In article ,
"SteveB" toquervilla@zionvistas wrote:

"Nil" wrote in message
...
I have a 4-foot metal post next to my driveway, installed by a previous
owner, that once supported a basketball hoop. It's a fairly thin-walled
tube about 4 inches in diameter, embedded in a huge block of concrete,
buried in the lawn. I've tried excavating around the block, but it will
be a really big hassle to get out of the ground. And so, the pole
remained there for many years.

I'd be just as happy cutting the pole off at ground level. If I can cut
if off flush with the concrete, it will hardly be visible and it won't
interfere with the mower. I don't want any of the metal to stick up.

My question is, what common tool can I use to cut this thing? I
wouldn't enjoy doing it manually with a hacksaw, and anyway, I don't
think I could get close enough to the ground. Could I cut it fairly
close, then grind the rest down with something?

Any suggestions?

First, thank you for providing some very good information and clues. Lots
of people write in about such stuff and don't even give a clue.

First, you apparently have a pretty big plug of concrete there. If you want
to try pulling it out, you can use the jack suggestion, or strap a 4x4 on it
for added strength, and hook a chain to it tight and pull on the 4x4 side.
Hook the chain about four foot up to get leverage. If it starts bending, go
to plan b.

Plan b is cutting it off flush to the ground. Any grinder will do it. Or a
cutting torch. Get a hose and blow out the stuff inside the hole, let it
dry, and fill with concrete. You'll still have the concrete plug there, but
not the hole.

Plan c. Backhoe, and you can either dig it out, or rig it up and pull it
out straight up.

I did several of these when I was doing steel work.

Sometimes, they just get to a point where they pop out, and the concrete
isn't as big as once thought. Other times, the concrete is bigger, and it
all depends on what you want to do with the space as to whether you take it
all out or just cut off the pole.

Get a cheap grinder. You'll use it for lots of other stuff, too. Or go to
the pawn shop and get a good used one for about the same price, and it will
last longer.

Steve

By chance if you should go the cutting torch route... you need to be
absolutely positive the post doesn't contain any water. You don't want
molten metal splattered all over you, bystanders, pets or your property.

Good Luck!

Erik

On Thu 11 Dec 2008 08:50:56p, Ed Pawlowski told us...


"Wayne Boatwright" wrote in message
5.247...
On Wed 10 Dec 2008 07:22:29p, Ed Pawlowski told us...


"
Being Polish, I resent your post.




I take it you resent the thought of being cut down to the level of the
concrete.g

--
Wayne Boatwright
(correct the spelling of "geemail" to reply)


Are you leveling with me?



Absolutely!

--
Wayne Boatwright
(correct the spelling of "geemail" to reply)
************************************************** **********************
Date: Thursday, 12(XII)/11(XI)/08(MMVIII)
************************************************** **********************
Countdown till Christmas Day
1wks 6dys 54mins
************************************************** **********************
Fleas on my catma!
************************************************** **********************

In article ,
wrote:

On Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:34:08 +0000 (UTC), Nil
wrote:

I have a 4-foot metal post next to my driveway, installed by a previous
owner, that once supported a basketball hoo..,
embedded in a huge block of concrete,
buried in the lawn. I've tried excavating around the block, but it will
be a really big hassle to get out of the ground..
Any suggestions?

I would suggest hiring someone with a backhoe to take it out. It
may cost less than you think.

That's a little non-committal of you. How much do you think it would
cost? (I think $250 as a minimum charge, but I've never had to hire a
backhoe.)

On 12 Dec 2008, Erik wrote in alt.home.repair:

By chance if you should go the cutting torch route... you need to
be absolutely positive the post doesn't contain any water. You
don't want molten metal splattered all over you, bystanders, pets
or your property.

Good point, that doesn't sound like much fun. I'm thinking the $20
angle grinder method will be the cheapest solution and reasonably easy.
I expect a torch would cost more, and I don't know what else I'd ever
do with it.

Good Luck!

Thanks!

"Nil" wrote in message
...
On 12 Dec 2008, Erik wrote in alt.home.repair:

By chance if you should go the cutting torch route... you need to
be absolutely positive the post doesn't contain any water. You
don't want molten metal splattered all over you, bystanders, pets
or your property.

