sunrisedawn
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 55
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Post by sunrisedawn on Jun 6, 2008 14:21:21 GMT -5
I have a few large rocks. I do not have a saw to cut them. Is there any way to split them without a saw? Maybe put a towel over the rock and use a chisel and hammer? I do know it would be random outcome of the rock. Any ideas? Dawn
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Post by stardiamond on Jun 6, 2008 14:55:30 GMT -5
I know you can score bricks and break them, but I don't think rocks are very cooperative. If I had to do it, I would climb up a ladder and drop the rock and hope for the best. Here's a suggestion I found: tomaszewski.net/Kreigh/Minerals/Homemade.shtmldo a find at the site on nutcracker.
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Post by akansan on Jun 6, 2008 15:24:49 GMT -5
Actually, hammer and cold-steel chisel works quite well. That's how I broke all my tumbling pieces before I got a WF, and I still break out the hammer and chisel to make a smaller rock that my slab saw will handle.
If I want to just smash them for tumbling, I'll throw a towel over the larger rock and pull out the bigger 3 lb. hammer and give it a whack.
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Post by stardiamond on Jun 6, 2008 15:39:49 GMT -5
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Post by rocklicker on Jun 6, 2008 16:52:23 GMT -5
Just make sure you wear safety goggles. A towell is a good idea too. If you are busting up something hard like agate, pieces can go whizzin past your head. Steve
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Post by deb193redux on Jun 6, 2008 20:10:34 GMT -5
If you go to buy a cold-steel chisel, spring an extra buck or two for the yellow rubber hand grip/guard. Look in the masonary section of hardware - not tools.
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Gem'n I
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2008
Posts: 980
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Post by Gem'n I on Jun 6, 2008 21:17:39 GMT -5
You also want to make sure what your resting on is not your basement floor, driveway or sidewalk because that may become the innocent victim when you whack away...they don't make concrete like they used to!!
Larry
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huffstuff
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since August 2007
Posts: 1,222
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Post by huffstuff on Jun 7, 2008 13:27:52 GMT -5
I have some small pieces of 2x4 wedged into a box with no gaps between them (just some uneven spots on the edges of the boards). I drop the rock in there and use a chisel & hammer. I have tons of rags and towels, I just cover with one of the thicker ones and use safety glasses.
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Jun 7, 2008 13:43:34 GMT -5
RE: the basement floor - you're right, but I tried whacking the rock on a 2x8...the wood gives too much. I am sacrificing concrete to the rock gods as it provides (after a few broken rocks) a hole to set the rock in while hammering. Concrete patch isn't too expensive.
Oh, leather gloves are good to have too. I almost lost use of my index finger on my hammer hand when a chip came up and did damage to the big knuckle..not sure if it's completely right now.
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yotmv
off to a rocking start
Member since June 2008
Posts: 5
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Post by yotmv on Jun 7, 2008 20:53:40 GMT -5
I've found that it works ok to make a "bag" from an old pair of jeans. Load the rock in there & a few solid hits with a hammer will break it up.
Alternatively, I sometimes will use a chisel point rock hammer or a rock pick
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Saskrock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2007
Posts: 1,852
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Post by Saskrock on Jun 8, 2008 12:53:14 GMT -5
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Post by cpdad on Jun 8, 2008 14:36:51 GMT -5
just kinda adding to what the others have said.
this is what i was told before....and some of my own trials...and blood ;D.
if possible find a steel plate...maybe 10 " x 10"...or 10" round....3/8" or 1/2" thick an use that to put the rock on....wrap in some of garment thats heavy.... twice....whack away ;D.
as for as safety...yes safety glasses....and if i were you....i would also put on jeans....and a long sleeve heavy shirt...when the rock breaks shards seem to find whatever way out they can ;D.
2 pieces of tiger eye got me once at the same time...i was able to get 1 out right then....i had to wait on the 2nd one to fester up before i could push it out.
hey we got little red lines now that show me how to spell...now maybe i wont look 9th grade educated anymore ;D ;D ;D...kev.
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Jun 9, 2008 0:54:27 GMT -5
Hi Dawn, I used to have to split stones in the fields as a young boy 2 ton+ these were sandstone and a LOT eisier than polishing rocks but never the less you learn a few things about spliting rock's 1 - Try and see if you can find a seam and work along it 2 - use a saw and cut round the rock finish off with a hammer & chistle NOTE Please use eye protection I used this last system on rock I bought at a Aqurium/garden shop that was to big to go in my little "Rock Gem" 6" saw last month I tried the vice system in a big vice but it was not to sucessfull Here is a link to a 10 ton hydraulic seed crusher I made in Uganda that could be adapted img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/john-edward/2006001.jpgALWAYS USE EYE PROTECTION under presure these Rocks explode and bits fly like shrapnel from a bomb Jack Yorkshire UK
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sunrisedawn
having dreams about rocks
Member since June 2008
Posts: 55
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Post by sunrisedawn on Jun 12, 2008 0:21:18 GMT -5
Thank you for all the good advice. There is so much on here to be learned. I am so glad you all are good teachers. I will be splitting some rocks this weekend. I gathered some when I went to the Crater of Diamonds state park two weeks ago. I have sorted through them and scrubbed them to see which ones might have something inside. I will take some pics. Dawn
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lparker
fully equipped rock polisher
Still doing too much for being retired!
Member since March 2008
Posts: 1,202
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Post by lparker on Jun 12, 2008 12:49:39 GMT -5
That stuff from Crater of Diamonds is relatively soft stuff. You don't want to use a heavy hammer on it. If you do, you might accidentally smash the biggest diamond ever found there. Nibble at it a little at a time, don't hit too hard.
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