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Post by manofglass on Apr 30, 2012 18:43:42 GMT -5
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ulstergeki
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since April 2012
Posts: 111
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Post by ulstergeki on Apr 30, 2012 19:03:56 GMT -5
I use a hammer and chisel to break up my rocks, make sure to wear eye protection.
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Post by talkingstones on Apr 30, 2012 20:27:01 GMT -5
Um.... Look in the "Sell and swap" section for a saw? Just a thought...
Cathy
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on Apr 30, 2012 20:56:47 GMT -5
I don't pay much attention to ehow. Pay peanuts, get monkeys. For a laugh, I once looked up the peachfront conure, a species where I have 30 years experience. It is highly unlikely that the ehow writer even knows what a peachfront conure is...They may or may not know how to break up rocks, but I won't risk my eyesight and my safety on "they may or may not" when, in an area where I have certain knowledge, I know they are clue-free. As far as breaking up rocks go, I'm with Cathy. We have at least 4 rock saws...that's the safe way to go.
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grayfingers
Cave Dweller
Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on May 1, 2012 7:38:01 GMT -5
I break rocks the same way as ulstergeki. I look for existing fractures, and use a chisel and hammer to pop them apart. One can't cover the stone with cloth to contain flying chips though so safety glasses and leather gloves are a must. Also, using your steps will likely harm them. I use a heavy flat stone to sit the rocks on. When dealing with a large piece that I can't split with a chisel I throw a chunk of old carpet over the rock and smack it with a 4 lb. hammer. A saw would indeed be the best way, but some of the jasper nodules and wood I find would take a 20' or larger saw, and the hammer method is several thousand dollars cheaper.
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Post by johnjsgems on May 1, 2012 7:38:51 GMT -5
Cover with old denim or towel, wear eye protection, long sleeves, gloves and use a big hammer. Large rocks can be split with chisels. Agates can throw sharp chips so use caution.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on May 1, 2012 13:05:04 GMT -5
Thanks everybody, this is getting more useful. Yeah, ehow is usually useless imho.
So chisel/eye protection where it will work. Old denim or towels (thrift shop time I guess). I like the carpet idea. I suppose I can use the saws at the club's shop to saw some up too, when I get some time. I'm also going to concentrate on collecting more smaller rocks!
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Post by manofglass on May 1, 2012 15:27:50 GMT -5
My salf I just use a big hammer walt
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peachfront
fully equipped rock polisher
Stones have begun to speak, because an ear is there to hear them.
Member since August 2010
Posts: 1,745
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Post by peachfront on May 1, 2012 17:45:17 GMT -5
The carpet idea DOES sound intriguing to protect from flying chips... but, at the end of the day, I'm just too timid to use the hammer/chisel/etc method to cut up stone, so we end up trading away many good rocks that are just too big for us. Oh well, can't work them all!
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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 May 2, 2012 9:18:54 GMT -5
Cardboard box keeps the chips from breaking your neighbor's windows.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on May 2, 2012 10:14:03 GMT -5
Cardboard box also sounds good, and I actually have some of those!
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carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
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Post by carloscinco on May 2, 2012 13:18:07 GMT -5
I use a piece of railroad track for the anvil, cut a groove in the rock with a tile saw and insert a chisel tip in the groove. Pow, pow, crack. Don't forget eye and hand protection.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on May 3, 2012 21:45:40 GMT -5
I just squeeze them in my hands.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,360
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Post by herchenx on May 3, 2012 21:47:11 GMT -5
...in truth, I use a cold chisel and hammer, or wrap a large rock in a rag and go at it with a hammer.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on May 4, 2012 10:06:56 GMT -5
Lol John!!! Rag wrapping, Ok. I was thinking of trying something along the lines of wrapping like that, while poking the chisel through a hole in the rag/bag/carpet/box. Saturday I will try actually smashing the rocks up on location, as my condo does not have a desirable location to do this (and I don't feel like sweeping up all the chips). Thanks all!
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,602
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Post by Mark K on Jun 7, 2012 20:50:23 GMT -5
Smashing rock with a hammer causes lots of minute cracks in the rock which fill up with crud and is difficult to get out. The best bet is to use a saw and cut the rock to the size needed. If you get desperate, you can use a tile saw, but that is not the best option.
When I was new to this, someone advised me to smash the rock apart like is advised in this topic. I destroyed a lot of rough that I never found more of and wish I had still.
Eventually I met Tom, the LotO guy and he mentored me in the correct way to reduce rock.
Now the only time I take a hammer to rough is to gently pop apart rough that already has clear cracks to split the rock where it is already fractured. In this case, I use a gentle tap.
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Post by Bluesky78987 on Jun 8, 2012 8:25:23 GMT -5
Yeah, this has since become evident. The problem is that most newbies don't have access to a tile saw, let alone a trim or slab saw. At the time I made the post, I didn't even have a crack hammer.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2012 13:51:58 GMT -5
it never occurred to me to smash the stones. I run them thru the tile saw and make shapes. I even use the tile saw blade to break the corners to start the rounding process.
Tile saw cheap at harbor freight. Watch for the sidewalk sales and the mailers for the best deals. 20% coupons are common. I just replace my first blade after a year of use/abuse!
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Post by 3rdrockfromthefun on Jun 11, 2012 19:24:36 GMT -5
I have not had good luck with either towels or canvas - two hits and even with the material doubled or tripled it starts getting shredded very quickly. I've used a box before, in conjunction with a towel (said I have not had good luck - but I have not found a better way either) and it works surprisingly well.
I've also found that very hard sharp hits will yield more 'chunks' than 'chips' - the tap tap tap method leaves you with a pile of flakes.
Safety goggles are an absolute necessity - I've been hit in the face by flying debris has hit me in the forehead and cheek before - hard enough to draw blood (glad it was NOT my eye) no fun. And make sure your pets are not standing a few feet away intently watching. I have come so close to whacking a rock only to glance out of the corner of my eye and find my dog 4 inches from my leg. Someone else lets her out - I don't hear the door - and *poof* like magic she's in the shrapnel rang.
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Post by tntmom on Jun 11, 2012 19:48:40 GMT -5
When I have to break a rock that's too big for my saw, I double bag it in gallon ziplock baggies first. It will only protect you from flying chips for the first couple of whacks but it does help and you can see the rock without blindly hitting it underneath a towel. Double bagging in conjunction with a cardboard box might be even better! And heck yeah on safety goggles!!!! I've bled breaking obsidian but at least my eyes were safe
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