Plugs and feathers query

Pitlamp

Well-known member
Does anyone know where I can buy a set of plugs and feathers which can be used in a 12 mm hole?

There seems to be plenty of commercially available ones which are 9/16" diameter (so need a 14 mm hole).

I know Dudley Dragon used to sell these smaller ones and I've got some somewhere but I'm blowed if I can find them.

Thanks.
 

Pitlamp

Well-known member
They're for splitting rock. This should explain:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug_and_feather

(Not sure why an ad for Warmbac suddenly appeared in this topic - I didn't know they sold plugs and feathers, unless anyone can tell me differently?)
 

Badlad

Administrator
Staff member
Pitlamp said:
............
(Not sure why an ad for Warmbac suddenly appeared in this topic - I didn't know they sold plugs and feathers, unless anyone can tell me differently?)

Warmbac help support the forum.  In return, on the equipment thread only, their ad appears on the second post of a page.  It is standard on Simple Machine Forums for ads to be placed between posts.  Usually, on other forums, this is a lot more frequent but this is the only one where we use it I think.  Warmbac are a good caving company but I doubt they will help you with plugs and feathers - unfortunately.  Cheers
 

mikem

Well-known member
Heavy duty version on tomorrow's world:
https://m.facebook.com/watch/?v=251542126728193&_rdr
 

Blueberry

Member
Splitting wedge for stone. How long do you want to wait? Pour water in the crack wait for it to freeze then allow to thaw. Repeat. I believe this process is very slow  :LOL: How much time have you got?
 

pwhole

Well-known member
I think 14mm may be the smallest size available - certainly the quality 'Bavaria' ones from Rids Bruners:

https://www.rbwalling.co.uk/shop/058-plugs-feathers.html

Possibly the Chinese ones on eBay go smaller, but the ones he stocks only go to 14mm too :(

https://www.rbwalling.co.uk/01-plugs-feathers-p.html
 

2xw

Active member
Blueberry said:
Splitting wedge for stone. How long do you want to wait? Pour water in the crack wait for it to freeze then allow to thaw. Repeat. I believe this process is very slow  :LOL: How much time have you got?

Plug and feathers takes about a half hour including drilling the holes, if it's a small to medium boulder.

It is a skill to place them right to get a good split but very satisfying. Often used in places where other methods would be innappropriate or not work as intended.

Tbh I frequently prefer using p&f where I can versus other methods
 

Jopo

Active member
I used to make the plugs and feathers that Dragon sold. They were made to suit a 12mm drill because a) that was the size of bolt we used in rescue and b) because in those days (20 years ago at least) drill and battery technology was so much poorer than now.  I stopped making them as we seem to have saturated the market at that time. I no longer have the factory having passed the reins on to Hywel who only makes stretchers and spinal splints now - although I still have the feather moulds somewhere. If he had a order for a 100 units I am sure he would think seriously about making them again.

Jopo
 

alastairgott

Well-known member
Bingo! You'll have to extricate them from Australia though! https://diamach.com.au/diamach-wedge-and-shims-plug-and-feathers-stone-splitting-tool-12mm/
 

alastairgott

Well-known member
Blueberry said:
Splitting wedge for stone. How long do you want to wait? Pour water in the crack wait for it to freeze then allow to thaw. Repeat. I believe this process is very slow  :LOL: How much time have you got?

Or go the other way and buy a flamethrower. You'll have to wait until the "last week in June" for stock levels and it will set you back ?175, and you'll probably need a ready stock of water! Good for breaking rock on a cold winter surface dig though ;)

https://www.cheapmowers.com/acatalog/Sheen_X300_Flame_Gun_.html?gclid=CjwKCAjww-CGBhALEiwAQzWxOoeVklphcBRAuzbPOXl0gxTosF3O6INd3dCtrNfc0jg98vhgqD_SiBoCa4YQAvD_BwE

But I think the postage from oz will be cheaper!
 

Ed

Active member
alastairgott said:
Bingo! You'll have to extricate them from Australia though! https://diamach.com.au/diamach-wedge-and-shims-plug-and-feathers-stone-splitting-tool-12mm/

Thank goodness for Liz Truss's stunning trade deal -- a Brexit win  :LOL:
 

Pitlamp

Well-known member
I've had some very useful information from an old mate who currently lives in Africa, who is a skilled engineer. (With thanks to RS who uses this forum, for suggesting I contact him.)

Apparently the geometry associated with plugs & feathers designed to go in a 14 mm hole makes them significantly more efficient than those intended for a 12 mm hole. So I think I'll go with the flow and buy a 14 mm set - and a couple of the necessary 14 mm drill bits.

In the fullness of time, when I've had chance to evaluate them (compared with the 12 mm plugs and feathers I've used before) I'll try and remember to write an update on here, which may help other forum members.
 

TheBitterEnd

Well-known member
I bought a 10mm set from somewhere in America (avoiding rant about Royal Mail "Administration" fee for import at this point) and they work OK but are fiddly at that size and the feathers constantly need straightening because they are small and thin.

I find a couple of cold chisels works as well pretty much every time without the feathers. Drill two 8mm holes next to each other a bit over a chisel's width apart and then hammer a thin-ish chisel down between the holes. Repeat as appropriate for the size of block.
 
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