Voodoo Rage
starting to spend too much on rocks
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_teal.png)
Member since February 2005
Posts: 127
|
Post by Voodoo Rage on Feb 16, 2005 22:54:03 GMT -5
I'm interested in maybe for my next batch buying a larger specimen and breaking it up myself. What does a newbie need to know and what tools (preferably from a local hardware store) do I need? Also, what do you guys think of this particular stone: www.multistoneintl.com/rough/cr/47cr.htm
|
|
deepsouth
fully equipped rock polisher
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png)
He who rocks last rocks best
Member since January 2004
Posts: 1,256
|
Post by deepsouth on Feb 17, 2005 0:14:37 GMT -5
first of all ... think safety.
wear safety glasses when splitting rock.
For the shards can fly some great distance and at high velocity.
But on this forum there have been several discussions on smashing rock with a solid hammer , not a nail hammer . Under cover of old cloth ---towel, inside a box to contain all the fragments for tumbling.
And watch out for those digits , as missing the chisel if in use , may result in a painful experience.
good luck
Jack
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
|
Post by stefan on Feb 17, 2005 7:59:58 GMT -5
The best way I have found is to use a crack hammer (like a mini sledge) and a cold chisel- Look for fractures or seems and start by tapping lightly- increase the forse until the rock yields- Also safty glasses are a must as are gloves-
|
|
|
Post by creativeminded on Feb 17, 2005 8:51:19 GMT -5
I put my little anvil in a box and then I used a chisel and a heavy hammer to split my rocks. I also looked for the cracks in the rock. All the splinters that jumped off of the rock wound up in the box and not in the grass where I couldn't find them. Don't just break them on the cement unless you don't care about the cement you are breaking them on, you just might break up the cement as well as the rock. Tami
|
|
earthdog
Cave Dweller
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
|
Post by earthdog on Feb 17, 2005 8:51:32 GMT -5
I put some pet. wood in a box yesterday, after reading here about it, and it worked real good, no mess on the basement floor...
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
|
Post by stefan on Feb 17, 2005 8:57:43 GMT -5
I also place the rocks on a scrap piece of 2x4 it helps cushion the blow a bit!
|
|
chassroc
Cave Dweller
Rocks are abundant when you have rocktumblinghobby pals
Member since January 2005
Posts: 3,586
|
Post by chassroc on Feb 17, 2005 12:08:02 GMT -5
Wow...what a beautiful rock...I thought sodalite at first but the blue is different and warmer. I am not an expert in splitting rocks, but, you can use any hammer and cold chisel from a local store. If you are more discriminating you should invest in chisels designed for lapidary work which may or may not be available locally. There are special rock hammers designed for field collectors but I do not think they would be better for casual splitting. Still, I only split rocks with the rock hammer as it gets me in a more serious frame of mind for the sport.
|
|
billyd
starting to spend too much on rocks
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_teal.png)
Member since December 2004
Posts: 157
|
Post by billyd on Feb 17, 2005 16:05:22 GMT -5
Hi drill a hole in a vice tighten stone in the vice then useing a punch give it a good belt(hit } billyd
|
|
Banjocreek
fully equipped rock polisher
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star_green.png)
Member since March 2003
Posts: 1,115
|
Post by Banjocreek on Feb 17, 2005 16:11:20 GMT -5
If you have a heavy enough vise you can put a rag over the rock and break it in the vise.
|
|
madgg
starting to shine!
Member since February 2005
Posts: 39
|
Post by madgg on Feb 17, 2005 18:26:08 GMT -5
I bought 5 pounds of that rock. Told them I was going to tumble it, and assumed they would wack it up for me. No way! ![???](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/huh.png) A small boulder arrived. I'm a 100 pound grandma, out smacking the thing with a hammer. It broke up with much effort, lots of shards. Mostly a medium to dark blue, with some white & brown. Haven't tumbled it yet. It should be beautiful. Just have to free up a tumbler for it.
|
|
|
Post by cookie3rocks on Feb 17, 2005 18:40:48 GMT -5
That stone is something to behold MD and VR. Glad you were able to break it up, but if it was that easy, it may be a soft stone. I have no idea what it is, but that looks like a good price on a pretty stone!
cookie
|
|
stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
|
Post by stefan on Feb 17, 2005 19:48:38 GMT -5
Hey madgg welcome oh and I have this picture in my mind of your nieghbors laughing at that crazy rock lady out there smacking rocks with a hammer!
|
|