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Post by TheRock on Oct 21, 2018 14:46:20 GMT -5
I was thinking about using My Harbor Freight 20 Ton Shop Press To Split Rock Slabs. I have a 10" BD Saw but it doesn't Open wide enough for some of the slabs I have. Using a Chisel and hammer is Kind of messy because when your trying to bust up Obstian pieces they go flying everywhere, So I was thinking a 20 Ton Press might be the Answer. I would weld up a Steel Box with the top Open to Contain the Rock I would Be Splitting and Fabricate And make a Chisel tooth tool to go on the ram that would protrude down into the box to split the stone as I ratchet the ram down. A Towel could be used over the top of the Box to contain any chips that may go flying during this process. I was just wondering if any one has tried this before? New Video Added Down Below!
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Post by pauls on Oct 21, 2018 15:16:54 GMT -5
Yes mate. Widely used by mineral collectors for sizing specimens.
Usually a hydraulic car jack in a frame with a chisel attached to the frame, the ram pushes the rock against the chisel. You have a press sitting there, it sounds ideal. The cheaper option is a frame with a heavy screw thread to do the same.
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Post by nowyo on Oct 21, 2018 16:02:40 GMT -5
Yup. Built a small press using a 12 ton jack. Works ok. Depends on what you're using it for. For breaking up tumbler material it works nice sinc it doesn't spread fractures like a sledgehammer does, so it works nice on the better rocks. Biggest downfall is it is slow. I'll try to get a picture this week.
Russ
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 21, 2018 16:08:35 GMT -5
I was thinking about using My Harbor Freight 20 Ton Shop Press To Split Rock Slabs. I have a 10" BD Saw but it doesn't Open wide enough for some of the slabs I have. Using a Chisel and hammer is Kind of messy because when your trying to bust up Obstian pieces they go flying everywhere, So I was thinking a 20 Ton Press might be the Answer. I would weld up a Steel Box with the top Open to Contain the Rock I would Be Splitting and Fabricate And make a Chisel tooth tool to go on the ram that would protrude down into the box to split the stone as I ratchet the ram down. A Towel could be used over the top of the Box to contain any chips that may go flying during this process. I was just wondering if any one has tried this before? Git 'er done!
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Post by TheRock on Oct 22, 2018 2:23:18 GMT -5
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Post by TheRock on Oct 22, 2018 2:35:13 GMT -5
Yup. Built a small press using a 12 ton jack. Works ok. Depends on what you're using it for. For breaking up tumbler material it works nice sinc it doesn't spread fractures like a sledgehammer does, so it works nice on the better rocks. Biggest downfall is it is slow. I'll try to get a picture this week. Russ Russ now your getting me to thinking. Of course every-time I do that it Ends up costing me $$$ Money. I am a pipefitter by Trade (well that's what they Technically call us HVAC Guys. I have worked on hydraulics and have an Associates Degree From LMC in which I have taken 4 courses in Hydraulics. I was thinking of Getting a Hefty Cylinder and pump pack with motor and build a Machine that will raise and lower the ram with Hydraulic Pressure. Wouldn't that just be Cool. Nah I'm coming to my senses. Why make something & Spend 2 Grand on, That I will use twice a year. Nope better not!
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Post by grumpybill on Oct 22, 2018 8:07:12 GMT -5
TheRock , What you have in mind is similar to what's used to make "split face" concrete block. The main difference being the ones for block have a knife edge top and bottom. I'd recommend you do that. Gives a much cleaner straight-thru' break. But... If it were me, I'd crack them open the way a stone mason would: Saw a couple notches in the stone about on inch deep. A couple wedges (or blunt, quickly tapering chisel) and a few light taps at each notch in turn with a 2 lb. hammer will open it right up. I've cut stone up to 24" thick that way. Works well for anything I've tried other than some brecciated material.
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Oct 22, 2018 8:22:12 GMT -5
For a back - up for the press an inexpensive Muffler tool from harbor Freight or elsewhere is an option, cheap, about $17.00 - $20.00 . I modified the tip of the Dandelion digger shaped tip to a Rock chisel type grind and another tip to a blunt pencil shape. This Will split a 20 lb. chunk of Jasper or Agate in half in about 2 min. or less. Used it once to remove about 200 lbs. of concrete from an ornate fence post in the Blacksmith shop . The Cement took about 5 min , on the down side, you need a Compressor and Ear plugs along with the Eye protection ! For reducing hard materials you run the Pencil tip chisel along the plain you want broken just as you would a Glass cutter and it (USUALLY) gives the same results or fairly close. Handy to have when you are interested in saving a certain section of the stone you are reducing and giving you a measure of control !
Sorry about hijacking the post but thought this might be a good place to share an old Indian trick I came up with years back.
Harley
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Post by parfive on Oct 22, 2018 15:29:36 GMT -5
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braat
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2016
Posts: 350
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Post by braat on Oct 22, 2018 16:11:10 GMT -5
Well I'll hijack further with this story. Two years ago shortly after I started tumbling I had a brainwave...I can use my 5 inch bench vice to break rocks and fitted one vice jaw with a chisel edge...it worked Ok but when the rock broke pieces flew all over the basement so I used a cardboard box to contain the shrapnel and save the light bulbs. Turning the vice and waiting for the mini explosion was part nerve wracking and part anticipation waiting to lift the box and examine rock parts. It worked OK but bigger and bigger rocks needed more clamping pressure and a 2 foot extension on the vice handle did the job and worked good until the final rock that exploded with not the usual sound. I lifted the box to see the rock still in one piece and the vice in 2 pieces! End of experiment! The vice had a lifetime warranty so when I took it back they told me they'd never seen one break in half...I didn't tell them how it broke (I was too embarassed) and they never asked but I got it replaced. The new vice has yet to feel a rock in it's jaws... 100% true story
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Post by TheRock on Oct 22, 2018 17:23:09 GMT -5
WTF I NO OBLA or Compendre' Exactly the Reason We need To Lock The Borders Down Tighter Than Ole Dicks Hatband!
