Proper tool for busting rock
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Postmaster
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From: North of Boston MA
Proper tool for busting rock
I am in the process of building a concrete block wall. In one area where the wall is going, I have unearthed a solid piece of ledge. I dug around it and it is defiitely solid rock, not just a boulder than can be moved. I need to take off about a foot or so (maybe 9" if I cheat a little on the base).
I need some suggestions on what is the best method to get this rock busted away. My trench is 18" to 2' wide and the rock is about 6' long. What would work? Jackhammer? Hammer drill? Sledge hammer? It is pretty hard granite.
Explosive aren't an option I am sad to report.....
Thanks in advance.
Ray
I need some suggestions on what is the best method to get this rock busted away. My trench is 18" to 2' wide and the rock is about 6' long. What would work? Jackhammer? Hammer drill? Sledge hammer? It is pretty hard granite.
Explosive aren't an option I am sad to report.....
Thanks in advance.
Ray
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From: waterbury
u can do one of 2 things one is rent an air compressor and jack hammer it out- fairly quick depending on what type of rock it is. or u can rent a hammer drill drill into the rock and fill the holes with a special liquid that expands and will crack the rock but i don't know where to get it
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From: North of Boston MA
Kinda along the ideas of what I was thinking. It is pretty hard rock and the top of it is nice and flat and smooth. If it had some rough edges I would try busting it up with a sledge hammer.
I think I will try the drill and split method and see how that works. Luckily it just happens to be at a spot where I can step up the bottom of the wall anyway so I only have to go down 9" or so.
It was cleverly disguised by some grass and an inch of soil. The digging was going really well too.
I think I will try the drill and split method and see how that works. Luckily it just happens to be at a spot where I can step up the bottom of the wall anyway so I only have to go down 9" or so.
It was cleverly disguised by some grass and an inch of soil. The digging was going really well too.
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From: Keweenaw Bay, MI
There is a product called "The Cracker" for concrete demolition that might work. Google "Concrete Demolition" and you should find it. You have to drill holes first and you put it in the holes and it somehow expands and cracks the materiel.
Tuned
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From: Maine
Last edited by dadsgreenpsd; Mar 22, 2006 at 07:45 PM. Reason: meant to type more...
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Teenager and a sledge is what dad believed in. I just happened to have been the teenager then. Seems like I remember that working for fence post also.....
Maybe he was smarter than I gave him credit for back then.
lol
Maybe he was smarter than I gave him credit for back then.
lol
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North of Boston MA
Originally Posted by Maccoupler
can you build over it? granite is stonger than concrete...have had to do it a couple of times when large boulders are in the way of the footings...no problems yet.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Yet another expanding grout product is "dexpan". One place you can buy it is here:
http://www.cessco.us/dexpan.html
You will need to drill two or 3 rows of 1.5 inch diameter holes about 1 foot apart. You'll need the biggest hammer drill you can rent, or a diamond core drill. Mix up the Dexpan and pour it into the holes. After a couple of hours, it should crack the granite along and between the lines of holes, down to the depth you drilled the holes.
http://www.cessco.us/dexpan.html
You will need to drill two or 3 rows of 1.5 inch diameter holes about 1 foot apart. You'll need the biggest hammer drill you can rent, or a diamond core drill. Mix up the Dexpan and pour it into the holes. After a couple of hours, it should crack the granite along and between the lines of holes, down to the depth you drilled the holes.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North of Boston MA
Thanks fefarms - I actually picked up case of that exact stuff a couple hours ago. It comes highly recommended and had a nearby dealer. Buck twenty for the case but I am getting a big rock drill from work so this "change order" won't hurt too bad.
I am glad I work cheap - a contractor would have owned me on this one.
I am glad I work cheap - a contractor would have owned me on this one.
New User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17
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From: Canada
Last summer i have a rock too big to move by hand 
.... the solution.... i take my diamond saw, make slice in the rock ank break it with the zip gun. Work great for me and it very hard granite that cant be break with sledge. Good luck!!
.... the solution.... i take my diamond saw, make slice in the rock ank break it with the zip gun. Work great for me and it very hard granite that cant be break with sledge. Good luck!!
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Rochester, MN
Originally Posted by blue96psd
u can do one of 2 things one is rent an air compressor and jack hammer it out- fairly quick depending on what type of rock it is. or u can rent a hammer drill drill into the rock and fill the holes with a special liquid that expands and will crack the rock but i don't know where to get it
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From: North of Boston MA
Originally Posted by stresssolutions
I've got lots of that special liquid, and so do you, but we're running out of proper weather with which to use it! IF you can get the water to freeze, it'll expand the holes very well. Probably won't get cold enough any more to do that though. good luck
I actually thought of the water in the hole thing and using a CO2 fire extinguisher to freeze it.
I drilled about 30 holes yesterday using a Hilti TE75 - what an awesome tool. I put the Dexpan in the hole about 2:00 yesterday afternoon. I had to go to work right after that so I haven't seen the results yet. I'm hoping there is nothing left but rubble but I am an optimist. Worse case, I have 3 bags left and still have the Hilti....
To be continued.