Demolition Hammer and Granite

[valley]

Have you ever used a Demolition Hammer to make holes in or break up garanite? The hand held type.

Thinking of buying a one to bread up granite rocks. maybe with the use of fethers and wedges.

 

[Kays Supply]

There is a product that you put in a line of holes and it will expand and destroy rock. I would love to try it to see how it works. It is advertised as a non explosive demolition product. Dexpan is it's name.

 

[Egon]

If you want to break granite in a non commercial type situation use a electric rotary hammer drill for the feather and wedge holes.

There is one poster here that has a hydraulic setup for splitting granite quarry rock.:thumbsup:

 

[valley]

Egon, Did you split the rock in the picture?
And did you use a rotary hammer, how long does the bit last? I had no good luck with drills, mayby mine are to old. I did years ago drill and dry pack steel for my foundation, with a star drill. Richard

 

[Egon]

The rock, granite, was split by myself using a Makita 1/2 inch SDS ?? rotary hammer drill that came as a package with a 4-1/2 in. angle grinder for around two hundred and fifty or so.

The bit lasts me for at least a day or more? [ Thats not really giving you any proper information] Unfortunately I have not kept track of how long the bit lasts.

But I can say for sure that if you break off a carbide tip piece and not remove it a new drill bit lasts for about two whacks!:ashamed:

I don't apply any down pressure. Just keep the drill oriented in the proper direction.

Please note this is the first rock I've split and my personal knowledge is just above the zero point.

 

[valley]

Did you have the hammer on or just the drill.

What size drill did you use?


Were you able to make thoes two slices with one drill?
That looks really good, thanks for posting that.

 

[Egon]

Drill plus hammer.

1/2 in. drill

Carbide

one bit and drilled lots more holes.

 

[valley]

That sounds great. The drill must be about 12" long. Did you buy the drill locally or order them with the fethers and wedges?
Did you get the fethers and wedges off the internet?

I really appreciate your postings. I was thinking I may need a jack hammer.

 

[BruceWard]

Egon,

Could you post a picture of or a link to the drill bit you used? I am planning to drill some holes in a rock tomorrow.

What brand of drill bit do you use?

I am surprised at how well you have done!

 

[MikeD74T]

Valley, Here's 3 sources for wedges & feathers.

http://www.trowandholden.com/store/agora.cgi?product=cat5

http://www.spartantool.us/html/splitters.html

Plymouth Quarries

Drill your holes only 1/4 - 1/2" deeper than the wedge/feather you plan to use. Granite has 3 directions of grain and can be split only two ways with the grain. As told to me by a long time quarryman: think of the flowing stream of rock as you would a tree trunk. If you've split wood you know you can split between the rings or across the rings parallel to the length of the tree but cannot split across grain perpendicular to the length of the tree. Granite is similar. Knock off a chunk with a hammer then plan your splits parallel to the way the piece broke off. MikeD74T

 

[MikeD74T]

There is a product that you put in a line of holes and it will expand and destroy rock. I would love to try it to see how it works. It is advertised as a non explosive demolition product. Dexpan is it's name.

Would be fun to watch the rock split but you do realize that takes 1 1/2" and bigger holes. Drilling big holes in granite isn't fun at all. MikeD74T

 

[Egon]

Miles Supply Drilling and Coring Equipment

This is the place I got the feathers and wedges from. There will also be pictures of the bits plus a whole lot more information if you read the whole site. Lots of other sites and also youtube.

I buy bits at the local hardware store.

The holes are sized to the feathers and wedges.

 

[psj12]

There was some posts by 3RRL showing a product mixed with water poured in the holes and left overnight to expand and split the rocks.

 

[valley]

That is the information I needed. I'll get a Rotary Hammer for the job and order the Feathers and Wedges. I have been using hydraulic rams to move boulders this method will give a useful by product. I really appreciate and will make good use of the instructions and tips. I plan to pick up the drill motor today. Thankyou Richard

 

[valley]

Take a look at this!

 

[valley]

sliced them off like bread. Its thrilling when they split.

 

[Egon]

Glad things worked out for you.:thumbsup:

It is pleasing when the hammer stops ringing and goes thunk.

Now you are all set to give cobble granite sidewalks a go or?

 

[valley]

Thoes pieces will come in handy. I've been working on the monster bolder, there are several more smaller ones after that. They are in the way of the proposed greenhouse extention.

 

[Jstpssng]

Good thread. I have some red granite I need to break up, and wasn't sure how to drill the holes.. I plan to drill them in late fall, then fill with water and let nature do the work.

 

[valley]

We plan a larger greenhouse, some big ones in the way.