Post by MoonStone on Oct 3, 2004 1:26:20 GMT -5
Hello ;D
I got some large rocks (2 pounds or less) that I tried to break this morning with my common carpenter’s hammer.
It was just impossible for me to do it, I just got some powder mess from one of my large quartz rocks.
I went to 3 of my local hardware stores (Anawalt, Home Depot, Orchs). None of them had any of the geo- hammers you see online. I saw some that looked like them but with other names such as mason, brick, or large sledge hammers. To play it safe (Home Depot - best selection) I asked for help and I was recommended a 3lb Stanley drilling hammer to break my relatively small 1 or 2 pounds rocks into chunks. They even recommended me some chisels, but maybe later if I find that they could be useful.
Oh wow, was that hard! I have no experience at banging at things and my new drilling hammer is quite heavy (to me) and the rocks too hard! I made a call and a friend of mine is coming tomorrow to break my rocks and hopefully to teach me how to do it right.
Because my knowledge of hammers is extremely limited and only include the common carpenter’s hammer I searched the web and found some very interesting information on hammers. I believe that some of you will find it helpful or interesting.
If you have some geo/rock hammers or chisels, or any experience and tips on breaking rocks your info will be greatly appreciated.;D
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Interesting Info on Hammers used for Geology or Rock related hobbies:
What are they called?
Geologists usually call them rock hammers, and rock hounds often call them rock picks.
Take your choice because technically, neither term is exactly right.
The industry standard ANSI/HTI B.173.6-1991 which covers them labels them as "bricklayers' hammers" and "prospecting picks".
The only difference is that bricklayers' hammers have a chisel shaped end, while prospecting picks have a pointed end, and maybe a longer handle. They have identical requirements for steel material, strength, and safety.
(A lot more info at: www.kooters.com/sezham.html)
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Info on the use of some hammers:
Brick Hammer - Recommended for cutting and setting bricks of blocks, and for chipping mortar.
Chisel Hammer
Medium-Heavy weight hammer for splitting harder rocks.
Recommended for collecting fossils and splitting bedded sedimentary rocks.
Crack Hammer
Recommended for making chunks out of bigger rocks, for chipping rocks for geological sampling, breaking apart medium-sized rock and mineral samples, and driving chisels and pry bars into fractures
Hand drilling hammers
Recommended for pounding hardened, or masonry nails into concrete or for use with tools that drive nails and pins into concrete or brick. Can also be used with steel chisels. They have short handles and weigh 2 to 4 pounds.
Pick Chisel Hammer
Recommended for collecting fossils and splitting bedded sedimentary rocks.
Sledge hammers
Similar to hand drilling hammers. Have long handles and are recommended for extremely heavy jobs where great force is required. They range from 2 to 20 pounds. Recommended for powerful work such as striking masonry nails, steel chisels and star or masonry drills.
I got some large rocks (2 pounds or less) that I tried to break this morning with my common carpenter’s hammer.
It was just impossible for me to do it, I just got some powder mess from one of my large quartz rocks.
I went to 3 of my local hardware stores (Anawalt, Home Depot, Orchs). None of them had any of the geo- hammers you see online. I saw some that looked like them but with other names such as mason, brick, or large sledge hammers. To play it safe (Home Depot - best selection) I asked for help and I was recommended a 3lb Stanley drilling hammer to break my relatively small 1 or 2 pounds rocks into chunks. They even recommended me some chisels, but maybe later if I find that they could be useful.
Oh wow, was that hard! I have no experience at banging at things and my new drilling hammer is quite heavy (to me) and the rocks too hard! I made a call and a friend of mine is coming tomorrow to break my rocks and hopefully to teach me how to do it right.
Because my knowledge of hammers is extremely limited and only include the common carpenter’s hammer I searched the web and found some very interesting information on hammers. I believe that some of you will find it helpful or interesting.
If you have some geo/rock hammers or chisels, or any experience and tips on breaking rocks your info will be greatly appreciated.;D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting Info on Hammers used for Geology or Rock related hobbies:
What are they called?
Geologists usually call them rock hammers, and rock hounds often call them rock picks.
Take your choice because technically, neither term is exactly right.
The industry standard ANSI/HTI B.173.6-1991 which covers them labels them as "bricklayers' hammers" and "prospecting picks".
The only difference is that bricklayers' hammers have a chisel shaped end, while prospecting picks have a pointed end, and maybe a longer handle. They have identical requirements for steel material, strength, and safety.
(A lot more info at: www.kooters.com/sezham.html)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Info on the use of some hammers:
Brick Hammer - Recommended for cutting and setting bricks of blocks, and for chipping mortar.
Chisel Hammer
Medium-Heavy weight hammer for splitting harder rocks.
Recommended for collecting fossils and splitting bedded sedimentary rocks.
Crack Hammer
Recommended for making chunks out of bigger rocks, for chipping rocks for geological sampling, breaking apart medium-sized rock and mineral samples, and driving chisels and pry bars into fractures
Hand drilling hammers
Recommended for pounding hardened, or masonry nails into concrete or for use with tools that drive nails and pins into concrete or brick. Can also be used with steel chisels. They have short handles and weigh 2 to 4 pounds.
Pick Chisel Hammer
Recommended for collecting fossils and splitting bedded sedimentary rocks.
Sledge hammers
Similar to hand drilling hammers. Have long handles and are recommended for extremely heavy jobs where great force is required. They range from 2 to 20 pounds. Recommended for powerful work such as striking masonry nails, steel chisels and star or masonry drills.