The Red Shed Redemption

[avator]

Not much beats a fresh hot pot of cowboy coffee on the wood stove. 

[avator]

Nice... time to let it start rolling back.

[avator]

I managed to get the other workbench and a work/shooting table cleaned up and organized. Now I just need to get the pellet shelves sorted and organized. Then I can start messing them all up again.

[avator]

I was having coffee this morning and pondering a plan for today. I knew I would have to split some wood for the wood stove if I planned to putter around in the shop... it was 27f when I got up. I just wasn't looking forward to the task.
I pulled up Google and started looking at log splitters. Harbor Freight had a manual hand pump one that worked off of a 10ton hydraulic bottle jack for $120. Heck, that would have been better that swinging and axe for this old broken down man. 
So with Betty Lou's blessing I headed off to Troy to have a look.

[avator]

I walked in the door and the 2 girls that run then place greeted as usual and asked if they could help me find something.
I was looking at the 2 areas they have near the front door where they sell discontinued/refurbished stuff.
I said I was looking for a log splitter. She pointed to the other table area.
There on the floor was the next level up from what I saw online. This one was an electric hydraulic 5 ton job. It had wheels and would handle logs 10" diameter. The manual one only maxed out at 6 1/2".
This one was their display unit and was assembled but had never been used. I asked if I could plug it in and she when to the office to print me off the manual. I plugged it in and turned it on. I ran the ram in once then turned it off because I didn't know if it had hydraulic fluid in it yet.
Retail price was $299 and the tag on it was $239.

[bnowlin]

I would get at least an electric one lol

[avator]

I grabbed a qt. of AW32 oil and asked if there were any other discounts available.
She winked and follow me to the register. One the girl rang up my purchase, Miss Star stepped in and applied her manager's discount. I got out the door for $238 total for splitter and oil.
She gave me 5 days to return it for a full refund, no questions.

[avator]

I would get at least an electric one lol

Yep, the one I got is electric hydraulic.. 5 ton.

[bnowlin]

I guess that your rabbit hole charm
Be careful with it.  We don't need to hear other things from you

[avator]

I brought it home and Betty Lou helped me unload it and I pulled it around to the wood pile.
I topped off the fluid and ran a cord to it.... and we got busy.
In 1 hour I had enough wood split to last at least a couple weeks. Looks like I'll need to get the ATV out and head to the woods to drag more wood home.

[avator]

I guess that your rabbit hole charm

Yup, I put it on thick.   

[avator]

It was splitting logs that I would have had trouble splitting with the axe and maul.

[Madd Hatter]

I walked in the door and the 2 girls that run then place greeted as usual and asked if they could help me find something.
I was looking at the 2 areas they have near the front door where they sell discontinued/refurbished stuff.
I said I was looking for a log splitter. She pointed to the other table area.
There on the floor was the next level up from what I saw online. This one was an electric hydraulic 5 ton job. It had wheels and would handle logs 10" diameter. The manual one only maxed out at 6 1/2".
This one was their display unit and was assembled but had never been used. I asked if I could plug it in and she when to the office to print me off the manual. I plugged it in and turned it on. I ran the ram in once then turned it off because I didn't know if it had hydraulic fluid in it yet.
Retail price was $299 and the tag on it was $239.

Score!! If I had a fire place I'd jump all over that! Wife has trouble with breathing especially when a person is wearing cheap perfume so we have to stick with propane. We've got plenty of wood but........

[Rabbit\Squirrel Killer]

It was splitting logs that I would have had trouble splitting with the axe and maul.

Congratulations! As we age it is great when we can obtain ways that are easier than our physical effort to do things.   

[Back_Roads]

 I have the same one, been good for years, did have to replace a start capacitor once, and if I chip off the edge, I can split larger than recommended logs.

[avator]

I have the same one, been good for years, did have to replace a start capacitor once, and if I chip off the edge, I can split larger than recommended logs.

That's good to hear because I kinda took am chance on this one. I didn't read the reviews on it. I was going cheap and read the reviews on the manual one. But harbor Freight is really good about their return policy. Not like many other places that require you deal with the manufacturers. The owners manual comes complete with a parts list/diagram and an 800 number.
It's also great to hear about it from someone you know and trust.
Thank you.

[bnowlin]

Well at least it wasn't a picture and a figmment of your imagination

[avator]

Well at least it wasn't a picture and a figmment of your imagination

Tru dat.
Got the stove fired up and the charger on the Kodiak.
10oz of Mocha Cappuccino in the mug. Gettin' ready to get the yule logs cut and split.
I love this time of year for being productive without sweating the twins off.   

[Hoosier Daddy]

Thanks for the heads up on that Splitter Bill.
 I have been needing one for years!

[avator]

Thanks for the heads up on that Splitter Bill.
 I have been needing one for years!

It's a heck of alot funner than splitting with an axe. I'll split through the rest of the logs I have cut to length today and I've already made my rounds to scope out stuff to drag out of the woods to cut into more logs. I also reworked my outdoor log storage. I will put a tarp on the back side of it to help keep the weather out. The wind and rain typically comes out of the North. The space inside the shop (under the chop saw) will store enough for the better part of a week if I burn every day.
It's a balmy 76f in the shop right now and in the lower 50s outside.
The small desktop size fan aimed into the rafters does a great job of keep the heat spread evenly throughout the shop.