Dave Schmidt
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2015
Posts: 10
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Post by Dave Schmidt on May 24, 2015 12:47:30 GMT -5
I'm fairly new at the rock tumbling hobby. I live close to Lake Superior and often prowl the beaches looking for interesting stones to tumble. Sometimes I find a rock that I find interesting that I would like to break up into tumbler sized pieces. I've used chisels and a crack hammer. 99% of the time the rock just skitters across my garage floor no worse for wear. Busting rock is easier said than done. There has got to be a better, more efficient and successful way to reduce rocks into tumbler-sized stones. Any suggestions? Thank you
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brazos
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2015
Posts: 11
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Post by brazos on May 24, 2015 13:03:44 GMT -5
I am very new to this myself. I just finished the first stage of my first group of rocks. Most of the rocks I am using were bigger rocks a broke with a hammer. They are really turning out nice. Like you say when bust rocks a number of them shoot off and not always easy to find. I think next time I may try to put something around me. A child's play pen would be perfect. Or some 2x6 lumber stood up on edge making a square.
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Post by Jugglerguy on May 24, 2015 14:16:22 GMT -5
I don't break a lot of rocks. The rocks I get from Superior are mostly tumbler size when I pick them up. The larger ones get sliced up on my saw for cabbing.
The rocks I break up are usually because they have a crack in them. I use a small Tupperware container with a hole drilled in the bottom to cover the rock. I put my chisel through the hole and smack it with a hammer. The rock can't fly across the garage that way. Be careful hitting rocks on your concrete floor. Most rocks are a lot harder than your floor and the floor will eventually crack.
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tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,548
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Post by tkvancil on May 24, 2015 14:26:48 GMT -5
I break up bigger rocks with hammer and chisel on a regular basis.
Have a piece of scrap steel about 1/4' thick, 4" square, I put the rock on. This keeps the rock from damaging the concrete garage floor.
With a rag in left hand wrapped around chisel and draped over rock to be broken I strike chisel with hammer. Rag contains cast off. Use lightest hammer and strike as possible. When the 16 ounce doesn't work I'll step up to a 3 pounder. Be careful if using this method, I have pinched my pinky finger pretty good with the chisel on some occasions.
It helps breaking if there is a crack. Place point of chisel on crack and strike. If there is a void/vug in the rock a pointed chisel or punch in the hole works too.
You can also do it like knapping. Plenty of vids on you tube.
You can also go "cave man" on your rocks. Cover with a piece of denim or canvas and bash it hard with your hammer. Don't like this method much as there is more waste. Small chips and dust.
An inexpensive tile saw is another option. You can cut a kerf in to place the chisel.
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,715
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Post by Fossilman on May 24, 2015 15:33:21 GMT -5
I use a gunny sack too,the busted rock stays in the sack,when it's breaking up.....
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turnedstone
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since January 2006
Posts: 766
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Post by turnedstone on May 24, 2015 15:36:49 GMT -5
Rock breaking 101! A steel plate is a must as said above. I use a old sock if the rock will fit inside it. An old tee shirt works for bigger rocks. A pair of gloves are a must as are safety glasses. I put the chisel on the rock where it looks like it needs broke cover in rag or sock and tap it with some controlled restraint, hitting it to hard will cause to many fractures. If i just want to break a rock up I just cover and hit it till i get the sizes i want, not to hard as it makes for to many splinters or shards, that is not good for tumbling.
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Dave Schmidt
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2015
Posts: 10
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Post by Dave Schmidt on May 25, 2015 8:30:47 GMT -5
Thanks,guys (and gals?). Some really good ideas here. Very much appreciated.
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Jasper-hound
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since June 2010
Posts: 208
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Post by Jasper-hound on May 25, 2015 11:19:00 GMT -5
I use about an 18" section of railroad tie, placed into a deep wheel barrow. I wear safety glasses and then break the rock with an Estwing hammer. This system is about the best for me. I have tried wrapping the stones in cloth, etc, but like this wheelbarrow system better. It also puts the rock up at a height that is more comfortable for working.
Craig
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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 25, 2015 12:13:33 GMT -5
I'm fairly new at the rock tumbling hobby. I live close to Lake Superior and often prowl the beaches looking for interesting stones to tumble. Sometimes I find a rock that I find interesting that I would like to break up into tumbler sized pieces. I've used chisels and a crack hammer. 99% of the time the rock just skitters across my garage floor no worse for wear. Busting rock is easier said than done. There has got to be a better, more efficient and successful way to reduce rocks into tumbler-sized stones. Any suggestions? Thank you Honestly it's going to change your life or at least your hobby if you can afford to invest in a good rock saw. Busting rocks with a hammer is dangerous and inefficient. In my humble opinion only. This is the opinion of someone who probably has too many saws...
