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What works well for a rock chisel? (Read 3636 times)

BerylliumWilliam YaBB Newbies Offline RockHoundLounger Posts: 23 Joined: Jun 5^th, 2017 Gender:	What works well for a rock chisel? Jun 6^th, 2017 at 12:43pm	Print Post
	Hey! So I'm new to this forum and relatively new to rockhounding. So I've been finding beryl and I'm trying to find a way to chip away at the host rock to let the beryl show through. I used a wood chisel for the beryl in the picture but it looks like the chisel isn't made with a tough enough metal. Luckily there was a crack in the rock that I wedged the chisel in. Also do I need a special hammer for this too? I've been using my pick hammer. So if anyone has any advice, I'm all ears!

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BerylliumWilliam YaBB Newbies Offline RockHoundLounger Posts: 23 Joined: Jun 5^th, 2017 Gender:	Re: What works well for a rock chisel? Reply #1 - Jun 6^th, 2017 at 12:46pm	Print Post
	This is how much of the beryl I could see before I cracked the host rock. I didn't take a before and after picture, but that's the part that was showing.

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Tim4d God Member Offline I like creeks & rivers to do the digging for me. Posts: 658 Location: Chester, VA Joined: Feb 24^th, 2011 Gender:	Re: What works well for a rock chisel? Reply #2 - Jun 6^th, 2017 at 4:28pm	Print Post
	You want the hardened or "cold" chisels. They come in all sizes. You can probably pick up a small cold chisel or two for about $10 at the big box stores. Harbor Freight has a set of punches and chisels for about $15. Your pick hammer should be OK. Don't use carpenter hammers because they aren't made to pound against steel chisels or rocks and may shatter or spall shards.


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Tim4d God Member Offline I like creeks & rivers to do the digging for me. Posts: 658 Location: Chester, VA Joined: Feb 24^th, 2011 Gender:	Re: What works well for a rock chisel? Reply #3 - Jun 6^th, 2017 at 4:29pm	Print Post
	And, nice beryl!


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BerylliumWilliam YaBB Newbies Offline RockHoundLounger Posts: 23 Joined: Jun 5^th, 2017 Gender:	Re: What works well for a rock chisel? Reply #4 - Jun 6^th, 2017 at 6:29pm	Print Post
	Thanks! I'll look into it!


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JoeM God Member Offline I Love YaBB 2.5 AE! Posts: 4197 Location: Wake County, NC Joined: Sep 30^th, 2010 Gender:	Re: What works well for a rock chisel? Reply #5 - Jun 6^th, 2017 at 9:10pm	Print Post
	Welcome to the Board, Bill! The Ray is a good place to get started rockhounding. You could go pay a visit to the Crabtree as well. There's really no easy way to get at those beryls. You can pretty much use the whole bag of tricks. Rock saw, dremel, and chisels. I find my good old steel chisels at the Flea Market. All different sizes. Sometimes the rock will do what you want, but more often it won't. Good Luck and Happy Hunting, Joe


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BerylliumWilliam YaBB Newbies Offline RockHoundLounger Posts: 23 Joined: Jun 5^th, 2017 Gender:	Re: What works well for a rock chisel? Reply #6 - Jun 7^th, 2017 at 12:09pm	Print Post
	Hey Joe! I went to the Crabtree mine back in April. I found a few beryl about and inch or 2 long and many little emeralds! I go to the Ray more often since its only about 30 minutes from me. That's where I found that beryl in the picture!


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Tim4d God Member Offline I like creeks & rivers to do the digging for me. Posts: 658 Location: Chester, VA Joined: Feb 24^th, 2011 Gender:	Re: What works well for a rock chisel? Reply #7 - Jun 7^th, 2017 at 1:31pm	Print Post
	Well you are blessed to be so close to the Ray! I went there once before the current Forest Service site rules went into effect. Even with the restrictions on digging areas, I would like to go again some day.


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