How to Fix Rock
 

Hi!
I've got this rock sticking out that's right where I would like to park. It appears maybe big enough not to simply dig it out/rebury it. Thoughts to get below ground level?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7eaded9715.jpg

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Demolition hammer would take that out. You can’t rent or even buy them fairly reasonable. I bought this one for my island camp last year and it works amazingly well! Made short order of some big rocks I need to cap off. Just keep working away at it and in no time it will be gone!

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dan

Looks like ~$95/day to rent. For $180, it probably makes sense to buy and resell. Unless, of course, you want to offer your services for some delicious beverages and/or BBQ!

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Gonna need a lot of bbq & bev
 

You might want to have a LOT of bbq & bev available for consoling all of your neighbors who will listen to that thing "sing" for a few days.

The rock appears to be a regular shape, with flat surfaces and right angles as if it was placed there as a border to a driveway. Perhaps digging around the edges and a crowbar would do the trick if it is not very deep. Of course, looks are sometimes deceiving and the jack hammer might be necessary.

There's nothing else there that would make me think it was placed on purpose, but maybe it's worth a few minutes of digging...

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I rented an electric jackhammer for $95.00, was done in about three hours,
no problems, I think $95.00 was for the whole day from taylor rental in Belmont

I was going to say 2-3 hours max. It really all depends on the size of the hammer you get. I would get the biggest one you can handle and a six pack or two....of apple juice.... and have fun! Your arms will feel 10’ long when your done as it’s quite a workout!

Dan

http://www.ecobust.com/

Never used it before but may be worth a try. Pretty cool!

I saw that, but for $40 it's a little risk because some people report it not working. Also, since I have to drill anyway, it's not like I'm saving a ton of work.

What was the rental company that has half-priced midweek? FLL has posted about it a million times...

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What is drilling into granite like?

I think the picture above shows a drill mark.

If so, this rock may have dimensions only slightly larger than what is visible.

I suggest some exploratory digging.

BTW... if one is very nearsighted and thus prone to retinal detachment, leave the jack hammering to others!

Just found it--Rand's Hardware!

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I see it also, one of the first things I noticed.

It's not rocket science to break it into smaller pieces. Feather and wedges

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I agree on the rectangular piece of granite that is just tipped over and appears partially submerged in the soil. Probably a very expensive piece of granite if lifted and righted. Need some kind of equipment to accomplish this though.

For an electric demolition hammer, Rand's Hardware on Main St in beautiful Plymouth, NH has a large selection of rental equipment including skid steers, small excavators, ditch witch, & log splitters.

While the big machines don't get a 50% discount, on Wednesday starting at 7-am, something like a demo hammer is a half price rental. Wednesdays are half price rental day.

Rand's Hardware ....... in biz since 1908 .... and some of their employees have been there since 1908!

A Caterpillar excavator with a demo hammer attached is the perfect tool for leveling that rock! .... except no discount on excavators?

Use a hammer drill and a one and an eighth inch bit. Drill holes about ten inches apart. Get some betonomite mix according directions and that will be the end of the rock in few days.

How about just get a load of gravel delivered and bury it? A lot less work than jackhammering or drilling and splitting...

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That would be around 10" of gravel!

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Sure looks like a piece of granite that was split. Bet its not that deep in the ground.

Or UFO?
 

Agree!

Probably placed upright to mark some object, survey marker, or other dimension.

Dig around the middle of one side—far enough to measure: I'll bet it's some "even" number of inches.

Do A little digging around it, and see just how big it is... If it is not very big, and something that could be removed with a small tractor, and used in landscaping somewhere, that a landscaping company my be willing to come take it off your hands, it is a nice looking slab....

One of my neighbors at camp is bringing in a skid steer this weekend and has offered to play around with it for a bit. I'll letchoo all know what we find!

I wouldn't play game rent an excavator!

Weight Would Help...
 

Use a pressure washer: If the process is going too slowly, park your truck's front tire on it.

I agree with SAB1. Here's a homedepot link for the products. I've used it successfully on a much larger rock in my yard. Following the directions is important.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ECOBUST-...B111/203335349

How did it go? I was up that weekend but I am far enough away I don't think I'd even hear you hammering it.

Some wood work went long, so I wasn't able to connect with him. I think the machine was picked up today, so I'll be moving to non-explosive demolition stuff. I'll be up midweek to connect our new AC but the weekend after I may work on it. Don't forget to stop up!

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I will be readdressing this rock project this morning. I will start by hitting it a lot with a heavy sledge. That's a $0 project, and I need some exercise to prepare for Pop's tomorrow. My hope [emoji1696] is that it will sheer along the flat, as that's all I'm hoping to do is get it mostly flat.

Also, there are windows not far away, so I'm thinking I can cover it with a tarp to keep shards from flying. If I go the jackhammer route, I'd have to consider protection for nearby objects.

