5 Best Log Jack Stands of 2024 – Reviews & Buying Guide
A log jack is a great tool for all professional and do-it-yourself woodworkers. Especially if you work with logs and heavy planks of wood, a log jack is perfect if you need to move them around or lift them for cutting.
The long handle and the fulcrum (sometimes with a hook) will save your back. You won’t have to bend to roll or lift pieces of wood. Your work will proceed much faster, too, without your chain hitting the ground.
This post reviews the best log jacks around.
The Best Log Jack Buying Guide
My experience with many wood jacks has not been exactly rosy. In my cabinet joinery vocation, I mostly work with hardy wood types. Several times my wood jacks have buckled under the weight of the massive logs. In other instances, the handles just snap right in the middle. It can be very frustrating, but to avoid that you simply have to know what to look for in a lumberjack when buying one.
The body structure needs to be sturdy
In my case, my log jack handles particularly couldn’t shoulder the heavy weight of massive trunks. To avoid such a situation, carefully investigate the material make and design of the timber jack. Generally, metallic handles are more durable and stronger than wood. So, if you work with weighty wood types, choose a metal handled lumberjack. To further bolster the strength and resistance of these tools, some brands use a powder coating on their models. That can be incredibly helpful.
For a DIY log jack for small projects, a wood-handled device might work just fine. Be that as it may, the handle itself should be made from hardwood. It has to have a sturdy structure.
Choose a broad and flexible opening diameter
The primary function of a log jack is to grab and lift or roll wood pieces. Now, if you are dealing with thick logs, the width of the grip should be big enough; otherwise, your timber jack won’t work. The width of the grip is what we call the ‘opening diameter,’ indicated in inches on the product’s specs.
Some log jacks have a flexible opening diameter. That is to say, they have a maximum grip for large trunks but can also adjust the grip for slender wood blocks. Such a model would be the most beneficial, allowing you to work with all sizes of wood without needing another contraption.
Stability matters a great deal
We have seen that the handle of the lumberjack needs to be reliable, but what about the fulcrum head? It needs to be super sturdy because this is where most of the weight of the load falls. For that reason, even wood-handled log jacks use a metallic head. Some tools have two feet as opposed to one, so you can effortlessly balance the length of the trunk on it when cutting. Choose such an option.
An ergonomic handle aids in comfort
Just like when buying a cant hook (even some designs of log jacks feature cant hook heads at the same time) you have to consider the design of the handle. What is its length? How is the grip? A lengthy handle will save you from having to bend when you lift woodblocks. It will also improve the mechanical advantage of the whole device. The ideal length shouldn’t fall below 45 inches.
On the other hand, if you are going to be working all day with your lumberjack, consider finding one with a rubberized handle. It helps to save your palms from blistering.
The weight should be manageable
If the tool is too heavy, you won’t be able to work with it for long. Such log jacks will slow your output. On the other hand, if the device is too light, it might break under heavy woods. The golden tip is to consider the nature of your workpieces when deciding the weight of a log jack.
Best Log Jack Review
1.Woodchuck Tools 48-inch Timberjack
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It features an all-metal design. The Woodchuck 48 inch timber jack comes across as a sturdy tool. The hook is steel made while the handle is made of aluminum. It wouldn’t be farfetched, therefore to expect durability with this device.
The handle is 48 inches long, and the whole device weighs 10 pounds. That makes for a well-balanced timber jack that is user-friendly. Such lighter log jacks cause minimal fatigue.
Most notably though, is its 20 inches log diameter spec. That means that you will have an effortless experience even when working with thick blocks of wood.
Aside from that, when shopping for log jacks, one needs to consider the minimum log diameter as well. That’s because as a woodworker, you often have to deal with several wood sizes. The Woodchuck Tool 48 inch log jack has a minimum diameter of 6 inches. That will save you the trouble of having to acquire separate work tools for each different workpiece.
This log roller has two feet, which works much better for support as opposed to one. Also, because of this design, the handle does not allow burry into the ground when maneuvering massive logs. That helps with user-friendliness.
Another thoughtful feature on the Woodchuck 48 inch log jack is the rubberized grip on the handle. This feature gives you a nonslip grip and firm control of the device even when working with bulkier woods.
Woodchuck Pros & Cons
Pros
Pros- It’s a study log jack with all parts made of sturdy metal
- It’s a versatile tool for both small and bulkier logs
- Things to consider before buying
- It has two legs that make it much easier to roll or lift logs
Cons
Cons- It facilitates only a small elevation, likely because of its two feet design
Earth Worth 83-DT5219 1940 Timberjack | Log Lifter | Wood Handle | 48...
- SIMPLE TO USE - Lever action lets one person easily raise and cut heavy logs without missing a beat. The sturdy wood handle provides ample torque to lift logs off the ground, putting wood at a better...
- VERSATILE DESIGN - Use this Timberjack Log Lifter wood splitter to keep your outdoor workspace and tools neat and tidy. Because this log splitting tool lifts logs away from the ground, it prevents...
- BUILT TO LAST - Enjoy long-term durability from this Timberjack Log Lifter log splitter tool. Tough construction with a long wood handle and rugged metal components let you put this wood splitter to...
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Earth Worth 83-DT219 timber jack features a wooden handle and a metallic wedge head. The contraption weighs just 9 pounds and therefore falls under the lightweight category. Unlike the Woodchuck 48 inch timber jack, this log jack model uses one foot, a design detail that makes it perfect for lifting.
The size of this log jack’s foot, if you will, is 14 inches. When working with a chain saw, you will be able to prevent the chain from hitting the ground because that’s how high the wood will be jacked up. This design significantly prevents nasty kickbacks.
