I bought a small electric log splitter from Canadian Tire over 10 years ago. No regrets it can spit 24 inch wide birch with no problem. I am totally impressed with it. I only spent around $300 when it was on sale. I have split over 50 face cords of birch with it so far and no problems.

Al

I had a 5 ton Princess Auto electric splitter and was totally happy with it except my 3000 watt Honda generator wasn't big enough to run it. The splitter itself was amazing though, I couldn't believe what it could do.

My brother in law bought a Yardwork's electric splitter for his cottage. When I saw it I basically burst out laughing at it. I'm not laughing anymore, the thing works fantastic. Now, while it's slower than a gas machine, there's not much it won't split.

So don't discount the electric units. They're worth a look, and your not dealing with the issues that can come with storage of a gas unit.

I have a 5.5" ram single cylinder diesel powered one. Just a cheapie but boy can it split! If you guys could see the wood we have here in Australia you'd be amazed. I normally get Ironbark or Box. The in-laws have hundreds of acres of dead standing that was ring barked in the 70's. Lots of it has been left as it is too hard to hand split, if you try to split it by hand the splitter bounces off like it is a trampoline. The timber is like concrete. When you get houses made out of it that are older than 40 years, you can't even nail it, you have to use tek screws to attach anything to it. Even coach screws snap off.

I went for a diesel one as I can split up huge amounts of wood and not even use an inch out of the fuel tank, saves having to carry fuel with me.

This sort of thing, I imagine they are a lot cheaper in the USA or Canada than here:

www.ebay.com/itm/Yukon-60-ton-DIESEL-ELECTRIC-START-ENGINE-HYDRAULIC-LOG-SPLITTER-WOOD-FIREWOOD/331177831062

If you use too much of it you need oven mitts to open the slow combustion heater door, and it'll singe your eyebrows if you get too close to the coals. The best stuff I have used has been old 1940's house frame Ironbark, in 6x4 or 4x4 timbers or 100 year old fence posts. They burn like black coal.

While we are on the topic of firewood, If you need to buy a splitting axe buy the Fiskars. They are FANTASTIC!

http://www.fiskars.ca/Products/Yard-and-Garden/Axes-and-Striking

It followed me home