Spalling question.

[Ncsnipe]

I want to go back to look for more rhyolite and need a spalling hammer. My question is if there is anything I can get from a hardware store that will do a good job or should I just shell out the cash for a copper spalling Hammer? Thanks for any advice you can give.

[nclonghunter]

I have used and seen others use a regular blacksmith style hammer or small handled sledge hammer. Knocked large flakes for spalling. I will not use copper for knocking off big flakes, just because I do not need to spend the money. Check Jackcraftlys latest "video", using a ball peen hammer..

[JustinNC]

careful with steel....it'll crush it and send shards flying.

Id try a big hammerstone if I couldnt get copper that big.

[jcinpc]

Take a sledge head off the handle and put it in a fire and burn the temper out of the steel. Younow have a spalling hammer,lol

[Hillbilly]

A big two-handed diabase rock is the best thing I've found to spall rhyolite.

[JackCrafty]

A cheap ball-peen hammer usually works well for hard stone.  It will leave a large bulb of percussion on softer stuff, but it still works.  I've also used a solid mild steel rod to spall stone instead of copper.  If you want copper contacting the stone, you can put a copper pipe cap over the end of the steel rod.  You can hold the cap in place with duct tape or electrical tape.  A copper cap over the top of a steel rod is a much cheaper alternative to solid copper.

Or you can check out EDBO's videos.

http://www.youtube.com/user/EDBO23#p/u/29/liOO-hH_8fw