Sharing a Splitter

[pen]

I guess it all boils down to each particular situation.
Some communities/ families work well with sharing equipment, logistics and the cost.
And when they move away,or when something breaks, they will have to resolve the cost/investment as well.

Exactly.

My paternal grandfather died 12 years ago. In the 70's, he and his nephew built their own log splitter that was an absolute beast. The thing used a twin cylinder wisconsin with a hand crank to fire it up! It was the nicest splitter I've ever used because that engine only had to run on idle to get the job done the same as modern splitters I've used (which means you could still BS with the person you are working with and enjoy the splitting experience which is important IMO)

Anyway, even though it had been 12 years since "papa" died, the daughter of the nephew he built the splitter with, and I struck up a conversation this summer about wood burning and she made it clear that I still have claim to that splitter if I ever want to use it.

In the right circumstances, things like this work. But, you have to KNOW the people you are working with and be prepared if things don't go as planned.

pen

 

[firecracker_77]

One buddy who is about double my age has a splitter at a friend's ex-wife's house. He has been talking about retrieving that for years. I consider that lost or stolen property at this point.

The other person is a client of mine who has a large storage building behind his wife's dental office. He has plenty of money so he's not going to cheap out on repairs and he provides storage. We would go 50 / 50 on the purchase. My experience generally says when things can go wrong, they will. Maybe, I'll just get more practice with a chain saw and the axe this season. Pioneers never had that even and they managed to burn 30-90 cords a year just fine.

 

[Dakotas Dad]

Splitter sharing is a by case situation. I share one with a friend.. actually, 4 homes share it. But SHE owns it. She never has to chase wood.. we bring her rounds to split, and sometimes split for her, in exchange for using the splitter when we need/want. Works for us. But part of us are family, and we all live close and we all 24-7 burners in season..

 

[firecracker_77]

Splitter sharing is a by case situation. I share one with a friend.. actually, 4 homes share it. But SHE owns it. She never has to chase wood.. we bring her rounds to split, and sometimes split for her, in exchange for using the splitter when we need/want. Works for us. But part of us are family, and we all live close and we all 24-7 burners in season..

What is native wood in Kentucky? Hardwoods mostly?

 

[lukem]

Anything where there is joint ownership should have a pre-determined exit strategy. What happens if your buddy decided he's done with wood and would rather have the $$ back in his pocket?

I would have no problem going half on one if I knew they wouldn't abuse it and would pay for any major parts needs....and there was an exit plan in place.

 

[Dakotas Dad]

What is native wood in Kentucky? Hardwoods mostly?

Rounds in my yard right now are walnut, oak, poplar, and hickory. There are areas of KY with some coniferous trees, but here, it is nearly all hardwoods. On our property (all wooded) there is maybe .5% non-hardwoods. Buddy of mine just bought a 85 acre woodlot/hunting property, we walked it all weekend.. very few "non hardwoods".. Tons of oak and cherry.