find will help, but if not I'm fine with just buying new, but I'm willing to pay a decent amount.

 

[bower4311]

What is the diameter of the flywheels and how much do they weigh??

This is a very important part. The flywheels are very important. It's also not just the weight of the flywheels, it's the distribution of weight. It has been established that vehicle flywheels are not quite ideal for this project. But could work. You will find me using machined or purchased flywheels.

 

[vinced]

This is a very important part. The flywheels are very important. It's also not just the weight of the flywheels, it's the distribution of weight. It has been established that vehicle flywheels are not quite ideal for this project. But could work. You will find me using machined or purchased flywheels.

This is my 2 cents. I would never buy a single part from Supersplit,DR, and Speeco. The idea of this build is to build a version of this style splitter, not to copy the manufactors that already make them. The video of Larry Barnett's inertia splitter is exactly what I'm talking about. He took the basic concept and designed his own version with the parts he had onhand and made the drive the same way. No one would say it is a copy of a Supersplit, just a Supersplit style of splitter. I personally like the way he went "outside of the box" and used a single larger flywheel (good use of used parts). I will investagate these square baler flywheels when spring finally gets here!

 

[bower4311]

This is my 2 cents. I would never buy a single part from Supersplit,DR, and Speeco. The idea of this build is to build a version of this style splitter, not to copy the manufactors that already make them. The video of Larry Barnett's inertia splitter is exactly what I'm talking about. He took the basic concept and designed his own version with the parts he had onhand and made the drive the same way. No one would say it is a copy of a Supersplit, just a Supersplit style of splitter. I personally like the way he went "outside of the box" and used a single larger flywheel (good use of used parts). I will investagate these square baler flywheels when spring finally gets here!

I'm in total agreeance with you. I do not want to order a single part from Paul at Super Split. I want to find my own clutch, and design my own flywheels. I don't have a problem spending the money. So I can say now that my flywheels will be the same style that Cmccul8146 had as long as the price is not extremely high.

 

[north1]

This is a very important part. The flywheels are very important. It's also not just the weight of the flywheels, it's the distribution of weight. It has been established that vehicle flywheels are not quite ideal for this project. But could work. You will find me using machined or purchased flywheels.

why not be a good choice
my flywheels have a larger part of the weight on the outer edge
# flywheels can be found in scrap yard for little money
# and most importantly they are balanced there is no limit for rpm

 

[vinced]

I'm in total agreeance with you. I do not want to order a single part from Paul at Super Split. I want to find my own clutch, and design my own flywheels. I don't have a problem spending the money. So I can say now that my flywheels will be the same style that Cmccul8146 had as long as the price is not extremely high.

If memory serves me right, I believe he machined his own flywheels. While I could go this route, I still would like to see if I could find something premade cheaper then buying the steel and putting a couple hours of machine work into each one.