All things hardrock ...

[Assembler]

Amazing how that can split a large block, with seemingly little effort.

The small steel wedge can move a lot of weight before being crushed.

 

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[traveller777]

I think some miners could learn from the use of these very old tools. I'm one of them.

We have forgotten way more than we realize.

 

[Red_desert]

If you're thinking about locating mines, miners have all kinds of online tools. Old topo map online, think I've got a good source now. Take your gps coords for where you might be, put them into mapper. Sometimes you get lucky and hit one. This is Superstition Mts, no mineral entry or fly over, only pack out what can be carried.

 

[Assembler]

We have forgotten way more than we realize.

Yep. Oregon territory goes back to at least 1846. Yep there where miners back then.

 

[Red_desert]

Amazing how that can split a large block, with seemingly little effort.

The small steel wedge can move a lot of weight before being crushed.

Very impressive hard rock technique.

 

[traveller777]

If you're thinking about locating mines, miners have all kinds of online tools. Old topo map online, think I've got a good source now. Take your gps coords for where you might be, put them into mapper. Sometimes you get lucky and hit one. This is Superstition Mts, no mineral entry or fly over, only pack out what can be carried.

Hard rockers have to be tough.

 

[Assembler]

Hard rockers have to be tough.

You may want to add very determined, hard working, look at any values no matter how small, creative with resources, have gone past the gold bug stage and may other factors that do not come to mind at the moment.

 

[traveller777]

You may want to add very determined, hard working, look at any values no matter how small, creative with resources, have gone past the gold bug stage and may other factors that do not come to mind at the moment.

I can not disagree. The underground miners in Appalachia had my respect and getting more and more for you hard rockers.

 

[Assembler]

I can not disagree. The underground miners in Appalachia had my respect and getting more and more for you hard rockers.

Going under ground is a whole different world any way you look at it.
There is a lot of history about mining underground. This too is being swept under the rug in many ways.

 

[Assembler]

My understanding is based on BLM lands in CA and typically for 5 acres or less surface disturbance and/or less than 1,000 cubic yards. You are notifying them that you intend to perform exploration and sampling at this scale and in theory they can take no action and you just do it. In reality, they always ask for time to consider it and start a months-long process.

I'll look at the state code as I'd like to see where that overlaps/is different than the CFR.

Just to let everyone know the Assembler the Cat started a conversation with Blaster J called

Comparitive Cal State code you may want to look at​

about 30 minutes ago. The talk is about Code / Law only etc.
Just pm either me or Blaster J. if you are up to contributing to the conversation. Give Blaster J. a chance to go look up the code at a local law library if you can.

Warning this is not for everyone or the timid.......lol.

 

[traveller777]

Going under ground is a whole different world any way you look at it.
There is a lot of history about mining underground. This too is being swept under the rug in many ways.

Amen. I been underground several hundred feet with a 4-5 foot ceiling. Not for the squeamish. Could not imagine working in that every day. My UTMOST respect.

 

[DizzyDigger]

It's amazing what can be accomplished with a bit of ingenuity, a drill bit
and some steel tools most anyone can forge themselves.

If you think about it, beginning just a couple hundred years ago and the
thousands of years prior, mankind would learn from trial and error.
Someone had this idea, tried out and and probably had many failures
along the way, but they ultimately perfected the process. That process
got handed down from generation to generation for who knows how
many hundreds/thousands of years.

And it still works today.

 

[BlasterJ]

Anyone have some tips about using feathers and wedges?
Like the spacing and number to use for a given amount of rock?
Thanks

Yes. You can buy them in sizes from around 1/2" all the way up 2" plus. They can typically split rock that is 2-3X as thick as they are long. There are powered versions that run on compressed air or let you drive the wedge with a special bit in a jackhammer.

As for spacing, I usualyl go 4-6" apart on the small-medium sizes, but you have to experiment as every type of rock is different. People have told me that had success with tightening up the wedges, then setting off a microblaster in the middle.

 

[Assembler]

Yes. You can buy them in sizes from around 1/2" all the way up 2" plus. They can typically split rock that is 2-3X as thick as they are long. There are powered versions that run on compressed air or let you drive the wedge with a special bit in a jackhammer.

As for spacing, I usualyl go 4-6" apart on the small-medium sizes, but you have to experiment as every type of rock is different. People have told me that had success with tightening up the wedges, then setting off a microblaster in the middle.

I have herd the same information about putting in the wedges tight and even smacking it with a sledgehammer to get a good crack going.

 

[N-Lionberger]

If you have access to a blacksmiths outfit they are pretty easy to make.

 

[gold tramp]

Looking at the pyramids and the Mayan structures, it is truly amazing, Red. Those folks back Then had WAY more stamina than today. And Mayans likely used energy enhancing drugs.

There's a lot folk in mining today that still use energy enhancing drugs..
Gt...

 

[traveller777]

There's a lot folk in mining today that still use energy enhancing drugs..
Gt...

Especially South America.

 

[gold tramp]

Yes. You can buy them in sizes from around 1/2" all the way up 2" plus. They can typically split rock that is 2-3X as thick as they are long. There are powered versions that run on compressed air or let you drive the wedge with a special bit in a jackhammer.

As for spacing, I usualyl go 4-6" apart on the small-medium sizes, but you have to experiment as every type of rock is different. People have told me that had success with tightening up the wedges, then setting off a microblaster in the middle.

I use the wedge steel but not for mining, in stone mason work.
No need for blasting as these will do the job of splitting monster boulders with ease.
It's a learned thing doing this type work..
Gt....

 

[gold tramp]

If you have access to a blacksmiths outfit they are pretty easy to make.

I do black smith work but buying the wedge steel or chisels from a reputable stone mason tool supply is highly recommended.
Makin good quality steel tools is an art that better left to the pros..
My 2 Dwt...
Gt.....

 

[traveller777]

Years ago I had purchased a large version of this hammer drill from Hydro surplus.

Since CFC's were banned from aerosol paint cans, propane and butane have since replaced the propellant.

The stinky in propane is added to alert of any leaks otherwise the gas would be odder less.

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