Splitting Rock

[Gunnahafta]

I haven't got that far yet, but I might be able to use the back side where there are no holes as the side that shows. I also have an artist friend who knows how to polish....

PS My parents lived in Olathe for ~20 yrs!

 

[JimMorrissey]

Gunna...I would think that polish would make them too slippery. I like the idea of putting the holes to the back and having a nice grippy surface to walk on when it wet or snowy. You should be able to use a wide chisle and take care of the marks in less time than polishing. They're GUNNA look great! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jhb]

If you drive around NE, you will see 1/2 cut holes in all the larger blocks. The concept of splitting rock with F&W has been in NE for 200-300 years, if my research is accurate.

I guess my point is, don't worry to much about hiding them, it's part of the "character".

As for core bit V. masonry bit, I still am not sure which is better. From my reading, one point of view was that its easier (removes less material) to drill the rim of the hole, not the entire hole.

AndyR: how long does it take you to drill your 1/2 inch holes. I assume you are using a hammer drill as well?

 

[Gunnahafta]

The reason I went with the core bit (certainly not expense) is that I wanted to be totally unplugged. With 3 charged batteries, I can drill between 25 and 30 holes, which is plenty for the sessions I do. I do need to run down to the quarry after every two or three holes to refill my water, which slows me down a little. I don't mind the break in the drilling--besides, I can have a cookie and think of my good fortunes to be in such a beautiful place.

The core bit, I believe, is used a lot for drilling holes in countertops and leaves a very finished surface--not important to me--whereas the masonry bit, I would guess, would leave a more rugged surface. I've attached a picture of a piece of a core.

I've also read that it's real important to wear some respiratory protection--especially with the masonry bit as the dust can be quite harmful to breathe. The core bit just runs all the ground up rock out as slurry in the water coolant, but I wear a mask anyway...

I agree about not worrying about the holes. They will be a constant reminder of my hard work!!

 

[Scozz]

Gunna ... why don't you pick up a 12 volt charger for your batteries? I'm assuming you have your tractor with you on these excursions? You could charge them as you work ... good luck, look forward to seeing the slabs ...Scozz

 

[SkyPup]

Or you could get a 12V->110V inverter too. I recently got a 2400 watt unit for remote use powered by the tractor battery. That's 20 amps of power and most med. sized drills are only 5-8 amps.

 

[Gunnahafta]

Actually, the site is 15 miles away from my tractor (I don't have a trailer) and unaccessable with my vehicle. It's a few hundred yards back in the woods. I can carry everything I need in a couple of toolboxes and a backpack and all the water is there in the quarry. I was thinking of doing all the splitting, then getting a tractor over to load the steps. I'm only doing one step at a time /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif (no pun intended), so it's no big deal to just recharge when I get home....

 

[SPIKER]

gunna:

that CORE looks like it is some NICE stone. I don't have anything like that around here inOHIO, we have granet STONES but very little large enough to slab them, they are usually round and slightly polished smooth from wear when the ice glacers rolled them down from the lake bed of ERIE. My place is loaded with them. I DO have a few that are striated nicely and wouldf make some good steps and are a blake pink black striations about 1" thick each. the stones are 2'high by 3' long by a semi circle of 12 ~ 40" thick. these I MAY try this method with... ever thought of scoring a line with a grinder & masonery disk along the hole lines?

Markm

 

[Gunnahafta]

I have given that a thought, but it would require another set of toys that I'd need to buy. I think when I made my move to 5" between holes, it pretty much convinced the rock to split in that plane. I can bore on 3 of the 4 sides, but can't get to the bottom. Just have to hope it cleaves all the way through....

 

[Taylortractornut]

Go to RSC or other large rental store and rent a hydraulic power pack and a splitter attachment. You hammer drill a hole then theis splitter attachment goes into the hole and expans in there fracturing the rock. We use these alot when i do jobs in Alabama. and Tennessee. Ive had several rocks the size of a VW beside a trench or foundation that had to be taken out in parts. Its alot easier than having to wedge one.