HF 70lb hammer and tamper

[fatjay]

I need to do a good deal of tamping. I don't rent tools, I buy them or I make them. I have a HF 70lb jack hammer which has treated me exceptionally well over the years. I've been looking for second hand tampers and they're $800~ locally, which is a bit more than I want to spend. Then i came across a tamping bit that would fit my hammer, but I was afraid that the additional weight of the bit might be hard on the motor and shorten it's life. Has anyone considered something like this?

This is the bit:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/TR-Indu...0-Series-Demolition-Hammers-TR-TSTP/306721755

 

[two_bit_score]

What are you going to be tamping and how large an area?

 

[Mandres]

That's an interesting idea. I wonder if trying to balance and manhandle a rig like that might end up being harder than just using a hand tamper?

 

[fatjay]

About 1000sq ft, gravel for my garage. but i'm doing a lot of concrete work down the line as well for patios and such. So it'll get use in hte future.

 

[fatjay]

That's an interesting idea. I wonder if trying to balance and manhandle a rig like that might end up being harder than just using a hand tamper?

Hand tamping isn't gonna happen. to much area. and i've got some serious hours on that jack hammer, maneuvering it isn't a problem.

 

[two_bit_score]

Hand tamping isn't gonna happen. to much area. and i've got some serious hours on that jack hammer, maneuvering it isn't a problem.

It’s only 6inx6in? Wouldn’t a jumping jack be better on a large area?

 

[fatjay]

Jumping jacks are 6" wide by 8" long, not much larger, and they're gas powered i'd rather something electric if I can help it. I actually have a 10" square plate that's 1" thick that I might adapt to my pointed bit. I could weld on some supports. I never ever use my pointed bit, it's always the chissel that works best. $700 for a jumping jack vs $100 for a tamping bit vs free to make my own. I do like free...

After having a look at the internals of the hammer, it seems that there's a piston on a rotating crankshaft that's hammering a slide hammer which holds the bit, and it's repeatively slamming hte piston head into the slide hammer, which is making the jack hammer work. That means it's not pulling the bit back at all, only slamming the piston into the slide hammer creating the hammering effect. So extra weight isn't a problem because it's not pulling the weight back.

 

[Smokeydog]

Compaction would be low if you’re not moving the weight up and down. Compaction is important. Manually works, just takes more time and energy. Either pay for the proper tools or pay for education later. Don’t like renting but sometimes it is justified.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I need to do a good deal of tamping. I don't rent tools, I buy them or I make them. I have a HF 70lb jack hammer which has treated me exceptionally well over the years. I've been looking for second hand tampers and they're $800~ locally, which is a bit more than I want to spend. Then i came across a tamping bit that would fit my hammer, but I was afraid that the additional weight of the bit might be hard on the motor and shorten it's life. Has anyone considered something like this?

This is the bit:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/TR-Indu...0-Series-Demolition-Hammers-TR-TSTP/306721755

I have been thinking about the same thing. Found it on amazon for 75 dollars.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Have also been looking at the equivalent Makita version which is made for their demolition hammers (also 1 1/8" hex) which is what I have. I am sure there would not be a factory option if it did not tamp.