On Sat, 25 Sep 2010 11:49:45 +0100, A Plumber wrote:

"Stephen Mawson" wrote in message
...
I'm replacing a cast-iron bath (enamel in poor condition) with an acrylic
one. The present bath has walls along both ends and the far side so it
will need to be broken up to get it out, especially as I hope to preserve
the wall tiles above it. I recall from many years ago that I had great
trouble breaking a cast-iron bath -- a sledge hammer just bounced off it.
Does anyone have any advice -- apart of course from the angle-grinder.
(Actually, would that be a possibility? Slot cut in the edge of the bath,
then cold chisel to split?)

Stephen

I've always used a heavy lump hammer, put a sacking or similar along the
bottom to prevent the enamel splintering
in all directions, then whollop it , once started they go fairly easily, but
it's warm work. Be carefull as the enamel splinters and the broken
cast iron can be very sharp, so best to wear gloves when carrying the bits
out.

Yup, seconded (esp. about protection - it's as sharp as glass and the
small dust-sized particles can easily get in your eyes). I found it
was easier to hit the insides of the bath, starting at the point where
the base starts to curve up into the walls. A cold chisel might also
be handy to start the fractures. After you get some crakcs going it
gets easier.
It's also very noisy and the pieces you get left with are quite heavy -
you'll need something pretty substantial to transport the debris.


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