Webs’ Random Ideas

Well I really couldn't tell ya.  I don't have the knowledge or experience.  But yesterday, my landlord (which is my roommates Dad) rented a jackhammer because we are expanding the driveway and part of the existing driveway is cracked so we decided to pull it up and re-surface it.  I had never used a jackhammer before, but it was actually kind of fun.  I know that sounds weird because all you do is hold the machine while it pounds away enough to break up the concrete, but as a kid I was always interested in construction and always wanted to use a jackhammer.  I finally got to try it out, and it was an interesting experience to say the least.

The basic theory behind a jackhammer, at least when your breaking up driveway concrete that is only about 5 inches thick, is to use the attachment that has the longer edge.  I have no idea what the name of this is, but we got two attachments from the rental place, one was a spike, and the other, instead of having a point, had about a two inch long point.  So instead of hitting the ground with a single point that drives right through the concrete, you have this longer point that bangs away at the concrete until cracks start to form.  Sometimes it can take a good minute or two, but in the long run it is the fastest way to do it.  Once the cracks start to form, which you can not only see, but you can hear, you keep going and slowly start to pull back on the jackhammer.  So once the crack widens, you end up pushing the broken up concrete section away from the main section.  Then you have your chunk you can dispose of.  I think the quickest way to do things is have a friend help you.  That way one person moves the broken-up sections away from where the jackhammer is running so there is plenty of room, while the other hammers away.  Then when the one using the jackhammer gets tired, you switch off. 

It was kind of funny though when I took over, because I had never used one before, nor did I do any research before hand.  All I did was listen to the neighbor that came over that had 22 years of experience.  And he appeared to be impressed with my abilities to use the jackhammer, even more so than my roommate or his father.  Consequently, they were getting impatient with the slow moving pace of the jackhammer, and did not listen to the Guru, so there chunks took longer to form and were smaller.  Also once the crack started to form, they would pick up the hammer and move down the crack, which is pointless, because once the crack forms it is really just a matter of seconds before you have your chunks.  The smaller size can be a good thing since we have to move them from the ground to the truck to dispose of them.  But to me it made more sense to get bigger chunks broken off the main slab, and then use the jackhammer to break the big chunks into little chunks which is incredibly easy once they are broken off the main slab.   A good lesson learned here is take your time and do the job right, not only will it save you time in the long run, but less accidents will occur.

P.S. as a side note, no one was injured in the operation of the jackhammer, but some of us have some minor bruises and scrapes.  And I am considering a job in the jackhammer business .