I let Elm sit for a year until it is really dry and wait for winter temperatures of minus 15 to minus 20 degrees C and then it seems to be easier to split even though there are times i have to use the wedge. Well done Michael.
Hello Michael. This brings back 'happy' memories. Yes, I split nothing but Elm for two years when I lived in Yorkshire because a lot of dead trees came down between 1987 and 1989. Swinging a 3 kilo maul hour after hour was indeed a tough workout. I also tried one of those twisted 'grenade' wedges which helped on the stumps. On some stumps I would cut vertically with a chainsaw. After 2 years I had my elbows strapped up for a while as they were very painful. Well, I got over it and still swing the same maul today, sadly I do not get to burn the old Elm here in Canada though. Good to see you again, Chris
Like your equipment, looks just right for elm. I give the rounds 3 to 4 and if they aren't splitting I go for the wedges. Dead stuff 3 or more years old splits a bit easier which is helpful. But fresher stuff.. its heavy going 👍
It was always dry, I could only assume it had been dead for at least 2 years, we had a 100 mile per hour wind in 1987 that blew a lot over, sometimes onto people's houses. The fibrous structure and twisted grain is what made it tough to split.
Gerry, It's evil stuff to try and split. How is life with you? I made this video a while ago, and forgot about it. When i came across it last night, I decided to throw it out there.
Hi Michael, Firstly, I said I would make a video about a log splitting competition we had in my village - I have just posted it - it might be something you could do, if you like the look of it!? Secondly elm - another great video you've made - a dead dry elm tree was put in my field a few weeks ago and I thought 'great I'll have that' - it was bone dry and staggeringly difficult to split. I had forgotten how cross-grained it can get. Some logs I just gave up and got the chainsaw out - a bit feeble of me, but practical! All good wishes, Vince
Vincent: I'm just going back over stuff and I'm surprised that I did not respond to your comment. With elm, a lot of the work has to be done with a big sledge and wedges. Even so, the chainsaw has to be called on occasionally to give an assist - a more common occurrence as we get older. Stay healthy.
@@marksaint2936 It’s there mainly to stop any split items from falling off the block. There is no reaching down to pick stuff up off the ground for the next swing as a result. It saves time and the work gets done much quicker. The horizontal length of timber is there to stop the odd chunk from wanting to head straight for your shins (expletive) which can happen frequently when doing this type of work.
It's an ordinary three and a half pound axe - Garant make. Originally it had a fibre glass handle, which was hung badly. When it came loose a few years ago I replaced it with an ash handle. It does a good job of splitting the straight grained, easy firewood.
I let Elm sit for a year until it is really dry and wait for winter temperatures of minus 15 to minus 20 degrees C and then it seems to be easier to split even though there are times i have to use the wedge. Well done Michael.
Roy You need every help you can get get when trying to deal with that stuff. We rarely go below 0 degrees C here.
Great work! Very little Elm about these parts now remember a bit about when I was a nipper! Not to far from u Michael co Armagh Northern Ireland
My other half is from Monaghan.
Hello Michael. This brings back 'happy' memories. Yes, I split nothing but Elm for two years when I lived in Yorkshire because a lot of dead trees came down between 1987 and 1989. Swinging a 3 kilo maul hour after hour was indeed a tough workout. I also tried one of those twisted 'grenade' wedges which helped on the stumps. On some stumps I would cut vertically with a chainsaw. After 2 years I had my elbows strapped up for a while as they were very painful. Well, I got over it and still swing the same maul today, sadly I do not get to burn the old Elm here in Canada though. Good to see you again, Chris
Good to hear from you Chris. You look like a man that will do another thirty years at least.
Like your equipment, looks just right for elm. I give the rounds 3 to 4 and if they aren't splitting I go for the wedges. Dead stuff 3 or more years old splits a bit easier which is helpful. But fresher stuff.. its heavy going 👍
There's not many of us left that can say that we split elm. Thanks for the comment.
Always enjoyable Michael, a proper workout. Beats going to the gym.
Thanks Chris.
Great work mate !!!! Love the vids
Thanks.
Elm is the only wood ive seen the hydraulic splitter at work fail to split. Fantastic firewood though
Hey Ben, yes, loved the clean blueish flame that came off it, little smoke, good for overnight burning in my stove.
@@redcanoe14 almost makes it worth the effort! Did you find elm split better dry or green?
It was always dry, I could only assume it had been dead for at least 2 years, we had a 100 mile per hour wind in 1987 that blew a lot over, sometimes onto people's houses. The fibrous structure and twisted grain is what made it tough to split.
@@redcanoe14 yeah only split it dry also, wondering if it would be a little easirr fresh
@@benscottwoodchopper I cant say for sure Ben, but I doubt it, as it would be even more stringy.
Great clip Mick. I have always found Elm nearly impossible to split. Great way to work up a sweat on a cold winters' day. Great heat from it though.
Gerry, It's evil stuff to try and split. How is life with you? I made this video a while ago, and forgot about it. When i came across it last night, I decided to throw it out there.
Hi Michael, Firstly, I said I would make a video about a log splitting competition we had in my village - I have just posted it - it might be something you could do, if you like the look of it!?
Secondly elm - another great video you've made - a dead dry elm tree was put in my field a few weeks ago and I thought 'great I'll have that' - it was bone dry and staggeringly difficult to split. I had forgotten how cross-grained it can get. Some logs I just gave up and got the chainsaw out - a bit feeble of me, but practical! All good wishes, Vince
Vincent: I'm just going back over stuff and I'm surprised that I did not respond to your comment. With elm, a lot of the work has to be done with a big sledge and wedges. Even so, the chainsaw has to be called on occasionally to give an assist - a more common occurrence as we get older. Stay healthy.
@@michaelkearney5562 Agreed Michael, I don't mind getting older - I am just pleased to still be above ground! All best, Vince
Is that splitting cradle set up like that for safety?
@@marksaint2936 It’s there mainly to stop any split items from falling off the block. There is no reaching down to pick stuff up off the ground for the next swing as a result. It saves time and the work gets done much quicker. The horizontal length of timber is there to stop the odd chunk from wanting to head straight for your shins (expletive) which can happen frequently when doing this type of work.
I see you only need 4 more subscribers to get monetized. I have to subscribe. I can't leave you that close and not help.
Thanks: I just returned the complement.
@@michaelkearney5562 I got you a subscriber at work over the weekend and I'll get you the other 2 today.
@@EtowahChainsawMuseum.328 You're an absolute star. Thanks a million.
hello ireland man
Hi michael, great to see a new video, I could watch u all day. Some info please on the traditional axe 🪓 I spotted by the side
It's an ordinary three and a half pound axe - Garant make. Originally it had a fibre glass handle, which was hung badly. When it came loose a few years ago I replaced it with an ash handle. It does a good job of splitting the straight grained, easy firewood.