Bret4207

Well-known Member
Out of curiosity, and because I have a lot of ledge rock to fence over, using a jack hammer type drill how big of a compressor do you need to run it? Goes by CFM I imagine. I've got maybe 50-75 holes I'd like done one way or the other. Neighbors would also have some to do. I've never looked into this before, not sure you can rent something like this or have to hire or buy it.
 
Brett: no way to give a specific answer without more specific requirements (hole size and drilling speed being the big variables) but in general you can rent the drills with a compressor but not usually at your local hardware store. Seaway Rental in Watertown lists various air rock drills, and if you're serious a trip down there might be worth your while, if you don't have a preferred industrial rental place of your own.
Seaway Rental
 
Reminds me of a story about a neighbor that wanted to break up the concrete floor in his barn. He rented a big compressor and jack hammer just as the rental place was about to close at 6:00 p.m. He went home, disconnected the hour meter and him and the hired man used the jack hammer all night long to break up the floor. He was back to the rental place when they opened the next morning, hour meter reconnected. He told them that he couldn't get the compressor started and left without paying them anything.

He's the same guy who borrowed our manure spreader, returned it at 11:00 p.m. after we were al in bed. The next morning we discovered that the rear beater was totally missing from the spreader. He never got to borrow any more of our machinery!
 
As TimV stated, there isn't enough information to give a precise answer. Specifically, do you intend to break up the rock to get enough out of the way to dig post holes? That's what I assume, but since I'm not familiar with the term ledge rock, you could have something else in mind. For instance, if the rock is a solid layer, you might be thinking of drilling the post holes right into the rock. If that's the case, might it be possible to drill holes with a rotary hammer that you could set the legs of stirrups in? That could save you lots of time, money, and effort.

Stan
 
Used to work in the rental business as a sales rep. That flew for a while till the owners got wise. They started putting in "Secret" meters. It was funny how Caught people get so po,ed and storm out of the store. Hey, money is money.
 
Bret: A picture of the area would greatly help in providing you with an answer; but a lot depends on the Rock Type, and Diameter & Depth of
the holes. Yes, a Jackhammer will work, but for that many holes in solid rock I would SERIOUSLY consider getting with your neighbors and
CONTRACTING a Mining Company to come in and drill all of the holes. A large Jackhammer is going to require a strong stout person to be able
to man-handle the machine and put your body weight behind it, not to mention that it will beat you half-to-death with the vibrations. It's
also going to take a considerable amount of Time to do that many holes by hand. That's why I would never consider using a Jackhammer for that
purpose, my scrawny 150 pound body just couldn't handle it, that's why I opt for machinery like an Air Track Rock Drill.

Doc (Miner for many many years)
 
JOY MS 4 E Air Track Rock Drill with 900 CFM Sullivan Air Compressor.
a160078.jpg
 
Get you neighbors involved and see what it would cost for a company to come and do the holes for you. In the past have been involved with rock drilling and it is not an easy task for someone with no experience. For what you and your neighbors want to do, an air track and tag along compressor and economic solution.
 
What about renting a small track hoe with hydraulic breaker?

If the area you're wanting to fence is solid rock, then maybe you could consider going another route. Might be a lot less costly to make steel bases that bolt to the rock, then weld a steel fence post or fence post holder to the bracket. You would need a generator, welder and a hammer drill....and a few extra drill bits, just in case! :wink: Would be a lot less costly to drill 4 small (3/4") bolt holes a few inches deep rather than one large post hole a couple of feet deep. A coring drill with 3/4" bit would be even better, but coring drills are expensive.
 
20 years ago I spent a bunch of quality time at work with a rock
drill making holes for gelatin giants (dynamite). I was in my
early 20's then and at the end of the day you knew you worked.
We used an ingersol tow behind compressor. Not saying you can't
do it but by the time you rent the equipment and do the work it
might be better to hire it out. Nothing can replace the great
tingling feeling in your hands, arms, and shoulders after using
a jack hammer or rock drill all day !
 
(quoted from post at 21:37:57 05/13/17) What about renting a small track hoe with hydraulic breaker?

If the area you're wanting to fence is solid rock, then maybe you could consider going another route. Might be a lot less costly to make steel bases that bolt to the rock, then weld a steel fence post or fence post holder to the bracket. You would need a generator, welder and a hammer drill....and a few extra drill bits, just in case! :wink: Would be a lot less costly to drill 4 small (3/4") bolt holes a few inches deep rather than one large post hole a couple of feet deep. A coring drill with 3/4" bit would be even better, [b:b6f68802db]but coring drills are expensive[/b:b6f68802db].

But they're so fast. I was using a 2" core and it was cutting thru 2 year old concrete like it was wood. For that many holes, cores would be the only choice. I'd cut 3/4" holes in the plate and 5/8" core holes.

This makes more sense than the heavy machinery option, just do some serious rust proofing on the metal before you set it.
 
LOL! Or you could contact Wiley Coyote and find out where he buys his boxes of "ACME Instant Holes". LOL!


:>)
 
Hello Bret4207,

How about a Hilti rotary hammer drill? You should be able to rent one,

Guido.
 
How solid is the rock??? I have a fractured type of soft limestone here. My Shaver HD-12 has a pilot auger attachment. I bought a carbide tipped rock drill for it. In the softer limestone I can drill the two inch pilot hole and then drive a 4 inch SCH 80 pipe into the rock. They will not come out. If you bend the pipe you cut it off because it will not come back out of the rock. In hard rock I have a one inch drill and then drive "T" posts into the hole. They will not pull either.
 
(quoted from post at 10:18:01 05/13/17) Brett: no way to give a specific answer without more specific requirements (hole size and drilling speed being the big variables) but in general you can rent the drills with a compressor but not usually at your local hardware store. Seaway Rental in Watertown lists various air rock drills, and if you're serious a trip down there might be worth your while, if you don't have a preferred industrial rental place of your own.
Seaway Rental

Thanks Tim. Where are you located?
 
Near Donald Lehman. I've used Seaway before for similar stuff, including a skid-steer with a quick-tach demolition hammer (a WHOLE lot easier than holding one by hand!) so I have some idea of their offerings.
 


THanks for the thoughts guys. I was looking to drill a hole about a foot deep that a Tee post would set in. I have areas on the fence line where that was done decades back when the Town had a drilling rig they'd lend out to residents. Obviously, those days (1940s-50s) are long gone. They went right over solid ledge (I don't know specific type of rock, but it's shot through with marble, galena, quartz) and put in 2 1/2" holes.

I have to fence in goats with Paige wire. The idea bolting in anchors sounds doable with a decent hammer drill. We've tried building treated wood posts with Tee bases, using 20" concrete filled rims as a base, even using those Tee post brackets that never work. A simple hole in a rock seems the most effective.
 
I would call a couple of local rental places, what you want to do is something anyone in reasonable shape should be able to do. What you want is a air drill, not a jackhammer, and the appropriate size compressor. I would think a 2 inch hole and T posts, if they don't fit tight you can grout them. Will you be able to drive close by towing the compressor? Wear hearing and eye protection!
 
(quoted from post at 08:49:52 05/13/17) Out of curiosity, and because I have a lot of ledge rock to fence over, using a jack hammer type drill how big of a compressor do you need to run it? Goes by CFM I imagine. I've got maybe 50-75 holes I'd like done one way or the other. Neighbors would also have some to do. I've never looked into this before, not sure you can rent something like this or have to hire or buy it.

You'll need a 185cfm compressor and a rock drill. The steel will need to be a 4 foot length if the rock is on the surface of the ground. You'll also need some stout mechanical help to remove the steel if it gets hung up in the ground.
 

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