Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: Ncsnipe on April 12, 2011, 03:47:28 pm
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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.
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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..
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careful with steel....it'll crush it and send shards flying.
Id try a big hammerstone if I couldnt get copper that big.
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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
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A big two-handed diabase rock is the best thing I've found to spall rhyolite.
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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