Does anyone know how to break down rocks?

[Crepe]

I have a few hunks of rock and I need to break them apart for a scape I've got planned. The only problem is that I have no idea how to do it. I took a small sample of the rock I have and then went at it with a crowbar. It flaked off a few pieces and even sparked a bit but it didn't break in two like I was hopping. I'm thinking of going to a construction sight and asking if they could put a jackhammer or a backhoe to the rock.

Anyone know of a way? Hammer and chisel yield me the same effect: flakes.

The rock is a grayish stone so I'm thinking it's quartzite (as in quartz, a 7 on the Mohs scale....crap.)

 

[mfdrookie516]

I take it you dont have alot of air tools in your garage? I have an air hammer with a chisel that works great for stuff like that. A palm nailer would work too i'd say. YOU probably wont make much progress with a hammer unless you take and start by drilling a few holes about 1/4" deep so you can get a point to start your chisel. Also, dont forget to wear safety glasses or goggles while you're doing this

 

[mellowyellow]

That's good advice from 516. I used a hammer, outside of course. It took quite a few heavy blows to chip off the bottom so it would stand squarely.

 

[neilanh]

I was going to suggest to try drilling it too to weaken the line where you want it to break

 

[Crepe]

Alright, I'll see what I can do. Do you know what this device is called, it's a spring loaded nail-puncher than when you press onto a surface it makes a dent for a nail to be placed.

I think I'm going to end up asking a few construction sites lol. And yah, my garage basically has a drill, a jig saw, a few hand saws and hammers and screwdrivers.

I'm not sure if an electric drill will be able to even make a scratch in this rock...

 

[mfdrookie516]

you may need a good concrete bit to get down in to the rock. I have no idea what you're talking about, a picture may help?

 

[Crepe]

Ah, it's called a Spring-loaded nail starter. I'm not sure if it would do what I want it to though. They're made for driving nails halfway into wood so you always get it straight.

I think I'm just going to go out and collect smaller pieces of quartzite lol.

Venture abandoned! Oh well, when I get a bigger garage I'll have room...oh wait, I know a guy with a drill press, he's the head of my high school's robotics team lol. I bet I could connive him into letting me use it.

 

[i3k]

Home depot will rent you power tools.

 

[iDream]

Home depot will rent you power tools.

lol that just sounds like an ER visit waiting to happen to a lot of people

 

[jsoong]

You need a hammer drill with a concrete bit to drill in rock. An ordinary drill won't work too well. <And neither would a drill press .... It is made for precision work, not rough concrete bashing.>

If you have a Dremal, you can get a diamond cutting bit that will do the job .... but it will be slow going ... The big brother ... a diamond coated blade in a wet saw will saw through rock .... that is if you want a flat surface. <you can rent that, or go to a tile/rock counter place & they will cut it for a fee.>

Otherwise it is either a 10 lb sledge hammer on an anvil (or solid piece of steel), or a smaller sledge hammer with a masonry/rock chisel. Or you can rent a jack hammer. <I rented an electric one to break up a concrete pad. It is pretty safe to use ...>

 

[Crepe]

I think I can ask to borrow my neighbor's power tools or have him do it for me. He tore up his drive way yesterday while I was out and well, he had to have used something....