rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
Posts: 154
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Post by rockinronda on Dec 14, 2023 10:06:01 GMT -5
I suck at bustin rocks. Albeit I’ve only the one attempt, however I’d very much like to do better next time. I had this beautiful rose quartz boulder that had some super juicy spots. I was able to pick and chisel/hammer some nice pieces but I fractured a lot of that boulder and ended up with a pile of tiny quartz sand(?). Never could get it to split or anything like that. It was so glassy I couldn’t find purchase anywhere for the chisel. I sure would’ve brought it home if I could break it down to carry it. I was wearing eye protection, but could feel the sting of slivers grazing me as I pounded away for 2 hrs. Which was all my stamina would allow me to swing that 3lb rock hammer. So, tips and recommendations please for a more successful next time!
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,758
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Post by khara on Dec 14, 2023 15:26:09 GMT -5
I don’t know it’s proper name but I’ve seen people who have used a drill attachment that hammers back and forth. It may even be a separate unit, a little hand held hammering thing-a-ma-bob jig. It’s battery powered I believe so can be taken out in the field.
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Post by vegasjames on Dec 14, 2023 15:56:33 GMT -5
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realrockhound
Cave Dweller
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Post by realrockhound on Dec 14, 2023 23:29:32 GMT -5
Get a battery powered drill and use feather wedges.
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realrockhound
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Post by realrockhound on Dec 14, 2023 23:31:12 GMT -5
I don’t know it’s proper name but I’ve seen people who have used a drill attachment that hammers back and forth. It may even be a separate unit, a little hand held hammering thing-a-ma-bob jig. It’s battery powered I believe so can be taken out in the field. Bingo. It’s called a roto-hammer.
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ctxtumblebug
having dreams about rocks
Member since August 2023
Posts: 56
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Post by ctxtumblebug on Dec 15, 2023 2:18:51 GMT -5
I don't really like to bust rocks open with a hammer and chisel. I prefer to use a tile saw, angle grinder and a dremel tool to cut, grind and shape the rocks to my liking before putting them in the tumbler. Here's a good image of what my rocks look like before they go in the tumbler. They will get through Step One very fast and come out extremely smooth this way but it does take a day or so at the workbench getting the rocks ready for the tumbler.
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
Posts: 154
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Post by rockinronda on Dec 15, 2023 12:28:38 GMT -5
An Impact Driver? I have one of those. What kind of tip would I use? I also have a two handed mason’s drill. I don’t wanna crush rocks, that was an unfavorable outcome. I need the something to be practical to take backpacking, as I would be rockhounding trying to break big boulders into smaller sizes to carry out or just be able to get the piece I’m going after. I think better technique will help me most atm.
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
Posts: 154
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Post by rockinronda on Dec 15, 2023 17:35:52 GMT -5
Thanks Real, was able to find this vid:
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realrockhound
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Post by realrockhound on Dec 15, 2023 17:56:47 GMT -5
Just your standard masonry bit sized for your wedges. And you want a rotary hammer drill.
Source: I’ve done a lot of hard rock mining
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Post by liveoak on Dec 15, 2023 19:20:26 GMT -5
I don't really like to bust rocks open with a hammer and chisel. I prefer to use a tile saw, angle grinder and a dremel tool to cut, Thank you for that - I have a bucket of rocks to break up & was thinking of a hammer & not readily doing it, but using the tile saw & grinder is the way to go (not sure why I wasn't thinking of that- guess I needed the nudge!)
Patty...now looking forward to filling her 12 lber
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realrockhound
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Post by realrockhound on Dec 16, 2023 14:43:51 GMT -5
I also was going to suggest the rotary hammer + feather wedges. It's a fun activity. Only downside is you kind of need to have empty space on the opposite side of where you're wedging so the rock has room to detach. Does anyone have a strategy for mining a rock face underground? realrockhound When I try the rotary hammer + wedges, well the rock is still encased on 3 sides so you can't really force a fracture or the fracture doesn't yield anything. Thats the only downside. Depending on what your digging, you have to get area around it so you can come in from the side essentially. A lot of the places I dig are on private property, so i've had the privilege of busting out the jackhammer for that harder to get material. however.... lets say you have a seam encased in hard rock, cant bust from the side. A technique you can use is in approximately 1-foot increments, right in the seam, core in at a 45 degree angle go down one foot and core in at 45 degree angle, then go to the outside on each side of the seam and repeat the same. Then wedge that sucker out. you should be able to bust nice manageable pieces out without destroying material beyond use. you're essentially creating a pyramid pattern to create a void underneath, if that makes sense? I could draw a sketch later if you need to visualize it more.
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Post by rmf on Dec 17, 2023 17:24:44 GMT -5
rockinronda first rose quartz is brittle (something you know now). However, a boulder presents mass which tends to distribute the force of the hammer. You did not say how big the boulder was so the best tool might depend on how big the boulder is. In my younger days I was very proficient swing a double jack (sledge hammer) since I worked in a mine and they gave those kind of jobs to the new guys. For a boulder depending on material I would use a min of 8# sledge hammer. My personal preference is a 20# sledge. the added mass really helps break boulders down. Boulders also tend to have a noticeable grain which must be exploited. if you are going to use wedges pick up a star bit so you can drill a hole with a smaller hammer (3# to 5#) matched to your size and strength. make a row of holes and insert smaller cold chisels (Ace Hw, Home Depot etc) Hammer chisels up and back in a line. rocks are good in compression but are bad in tension the line of chisels will cause the line of drill holes to be in tension. A rotary percussive drill might also work I have not used one. A Diamond cutoff saw with water cooling could be rented. It just depends on if you have more time than money or urgent.
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rockinronda
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2023
Posts: 154
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Post by rockinronda on Dec 18, 2023 10:21:40 GMT -5
Thank you RMF that was really informative and exactly what I’m needing to know. By my eye the rose quartz boulder was 3.5’x2’x1.5’. As I said previously, I couldn’t gain any purchase cause it was so glassy so I just chipped away at the corners until I kinda got to the pieces I wanted. With a rock pick, 3lb rock hammer and chisels. I picked, chipped, crushed away. But felt like I was doing it all wrong and if I just knew some technique, I would have a much better result. I’ve seen guys just tap a boulder in the right place and it pop in half. I wanna do that! Also all the wasted good material really bugs my conscience.
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