How do you frag live rock?

JT101 · 01-09-2008, 03:35 PM

I have a nice leather coral that I received as a Christmas gift. The stem is attached to a rather large piece of live rock which I would like to trim down a lot. Can anyone recommend the correct tools for this? I see all kinds of "fragging pliers" and "bone cutters" on the market but I assume these are supposed to be used to cut the actual coral itself, NOT the live rock it is attached to.

Thanks
John

Jason25 · 01-09-2008, 03:36 PM

Hammer and chisel, wear safety glasses.

DrHank · 01-09-2008, 03:39 PM

I agree with Jason even though he hasn't changed his Halloween avatar. I personally like a 2LB hand sledge. It's wider striking surface makes me less likely to hit my hand with it.

Jason25 · 01-09-2008, 03:40 PM

Doc, I am to busy trying to tend to my tank and reading things here to change my avatar. Did you buy that? LOL

JT101 · 01-09-2008, 03:41 PM

Thanks all. Actually, the piece that I want to frag is about 2" wide but it has a rather narrow stem. Would I be able to perhaps use a large pair of wire cutters? It's too big to take a hammer to.

panmanmatt · 01-09-2008, 03:43 PM

If the stem is really narrow, just grab it with a pair of pliers or even your hand and break it off. Most like rock is actually fairly brittle and breaks easily.

Or cut it off with a Dremmel tool and cut off wheel.

DrHank · 01-09-2008, 03:46 PM

Yea, Dremmel's are great. Jason, we just got 3" of snow. Do you buy that?

JT101 · 01-09-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrHank

Yea, Dremmel's are great. Jason, we just got 3" of snow. Do you buy that?

You know, HOW TRUE!!!

If I had a PENNY (forget a dime) for how many times I had something to do around the house or within or around my reef tank in which a Dremel would have been the perfect tool, well, let's just say that I'd have a MUCH bigger tank than an AquaPod 24 now

!

I gotta getta Dremel!!!

Royalscott · 01-09-2008, 05:00 PM

I saw a video where the guy uses electric saws and tile cutting saws.

vdituri · 01-09-2008, 11:20 PM

Smack it with a hammer.

Or get a dremel. lol

mps9506 · 01-09-2008, 11:27 PM

Hammers are more fun than dremels though

Do wear glasses when breaking apart live rock though, regardless of hammers, pliers, vise grips, saws, dremels, torches or jackhammers being used as tool of choice. It is often brittle with who knows what growing in it. If sent bits of live rock clear across the room before when breaking it, you don't want that gunk in your eyes.

dobejazz · 01-09-2008, 11:34 PM

I use a screw driver and a hammer

and always eye protection

01-09-2008, 03:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
JT101 Neon dottyback Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hicksville NY Posts: 605 View Gallery Karma Komment	How do you frag live rock? I have a nice leather coral that I received as a Christmas gift. The stem is attached to a rather large piece of live rock which I would like to trim down a lot. Can anyone recommend the correct tools for this? I see all kinds of "fragging pliers" and "bone cutters" on the market but I assume these are supposed to be used to cut the actual coral itself, NOT the live rock it is attached to. Thanks John

01-09-2008, 03:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jason25 Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lancaster,PA Posts: 991 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How do you frag live rock? Hammer and chisel, wear safety glasses.

01-09-2008, 03:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,251 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How do you frag live rock? I agree with Jason even though he hasn't changed his Halloween avatar. I personally like a 2LB hand sledge. It's wider striking surface makes me less likely to hit my hand with it. __________________ Jim Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html Dr Hank's 155 Bowfront:http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-bowfront.html

01-09-2008, 03:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jason25 Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lancaster,PA Posts: 991 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How do you frag live rock? Doc, I am to busy trying to tend to my tank and reading things here to change my avatar. Did you buy that? LOL

01-09-2008, 03:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
JT101 Neon dottyback Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hicksville NY Posts: 605 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How do you frag live rock? Thanks all. Actually, the piece that I want to frag is about 2" wide but it has a rather narrow stem. Would I be able to perhaps use a large pair of wire cutters? It's too big to take a hammer to.

01-09-2008, 03:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
panmanmatt Acropora Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waretown, NJ Posts: 1,903 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How do you frag live rock? If the stem is really narrow, just grab it with a pair of pliers or even your hand and break it off. Most like rock is actually fairly brittle and breaks easily. Or cut it off with a Dremmel tool and cut off wheel. __________________ The mind is like a parachute, it only works when opened. (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(")

01-09-2008, 03:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
DrHank Golden Moray Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Crestview, FL Posts: 2,251 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How do you frag live rock? Yea, Dremmel's are great. Jason, we just got 3" of snow. Do you buy that? __________________ Jim Dr Hank's 210 Build: http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...nks-tanks.html Dr Hank's 155 Bowfront:http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-bowfront.html

01-09-2008, 05:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
Royalscott Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 744 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How do you frag live rock? I saw a video where the guy uses electric saws and tile cutting saws. __________________ Janetta & Scott 29 Gallon Bio Cube & 14 Gallon Bio Cube The Nano Club Wear Gloves

01-09-2008, 11:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,722 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: How do you frag live rock? Smack it with a hammer. Or get a dremel. lol __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

01-09-2008, 11:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 7,143 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How do you frag live rock? Hammers are more fun than dremels though Do wear glasses when breaking apart live rock though, regardless of hammers, pliers, vise grips, saws, dremels, torches or jackhammers being used as tool of choice. It is often brittle with who knows what growing in it. If sent bits of live rock clear across the room before when breaking it, you don't want that gunk in your eyes. __________________ Mike "The Bandwith Bandit" Help Build Reefpedia Premium Membership Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

01-09-2008, 11:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
dobejazz Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,242 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: How do you frag live rock? I use a screw driver and a hammer and always eye protection __________________ Kelli

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