lava cinders

[Dave E]

found a local source for lava rocks $8 for 2 cu ft bag so i grabbed a couple bags

the rocks range from 1"-3/8" so obviously i have to figure out how to make them smaller.

many of the bigger rocks snap apart in your fingers and pliers break them up even more but it is a slow process.

anyone ever do this and figured out a quick method they wouldn't mind sharing.
i was thinking of getting one of those ground tampers and smashing them

 

[crust]

Please don't waste your time. This has been done and re-done. You are lucky, you have a cheap local source for lava. Check this out--they sell 50lb bags at low cost close by. http://www.beamclay.com/

 

[Dave E]

low cost but what's the shipping cost

 

[klosi]

Been there done that! I did it with a hammer and a sheet. I put lava rocks in sheet and started smashing with hammer. Then sifted for dust and put into a container.

 

[wireme]

If you have a cement mixer you can tumble them with some larger stones.

 

[Cypress187]

Sounds like something i would do I would also try a bag or something to hold it together and smash the 'grouped' stones and ofcourse filter/sift it.

 

[Dave E]

just tryed a youtube idea-used some pipe to make a mortar and pestle sort of thing,it works but is slow going.
tryed smashing the bag with a sledge and it only tore up the bag-which i prety much knew was gonna happen.

had that sheet/hammer idea only i was thinking a towel i think thats what i'm trying next.

thanks for all the suggestions i'm gonna smash up these two bags and unless i find a really fast and efficient way i don't think i'm doing this again.

 

[Dave E]

ok just tryed wrapping with a towel and smashing with a hammer.
my son and i spent a good 15-20 minutes and did about 1/3 of 1 of the bags-now only 5 more of those sessions.

 

[M. Frary]

You need lave that bad?

 

[Dave E]

i've been using pumice(drystall) and it's getting low and the only place i was able to find it doesn't seem to be able to get it now.
this is the only thing i can find local.
i can order soil components online but the shipping charges are outrageous.
i can get a $20 bag of drystall for $60 or $30 a gallon for lava or do this.

 

[Geo]

Here I can get a five gallon pale of red tezontle(found out it was a type of scoria) for 50 pesos(3.50 American dollars).Of course ,now,I have to buy a towel!

 

[markyscott]

Ordering it in bulk is the secret. Get a friend, and split a pallet. The last time I did this, it worked out to about $15 for a 50 lb bag, including shipping. Beam Clay will ship you a pallet of lava, but I'm unaware of a east coast source for horticultural pumice.

Scott

 

[justBonsai]

Any tips on efficiently grinding down the scoria or where they sell in bulk that's broken down to size would be greatly appreciated as well. What I've done is take a large concrete brick and smash large groupings of the rocks together and then sifting to remove dust and large particles--not efficient at all.