electrical ground rod
 

Anyone know the fastest/easiest way to install these 8' rods? It's a pain
in the ass pounding them 3/4 of the way down, hitting a rock or other and
then pulling it back out. Thanks

electrical ground rod
 

"A & P D" wrote in message
. ..
Anyone know the fastest/easiest way to install these 8' rods? It's a pain
in the ass pounding them 3/4 of the way down, hitting a rock or other and
then pulling it back out. Thanks

They are a PITA.

Last time I did it "right", I used a fence post driver (a capped section of
pipe with handles) to start it and get the rod 6' under. At that point,
the fence post driver hits the ground. After that it just used a good
sized sledge hammer.

In my case, the rod would seem to "lock up" and I would not see any
measurable progress after several blows. But eventually I got it down (and
actually below ground level. You might consider putting on the ground
clamp before you start with the hammer. After a zillion blows, the head
might mushroom a little.

There ain't no easy road!

I suspect that I hit down rocks on the way down and the rocks had to shift
or break up before I could progress. If you have a big enough rock
formation down below you are SOL and will have to used some other "approved"
method like putting the rod in lengthwise.

electrical ground rod
 

A & P D wrote:

Anyone know the fastest/easiest way to install these 8' rods? It's a pain
in the ass pounding them 3/4 of the way down, hitting a rock or other and
then pulling it back out. Thanks

A larger hammer drill, or more properly rotary hammer with a ground rod
drive adapter. Hilti is best.

Pete C.

electrical ground rod
 

On Sat, 19 Aug 2006 05:28:36 -0400, "A & P D"
wrote:

Anyone know the fastest/easiest way to install these 8' rods? It's a pain
in the ass pounding them 3/4 of the way down, hitting a rock or other and
then pulling it back out. Thanks

Wet the ground first?

I only did this once, and although there were all kinds of rocks when
I tried to plant a tree, 8 inches from the foundation, I iddn't find
many obstacles.

electrical ground rod
 

"John Gilmer" writes:
"A & P D" wrote in message
. ..
Anyone know the fastest/easiest way to install these 8' rods? It's a pain
in the ass pounding them 3/4 of the way down, hitting a rock or other and
then pulling it back out. Thanks

They are a PITA.

Last time I did it "right", I used a fence post driver (a capped section of
pipe with handles) to start it and get the rod 6' under. At that point,
the fence post driver hits the ground. After that it just used a good
sized sledge hammer.

You are lucky. Only the first 1-2 feet were easy for me :(


In my case, the rod would seem to "lock up" and I would not see any
measurable progress after several blows. But eventually I got it down (and
actually below ground level.

I had the same experience. First 1-2 feet were easy.
For a while, I kept pulling back and starting again...
Then, I realized that persistence worked... each blow of my 3 pound
sledgehammer moved the rod almost imperceptably. But after a good
workout of about 30 minutes, I finally go the rod all the way down to
the last inch or two.

You might consider putting on the ground
clamp before you start with the hammer. After a zillion blows, the head
might mushroom a little.

How true! I learned the hard way and had to use my grinder to shave
off the mushroom.

There ain't no easy road!

Yup...

I suspect that I hit down rocks on the way down and the rocks had to shift
or break up before I could progress. If you have a big enough rock
formation down below you are SOL and will have to used some other "approved"
method like putting the rod in lengthwise.

electrical ground rod
 

I used a t-post driver 'till it was against the ground. Then finished them
off with a sledge. Code allows them to be in at a 45 degree angle if rock
is encountered that you can't get through.

--
Steve Barker



"A & P D" wrote in message
. ..
Anyone know the fastest/easiest way to install these 8' rods? It's a pain
in the ass pounding them 3/4 of the way down, hitting a rock or other and
then pulling it back out. Thanks

electrical ground rod
 

I had the same experience. First 1-2 feet were easy.
For a while, I kept pulling back and starting again...
Then, I realized that persistence worked... each blow of my 3 pound
sledgehammer moved the rod almost imperceptably. But after a good
workout of about 30 minutes, I finally go the rod all the way down to
the last inch or two.

Believe it or not, I used a 20# hammer. I didn't swing it over my head
like I was driving railroad spikes but only let it drop about 8" to 12" or
so (about the same as the effective drop of a small hammer. When I only
used a 3# hammer to a good approximation absolutely NOTHING happened!


You might consider putting on the ground
clamp before you start with the hammer. After a zillion blows, the
head
might mushroom a little.

How true! I learned the hard way and had to use my grinder to shave
off the mushroom.

There ain't no easy road!

Yup...

I suspect that I hit down rocks on the way down and the rocks had to
shift
or break up before I could progress. If you have a big enough rock
formation down below you are SOL and will have to used some other
"approved"
method like putting the rod in lengthwise.

electrical ground rod
 

On Sat, 19 Aug 2006 05:28:36 -0400, "A & P D"
wrote:

Anyone know the fastest/easiest way to install these 8' rods? It's a pain
in the ass pounding them 3/4 of the way down, hitting a rock or other and
then pulling it back out. Thanks


Reference only codes, this post is from my memory, and can be flawed.
;)

3/4 down is 6', if you have rocky soil, then the code allows for you
to drive the rod at an angle, up to 45 degrees. That might be enough
to get your rod completely flush with the ground.

Tips:

1. Put your Acorn Clamp on first.
2. Drive the rod after it rained hard.
3. If all else fails, you are allowed to dig down two feet and lay
the rod in.

You have options, check your codes.

later,

tom @ www.BlankHelp.com