Harbor Freight Log Splitter: Ruined by Lawyers, 5 Minute Fix.

Harbor Freight nerfed their electric log splitter by eliminating single handed operation in the misguided name of safety. Here’s how to fix it in 5 minutes for $11.

Supplies used:
-Drill
-Cotter Pin
-Momentary foot switch (HF, $11 w/ coupon)

[blaynemacpherson]

Came for log splitting information and got cheap but good therapy.

[chuckbowen]

Sage advice about marriage. My wife has split wood with me, walked shelter belts during deer season, layed under a truck with me swapping out a motor mount at 11 pm and given me three kids who are responsible for 7 grandkids. We knew each for other for 6 weeks when we got married. It'll be 43 years come January. It's been a helluva ride.

[leadfarmer]

This was the best video on splitters that i have ever seen little brother. I don’t know what i liked best. The splitter hack or the excellent marital advise. I have been married for 30 years and you just spoke like a man that has been married just as long as i have been. You and your queen will go far if you keep thinking like this little brother. Peace and blessings to you and your little family. Oh yeah by the way. I am buying this over the Ryobi just because of you. Thank you My friend. LF73.

[vtjmproductionsusa]

My mate and I married 24 years last 20 we have used 10 cord of wood every winter to heat our home 4 bedroom tri level with two fireplaces and a tarm wood boiler. Split and stack every year. You are correct Nothing heats better than wood.👍 Nothing like coming home to a warm fire crackling away in the fireplace, and the smell of wood burning give a new meaning to being Home.
Also the knowledge of in an emergency of no electricity, we can have light, heat and means to cook and bake in the fireplace. Talk about comfort in a bad situation.
The benefits of wood are amazing. It can literally save your life. Great video and fantastic content 👍

[jerryrigsit]

The bit at the end is gold. Marriage takes teamwork. One half can't drag the other half along. I finally myself such a teammate. Your fix is pretty clever. We have a manual HF log splitter and it's a beast. Takes 2 hands though. Sometimes it a foot too. We love it. Our upgrade will be engine driven.

[bobfromoh]

First, thank you for the video. I watched several on YouTube before buying. Yesterday I went to Harbor Freight and bought this log splitter. Very happy with it so far. I used it a little bit last night without any modifications. Today I woke up with brilliant idea. No drilling, no clamp like the other viewer mentioned. I used a couple 8 inch cable ties ("zip ties") they fit around the electric box and hold down the button perfectly.
The foot switch I have (also from Harbor Freight) was $16.99 but it's a two way on/off foot switch (not dead man type). So I can hit it once with my foot and take my foot off. After the wood splits I release the lever, the motor is still running so the ram does not retract. I can then grab the wood and move it as I hit the foot pedal to turn off the motor. Then the ram will retract. When the ram gets where I want it to put wood back in, I hit the foot switch again and ram stops there as the motor starts again.

[louiezapata]

Just turned 69 this month, looking to buy a electric wood splitter, swing my axe just gets heavier each coming fall.. I was amazed with your solution to a "ruined by lawyers" fix... Your absolutely right, those guys can really mess up a perfectly good operational working machine.. Thank you for your ingenuity and time to post this video....

[loriw]

Glad I ran across your vid. I'm in my 60's but have RA (nasty form of arthritis), and though I still swing an axe/maul, it shuts me down completely pain wise the next day. So I purchased this splitter model a few days ago and was thinking about a toggle switch but didn't want to screw my warranty. Low and behold! Here you come along and brightened my day! Thank you!
BTW, loved the part about the service person with no eyebrows hooking up your gas... lmao

[handle]

Sir you deserve any and all success you find on YouTube. The advice is very much welcome and I hope there's more to come! great content man 🤝

[RichPurdum]

I found the foot switch at HF..two versions...dead man's vs push on/push off. At first I went for the push on/off but that's not as convenient as the dead man as the motor keeps running and the ran does not retract, even if the lever is dis-engaged. I have also been put off by the difficulty with moving the splitter "off road". I was looking to change the wheels, expand the wheel base, or something. Then HF had a hand truck on at Black Friday. Going to try mounting the splitter on the hand cart, add the switch and moving should be easier, plus the machine will be raised up by 10-12". I've had my splitter for around 5 years and it has earned it's spot in my garden shed. Thanks for the inspiration!

[jaygallagher]

Good video. "True that" on the relationship advice, from a 75 year old, who splits wood year around, for his wife to be able to "fire up" her cast iron Franklin stove whenever she feels a need to! It makes her smile and reminds her of how she was raised.

[sdranch]

This is the first video of yours I have seen, was in Harbor freight looking at this splitter as my big has one is dead… found your video, your comments on the electrical components were enough for me to sub to your channel. Thanks

[jacquesblaque]

I got one of these ~1 yr back, to let shoulder injury mend. Saved my bacon until I can properly swing a maul again. I used a woodworking clamp to hold the switch on the motor closed. When the clamp fell off, switch stayed closed. Pity that. I use a HF NO foot switch on a wood scrap to run the motor. Sharpening the wedge makes life easier on the mechanicals. One big PLUS of this machine, why I bought one, is that it takes only about 1' square space to stow it on end indoors. Shoulder responded poorly to Covid vaccine shots, but it's coming along nicely, bless it. Morso stove still great.

[lynnbradley]

My husband and I have been married for 43 years and we have burned wood for the last 30 and yes he found a gym in me that is for sure he will be the first one to tell you loved your video

[jacklowe]

Just returned a borrowed electric wood splitter to my neighbor (I like having my own stuff, ya know...) and have been researching electric ones and HBF pricing on this model is $329 (TN, USA) now. Probably will get the foot switch as well. Need to work on a sturdy table to bring it up off the ground as the knees and back sure feel it more now (not 20 yo anymore). I'll reply back on this thread in a few months, as it's Winter time and I'm about to do A LOT of wood splitting. Great video, appreciate your candor and sharing tips. Saved your link to check back on other stuff and things later on.

[robertmcmann]

Yes. The problem with these log splitters is that you need to get down very close to them to operate both the lever and the switch. I also had a log fly into my face and have a 2 inch scar right between my eyes. I ended up extending the handle and installing a remote switch for the button. Now it can be operated without having your face right next to it.

[jozefchlopecki]

I went one step further and installed a mechanism on the rear lever that presses a button, which means that I only use one hand to start the splitter and the other hand maneuvers the wood log

[mikeh]

I solved mine with a $3 adjustable screw clamp from HF! No drilling necessary. I leave mine on while I am splitting and have had it 5 years with no problems. In fact I used it for about 30 minutes this afternoon to split some wood down to more managable size today. My wife fires our stove, and plays with it all day. In the evenings, I stay up later than her and before coming to bed, put in a load so there are starter coals in the morning! She loves her hot spot near it very much...backs up to it and warms her buns before going to bed! HA HA

[starlightsunsets]

Great solution for the two handed operation. I have a review of the log splitter on my channel and and was referred to your channel for this fix. I have ordered my foot pedal and will be installing for this falls wood splitting. Great video!

[fideauone]

I have practically the same splitter from Tractor Supply. I bought a maounting frame for it that gets it up to waist level. I use a clamp on that button and bought the same foot switch. Now it's one hand and foot to operate. You need the extra hand to hold your wood down sometimes. It works perfectly. So you are a few years behind, I did this almost ten years ago.