[TheForge] Re: Free the Stake!

[Jerry Frost]

The following URLs have pics and descriptions of 
feathers and wedges and how they work.

http://www.milessupply.com/drilling.htm

http://www.vonadastone.com/tours.htm

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environMent/fspubs/84232602/page01.htm

Basically when you split stone by hand you drill a line 
of holes. Then you insert the feathers, a pair of steel 
half rounds with a bent top generally the same size as 
the hole. Then you drive a wedge between the feathers 
to split the stone. You work down the line of holes, 
each one with it's own feathers and wedge with a sledge 
hammer. When you get to the end of the line you start 
over again. It doesn't take a big hit either, a smart 
rap with a 2-3lb. single jack is generally plenty. I've 
seen videos of 20' high blocks slabbed cleanly this 
way.

My thinking in this instance is the feathers will 
provide a solid contact between the wedge, swage and 
stake. The feathers distribute the force and provide a 
low friction surface for the wedge. I'd make the 
feathers from flat stock rather than half round as 
you're matching flat surfaces.

Cooling the swage block in this last ditch effort 
before cutting the block is to provide a hard backing 
for the feathers and wedges. If the block is hot the 
pocket may enlarge instead of the stake shrinking. If I 
didn't care about swelling the hole in the swage block 
I'd just cut it and be done.

By inside pocket I mean a hole that isn't near an edge. 
My swage block has a number of holes near the center of 
the block, the 2"er being one I think, the 3" & 4"ers 
are for sure. Having to cut or having an inside hole 
break out would ruin more than one hole. If it's an 
outside hole it'd only ruin one hole and one or two 
edge swages.

Like I say, this would be last ditch for me.

Frosty
-------------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.


From: "Peter Hirst" <saltydog335 at aol.com>



> I''m  fairly sure the stake is a REALLY old antique 
> and I am treating it that way.  Thanks for your 
> input, Frosty.  Espesially the feathers and wedge 
> suggestion sounbds intruiging, but whats the 
> "feathers" part?. Also  why cool the block?  Seems 
> like the more expansion of the hole, the better.  And 
> what's an "inside pocket"?  Blind hole?  The stake 
> goes all the way through the block and is exposed on 
> the bottom  side.
>
> Peter