How to Make a Wood Chipper
Thanks to the current state of the economy, more of us are gradually going back to basics and reviving the do-it-yourself mentality that was popular before. These days, it's not unusual to read about projects that show you how to get the same designer details and effects on your furniture and clothes without having to shell out a lot of money. While this is all well and good, sometimes you also have to weigh which projects you can do and which should be left to the experts. Judging from the number of "how to make a wood chipper" questions floating around the Internet, it is clear that a lot of people consider this to be a worthwhile project.
Is This a Safe Do-It-Yourself Project?
While we are not disputing the benefits of owning a wood chipper, we are concerned about the fact that a machine such as this is being treated as a craft project by casual hobbyists who do not have sufficient experience in creating these types of machines. Following a Youtube tutorial is not enough to learn how to make a wood chipper. Accidents still happen with machines that are made by companies that have spent time and money on testing and developing their design and with that in mind, how comfortable would you feel using a machine created by someone who just followed a 'how to make wood chipper' guide they found on the internet? Engineers and professional machinists would fare better with a project like this one since they would have the proper know-how to execute it properly.
Tips And Reminders On How to Make a Wood Chipper
Because you will be dealing with a machine that cuts and shreds, you cannot make shortcuts or skimp on details and quality. Here are just a few things you must remember when you start your own wood chipper project:
- The chipper disks and knives are the lifeblood of your machine. The disk must be heavy and be able to carry a significant amount of cutting inertia and should be balanced as well. It is advisable to get knives that are double edged because these are capable of cutting from both sides.
- Your motor must have enough power to get your wood chipper to run. Most hobbyists opt to use the ones found in lawnmowers, snow blowers, or any similar-sized engine.
- The base and frame of your wood chipper should be constructed from steel to ensure that it will be strong enough to sustain the cutting and shredding motions. You must have welding and metal fabrication experience to be able to complete this part.
Are the Savings Worth the Risk?
Considering that you can easily purchase a decent home wood chipper model for $600.00, we would have to say that this is really a project suited only for those who have the experience and knowledge to make a functional machine, and at the same time, know how to go about the necessary precautionary measures to ensure safe operation at all times.