Mushroomed steel wedges

Re: Mushroomed steel wedges

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

If badly mushroomed toss it and buy another. I keep mine tapered inward by grinding as needed. I have seen some at flea markets that would wear out a grindstone to get in safe condition to use.

I have a lump just above my hip joint that is a 3/8" piece of imbedded shrapnel from another instance of a piece of metal ejected from a wedge. Now I wear chaps and industrial strength safety glasses.

Re: Mushroomed steel wedges

Lee Schierer in McKean, PA

Find someone with a plasma torch or a cutting torch to remove the mushroom. Then grind them frequently to keep the mushrooming under control.

Lee

Re: Mushroomed steel wedges

William Duffield

With the performance of the current crop of plastic wedges, It would make sense to me to just dispose of all the old steel wedges. I don't use mine any more. The risk is just too great. These seem adequate for my uses, anyhow.

https://www.amazon.com/Felled-Spiked-Felling-Wedges-Cutting/dp/B07GZXZ2Q6

What am I missing?

Re: Mushroomed steel wedges

Dick Coers

Cutoff wheel in a right angle grinder. I cut through the mushroom at an angle so it’s now beveled.

That is what I do too

Re: plastic vs steel wedges

Rum

Those plastic wedges are felling wedges not splitting wedges.

I'd NEVER use a steel wedge as a felling wedge, that would be a great way to end up with bits of chainsaw chain coming back to visit you. For holding upen a chainsaw kerf plastic or wood only.

On the other hand try splitting a block of anything with a plastic wedge and in pretty short order you don't have a wedge.

Re: plastic vs steel wedges

William Duffield

I was using them last week to split up some dogwood to make some dogwood wedges. So far, they seem none the worse for wear, but I haven't abused them a lot. They are made by Chestnut Tool, and they do have a warning on them to wear eye protection.

Re: Mushroomed steel wedges

Joe shelton

I've had some success using what Roy Underhill calls a "glut". Just a wooden wedge, with an obtuse angle compared to steel and plastic wedges, but effective after the split has been started.

Re: plastic vs steel wedges

rum

I assume you got the split started pretty good with an axe or something before using the plastic ones?

Once a split is started I can see them being helpful to move it along with some woods. On some of the local white oak I have to use a sharper steel wedge to even get a heavier wedge to start and then have to wail on the bigger wedge pretty heavily to move it at all. Usually finish with some even bigger wooden wedges and then axe cut the remaining.

Re: plastic vs steel wedges

William Duffield

Yes, your assumption is correct. If the wood does not already have a substantial check, I usually start with a splitting axe. I'll just chalk my question up to a lack of imagination.