"I used the term "Aid" in my title because I couldn't get the tool to completely split a log. After a few pumps of the foot pedal, all practical splitting came to an end as further pumping action had no effects of furthering the log into the wedge. As long as there was a lot of resistance and back pressure felt in the pedal while pumping, I was sure it was splitting the log. When I continued to pump and no longer felt resistance, I knew splitting had come to an end. I then found my log stuck in limbo on the tool. It wasn't all the way through, so the log wasn't split. However the log was in the splitting wedge deep enough for it to be stuck in the tool. I then had to use a sledge hammer to back it off the wedge and free it from the tool. I then turned the log around 180 degrees and placed it back on the splitter to do the other side. After the same result, I used the sledge hammer again to free the log from the splitter.
While the Quality Craft Foot-Operated Log Splitter didn't fully split the logs for me, it did easily create nice cracks or fault lines in the log. I then used another wedge tool I own to complete the split.
One noteworthy point - After 30 minutes of use, the slidestop that slides along the upper bar to hold and guide the log into the splitting wedge no longer went all the way up to the splitting wedge. Upon closer examination, I found the bar was no longer laser straight. It had bent one half inch from flexing past the point of no return during normal operation. Now the slidestop only comes within six inches of the splitting wedge. That should only be a problem if I try to split short logs.
My conclusion is that it is better to have this tool than to not have it. Although I use a total of three tools to completely spit a log, this tool does take a lot of work out of splitting that the other tools can't do by themselves. I just don't recommend splitting logs on a hot humid August day. Pick a cool day. :-)"
What is your level of technical expertise? Home Handyman