Cordless Drill And Masonry Bits
I pay a little more and get Bosch bits which last much, much longer.
I have a 1/2" and a 5/8" with 12" shanks. Use the 5/8" in softer asphalt and packed gravel. For hard asphalt I switch to the 1/2" since my cordless has limited torque. I have recovered RR spikes up to 1' deep. I drill the center hoping to hit steel then a circle of 6 holes and pop it out with a chisel. at depth the offset head of a RR spike gives a off center signal. What is nice is when the sound is 6" or more from the centerline. Take off the first asphalt layer and voila yellow paint showing where the centerline once was. Most old RR spikes are under at least 2 overlays. I have gone to 12" but the asphalt usually runs out at 6-8".
Paul in PA
I generally use a hammer and long chisel with a hand guard.
After reading this post, I am thinking I will pick up a small generator from Harbor Freight, and use my skill saw and diamond blade and cut out a small square like Jon mentioned.
My buddy has one of those small generators, and it works great for small projects, and it is easy to transport. It is about the size of a small lunch cooler. My big generator would require a trailer to transport with the campe shell and survey box in the back of the rig.
San Angelo Bar for Nails under Asphalt
> Digging Bar. Available at your neighborhood Home Depot.
Yes, definitely a rock bar (or "San Angelo bar" as it's called in parts of Texas) with a point on one end and a chisel blade on the other. Oh, and have a pair of leather gloves, too. Low tech and highly effective. Would recommend.
Thunder bolt from chrisnik. It great to get down to through the lifts until your close to the pk, then you'll want to do alit chisel work unless you don't care about the pk's location, just wanted to see it I guess. The Thunder Bolt also has an adapter for driving pins, works great. I don't have to smack near as many pins around because they're 0.04' off. It's just a big slide hammer but it works great because it's energy is focused on such a small area.
Had a stroke over a year ago and I was back setting pins and digging points one handed in a month.
I second the Thunderbolt. Beats the heck out of stooping down with a small sledge and chisel in the middle of the road. You can work standing up and keep a better eye out for that big yellow truck... Work harder and faster with less effort. But the best solution is the Bosch sDS Max HD and generator as Jim Frame points out above. When I don't plan accordingly, I am glad to have the Thunderbolt. Always carry it. In a pinch, the small sledge and an assortment of chisels are in the tool box.