Good point, that doesn't sound like much fun. I'm thinking the $20
angle grinder method will be the cheapest solution and reasonably easy.
I expect a torch would cost more, and I don't know what else I'd ever
do with it.


Just be sure to have goggles and a dust mask on. There will be a lot of
stuff flying around. Get extra cutting wheels as I think a four inch steel
pipe may require more than one. Don't have any bystanders or cars nearby as
a broken piece of the blade can do serious damage. There will also be a lot
of sparks so don't have anything flammable in the area. Use a grinding disk
and not a cut off wheel for grinding down the base. That four inch pipe
will be heavy when it comes down so you might want to figure a way to brace
it or catch it.

On Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:34:08 +0000 (UTC), Nil
wrote:

I have a 4-foot metal post next to my driveway, installed by a previous
owner, that once supported a basketball hoop. It's a fairly thin-walled
tube about 4 inches in diameter, embedded in a huge block of concrete,
buried in the lawn. I've tried excavating around the block, but it will
be a really big hassle to get out of the ground. And so, the pole
remained there for many years.

I'd be just as happy cutting the pole off at ground level. If I can cut
if off flush with the concrete, it will hardly be visible and it won't
interfere with the mower. I don't want any of the metal to stick up.

My question is, what common tool can I use to cut this thing? I
wouldn't enjoy doing it manually with a hacksaw, and anyway, I don't
think I could get close enough to the ground. Could I cut it fairly
close, then grind the rest down with something?

Any suggestions?

Angle grinder would make quick work of it. Personally, I'd remove the
concrete, replace with topsoil and seed.

Red Green wrote:



Farm Jack...saw it listed as that in one of the Harbor Freight flyers.

Yeah, here it is:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=6530

Still, I bet one could visit an auto junk yard and get the equivalent for
five bucks.

Real bumber jacks are useless today inasmuch as you can't lift a modern car
by its bumper.

On Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:17:45 -0800, Smitty Two
wrote:

In article ,
wrote:



That's a little non-committal of you. How much do you think it would
cost? (I think $250 as a minimum charge, but I've never had to hire a
backhoe.)

It can vary a lot. If you just call a number in the phone book
and have them come out, $250 might be low. On the other hand if you
know someone or if someone is working in your neighborhood, and you
approach them while they are on the job, you might get if for less
than half that. For me it would be worth the cost.

On 12 Dec 2008, "John Grabowski" wrote in
alt.home.repair:

That four inch pipe will be heavy when it comes down so you might
want to figure a way to brace it or catch it.

It's really a thin-walled tube and not very tall, rather than, like,
a thick iron pipe. It should be pretty light, and I think the
grinder will go through it like butter. Then I can pound down
whatever's left with a hammer. Then, next spring when the ground thaws,
I'll try breaking up at least enough of the concrete with a
sledgehammer to cover it with some soil.

Sawsall if you can borrow or have one. Or hacksaw, just cut partway thru
and bend to break at cut. Then use a sledge hammer to pound down the
"stump."

"Nil" wrote in message
...
I have a 4-foot metal post next to my driveway, installed by a previous
owner, that once supported a basketball hoop. It's a fairly thin-walled
tube about 4 inches in diameter, embedded in a huge block of concrete,
buried in the lawn. I've tried excavating around the block, but it will
be a really big hassle to get out of the ground. And so, the pole
remained there for many years.

I'd be just as happy cutting the pole off at ground level. If I can cut
if off flush with the concrete, it will hardly be visible and it won't
interfere with the mower. I don't want any of the metal to stick up.

My question is, what common tool can I use to cut this thing? I
wouldn't enjoy doing it manually with a hacksaw, and anyway, I don't
think I could get close enough to the ground. Could I cut it fairly
close, then grind the rest down with something?

Any suggestions?

wrote in message
...
On Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:17:45 -0800, Smitty Two
wrote:

In article ,
wrote:



That's a little non-committal of you. How much do you think it would
cost? (I think $250 as a minimum charge, but I've never had to hire a
backhoe.)

