Mad Machinist
Silver Member
Wonder if this could make explosives obsolete for the small guy? Cost wise I believe it would be cheaper in the long run considering the licensing, storage, and transportation requirements of explosives.
Now, to make one out of an old porta power..
I don't see why it wouldn't work. As long as the cylinder body and the ram are threaded one way or the other. All that would need to be made is an adapter to hold the feathers and the pin could screw directly on to the ram.
You wouldn't need much stroke on the cylinder. I looked at ebay real quick and 6" stroke 25 ton Enerpac rams are going around $200.
The only Bad that I can think of is....Getting it stuck!! Most of those rams as far as I remember only push one way, if they are to get jammed with any kind of adapter sometimes it's fun trying to get it to back out. Depending on the adapter and how it was being used. So, even letting the pressure off the ram didn't release it at times and there is no way to force it backwards if you were unable to reach it for some reason. The valve would be simple to make, and the pump only needs to push out one line, basically.....I Can see it, having trouble describing it.
But that may never become a problem...It was just a thought of what could go wrong, possibly...
Added..
Never mind!!! Just thought about it......If it were to get stuck in the rock for some reason, the ram could just be unscrewed from the adapter and pulled out to release the whole mess in the above situation...
The only Bad that I can think of is....Getting it stuck!! Most of those rams as far as I remember only push one way, if they are to get jammed with any kind of adapter sometimes it's fun trying to get it to back out. Depending on the adapter and how it was being used. So, even letting the pressure off the ram didn't release it at times and there is no way to force it backwards if you were unable to reach it for some reason. The valve would be simple to make, and the pump only needs to push out one line, basically.....I Can see it, having trouble describing it.
But that may never become a problem...It was just a thought of what could go wrong, possibly...
Added..
Never mind!!! Just thought about it......If it were to get stuck in the rock for some reason, the ram could just be unscrewed from the adapter and pulled out to release the whole mess in the above situation...
Hmm...the VAST majority of hydraulic cylinders I know of are double-acting cylinders - they work in both directions. That said, they also have more power in one direction than the other due to the space occupied by the cylinder rod. Even if using a single-acting cylinder (which would be insane for this type of operation), the best way to "un-stick" such a device would be through the use of a hydraulically powered vibratory unit. Wouldn't even be a bad idea to have the vibratory unit running while pushing the rod into the rock. This would break out the rock much faster and with less force.
Yes, you're right. I wasn't even classifying hydraulic jacks in there. My oversight!!
So, when it comes to hydraulically powered equipment, THEN the vast majority of cylinders I've seen have been double acting.
You mean like this?I was trying to think...I think one of the scissor lifts I had were one way. I can't remember......Oh, Hell it doesn't matter!! I'm just that bored I guess! I think the same type of set up could be made,without the ram completely, using the wedges and something through the center, then after tightened in the hole be smacked with a sledge,Or shortened sledge(handle cut short) to expand and blow chunk out of rock...That might work too but would be really basic!
Hmm...the VAST majority of hydraulic cylinders I know of are double-acting cylinders - they work in both directions. That said, they also have more power in one direction than the other due to the space occupied by the cylinder rod. Even if using a single-acting cylinder (which would be insane for this type of operation), the best way to "un-stick" such a device would be through the use of a hydraulically powered vibratory unit. Wouldn't even be a bad idea to have the vibratory unit running while pushing the rod into the rock. This would break out the rock much faster and with less force.
I believe a single acting cylinder would work fine. In order to understand why this would work, we have to look at strength of materials.
Compression and Tension Strength of some common Materials
Granite in compression, like how you would stack up granite blocks to build a pyramid, is extremely strong. Almost 10 tons per square inch to crush it. BUT if you drill a hole in the granite and place a wedge and feathers in it, you now place the granite in tension. In other words you are trying to spread the granite instead of compressing it. With that type of force, granite only needs 700 pounds per square inch to fracture it. That is why this guy is able to split this rather large piece of granite with a tiny hammer, at least mining wise anyhow.
Drill a series of holes and take small bites and I think it would be fine.
Isn't being a miner fun? Now on top of everything else, you have to use advanced engineering techniques too.