Splitting firewood is an excellent way to get excercise and develop a sense of self-reliance, as well as saving money on winter heating costs. But the bending and stooping involved can be very hard on the lower back. The solution to the problem is simple and free. All you need to do is get an old worn-out tire whose inside diameter is slightly smaller than your chopping block. Les Schwab will give these away for free. Set the tire on the block and screw it into the top. When you put a firewood round on the block to be split, the pieces will stay upright inside the tire instead of falling to the ground and requiring you to bend and pick them up. The tire will also protect the handle of your maul from damage if you miss the target. You will want to drill some holes in the bottom of the tire to allow rain water to drain out.
