How do I break a big rock?

[bsi]

Digging a trench for hydro wire, ran into a big rock. I have to go down about another foot. Going around it does not seem to be practical.

So, what is the best way of breaking it? I am thinking I will need to rent something, just not sure exactly what.

If I have to rent a jackhammer, will I need special skills to run it?

A pick is available but I am thinking the rock is too big for that. I can call upon some younger guys to pick at it in shifts if that is something that can work.

TIA

 

[AJstar]

Dynomite

 

[bsi]

Depends on the rock itself....

You can rent an electric jackhammer from one of the many rent-all places including rona and depot.

Personal experience depending on the rock, might be easier to notch a channel in it.

How (what tool) do I notch a channel?

 

[Stoo]

Duh... Use a big rock breaker!

 

[Sexy_Dave]

I will give you the number to my ex. She is a real stone crusher.

 

[hilroy]

what type of rock is it ? granite,limestone etc something like limestone a jack hammer will do the trick but granite you would be better off drilling it and sorry but I cant remember the name of the product but you pour it into the holes and within 24 hrs it will expand and cause the rock to split and is safe and available at some rental places just cant think of it...

 

[JohnHenry]

Leave it, and backfill a foot higher.

 

[HAMSTER INSPECTOR]

Can you go around it?

 

[james t kirk]

Rent a rock splitter.

You drill holes in the rock, put the wand into the holes, hydraulics does the rest and will crack that baby in about 2 minutes.

If you don't want to rent a rock splitter, you can use the old manual splitter which is a series of wedges that you put into the holes and tap in with a hammer.

Boom, instant split rock.

 

[papasmerf]

drill a series of holes through the rock


use a chisel to fracture it

 

[LancsLad]

Tell some liberal that theres a gov't grant cheque under the rock.


They'll move it.





.

 

[papasmerf]

Tell some liberal that theres a gov't grant cheque under the rock.


They'll move it.





.

Not true

they will call their case worker to have it removed.

 

[luckyjackson]

Oh my god. You guys are funny. A pick??? That might serve to loosen the earth under it, but you'll only have it rebound into your shins if you try to break a rock with the pick.

Get a sledge hammer. Start by breaking pieces off the edge of the rock, go a bit at a time. I worked construction for years.

 

[LancsLad]

Not true

they will call their case worker to have it removed.

I stand corrected, I figured that even a lib might put in a little effort to get the fat cheque, but you are being more realistic.



.

 

[Nickelodeon]

Stone crusher

I will give you the number to my ex. She is a real stone crusher.

Not helpful but.....Good one!

 

[tboy]

Better yet, call the liberal party and tell them there's a contractor who hasn't filed his gst returns in a year under it. They'll go through hell and back to get to him.....

But yeah, depending on what it consists of you can rent a demotion hammer (which also drills) to chip away at it. They also rent electric jackhammers.

If it is heavily veined then you'll want to work along a vein but don't go directly at it, chip away at angles. The thing about a demolition hammer is that you can drill a "fault line" (row of holes) then switch over to chipping and work between the holes to clear a path. Just don't take big steps. You're talking something that's been together for prolly a million years.

Barring that you can excavate around it and try and remove it.

I think the saw that Sheik is talking about is called a ring saw but they require a water supply and with a diamond blade, it'll cut right through it.

 

[iprint]

Granite it might be limestone but shale to see the difference

 

[pepsiman]

I just spent five hours useing one of those electric 60 lbs jack hammers . So MAYBE I can give you a bit of advice :: When you rent one it will come with a couple of different bits too use . One pointed and a flat face one much like a chisel .
If the rock is limestone you may be able too break it with the pointed one .
If the rock is granite ; the jack hammer will jump all over as it will not chip the hard rock very well .
As for the saw .. The rental place has concrete blades that require no water.
IF and I stress IF yuo know how too use a chain saw for cutting wood yuo should be able too use this saw too cut lines into the rock and either break them with a sledge hammer or the electric jack hammer thingy . This is where the square face bit really shines .
The bit is wider than the saw cuts so it breaks the rock off real nice .
A concrete saw will allow you too make cuts about three inches deep and once yuo break that much off yuo cann make another series of cuts and remove another three inches ect . The saw will make lots of dust so you will require a couple of dust masks too from the rental place .
And the hammer is way above what you should use without hearing protection too
So I guess my best answer is :: If the rock is not too hard yuo may get away with just the electric jack hammer .. If the rock is a hard hard rock then you will need the saw and jack hammer .
I believe the jack hammer is around 50 dollars for the weekend and the saw the same price .
The blades for the saw and the gas of course is extra .
Get lots of blades and you can take back whatever ones yuo do not use , they will return your money.
Hope this helps

 

[anon1]

Move, it's easier.

 

[fuji]

Ho hum another discussion on terb about how to get your rocks off. What else is new?