RCrabapple Split Along

[Hawkdancer]

A stave, a billet, and some firewood! 
https://i.imgur.com/pZ4aSlL_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

Lessons learned:  1.  Railroad spikes need a much sharper bevel! . 2.  See #1!  3.  A bigger hammer!  4.  A really big vise!  5.  Crabapple has a mind of it's own!  6.  Get an extra set of hands, with gloves!  7.  Next time, try a different species of wood! 

Methinks my shoulder will be sore tomorrow!  I ain't 21 anymore!

Luckily, there is a another billet sized stave in the garage to go with this one, maybe!  I hope to display my handiwork at MoJam, just for laughs!  Maybe some advise, as well

I was somewhat lucky getting through a couple of tight knots before the grain ran, though.  The back split didn't work as well as I wanted it to.  The wedge caught a loose part of the grain and didn't separate very well.

MoJam in 3 weeks!  Yee!  Haw!
Hawkdancer

[bassman]

"Crab Apple has a mind of it,s own". Split a  6 inch diameter tree once that looked straight before I split it. .It split OK ,but with in 2 days it twisted so bad it became fire wood.Never tried it again, though some guys have made very nice bows from it.

[stuckinthemud]

It does twist and turn as it dries but you can straighten it like no ther wood, just a breath of heat and it will move for you

[bassman]

Good info. Good to learn some thing new every day.