SPLITTING LOGS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1932, Page 8

SPLITTING LOGS

A NEW METHOD. SUCCESSFUL DEMONSTRATION. CHRISTCHURCH, June 16. A demonstration of a new method of splitting logs—the use oi an artillery log-splitting gun—was given yesterday in North Hagley Park, under the ‘ auspices of Mason, Strothers and Co., Ltd., in the presence of Mr James Young (Curator to the Christchurch Domains Board), Mr M. J. Barnett (Superintendent of City Parks and Reserves), Mr R. G. Robinson (supervisor for the Selw.vn Plantations Board), farmers, and others interested in such work, who expressed satisfaction at what they saw. <

The gun is simply a metal rod about 81 inches long. At one end yf it is a narrow chamber, into which the charge of blasting powder is placed. Very fine powder is used at the end of the chamber close to the touch hole, the balance of the charge consisting of powder of a coarser grade. The gun is then driven into the end of a log, and when it lias penetrated about two inches a piece of fuse is insferted in the touch hole and ignited. There is a small opening in the point of the gun, ano when the ignition is made the force of the explosion not only goes forward into the wood and splits it, but- also ejects the gun backward about two feet.

The operation was carried out several times at yesterday’s demonstration, the spectators all taking shelter as soon as the charge was lighted, in case of a possible accident. The logs selected were of 1 various types of timber. including bluegum, Norway spruce, monkey puzzle. and other fanvliar woods. The 1 bluegum w,as a parti-’da.rlv hard piece of timber, but in this ns in* other blocks used for the purpose, f ; he charge split the wood almost from one end to the other, although the knots in it ivere dovetailed. The blocks used were about 2’t 6in in diameter and were about 4ft in length.

The advantages of the new process of splitting are that it is inexpensive: costing less than 3d for each block operated upon, and that it gaves a great, amount of tinip and labour t'i° use of wedges being unnecessary, whi'e ftp el'ier method of blasting, in which an augur was used, is dispensed with.