Re: make - forge? - wedge for feathers-and-wedge rock-split

"Jim Wilkins" <muratlanne@gmail.com> writes:

"Richard Smith"  wrote in message news:m14j9szhkz.fsf@void.com...
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The Amazon / Acofuns wedges are shown to be 10mm wide for the 10mm
nominal size.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Acofuns-Wedges-Feather-Concrete-Splitter/dp/B0B5PHTNJW

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Mine look identical as-arrived.
My guess - same manufacturer - same "model".
If so, they fit in a 14mm dia. socket.
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Can you start the wedge at all between the feathers in a 10mm hole?
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Mine fit the nominal size hole with the wedge somewhat less than half
way in. It scraped and gouged the feathers until I rounded and
smoothed the leading edge corners of the wedges. I straighten the
feathers on the anvil after use. Next time I might rub bar soap on
them as a dry lube.

Fit - socket size in boulder - nominal 10mm feathers-and-wedge...

Can't remember.
I think the pair of "feathers" alone would fit in a 10mm hole.

I think if you tried pulling the outer ends of the feathers apart,
splayed, you could get the tip of the wedge in and start hammering, with
result that the feathers would bend, splay and ruin the feathers - the
wedge never getting under the level of the rock.

I think it's a "no way".  Certainly it isn't useful.

12mm socket - the feathers fit in well and the wedge slimmed 2mm goes in
- all nice.  As I found - as boulders get bigger, the thinned wedge
doesn't seem up to transmitting the blows of the lump-hammer..
The three thinned wedges - for small rocks lying-around one person can
go along drilling sockets and a following person can split with the
feathers.  Can move along quite quickly leaving nothing much bigger than
a loaf of bread.
No reason for more that three of these thinned wedges, as never need
more than a set of three feathers-and-wedge for rocks which only have to
be halved split into 3 or quartered into 4.

Long answer, and memory doesn't go back to that first time I drilled
with a 10mm drill expecting that to be the one needed.

I see the reason for the "10mm" (sic.) design.  The stiff wedge protects
the thin feathers.  With my experiences with this hard granite - I doubt
any smaller solution than the feathers fitting in a 14mm socket could
transmit the effect of a lump-hammer to split bigger boulders more than
two people could not carry.  The feel as you go along the line of wedges
tapping them with the lumpy...  Is all very taut...