Splitting Rock

[PA hayseed]

Geneolgy research gas since revealed that my great-great Grandfather was a Stone Mason, so it is in my genes and I truly feel sometimes that he is helping me out when I ask and stones just seem to fit in place. Call it what you want. This is my 3rd wall before nI found our that my GG Grandfather was a stone mason. It is truly hard work and I wouldn't wan't to make a living at it.


Great, any chance that I could get you and your GG Grandfather to come over and help me with mine. The wife is useless. I have to use my tractor and straps to put the rocks in place, then a 10' digging bar to move them. If it falls over this winter, I am making a burial mound with them.

Most of the rocks are not huge, but some are 3-4' long, about 2-3 foot deep, and about a foot or so high. SOme are twice that size, and others are for shims. Would appreciate the help, and I would happily buy the beer of your choosing.

 

[tlfbx23]

ezebreak - Makers of Micro-Blaster

This looks like a fun way to do it.

 

[dawoodwa]

I saw an episode of "Cool Tools" on the DIY channel this past weekend that featured a product made from bentonite clay that is used to split rocks. It still requires drilling a hole in the rock, you mix the product into a slurry and pour in the hole, takes and hour or so to fracture the rock. Was looking for a link to the product but couldn't find it, if I do I will post it.

 

[gemini5362]

I saw an episode of "Cool Tools" on the DIY channel this past weekend that featured a product made from bentonite clay that is used to split rocks. It still requires drilling a hole in the rock, you mix the product into a slurry and pour in the hole, takes and hour or so to fracture the rock. Was looking for a link to the product but couldn't find it, if I do I will post it.

I believe that DIY has the link to that product. I looked it up after I saw the episode. Nice idea but to me that product was a tad bit expensive

 

[Window Geek]

s-Mite makes a compound that is poured into holes drilled in rock as a slurry. The slurry expands as it cures like super hydraulic cement and breaks the rock apart.
Try RockFrac rock splitting mortar for no vibration non explosive demolition of concrete and rock.

 

[Danno1]

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Dexpan is another brand of non-explosive rock splitting compound.

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[GreatWhitehunter]

I just got a price on that eze break unit. It's 1600 without any loads. I'd like to find a rental place and try it out.

Matt T.

 

[tlfbx23]

These guys have them listed on their website. The Microblaster 1 is $630. It would be nice to find a rental to try. A good investment if you have a lot of rock removal to do. No license required.
Rock Removal Technologies | Micro-Blaster description, accoessories, and ordering

 

[gunns]

I've several (10 to 20) large granite boulders to split ranging in size from lawn tractor to Volkswagen size that need splitting. Based on this thread and You Tube videos am I correct in thinking that I can split them with an electric drill and feather/wedges? It appears that one poster, Gunnahafta, was doing it with 12v battery drill and a ï½½ core bit. I have a Hilti 14v high torque hammer drill and a Milwaukee ï½½ heavy duty right-angle drill. The Milwaukee is not a hammer drill.

1. Would either of these work with a diamond core bit?
2. Should I stick with my hammer drill and a regular stone/masonry bit?
3. What size feather/wedges are recommended?

I realize that if this will work it will be a LOT of Work. That part doesn稚 faze me. A year or two ago I cut down nine eucalyptus trees (some over 80 tall) sectioned them into rounds (some close to 3 in diameter) and split all of it by hand with a Chopper1 Axe. My only concern is can I split the boulders with one of my drills and feather/wedges?

 

[racerboy832]

Having spent many hours splitting rock with different methods let me chime it. I ended up with several rocks bigger then my truck that the excavator couldn't move. I'm always on a budget and asked everyone. I got advice from starting a fire around it to blasting. None were an option. I tried the feather/wedges and they do work but some times you drill for an hour, Put them in , tap , tap tap and all it does is break off the top 4" sideways unless you have a good vaine in the rock. Here is how I ended up.


Get a large Hammer Drill. I have a TE92 Hilti bought it off ebay $100. or any hammer drill that will take SDS max bit. Buy a box of Dexpan off ebay for like $100. It comes with 4-5 bags.

I drilled 1.5" holes X 18" deep in the rock every 12-18". Put in Dexpan and go do something else. Sometimes it takes 2 hour to 24hrs.

If you get cheap like me drill 1" holes same depth and fill it just takes a little longer.

I watched a man across the street from me rent a air drill, drill 75% of the depth of the rock with 1.5" holes approx 7 foot deep, then took about 4 boxes of dexpan to split it. It did work fast.


Since I didn't have a air drill and compressor I could only drill 18" and it still worked great, just took a little longer. Once it starts crack it doesn't stop. I used about 6 bags on 5 huge rocks.

Good luck