Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Using a sledgehammer
• Method 2 of 3: Breaking stones with a regular hammer
• Method 3 of 3: Splitting an buried boulder
• Warnings
• Necessities

Stones are notoriously robust and can be an eyesore in a garden, landscaping, or they can just get in the way. The problem is usually that too rock is too deep in the ground or it is just too heavy to lift out or roll away. By breaking a stone you can reduce the load and remove it in a safer way.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Using a sledgehammer

1. Place the stone on a flat surface if possible. If you can move the stone, try moving it to a flat surface where there is little chance of it moving if you hit it a few times.
   • As a safety point, you should always try to prevent loose large pieces of rock from rolling out of reach, such as down a slope where they could pose a danger to others.
   • Before starting, you should also check your sledgehammer to make sure there are no cracks in the stem or head. If it does, there is a chance that the head will come off and become a potential safety risk.
2. Pick a point on the stone to hit. The key to breaking a stone with a sledgehammer is to apply repeated pressure to a specific point on its surface, forcing it to break. Choose a spot that is close by and that you think you can hit several times in a row.
   • It doesn't really matter if the spot you've chosen is flat or round, as long as it's a location that can definitely hit you with little effort.
3. Hold the sledgehammer correctly. Pop culture has generally shown us wrong how to hold a sledgehammer. Make sure to hold the end of the hammer handle with your non-dominant hand and just below the hammer head with your dominant hand.
   • This technique ensures maximum safety and control during the swing. Your dominant hand will control accuracy, your non-dominant hand will provide balance during the swing, and the rest of your body will provide the power of the swing.
4. Swing the sledgehammer a full 180 degrees to hit the stone. Starting slowly, swing the sledgehammer overhead and down onto the stone, using your arms and legs to do most of the lifting. Keep hitting the same spot over and over. Eventually there will be a small fracture line on the surface of the stone. Once that happens, you'll be close to breaking it in half.
   • Do a few practice swings with little force to make sure you are comfortable with the weight of the sledgehammer.
   • Be patient and persistent; there is no set number of times to hit him.

Method 2 of 3: Breaking stones with a regular hammer

1. Place the stone in a heavy canvas bag. If the stone you want to break is small enough to fit in a large canvas bag or even a pillowcase, slowly tuck it in and tie the open side closed.
2. Place the bag with the stone in it on hard ground. You are going to apply a lot of force to the stones, so you want to make sure that the bag doesn't move or that you damage the surface underneath the bag.
   • A lawn, gravel or most of the ground outside is ideal because it is unlikely to be damaged by a hammer.
3. Gently tap the stone with the hammer. Get a feel for where the stone is within the shell and make sure you can see it. Practice the swinging motion on the stone with little force to get an idea of ​​what you're going to do.
4. Break the bricks with the hammer by hitting the casing well. Bring the hammer down harder and harder on the covered stone so that it eventually breaks.
   • Don't worry if it doesn't fall apart right away; it is more important that you consistently hit the same spot.
   • If you decide not to use a heavy bag or pillowcase, make sure to use a special rock hammer made especially for this task.
5. Place the broken stone on a tray. Once the stone is broken to a point you're happy with, open the open side of the bag and pour the chunks onto a tray.
   • Take a deep breath before opening the bag. There is a good chance that dust will come out as soon as you turn the bag upside down and you don't want to inhale that.
   • When you're done, wash the bag thoroughly with warm water if you want to use it again.

Method 3 of 3: Splitting an buried boulder

1. Remove the soil around the boulder. With a boulder that is buried in the ground, it is important that you know how big or small the boulder is. With a shovel, dig away all the soil around the boulder so that you can see its overall shape and size.
2. Drill several 1.5 cm diameter holes in the surface of the stone and remove dust. With glasses on, drill a series of evenly spaced holes across the surface of the stone.
   • Then use a convex syringe to get any excess dust out of the small holes.
3. Hit the chisel and springs in the holes. Insert a chisel into each drilled hole with two "springs" on the sides to help with that. Use a small hammer to lightly tap the top of the chisel to make sure it is firmly planted in the stone.
4. Hammer the chisels to break the stem. Depending on the size of the stone, use a hammer or sledgehammer to hammer the chisels into their respective holes, alternating between them with each swing.
   • After a while there should be a big crack on the stone.
5. Pry open the stone with a crowbar. With a long crowbar, clamp the bevel in one of the cracks and pry open the stone to speed up the process.
   • The stone may not be able to be pried apart on the first try. If necessary, try hammering the chisels in a little further to widen the break in the stone, then try prying it open again.

Warnings

• Wear gloves and glasses. Appropriate safety clothing is very important when working with heavy tools or objects, especially as stone chips or dust can come off the stone at great speed. If someone is watching with you, ask them to move a safe distance backwards so that there is no risk of injury.

Necessities

• A sledgehammer
• A chisel and feathers
• Gloves
• Glasses
• A heavy bag or pillowcase
• A crowbar
• A shovel
• A hammer