Dictionary

spaller en · NOUN

Etymology

From spall + -er.

Meanings

1. A tool used to remove concrete.
   • The concrete spaller system contains a hydraulic power supply system and the spaller device. The spaller device, as shown in Figure 19, basically consists of a hydraulic cylinder, a push rod, and a bit. 1982, Roy L. Campbell, A Review of Methods for Concrete Removal, page 49:
   • The concrete spaller is a device which has been developed specifically for removing concrete surfaces by Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL). 2012, K. L. Mittal, Surface Contamination: Genesis, Detection, and Control, page 451:
   • Concrete floors and walls can be mechanically decontaminated by removing the contaminated surface layer (1 to 2 inches) using surface grinders, spallers, or pneumatic drills. 1982, Shippingport Atomic Power Station, Decommissioning:
2. A person who breaks down stone into smaller pieces.
   • Many days have I spent watching the female spallers breaking the stones. In the year 1899 I started to work at Dolcoath but there were not many spallers there then as they had just put in crushers which were worked by steam. 2009, Lynne Mayers, Voices from the Dressing Floors 1773-1950:
   • In 1919, the weekly margin above the living wage for the "all others" item was 6s., though the spallers then received 9s. a week margin and the millhands only 3s. 1942, South Australian Industrial Reports, volume 16, page 369:
   • After them came men called spallers, who broke the rock down into smaller lumps, generally about three inches across, with sledgehammers. 1997, Leigh Edmonds, The Vital Link: A History of Main Roads Western Australia: 1926-1996:

Forms

Relateds

spall · spalling