"Harry K" wrote


Naw, naw. When you're using a sledge you don't worry about hitting
your hand. Your -helper- might worry but who cares.

Harry K

Here in Nevada, when they have town celebrations in the old mining areas,
they have a single jacking contest. This was when a two man team would take
a star bit and a sledge, and drill a hole for dynamite. The method was used
before the invention of pneumatic drillers, and by poorboy operators who
couldn't afford the big drills.

Needless to say, it took practice for two men to do this all day long. In
the competitions, one holds the drill, the other strikes it. Then the drill
holder turns the bit a slight bit, and the other strikes it again. All
seamless and nonstop. They do this for a predetermined length of time, and
then the depth of the holes are measured. The winning team usually gets a
small trophy and more beer.

Then they have mucking contests where they see how much blasted rock and
debris a man can load in a minecar in 60 seconds. Makes one appreciate the
strides in technology and machinery.

Steve