MicroBlaster or Sierra Blaster experience?

[Rustyferrious]

Anyone used or have experience with either the Micro Blaster or Sierra Blaster rock breakers? I need to remove some material from the top of a granite ridge for a drive. I'm using feathers and shims, which are working, but time-consuming. Wondering if there is a better way. I can't use a traditional blasting service due to cost and proximity to buildings. I checked into hydraulic fracturing and that is not cheap either, plus there are are other areas around the property where I could use the rock-breakers. Thanks for any input!

MicroBlaster video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kRjXBUQdQWA

SierraBlaster video: https://youtu.be/2-UplezD3bg

 

[MNBobcat]

Anyone used or have experience with either the Micro Blaster or Sierra Blaster rock breakers? I need to remove some material from the top of a granite ridge for a drive. I'm using feathers and shims, which are working, but time-consuming. Wondering if there is a better way. I can't use a traditional blasting service due to cost and proximity to buildings. I checked into hydraulic fracturing and that is not cheap either, plus there are are other areas around the property where I could use the rock-breakers. Thanks for any input!

MicroBlaster video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kRjXBUQdQWA

SierraBlaster video: https://youtu.be/2-UplezD3bg

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I don't know anything dealing with rock. But I'm wondering if a skidsteer with a concrete breaker (jackhammer) couldn't take care of the job? Both can be rented.

 

[Rustyferrious]

I don't know anything dealing with rock. But I'm wondering if a skidsteer with a concrete breaker (jackhammer) couldn't take care of the job? Both can be rented.

Thanks for your input! A skidsteer with a rock breaker would do the job, but in my location i'm looking at roughly $1000 / day to rent that set up and have it delivered/picked up. I'm sure I'm going to run into more buried ledge as I level the area so I'm looking for something that I can use when needed and not have to rush to find every bit of buried ledge. It's a fairly large area, roughly 70 x 50, and more than I can deal with in a single day, or a week for that matter. The Microblaster type rock-breaker seems like it would do what I need, when and as I need it, but I'm looking for some real-world feedback on how well it works.

 

[MNBobcat]

Thanks for your input! A skidsteer with a rock breaker would do the job, but in my location i'm looking at roughly $1000 / day to rent that set up and have it delivered/picked up. I'm sure I'm going to run into more buried ledge as I level the area so I'm looking for something that I can use when needed and not have to rush to find every bit of buried ledge. It's a fairly large area, roughly 70 x 50, and more than I can deal with in a single day, or a week for that matter. The Microblaster type rock-breaker seems like it would do what I need, when and as I need it, but I'm looking for some real-world feedback on how well it works.

Yeah that would be a bit pricey.

 

[Redneck in training]

Look at Dexpan or similar non explosive rock blaster: What is Dexpan Non-Explosive Demolition Agent? | www.Dexpan.com

 

[Rustyferrious]

Look at Dexpan or similar non explosive rock blaster: What is Dexpan Non-Explosive Demolition Agent? | www.Dexpan.com

I did some research on that. HD sells a similar product called eco-burst or eco-bust, something like that. Requires driling a 1-1/4" hole every 8 to 12 inches as deep as you can go. Needs a big bit and a much bigger hammer drill. Appears to work overnight. I guess I was attracted to the MicroBlast because I get to blow #%&! up (always a plus!) and the holes are a lot easier to drill (5/16"). With freezing temps on the way. I was going to drill a bunch of 1/2" holes for the feathers & shims and pour water into them. Might take a while but that might work too.

 

[MNBobcat]

You can rent an electric jackhammer. I believe from Home Depot.

 

[Rustyferrious]

Tried an electric jack hammer. Bosch big brute. It was ineffective. Like beating solid rock with a 60 lb carrot. They work pretty good on concrete of asphalt, but granite just laughs at the electric hammers. Pneumatic hammer might have a better chance. But they weigh 90 lbs and I'm not putting my body through that abuse. The rental guy even told me it would be an absolutley miserable undertaking.

 

[Rustyferrious]

I actually wound up buying the three-head system from Sierra Blaster. I used it to blast several tons of bedrock from a granite ledge outcropping that runs across the middle of my property. It took a while, but I removed enough rock to allow me to drive a truck through the opening. For blasting larger rocks and boulders the system works great. Blasting ledge and bedrock takes more time and charges, but it does get the job done with minimal disruption to the neighbors and nearby structures. I used a felt packing blanket as a blast mat and it worked fine. Hint: if you make several cross-cuts with a 14" demo saw, in a 8" to 10" grid, the amount of time and charges required is dramatically reduced. One charge pops out a neat granite cube, like popping ice-cubes from a tray. It's worth the effort for bedrock and ledge blasting.

 

[KanakaRick]

Hint: if you make several cross-cuts with a 14" demo saw, in a 8" to 10" grid, the amount of time and charges required is dramatically reduced. One charge pops out a neat granite cube, like popping ice-cubes from a tray. It's worth the effort for bedrock and ledge blasting.

Also use his "helper" charges.... they help a lot. Trust me on this.