stasiak
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 138
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Post by stasiak on Nov 23, 2011 15:58:37 GMT -5
Ok, so...I got some rather big stones. They are a bit too big for my tumbler.
So, if I don't a saw, what would be the best way to break them up for tumbling.
I got told that putting them in a vice might work, or smashing them with a sledge hammer.
Thoughts?
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Post by parfive on Nov 23, 2011 16:27:54 GMT -5
Hammer and chisel. Be selective where you hit. Use a rag to contain any flying shards. Safety glasses wouldn't hurt either.
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keystonecops
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2010
Posts: 957
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Post by keystonecops on Nov 23, 2011 18:23:07 GMT -5
I got a piece of RR rail an a big hammer. This is fer smaller stuff. I dont whale it, just healthy taps. Fer the big stuff I take her outside, put on goggles an grab my 12# sledge. These I whale. Then ya getta hound agin findn the piecesLOL I usually though take em to club lapidary shop where they gotta 20 inch saw. Later Clyde
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stasiak
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since September 2011
Posts: 138
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Post by stasiak on Nov 23, 2011 23:18:31 GMT -5
Excellent. I will just have to wait until I go to my dads house and start with the smallest hammer he has and work my way up to see what does the job.
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keystonecops
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since October 2010
Posts: 957
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Post by keystonecops on Nov 24, 2011 0:02:09 GMT -5
;D I work fer the RailRoad. We start with the big stuff an go down. Cant stress it nuff. Make sure ya use goggles, that includes anyone near ya. Later Clyde
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Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
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Post by Steve on Nov 24, 2011 9:07:30 GMT -5
Googles, leather gloves, thick pants, thick long sleeve shirt. Oh, and don't go barefooted.
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Post by connrock on Nov 24, 2011 10:19:41 GMT -5
Most rocks have a crack and or vein in them.If you follow these you will learn to 'read' the different types of rocks and how they will break for you. Try to break the rocks along the cracks or veins and not against them. When you get the rocks to tumbling size a chipping hammer will help to "trim' the "pockets" and other concave areas.This helps a LOT in the rough stage as the rocks won't have to grind away as long as if you didn't remove these areas. Good Luck,,,,
connrock
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on Nov 25, 2011 14:07:58 GMT -5
Hammering agates and jaspers results in very sharp edges flakes flying from the blows. Try to recover these as well so kids or pets don't cut their feet. Those flakes and pieces will also fly back to the hammer wielder. I have wound up with a couple of cuts to my forearm or hand that bleed like hell because I was too "smart" to put my gloves on. Keep your hand and eye protection on until you've set the hammer aside.
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Minnesota Daniel
freely admits to licking rocks
A COUPLE LAKERS
Member since August 2011
Posts: 891
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Post by Minnesota Daniel on Nov 25, 2011 18:24:41 GMT -5
My personal experience BS (before saw) was that a point chisel broke apart rock better than an edge chisel. I also found that some types of rock (not most) actually broke apart most easily when I smacked them right in the middle of a flat spot -- not what I expected. Experiment.
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Post by johnjsgems on Nov 25, 2011 22:56:50 GMT -5
Whatever method, cover with old towel or old denim while breaking.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Nov 25, 2011 23:50:46 GMT -5
I have cracked open a lot of rocks using a hammer and chisel. If you work your way around the rock while scoring it with the chisel where you wish it to break. Just like opening a geode. Gonna be a broken record here on the safety also. Cover the rock with an old rag and wear eye protection. And those slivers are hell on little feet as said before. Sweep up afterwards. Covering rocks also helps save broken windows as well as eyeballs.
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Post by susand24224 on Nov 27, 2011 3:04:56 GMT -5
I break up a lot of smaller rocks (3 lbs or less) in my garage. I use a fairly large box, cut down one side, and put my railroad tie with rock on it in the box. The remaining three sides of the box block most, but not all, of the flying chips of rocks. Flying chips hit me often enough to reinforce the wearing of a face shield (which I hate).
Susan
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LarryS
freely admits to licking rocks
SoCal desert rats
Member since August 2010
Posts: 781
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Post by LarryS on Dec 1, 2011 19:30:53 GMT -5
Big hammer, chisel & safety glass.....Home Depot. I set the rock on a piece of 1/4" steel plate I got from work. Otherwise you'd tear up the concrete or asphalt you're hammering on. Cut the bottom out of a cardboard box and that will help contain some of the high velocity shrapnel. Yep, the long sleeve shirt helps otherwise keep some tweezers & bandages handy. LarryS
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Dec 12, 2011 9:57:29 GMT -5
I like a Estwing Flat Cold Chisel or StarPoint Chisel. I also use a Crack Hammer (mini sledge weighing in at 3 Lbs). For smaller stuff I use a tradtional rock hammer and small homemade chisels (large screwdrivers with the handles cut off- they wont last long but are nice for fine trimming) Googles, long sleeve everything and gloves.
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