The two-stage hydraulic pump is commonly used in many high school and college courses to demonstrate hydraulic systems. Unfortunately, many textbooks do not provide a good explanation of how the technology works. Another challenge that instructors run into with teaching hydraulic systems is the cost of procuring an expensive real-world machine that will demonstrate hydraulic technology. Fortunately, the two-stage hydraulic pump is frequently used in log splitters, and many instructors work with at least one colleague or student who owns a log splitter that could be used for a laboratory demonstration. With a trip to the local NAPA store to purchase an inexpensive pressure gage, educators can have an excellent and very cost-effective means of demonstrating the science behind two-stage pumps. (Contains 1 figure.)