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Post by TheRock on Oct 22, 2018 17:27:28 GMT -5
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,630
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Post by NRG on Oct 22, 2018 18:43:46 GMT -5
You could take a log splitter and make a fast and efficient rock breaker.
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Post by grumpybill on Oct 22, 2018 18:47:20 GMT -5
Great story, braat ! I've had similar experiences with returning things I'd destroyed by using them for purposes other than what they were designed for. I wonder how it would have worked if there'd been a chisel on each jaw? Hmm...I have a small vice... and a bunch of old chisels...and some free time coming up...
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Post by parfive on Oct 22, 2018 20:22:38 GMT -5
Convert to electric hydraulic pump.
Touch of a button. Hand crank is so last century.
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Oct 23, 2018 4:54:46 GMT -5
The one thing my air chisel method has going for it, the moment of separation isn't as violent as some mentioned above. The pieces simply fall away from each other. Heard some interesting story's about the things happening when guys tried heat treating materials collected for Flint knapping also ! It seems as tho mankind is bound and determined to re invent the Hand Grenade , myself included ! Some hobbies need some research BEFORE the hands on part .
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Post by nowyo on Oct 24, 2018 8:53:52 GMT -5
Well, here are a few pictures of my crappy little setup.
Threw this together one afternoon about 5 or 6 years ago out of junk had laying around. Already had the jack, only thing I bought for this were the springs, Ace Hardware to the rescue. I just use heavy cardboard around it. Somewhat surprisingly stuff doesn't go flying that much, actually less flying pieces than I get from beating on rocks with a sledge hammer. I do wear the goggles just because. Looks like crap but it works. Zero attention was given to making it pretty.
Just happened to have a bucket of rocks sitting there so I threw one on.
Chunk of jasper from up the road a piece.
So, yeah, your Horrid Freight press will work fine.
NRG mentioned log splitter - seems like several years ago someone posted about using a log splitter. If I were going to be busting a lot of rocks for tumbling I'd look at building a jaw crusher or something similar.
Just some of my thoughts-worth exactly what you paid for them.
Russ
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Post by TheRock on Oct 29, 2018 2:53:07 GMT -5
Was Busy all day long in the Shop Today and while in there I built the tool for the Hydraulic Press. I discovered my auto darkening welding helmet went Kafooey on me so went to my backup and discovered the head strap was Bucked up so I had to weld with this Piece "O" Shit ancient stone age crappy well I dont want to talk about it! Just watch the movie I Fixed it REEL GOOD! I feel much better now!
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unclesoska
freely admits to licking rocks
All those jade boulders tossed in search of gold!
Member since February 2011
Posts: 934
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Post by unclesoska on Oct 29, 2018 10:37:43 GMT -5
Well, here are a few pictures of my crappy little setup. Threw this together one afternoon about 5 or 6 years ago out of junk had laying around. Already had the jack, only thing I bought for this were the springs, Ace Hardware to the rescue. I just use heavy cardboard around it. Somewhat surprisingly stuff doesn't go flying that much, actually less flying pieces than I get from beating on rocks with a sledge hammer. I do wear the goggles just because. Looks like crap but it works. Zero attention was given to making it pretty.
Just happened to have a bucket of rocks sitting there so I threw one on.
Chunk of jasper from up the road a piece.
So, yeah, your Horrid Freight press will work fine. NRG mentioned log splitter - seems like several years ago someone posted about using a log splitter. If I were going to be busting a lot of rocks for tumbling I'd look at building a jaw crusher or something similar. Just some of my thoughts-worth exactly what you paid for them. Russ
Nice work! It's good to see that not everyone is attracted to pricey, bright shiny objects.
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Post by TheRock on Oct 29, 2018 20:39:32 GMT -5
Well, here are a few pictures of my crappy little setup. Threw this together one afternoon about 5 or 6 years ago out of junk had laying around. Already had the jack, only thing I bought for this were the springs, Ace Hardware to the rescue. I just use heavy cardboard around it. Somewhat surprisingly stuff doesn't go flying that much, actually less flying pieces than I get from beating on rocks with a sledge hammer. I do wear the goggles just because. Looks like crap but it works. Zero attention was given to making it pretty.
Just happened to have a bucket of rocks sitting there so I threw one on.
So, yeah, your Horrid Freight press will work fine. NRG mentioned log splitter - seems like several years ago someone posted about using a log splitter. If I were going to be busting a lot of rocks for tumbling I'd look at building a jaw crusher or something similar. Just some of my thoughts-worth exactly what you paid for them. Russ
Nice work! It's good to see that not everyone is attracted to pricey, bright shiny objects. nowyo I like your setup, in that you put two pieces Of steel under your rock on each side to help the Rock Split Better. I was thinking adding that to mine but use Bright Shiny Steel Pieces (Maybe have them Chromed) and stagger them under the Rock To help in splitting The Rock, Having them Chromed might make the Rock Split Better....
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