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A picture of you trying to break that rock would be hilarious...would you consider wearing a striped outfit as well? :D
Seriously though, you must have a drill? Buy a couple of masonry bits and a rock splitting kit (google "rock splitting tools") and make the job fun!
I ordered a set of these and split a rock that jutted out of my large rock wall so my tractor could pass between it and the garage. Makes you feel like one of those old timers working the quarries with hand tools...

It appears Home Cheapo carries them.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bon-Tool...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

I mean, in return for me helping you with that jump pack deal a few years ago, you could offer to let me use yours...

I've looked at all the options—wedges and feathers, non-explosives, jackhammer, sledge—and the only one I currently have (and is free) is the sledge. I busted up a couple (smaller) rocks last year, and it wasn't horrible.

I'd like to do the drill and feather/wedges for just what you mentioned—I think it's neat to try new techniques/tools, but I'd need a hammer drill, bits, and the feathers/wedges which would all cost ~$100 to buy/rent.

I put that cost up against a new 6x10 inflatable (as compared to the $400 form pads) water pad for $149...and guess which won?!

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If I was doing it, I'd get a pointed concrete chisel at Lowe's like the $13.98 Irwin 3/4" pointed concrete chisel and beat on it with a 2-lb mason's hand hammer, repeatedly, which should break up the top area of that gray granite boulder enough so what's left is below the ground level. ...... have fun.

You know what, I saw old dudes in YouTube videos using those and had no idea they were still made. For $14, I would've gone that route!

From what I can see—and I guess I'll know soon enough—a sledge will work. It's just...harder. If it DOES work, it'll be quicker overall (I've already got it vs. having to order/drive to pick up gear, etc.) and free...

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did you ever dig to see how far down it goes? I bet it's a square post or a former step

A little inspiration - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLoskF32tCU

Alright, *live* update: made some progress, but I'm seeing it's gonna take a lonnnggg time with a sledge.

So, two options: 1. A concrete chisel and 2 lb. sledge for $14 or 2. Jackhammer from Rand's for $45?

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Update to the update: nobody has chisel in stock, Rand's has jackhammer for half-off Wednesday... Heading to Rand's!

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How to Fix Rock
 

I’ve used the jackhammer to do rock breaking and it works well with granite. Not as well if it’s ledge.



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It's not as regular a shape as it looks, and I never dug around it because I'm not gonna pull it—that would open up another landscaping and disposal task.

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As I said above last year its not tough:

https://www.betonamit.com/en/

you need to know how big this is to figure out what to do. No way in hell you will split this with a sledge or a jack hammer of it's 2-3 feet across or more or without a pre existing crack.

the chemical splitting compound works pretty well but needs one or more holes drilled

I would lend you my hammer drill but we’re re-doing our deck right now and need them for screws. I think I could find the wedge and feather set if I looked in my basement tool drawers. Looks like you’re going the JH route anyway...have fun!

I would have gone to Heath's Hardware, rented their large hammer drill with all the carbide bits, chisels, etc. for a few bucks. Drill a few holes. Then off to LaVallee''s for some of that non explosive powder to break it up. Mix it up, pour it down the holes, go have a beer and swim, and in the morning it will be rubble. Easy work. Have done it before and extremely easy.

And we're done! 1'15" with the jackhammer, and that includes a second boulder I threw in since it went so "easily." I quote that because using the jackhammer is still work, but it's more management than strength. I actually enjoyed doing it.

Total cost: $43 + gas = ~$45.

I'm not sure what I'd do next time. I might try the feathers and wedges to play with some classic tools, but they're not readily available in multi-packs (the Home Depot link above is $25 EACH, and I would've needed a few).

I might look into the non-explosive, but there are a lot of unsatisfied users, it's $40, and I'd still need to drill...and wait.

Ultimately, I was in the "get 'er done" place today, so the JH worked perfectly (oh, and it only rained during the ride).

Finished an hour after my rule, but it's done and now I've earned a Pop's seafood platter!

Thanks for all the suggestions, friends!

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Forgot the pics!Attachment 16167Attachment 16168

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So instead of “PWC seeker” shall we now address you as “Rocky”?

Go again
 

Bravo! Sounds like you deserve two trips to Pop's.
When will the video be posted?

Aw, man, I should've taken GoPro footage with a chest mount!

In all seriousness, it was very pleasing to see cracks and chunks fall away. What a great tool.

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Good job! The right tool for the job!

Thanks for the offer, BTW—I appreciate it. Cheers!

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Well now that you've got the granite problem in the rear view mirror please tell us how the seafood was at Pop's?

Heading over tomorrow with the in-laws. I've visited Pop's about 3 times per summer each of the last 4 or so years, and it's always been awesome. Here's a pic from a few weeks ago!

Attachment 16170

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