![]() ![]() A very old and trusted way of splitting even quite large rock areas, though on flat, solid cliff areas wouldn't work that great. Then you wait a bit, and the rock starts cracking from the pressure. If the rock around the interesting spot is not all flat, then one can drill, say 3-4 holes on each side.Īfter the holes are drilled, you use (cheap) 3-part wedges that are hammered into the lined-up holes. The chemical reaction just slows down in the cold rock (a factor here in Canada and many northern climes)Ģ8th Feb 2017 04:05 UTC Joel Dyer I've used a rotary hammer that cost about 400€ and drill bits for it that cost about 30-40€ each. The expanding breakage products do not work less well in cold or cool rock. As well, the warmer the rock, the better. You will need many, many more drill holes of the correct diameter to break confined outcrops. Breaking in situ rock outcrops is a lot more difficult. Either very judicious use of explosives are required in close or a non-explosive method is needed to ensure that you don't shatter your target crystals! I've always preferred explosives at a distance and "feathers and wedges" or just chisels and wedges with a big sledge hammer in close.ĥ) Non Explosive-expanding chemicals: Breaking boulders is easy with Bristar or similar products. When trying to expose fragile crystals, explosives are best used at a distance from the final target. ![]() All rocks are full of them, although they are often not always apparent to the eye. Non explosive methods and/or propellant methods use relatively low energy mechanical and gas injection mechanisms that generally open and expand existing fractures and joints. I won't go into details but many new cracks and fractures are caused when an explosive is detonated properly due to the incredibly high energy shock waves and gas volumes that are rapidly generated upon detonation. This comes at a cost -expensive -so you need deep pockets or a viable project (lots of good crystals).Ĥ) Rock and mineral breakage: Explosives work because their breakage mechanism shatters the rock into little pieces. They have the authority, storage facility and knowledge to use explosives safely and legally. It is possible to drill holes yourself and then hire a licenced blaster to actually do the blasting for you. Since 911 and other atrocities (Oklahoma City and others), rules have tightened considerably and casual purchase and use is not an option. Damageable structures like windows, power lines, pipelines, etc., can be very expensive to replace (not to mention the potential lawyers' bills).ģ) Regulatory: As DVB alluded, it used to be easy to go into rural hardware stores and purchase a couple few sticks of explosives and a few blasting caps and go to work(if you had drill holes). If the energy release is not managed properly, people get killed or badly injured by shock, premature detonation or flyrock. Explosives, on the other hand are incredibly violent. Non-explosive technologies are relatively harmless and easy. ![]() Rental may be possible in some areas.Ģ) Delicate or damageable structures nearby: The main reason that non-explosive technologies are used is for breaking rock that is in close proximity to damageable structures such as foundations, electrical lines, windows, people, etc. Drill holes of the right diameter are not inexpensive to drill, though!! How do you drill a 1" or so drill hole? With a drill that costs thousands of $. It is a law of diminishing returns, however for diminishing volumes of rock, if you are not already set-up to use explosives properly and legally, There are exceptions depending on the end game.ġ) Small volumes of rock: If you just need to break a boulder, then a big hammer or a single drill hole and a non-explosive method can work fine. There is no comparison between explosives and non-explosive methods on cost for large amounts of rock. ![]() Explosives are absolutely the fastest and most efficient way to do it. If you have a large volume of to rock to fragment and move, there is nothing less expensive than well placed and initiated explosives. Joyce Expert I worked in the field of mining and rock blasting for decades. Recent Images in DiscussionsĢ7th Feb 2017 13:53 UTC David K. Currier Digital LibraryOpen discussion area. Techniques for CollectorsOpen discussion area. Minerals and MuseumsOpen discussion area. Mineralogical ClassificationOpen discussion area. Lost and Stolen SpecimensOpen discussion area. ╳Discussions □ Home □ Search □ Latest Groups EducationOpen discussion area. ![]()
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