Forums:

Build a kindling cracker - PEP BB metalworking.sand.kindling

BB metalworking - sand badge

posted 3 years ago

6
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

This is a badge bit (BB) that is part of the PEP curriculum. Completing this BB is part of getting the sand badge in Metal Working.

Kindling crackers, whackers, splitters, bifurcators, etc are very cool devices that can turn pieces of firewood into kindling. If you have a rocket mass heater you mainly need kindling sized pieces. So let's make one!

The official design we are taking our inspiration from is here: www.kindlingcracker.com

David Huang made this one and documented it in his blog post Here:

Here is one on YouTube made from rebar:

And here's one with more wood than metal:

To complete this BB, the minimum requirements is to make a kindling creator:
- cage accepts wood at least 8 inches in diameter (9 or more inches preferred)
- bolted to a chopping block
- lots of knots in the block if it's a soft wood (possibly a taller than average chopping block)
- the creation does not have to be centered on the chopping block
- stamp “made by XXXX” somewhere on it where XXXX is your name

To document your completion of the BB, provide the following:
- two pictures of your creation at two points of construction
- A picture of the finished product with a tape measure showing the the size of the wood that can enter
- a picture of the stamped name

Clarifications
- This is the metalworking badge so the part above the stump should be entirely made of metal

COMMENTS:

Fred Tyler

gardener

Posts: 507

Location: St Paul, MN/Tularosa, NM and now a gapper at Wheaton Labs

317

posted 2 years ago

6
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

i would like to make the following suggestions for changes to this BB:

the chopping block should not be tall. it should actually be much shorter than usual, so that the blade of the cracker is about the height of your normal chopping block. that way the top of the kindling-to-be will be at the normal height and you will not have a leverage disadvantage from trying to chop wood at shoulder height.

following from that, the cracker should not be offset on your chopping block. if you still need a chopping block for using a maul, axe, or hatchet, that is best done on a block that is a different height than that of the cracker (about the height of the blade). Also, if you have many inexperienced choppers (like we do at wheaton labs), then there is a chance that someone will miss the wood (or it will kick to the side) and the maul will hit the metal of the cracker.

i understand that paul wants all objects to be made for use by giants, but chopping blocks are safer and easier to use if they are the appropriate height for the most common user.

paul wheaton

steward

Posts: 38397

Location: missoula, montana (zone 4)

∞

I like...

posted 2 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Fred Tyler wrote:i would like to make the following suggestions for changes to this BB:

the chopping block should not be tall. it should actually be much shorter than usual, so that the blade of the cracker is about the height of your normal chopping block. that way the top of the kindling-to-be will be at the normal height and you will not have a leverage disadvantage from trying to chop wood at shoulder height.

following from that, the cracker should not be offset on your chopping block. if you still need a chopping block for using a maul, axe, or hatchet, that is best done on a block that is a different height than that of the cracker (about the height of the blade). Also, if you have many inexperienced choppers (like we do at wheaton labs), then there is a chance that someone will miss the wood (or it will kick to the side) and the maul will hit the metal of the cracker.

i understand that paul wants all objects to be made for use by giants, but chopping blocks are safer and easier to use if they are the appropriate height for the most common user.

I tried to update the wording to facilitate all of your suggestions.

My book, my movies, my videos, my podcasts, my events ... the big collection of paul wheaton stuff!

Erik Pehoviack

Posts: 33

Location: Hemingford Nebraska

I like...

posted 2 years ago

3
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Approved BB submission

Here is my attempt at a kindling cracker. Sure beats standing the log up every time I miss!

A tack weld to this old stool keeps the rebar in place while I heat and bend it.