The wooden handle is 45 inches, a little shorter than what you get with the Woodchuck 48 inch log jack. Other than that, we can’t pit wood against metal; they are apples and oranges. Still, the wooden handle features an ergonomic design complete with a holding crown.
Fifteen inches is the log opening diameter you get with the Earth Worth 83-DT219. This fixed diameter lets you jack up big logs, but might be problematic with an extra-large wooden block. In such a case where one would prefer the Woodchuck 48 inch timber jack over this model.
Another concern is that the Earth Worth 83-DT219 might not be sturdy enough to lift massive logs. The metal part tends to bend under big weights. Nevertheless, this log jack bites well into the wood, and you will be able to effortlessly roll massive planks with it.
Earth Worth Pros & Cons
Pros
- It helps to lift wood to a higher height for sawing
- The thick wooden handle is sturdy and streamlined
- It’s a heavy duty contraption but also lightweight, a balance that will work in your favor when dealing with hefty logs
Cons
- Quality control issues; it might come without all the parts
- It’s fixed diameter is limiting
V-LXRONG LogRite Log Stand
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The LogRite Log Stand is a super lightweight tool, weighing just 3.85 pounds. This log jack can also function as a Peavey owing to its multifunctional design. It’s fundamentally a peavey coming with a timber jack attachment.
The 6-inch universal log attachment, when added to the LogRite peavey, makes it possible to lift wood pieces to that similar height. You can, therefore, expect to have an easy time when it is time to roll or lift wood for cutting.
The lightweight nature of the LogRite Log Stand makes for a user-friendly tool. You could work with it all day with little chance of fatigue.
The man concern here, and why I would choose the Woodchuck Tool 48 inch timber jack over this model, is that its log diameter is small. For that reason, you might experience difficulties, or be forced to get another tool when maneuvering massive blocks of wood. However, it works just fine when dealing with small tree logs, like those for firewood.
LogRite Pros & Cons
Pros
- Multipurpose design – a cant hook and a log jack all in one
- Ergonomic handle featuring a rubberized grip
- The 6-inch wedge will give you sufficient cutting room, so the saw doesn’t hit the dirt
- Tubular nature of handle adds strength and resistance to this device
Cons
- Cannot handle big logs
- Feature some fragile parts
Ironton Wooden Handle Timberjack, 48in.L
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This 48 inches log jack features a wooden handle. The lacquered wood design is aesthetic, giving off a natural look that is enchanting. But functionality should be your primary concern when buying power tools. So, how does it fare in that department?
First off the handle is 48 inches long, giving you a long enough lever to move even those blocks that initially wouldn’t budge. Be that as it may, you stand to get more durability with metallic tubular handles, as in the case of the Woodchuck 48 inch timber jack or the Earth Worth 83-DT219.
Just like the Earth Worth 83-DT219, the Ironton 48 inch Timberjack is a multifunctional tool as well, coming across as a cant hook and a lumberjack. Here you have a lightweight timber jack, weighing only 16 pounds.
If I am to choose between the LogRite Log Stand and the Ironton 48 inch Timberjack, would choose the latter. Its log diameter is a little wider, measuring up to 10 inches, albeit it can also manage smaller logs of 8 inches in width. However, none of these two would measure up to the Woodchuck 48 inch timber jack whose log diameter is 14 inches and 6 inches for small logs of wood.
Ironton Pros & Cons
Pros
- A well designed 48 inches wood handle
- It’s a two in one tool; a timber jack and a cant hook at the same time
- Easy to replace the wooden handle
- Saves your back, and the chain saw too
Cons
- Limited log diameter
- Wood handles are not durable
- Might not handle weighty planks
Timber Tuff TMB-45 Steel Handle Outdoor Yard Lumber Log Cutting...
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Although the Timber Tuff TMB 45 timber jack could easily dethrone the Woodchuck 48 inch in this log jack showdown, the latter still has more superior features. However, let’s first profile the Timber Tuff TMB 45.
This log jack is made of two-part steel and a tubular construction that easily beats the stability that the LogRite Log Stand and its wooden handled counterparts have to offer. That means that whatever the weight of wooden blocks you lift or roll with it, the timber jack won’t break or bend. There is also a powder coat finish all over the device to further help with strength and durability.
The Timber Tuff TMB 45 log jack lifts wood 11 inches off the ground. That’s incredibly high although it falls below the 14 inches height that the Earth Worth 83-DT219 enables. Still, you will be able to cut wood with ease, leveraging that height to protect your chain saw.
Forty eight inches is the length of its handle, and therefore this log jack falls under what Archimedes would consider ‘long enough to move the world.’ Away from that, however, this timber jack has a diameter of 12 inches. You will be able to handle thick logs with it, but that still falls below what Woodchuck 48 inch timber jack has to offer.
There are many reasons why I would choose the Woodchuck 48 inch timber jack over the Timber Tuff TMB 45 log jack. Notably however the fact the two feet of the Woodchuck tool makes it more stable, it is much easier to balance a log on it when cutting.
Timber Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very sturdy and durable construction
- Functions as a Peavey and a lumberjack at the same time
- The long handle makes your work easier
- Can lift wood 12 inches off the ground
Cons
- Limited and fixed log diameter
The best pick
The clear winner in this review is the Woodchuck Tools 48-inch timber jack. It’s a sturdy log jack featuring all metal parts, a factor that is most assuring when you want a durable and robust device.
The handle is 48 inches long, among the lengthiest, you will find, and its log diameter is 20 inches for big logs and 6 inches for small trunks. The Woodchuck Tools 48 inch Timberjack is therefore suitable for commercial logging undertakings. The icing on the cake is that you can also use it on small pieces of wood.
Additionally, this timber jack features 2 feet instead of one and therefore makes it easy to balance a lengthy log on it when cutting.
Last Updated on August 4, 2019 by Tom Bradly