Mesuno said:
... trying to persude family that a cheap 7ton electic one is a bad idea. Am I right?
I really don't like starting an answer with "depends", but it
really depends on you patience and/or time.
For the last 4 years I've been using a 7 ton electric. I would say that there are less than 10% of the "to-be-split" pile it cannot process. Sounds good, right? Well, yes and no:
1. No matter what kind of heavy-duty extension cord I use -- it will pop the fuse very often. Yes, I may need higher Amp circuits, but still...
2. So each time I use it -- I have to drag the generator to plug the splitter directly.
3. On most larger pieces (12"+ or even smaller if knotty) it will choke if I try to split in the middle: an internal circuit will get triggered in the splitter, forcing me to switch it off, wait 2 sec., then on again, etc. Eventually that piece
will get processed but it will involve:
-- several shut down/start up
-- flipping the piece back and forth
-- splitting it by smaller pieces from close to the edge
In short: it takes time. Compared to using my in-law's 35 T Huskee, I estimate that I'm at least 5-6 times slower with the electric (if not more). Maybe it doesn't sound that much -- but when you count all the hassle about it,
not spending time with your kids, thinking three times before heading out to split (
do I have enough time?), your body getting tired, etc. -- that's a lot.
FWIW: I'm getting a new gas splitter this year. The electric goes to Craig...
Cheers,
Zevi