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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 25, 2015 12:16:26 GMT -5
I'm fairly new at the rock tumbling hobby. I live close to Lake Superior and often prowl the beaches looking for interesting stones to tumble. Sometimes I find a rock that I find interesting that I would like to break up into tumbler sized pieces. I've used chisels and a crack hammer. 99% of the time the rock just skitters across my garage floor no worse for wear. Busting rock is easier said than done. There has got to be a better, more efficient and successful way to reduce rocks into tumbler-sized stones. Any suggestions? Thank you Honestly it's going to change your life or at least your hobby if you can afford to invest in a good rock saw. Busting rocks with a hammer is dangerous and inefficient. In my humble opinion only. This is the opinion of someone who probably has too many saws... Rock saws are not dangerous like wood saws because they work slowly. I'm a nervous person and I've only tried smashing as in the above described methods only a few times in 20 years. It's just not for me. Even with heavy leather gloves and good safety glasses it still seems like something could go terribly wrong and it's just to stressful FOR ME. I'm sure it's fine for you guys who know what you're doing.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,583
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Post by jamesp on May 25, 2015 12:57:33 GMT -5
Some rock is easier than others. Mistake, 4 ounce hammer, not 8 ounce.
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Post by orrum on May 25, 2015 13:12:47 GMT -5
James that is sinful to break up that great big solid pure chunk of knapping material!!! How many great knives are in that chunk $$$$
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,583
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Post by jamesp on May 25, 2015 13:25:01 GMT -5
James that is sinful to break up that great big solid pure chunk of knapping material!!! How many great knives are in that chunk $$$$
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Post by orrum on May 25, 2015 13:39:38 GMT -5
Hmmm...... I gotta go visit this man's rockpile!!!!
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,583
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Post by jamesp on May 25, 2015 13:42:51 GMT -5
You sure do. Got a pile of heated stuff set aside.
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Dave Schmidt
off to a rocking start
Member since May 2015
Posts: 10
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Post by Dave Schmidt on May 25, 2015 14:52:08 GMT -5
I'm fairly new at the rock tumbling hobby. I live close to Lake Superior and often prowl the beaches looking for interesting stones to tumble. Sometimes I find a rock that I find interesting that I would like to break up into tumbler sized pieces. I've used chisels and a crack hammer. 99% of the time the rock just skitters across my garage floor no worse for wear. Busting rock is easier said than done. There has got to be a better, more efficient and successful way to reduce rocks into tumbler-sized stones. Any suggestions? Thank you Honestly it's going to change your life or at least your hobby if you can afford to invest in a good rock saw. Busting rocks with a hammer is dangerous and inefficient. In my humble opinion only. This is the opinion of someone who probably has too many saws... Rock saws are not dangerous like wood saws because they work slowly. I'm a nervous person and I've only tried smashing as in the above described methods only a few times in 20 years. It's just not for me. Even with heavy leather gloves and good safety glasses it still seems like something could go terribly wrong and it's just to stressful FOR ME. I'm sure it's fine for you guys who know what you're doing. Thank you, peachfront. Can you recommend a good rock saw that is 'reasonably' priced? (Being a newbie on this site, I really don't know how to answer a response from a specific person.)
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Post by orrum on May 25, 2015 14:59:17 GMT -5
Thank you James! I am workin on getting there!
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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 25, 2015 16:04:35 GMT -5
Thank you, peachfront. Can you recommend a good rock saw that is 'reasonably' priced? (Being a newbie on this site, I really don't know how to answer a response from a specific person.)
I actually don't know the current prices. We purchased a number of them in a flurry in the early 90s, some used, a couple new. There's apparently no real reason they can't last for decades. Now the blades get effed up from time to time and have to be replaced. And my hubby did just replace a pulley on one of them last weekend. But it has been so long since we've been in the market that I just don't know what a "reasonable" price would be. There's actually a saw forum on this site called Slabs and Saws though with quite a bit of info and discussion. You might want to repost your question there. It's called More Rock Topics and Hobbies -- Slabs and Saws. I would have thought everyone should at least have a six inch rock saw but I'm aware (learned right here at RTH!) that many people do get by with just a super cheap Home Depot tile saw.
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Post by broseph82 on May 25, 2015 18:47:12 GMT -5
Did anyone pay attention to how jamesp hit the flat side? If not, watch again. He was hitting where it was flat. It will break off in better fracture free pieces that way. If you whack it on a rounded edge or middle spot it will send shock waves through the rock/glass and possible create cracks (something taught to me by jamesp).
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Mark K
Cave Dweller
Member since April 2012
Posts: 2,795
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Post by Mark K on May 25, 2015 19:31:44 GMT -5
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