Hi all, I’m new as it gets to rock splitting, I’ve watched several videos, the only thing I am not sure of is what is the absolute best drill bit I should be using. I have a boulder roughly 5ft in diameter, and I’m assuming it’s just a regular rock (sedimentary)🤷🏻♂️. The location of this is out in the forest so the only drill I have to use is the Dewalt 20v SDS Hammer Drill DCH133. I have 10 (5/8”) wedge and feathers at just over 4” long. How many drill bits should I bring along? Any suggestions? Thanks
I wish I had rocks like that one. That drill would not work on granite or basalt which I am accustomed to breaking. The drilling can be the worst part of the job and in the case of hard rocks, the preferred tool is a rotary hammer drill and bits have a very short life.
That's my dilemma. I found a large rock around 650 lbs that I have to have, but it's in such a remote, impossible terrain location that it's unable to be taken out, so I've got to utilize the feather and wedges technique, but since it's remote, I've got to use cordless drill and not sure what to use. Any suggestions on what's good for a super hard rock like Syenite? It sparks against metal and not sure what cordless to use that wouldn't drain the batteries dead for 6 holes.
That drill will be toast. If there are rental centers nearby rent a rotary hammer drill and small generator. Otherwise get a contractor to take care of it. I have in the past I used Dewalt hammer drills and it is a long slow process and I changed chucks several times. @@attilathorbjornsson1519
Another technique to use other than a hammer drill is what was used for thousands of years before power drills were invented: This works best on hard rocks, not 1/2 rotten granite per video. 1- Draw a line across the stone where the break is desired. 2- Use a hammer and sharp 1/4 chisel to score the drawn line perhaps 1/4” depth. Strike chisel first on one side of the line, then on the opposite. You will get chips of stone coming off. 3- Repeat but this time chip out 1/2” deep by 1/2” holes very 6-10 inches. 4- Hammer in your 1/2” chisels just deep enough for them to hold without falling out. 5- Use a heavy long handled hammer to strike each chisel in succession. Repeat until the stone breaks, it will. As a kid in the 60s I watched my father work a quarry this way. He would chisel out beautiful hard red-purple or black basalt to be used as headstones or fireplaces. The Inca and Egyptians used the same technique used only bronze tools. No power tools whatsoever, just patient steady work. You won’t need a set of barbels or gym membership after taking up this hobby 😂
Used my buddy's Milwaukee sts plus cordless hammer drill and 4 way Carbide tip drill bits and feathers and wedges and it went really well! First time using them and it was a great experience!
You did well for the stone you were working. In my experience harder rock is actually easier to split. The stone in this video is partially decomposed granite, so it granulates and slides instead of breaking cleanly. Harder rock is kinda like cutting glass. Once it is scored it will give you a nice straight break with just the right amount of pressure. Stones like the one in this video are a pain to chip out a little at a time. Good job!
I agree where’s the fun in that, I think I might buy a set of wedges, thanks for sharing Don, this was a fun video. Have a great week 🙋🏼♂️🙂👍🏻
Splitting an unwanted boulder into chunks is very satisfying.
Therapeutic.
Thank You🌸
That really helped thanks
Best to bit wedges close to the thinner edge.
2 words: Hammer drill..... A good sized one.
What is the appropriate length of the hole?
I drilled deep enough to allow for the full length of the wedges I was using.
Good job brave man ❤ from Pakistan 🇵🇰
More tools Definitely telling my Daughter.
Hi all, I’m new as it gets to rock splitting, I’ve watched several videos, the only thing I am not sure of is what is the absolute best drill bit I should be using. I have a boulder roughly 5ft in diameter, and I’m assuming it’s just a regular rock (sedimentary)🤷🏻♂️. The location of this is out in the forest so the only drill I have to use is the Dewalt 20v SDS Hammer Drill DCH133. I have 10 (5/8”) wedge and feathers at just over 4” long. How many drill bits should I bring along? Any suggestions? Thanks
I wish I had rocks like that one. That drill would not work on granite or basalt which I am accustomed to breaking. The drilling can be the worst part of the job and in the case of hard rocks, the preferred tool is a rotary hammer drill and bits have a very short life.
That's my dilemma. I found a large rock around 650 lbs that I have to have, but it's in such a remote, impossible terrain location that it's unable to be taken out, so I've got to utilize the feather and wedges technique, but since it's remote, I've got to use cordless drill and not sure what to use. Any suggestions on what's good for a super hard rock like Syenite? It sparks against metal and not sure what cordless to use that wouldn't drain the batteries dead for 6 holes.
That drill will be toast. If there are rental centers nearby rent a rotary hammer drill and small generator. Otherwise get a contractor to take care of it. I have in the past I used Dewalt hammer drills and it is a long slow process and I changed chucks several times. @@attilathorbjornsson1519
Another technique to use other than a hammer drill is what was used for thousands of years before power drills were invented: This works best on hard rocks, not 1/2 rotten granite per video. 1- Draw a line across the stone where the break is desired. 2- Use a hammer and sharp 1/4 chisel to score the drawn line perhaps 1/4” depth. Strike chisel first on one side of the line, then on the opposite. You will get chips of stone coming off. 3- Repeat but this time chip out 1/2” deep by 1/2” holes very 6-10 inches. 4- Hammer in your 1/2” chisels just deep enough for them to hold without falling out. 5- Use a heavy long handled hammer to strike each chisel in succession. Repeat until the stone breaks, it will.
As a kid in the 60s I watched my father work a quarry this way. He would chisel out beautiful hard red-purple or black basalt to be used as headstones or fireplaces. The Inca and Egyptians used the same technique used only bronze tools. No power tools whatsoever, just patient steady work. You won’t need a set of barbels or gym membership after taking up this hobby 😂
Used my buddy's Milwaukee sts plus cordless hammer drill and 4 way Carbide tip drill bits and feathers and wedges and it went really well! First time using them and it was a great experience!
That is exacly what I used my corded Bosch for with W&F but drilling limestone, or concrete s not like basalkt @@attilathorbjornsson1519
You did well for the stone you were working. In my experience harder rock is actually easier to split. The stone in this video is partially decomposed granite, so it granulates and slides instead of breaking cleanly. Harder rock is kinda like cutting glass. Once it is scored it will give you a nice straight break with just the right amount of pressure. Stones like the one in this video are a pain to chip out a little at a time. Good job!
light a fire on a cold night around it and go to bed...you wouldnt be fuckin around with feathers all day, but as you say, wheres the fun in that!
You should’ve been a Farmer
What about the big rock on your right side ? You are starting to Impress your Father in Law