Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2012 22:09:02 GMT -5
jut finished slicing up about 7 pounds of "blue pearl" granite slab. This is a granite counter-top that has lots of labradorite type feldspar in it. Can't wait to see. I hope I don't screw it up. I only have enough material for one more batch! Hoping for lots of blue fire.
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Post by 3rdrockfromthefun on Jun 12, 2012 8:36:55 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 I had a huuuge hunk of OB - I thought I'd be clever and see if I could break it knap style. It did surprisingly work to some degree but obviously it takes some practice and skill to get good at. Anyway I learned that that large hunk held in the hand is the one to worry about - a couple of times that baby split in just the right place to suck my finger into the crevice it left - with VERY sharp edges and the weight of the pieces still in your hand. I guess that explains why I see so many knappers wearing leather gloves. So how about shooting rocks - anyone try breaking rocks with a 45? Heh heh... I'm kidding - that sounds like a bad idea right out of the box...
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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 Jun 13, 2012 22:46:23 GMT -5
Do you think anyone would be interested in a service where we cut up some rocks into more of a tumbling size? We're actually starting to see light at the end of the tunnel, but we still have more rocks than we can finish ourselves. If this is something people might be interested in, we could maybe cut up a few small flat raters and post them...
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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 Jun 15, 2012 11:15:08 GMT -5
I couldn't stand it any more. In the interest of saving the eyesight etc. of people who don't have saws, I have posted a few tumbling size small flat raters for your consideration in the buy, sell, swap forum right here: forum.rocktumblinghobby.com/index.cgi?board=buysell&action=display&thread=53234If there's a different material you'd like us to cut up, with no obligation, feel free to speak up. We might have it., and we might as well cut up something somebody might use, as just cut up the first rock we stumble across on the rock table. Thanks.
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darstcreek77
has rocks in the head
Member since April 2011
Posts: 673
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Post by darstcreek77 on Jun 15, 2012 15:22:32 GMT -5
if you have a hammer drill drill a couple holes in rock then insert chisel wrap said rock with heavy cloth then wack it .
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Rockdogger
starting to shine!
Member since October 2010
Posts: 28
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Post by Rockdogger on Jun 24, 2012 0:46:33 GMT -5
I have smashed some agate with 4lb. hammers and got bad fractures through material that basically ruined it and it that will never be replaced. I say the only real way to accomplish breaking material into rough is an 8lb. sledge with a fast swing, or a saw. A smaller hammer has only made agate into crap for me. There is really no easy way with a hammer unless you really nail it hard and fast, or you get fractured rough.
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Post by catmandewe on Jun 24, 2012 9:05:22 GMT -5
I have used a BMG 50 caliber rifle to make large boulders into gravel, it works extremely well and is ever so satisfying!
Tony
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Post by NatureNut on Jun 24, 2012 9:06:16 GMT -5
We'd like to see a video of that.
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,602
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Post by Mark K on Dec 13, 2012 21:16:39 GMT -5
Another thing you can do is to take the saw and cut a groove through the rock and put a flat chisel in the grove and hit with a hammer. You might get a little fracturing, but not like without the cut.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,182
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Post by jamesp on Dec 14, 2012 4:40:00 GMT -5
Some materials do well with hammer.Some crack unevenly or fracture a lot.Some shatter...It is a challenge.Forest fires here in the south will leave exposed chert,agate and flint in mass fragmentation.Some materials it fractures,some not.Easy to fill up the tumbler in these situations.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Dec 14, 2012 12:58:41 GMT -5
I use an old cedar stump for a base to place the rock on. It is solid as concrete. Then I use a chisel to score a line in it. Repeat going in the same line, each time hitting it a little harder. They will usually break along the line. This is how I started out cracking geodes and find it works well with solid rocks too. I use a 28 oz. hammer or smaller depending on the rock.
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Post by Pat on Dec 14, 2012 16:49:29 GMT -5
I needed to break up big pieces of serpentine into walnut size to give away at our show. I was advised to just take a 32 pound hammer and go at it! Amazing!
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Dec 14, 2012 23:06:53 GMT -5
I worked construction my whole life and have swung many sledge hammers. A 16 lb. hammer is more than enough to do anything you need to break. But you won`t swing it much. Trust me. I`ve never seen nor heard of a 32 lb. hammer. I swung a 20 lb. hammer one time. You will break about the same time as the rock. They may have meant a 32 oz. which is a framers hammer or club as I call them. I can outdrive them with my 28 oz. It`s all in the swing.
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Post by Pat on Dec 14, 2012 23:26:41 GMT -5
Ummm, I did't say I USED that hammer, but I'll remember it's all in the swing.
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jspencer
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since March 2011
Posts: 929
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Post by jspencer on Dec 15, 2012 22:23:17 GMT -5
Pat I didn`t really think you had or would even try. I wouldn`t. lol ;D
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fwfranklen (Mike)
spending too much on rocks
Rock-ON--Have you kissed your rock today?
Member since August 2012
Posts: 379
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Post by fwfranklen (Mike) on Dec 17, 2012 19:24:21 GMT -5
If there is natural or existing cracks I use my hydraulic press. Other wise I have a big hammer with a chisel that fits in a small jack hammer. Works well.
Mike
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,182
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Post by jamesp on Dec 22, 2012 10:09:02 GMT -5
I find 2-3 inch rocks most difficult to break to tumbling size.I use 2 hammers on thick wood.One hammer held vertically on the rock with the rock sticking out.Then take the other hammer and strike the part of the rock sticking out.That way no fingers are in the equation. The hammer held vertically serves as a slide to guide the striking hammer into the little chunk you want to break away.For final tumble size agates i use the flat side of a small 8 ounce ball peen on a long handle to get a lot of velocity on impact.Agates and most other rocks give in to high speed impact with steel.And you don't fatigue as with heavy hammer.High speed usually fractures less than slow crushing blows.
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