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Re: [TowerTalk] Ground Rod Installing Machine

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Ground Rod Installing Machine
From: K8RI <K8RI-on-TowerTalk@tm.net>
Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2012 21:37:33 -0400
List-post: <towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
On 9/17/2012 4:00 PM, Art Trampler wrote:
Time to call the well-driller, drill a narrow well about 50' deep and put in a 
slurry of bentonite and drive'em in, couple them every 10' and keep going...

Now how much would that 50' hole cost?

About $2000 each when doing a bunch of them Maybe less, maybe more depending on the type of rock, but you don't need anything that deep.
Create a Ufer ground either with concrete or in the stone.

If the stone is Limestone, sand stone, or other "soft" rock a hammer drill with a masonry bit should work well.welded on the end of a rod. Drill oversize and pour bentonite to fill the gap.



73,
Art

--- On Mon, 9/17/12, Pete Stark <pstark@suddenlink.net> wrote:


From: Pete Stark <pstark@suddenlink.net>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Ground Rod Installing Machine
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Date: Monday, September 17, 2012, 2:55 PM


I bought one of these things and a large Bosch demo hammer.
Works great in dirt.  When it hits rock it stops and rod bends.

What did you use for a bit? The hammer drill is meant to use with a drill, not to drive ground rods. Drill the hole, flush with water, put in ground rod, pour in bentonite and cad weld on ground cable.

You may need to have someone build a hollow shaft that will work with a hammer drill and also flush the hole at the same time.

Ever see one of those drills they use in the mines?

Sand stone is normally very easy to drill with a masonry drill, particularly with a hammer drill.

It will be messy, and you need to clean the dirt away from the hole so the water used to flush the drilled hole will not cause the dirt to run back in.


73 & Good Luck!

Roger (K8RI)


Is there a drill that works and does not come apart?  (SDS-Max chuck)
On my hill in WV, about 4 feet down the sand and clay quit and I hit solid 
sandstone.  3/4 rod did not help the situation.  When the rod hits refusal it 
is over.



Pete K4OM



On 9/17/2012 3:41 PM, Art Trampler wrote:
Many rental stores do not want anyone driving ground rods with a hammer drill, 
although that is often effective. You can search for ground-rod driver bit and 
get results like the following
    
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=sds+ground+rod+driver&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=13454037450&hvpos=1t3&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1617235751764179773&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&ref=pd_sl_2m495h2k2g_b
    Most are designed for SDS chucks.
    I live on a ridge in the Ozarks, so when I begin my new install (QRT NOW) I am 
going to purchase 3/4" x 10' ground rods from a local plumbing supply store in 
the hope that the larger diameter will not be as prone to bending when they are 
moving rocks.

I tried a small electric jackhammer and once I reached solid limestone...well 
nothing moved and the ground rod bent!
    I think that the bigger issue may be flex/bending of the ground rod which is why 
I am going the 3/4" route.
    73,
Art K0RO

--- On Mon, 9/17/12, Jim Hargrave <w5ifp@gvtc.com> wrote:


From: Jim Hargrave <w5ifp@gvtc.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Ground Rod Installing Machine
To: "Jerry" <grf@npgcable.com>, "Tower Talk" <towertalk@contesting.com>
Date: Monday, September 17, 2012, 2:22 PM


Jerry,

I have a lot of rocky limestone here at my QTH. It may be a little softer
than your terrain.
I use a small electric Jack Hammer. I would suggest you try that approach
before you buy something. You can rent one for a few dollars at most home
improvement stores like Home Depot or local equipment rental. You can slip a
short pipe over the Ground rod to help hold it and keep it from bending.
I have enough soil mixture that Bending has not been a problem. So far I
have not had to pre-drill any holes. it helps to sink the rod following a
nice soaking rain. In AZ you may have to fake that one with a garden
hose...Hi.

       73s de Jim
          W5IFP


     > -----Original Message-----
     > From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of
     > Jerry
     > Sent: Monday, September 17, 2012 12:58 PM
     > To: Tower Talk
     > Subject: [TowerTalk] Ground Rod Installing Machine
     >
     >
     > I've finally convinced our local Club to purchase a "grounding rod
     > installation drill" for use by our members.  This is almost a necessity
     > in the desert rocky soil here in the desert.  Any suggestions
     > as to make
     > or model...and also the source of drill bit to use with 5/8"
     > ground rods?
     > Tnx
     > Jerry France
     > K7LY
     > London Bridge ARA
     > Lake Havasu City, AZ
     > _______________________________________________
     >
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