On Thu, 17 Apr 1997 23:24:45 -0400 Jamey Brookover
> how does a 6 foot tall person safely / properly / *easily*
>manage to get an 8 foot ground rod into the ground in the first place?
One way that was taught at a Lightning Protection Seminar I attended was
to rent (borrow, buy) a hammer drill. This is an electric (usually) drill
used to punch holes in concrete, brick, etc. In addition to the rotary
function, this tool also has a forward hammering action. The better
hammer drills have a selector to choose rotary, rotary & hammer, or
hammer only operation. In the hammer only position with a 2" chisel bit
installed, you have a handheld (abet small) jackhammer!
You modify the top of the ground rod as necessary to chuck into the
hammer drill (set on hammer only). You then stand on the previously
mentioned step ladder, and while guiding the ground rod with one hand,
control the hammer drill with the other (well, use two hands on the
hammer drill and have a helper at ground level guide the rod.
With threaded ground rod sections, you cut the bottom 6" off the first
rod (and put a point on the rest heading downward. You chuck the 6" piece
into the hammer drill, and thread it into the top of the first section of
ground rod. When you reach ground level, remove the 6" stub, install
another full rod, reinstall the 6" stub (with the hammer drill) at the
top of this two-section rod, and let the hammer drill do most of the hard
work.
With a blunt point (not an arrow-sharp) point on your ground rod you will
either punch through the sandstone and shale (if you're lucky) or the rod
will bend and start heading in unknown directions. Watch your feet!
Good luck!
73,
Rick, WB3EXR
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