splitting rock

[muddstopper]

You just need to borrow my brother, he can break an anvil in just a minute. Turn him loose on that rock and you would be able to plant a garden in just a few minutes.

 

[old gray]

You just need to borrow my brother, he can break an anvil in just a minute. Turn him loose on that rock and you would be able to plant a garden in just a few minutes.

Hhhaaa, If he breaks anvils he is dangerous!

 

[muddstopper]

And please, dont give him nothing sharp or a piece of rope.

 

[crazyal]

Masonry bits don't dull. They over head and the carbide falls out. Once that happens they burn up. They also need the percussion of the drills hammer to work well. My 1/2 Milwaukee cordless is a hammer drill but it's only for drilling 1/4" holes in ceramic tiles. For stones you need a real hammer drill. Feathers and wedges will work but for a large stone you will need plenty of them, the cost adds up pretty quickly. Plus you need to drill to the right depth.

I've tried everything over the years. What I found works best is to call someone who will blast it. Because of where I am I've never needed blasting mats so I can usually get them to stop by with a simple tow behind compressor, a hand drill, and explosives on their way back from a larger job. The last time I think I only paid a couple of hundred and in about 10 minutes a large chunk of ledge was a hole 3 feet deep with lots of small rocks lining the walls. My guy loves jobs like this. Because I'm flexible they fill in dead times for him. For all I know he puts the cash in his pocket.

 

[tractchores]

My HF SDS goes through RI granite like it's nothing, like maybe an inch per second for a half inch hole. The first time I drilled a hole I was so amazed I was looking around for other rocks to drill. I have no idea how long the drill or the bits last, I've only had call to drill a few holes.

Nice what do you use as a bit?

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Nice what do you use as a bit?

I use a set of bits I bought at HF. No idea how long they will last. They also go through concrete like it's nothing.

I bought it with the chisel bit set to break up a concrete floor, it wasn't up to that job and I ended up using a sledgehammer for most of it. It was good to get a crack started and around the edges and in corners where I couldn't swing the sledge.

 

[4shorts]

Does anyone have any suggestions on splitting rocks. I have several large rocks that are too big to remove or bury. Drilling with a small hammer drill is not quick enough for my liking. Anyone tried renting a hoe ram and attaching to backhoe? Or any other suggestions?

I used a product called Ecobust and it works. I did a two part video on it. Here's the link to part 1
http://youtu.be/JlTgjnglHng

Here's the product: https://www.lowes.ca/mortar/ecobust-expansive-rock-and-concrete-demolition-mortar_g1559554.html

 

[tractchores]

I use a set of bits I bought at HF. No idea how long they will last. They also go through concrete like it's nothing.

I bought it with the chisel bit set to break up a concrete floor, it wasn't up to that job and I ended up using a sledgehammer for most of it. It was good to get a crack started and around the edges and in corners where I couldn't swing the sledge.

Thanks. I will have to try it out for my next digging project. I hit huge car sized boulders any time I dig a hole.

 

[Threepoint]

If you're looking at rotary hammers at HF, suggest you go with their 8.5 amp, 1-9/16" SDS Max model (that uses SDS Max bits and chisels), instead of their SDS models. 1-9/16 in. 8.5 Amp Heavy Duty SDS Max Type Variable Speed Rotary Hammer. This thing is a beast. Just checked, and it's on sale right now for $120. A 20%-off coupon will bring it under $100. I've had one for a couple of years now, and it's a pleasure to use.

If you get it, make sure you get the SDS Max bits and chisels, as regular SDS are too small. Drill Bits: 13 in. SDS Max Type Masonry Drill Bit Set 3 Pc
or
21 in. SDS Max Type Masonry Drill Bit Set 3 Pc

Chisels: 12 in. SDS Max Type Masonry Chisel Bit Set 3 Pc

 

[dragoneggs]

I used a product called Ecobust and it works. I did a two part video on it. Here's the link to part 1
http://youtu.be/JlTgjnglHng

Here's the product: https://www.lowes.ca/mortar/ecobust-expansive-rock-and-concrete-demolition-mortar_g1559554.html

I was hoping you would chime in, Paul. Now I don't have to hunt down your video to post! I enjoyed it except for the drilling part... I recall you drilled a fair number of holes. Maybe the SDS system first would save some hard labor time?

 

[4shorts]

I was hoping you would chime in, Paul. Now I don't have to hunt down your video to post! I enjoyed it except for the drilling part... I recall you drilled a fair number of holes. Maybe the SDS system first would save some hard labor time?

I drilled 30 1.25" holes with the SDS Bosch hammer drill then poured the Ecobust in. Let it set for 24 hours and you could here it splitting the whole time. After I got the BX and cleaned up the pieces but the rock was still a little above grade so I did it again and the battle was won.

 

[dragoneggs]

I drilled 30 1.25" holes with the SDS Bosch hammer drill then poured the Ecobust in. Let it set for 24 hours and you could here it splitting the whole time. After I got the BX and cleaned up the pieces but the rock was still a little above grade so I did it again and the battle was won.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[crazyal]

4Shorts, how deep did you drill? 1 1/4" holes would take some time unless you've got a pretty good drill. I have a friend who ones a fire sprinkler business and has a 185 tag along air compressor he uses to pressurize pipes for testing on job sites. It came with a jack hammer (used it on some rocks and it was way too much work for me) that was also a rotary rock drill. He didn't have any bits at the time i borrowed it. He did get a 1 1/2" later on and I used it up at his land on some granite and it drilled a 2' deep hole in 15 to 20 seconds with almost no effort on my part. If time was an issue I think I would look into renting the compressor and rock drill. In an hour you could turn almost any rock into swiss cheese.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Can you post pics of the rocks in question? I had some compact car size granite rocks in my property. I was doing the drilling and feathering thing but it was a slow process. I ended up renting a 5 ton mini ex with hammer for around $700. The rock was smashed to pieces in about 20 min. I was shocked how well it worked out.

Matt

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Double post, perhaps they'll fix this someday!!!!!!

 

[old gray]

Can you post pics of the rocks in question? I had some compact car size granite rocks in my property. I was doing the drilling and feathering thing but it was a slow process. I ended up renting a 5 ton mini ex with hammer for around $700. The rock was smashed to pieces in about 20 min. I was shocked how well it worked out.

MattView attachment 441746View attachment 441747View attachment 441748

Some pictures to come later. I have several large rocks different sizes from bigger to smaller of what you have. That EX can do some damage. Wow, I may have to spring for that route, the HF sds isn't bad at drilling but if I want to get rid of all these it is gonna take a kot of time.

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

I was skeptical about the hammer on the mini before running one. One thing I'd look for if you go the mini route is get a cabbed unit or at least lexan shield because I took several bullets of shattered rock to the head and body.

Matt

 

[ultrarunner]

Do you have a hammer on the 110?

 

[tractchores]

I wonder if you can rent those big processing machines that would take the smaller rock pieces and make them into gravel. That'd be a great setup, I'd have a lifetime supply of gravel!

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

Do you have a hammer on the 110?

No, I don't think I put a hammer on a machine I own, to much stress on the pins.