It can vary a lot. If you just call a number in the phone book
and have them come out, $250 might be low. On the other hand if you
know someone or if someone is working in your neighborhood, and you
approach them while they are on the job, you might get if for less
than half that. For me it would be worth the cost.

Like he sez, it all depends. I know a man with a backhoe who lives in our
small town. He would come do the deed for $50 cash. Or just tell me to put
it on the tab for when he needs some welding.

Steve

"HeyBub" wrote in
m:

Red Green wrote:



Farm Jack...saw it listed as that in one of the Harbor Freight
flyers.

Yeah, here it is:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=6530

....and the ad even yabbers "...great for...pulling posts and poles," What
targeting! :-)


Still, I bet one could visit an auto junk yard and get the equivalent
for five bucks.

Real bumber jacks are useless today inasmuch as you can't lift a
modern car by its bumper.

Wrap it (near the ground) with two turns of detonation cord, fit a
proper blasting cap, stand back and push the plunger..(Just kidding). :^)

EJ in NJ

James Sweet wrote:
Oren wrote:
On Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:08:58 -0800, James Sweet
wrote:

Oren wrote:
On Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:39:35 +0000 (UTC), "SteveBell"
wrote:

Nil wrote:

I have a 4-foot metal post next to my driveway, installed by a
previous owner, that once supported a basketball hoop. It's a fairly
thin-walled tube about 4 inches in diameter, embedded in a huge block
of concrete, buried in the lawn. I've tried excavating around the
block, but it will be a really big hassle to get out of the ground.
And so, the pole remained there for many years.

I'd be just as happy cutting the pole off at ground level. If I can
cut if off flush with the concrete, it will hardly be visible and it
won't interfere with the mower. I don't want any of the metal to
stick up.

My question is, what common tool can I use to cut this thing? I
wouldn't enjoy doing it manually with a hacksaw, and anyway, I
don't think I could get close enough to the ground. Could I cut it
fairly close, then grind the rest down with something?
The best tool is a reciprocating saw with a bimetal blade for cutting
metal. Sawzall is a popular brand. You can rent one, but they'll
probably make you buy a blade. Maybe your neighbor will loan you
his....

If it were mine, I would:
* Drill a hole through the pipe.
* Put a long metal rod, like a large machine screw, through the hole
so it sticks out on both sides.
* Use a bumper jack to lift the whole thing out of the ground.
* Whale away at the concrete with a sledge until the pieces are small
enough to put in the trash.

There are lots of other ways to do this:
* Bend the pipe over near the ground, then use a long 2x4 as a lever
to lift the whole thing.
* Run a come-along between the pole and a tree. Crank it down and it
should shift. You'll probably have to dig on the tree side of the
concrete first.
* Pull it out with a 4-wheel-drive vehicle in extra-low gear. Be
careful--I've seen videos where everything comes loose and once and
flies into the back of the truck (or the neighbor's house). On second
thought, don't do this one.
Git a nylon snatch-strap from a 4X4 shop. Use it instead of a chain.
If it really is that difficult, then tug on the mess with a vehicle.

Chains and a come-along can will kill you if they sling at the wrong
time. The strap will be better for safety.

The nylon strap stretches and stores even more potential energy,
given all the things that can go wrong, I don't recommend this
approach at all .

Let a chain or cable hit you up side the head. Understand the
difference? I mentioned tug and nylon straps are safer.



Which is why I say I don't recommend this approach at all. Pulling
something stubborn out with a vehicle is just asking for trouble,
there's lots of safer ways.

"Nil" wrote in message
...
On 12 Dec 2008, "John Grabowski" wrote in
alt.home.repair:

That four inch pipe will be heavy when it comes down so you might
want to figure a way to brace it or catch it.

It's really a thin-walled tube and not very tall, rather than, like,
a thick iron pipe. It should be pretty light, and I think the
grinder will go through it like butter. Then I can pound down
whatever's left with a hammer. Then, next spring when the ground thaws,
I'll try breaking up at least enough of the concrete with a
sledgehammer to cover it with some soil.

If it's that thin, you can cut it off 1/4-1/2" from the ground with a hacksaw,
and pound the remained into the hole with a hammer. Or, us a hammer and cold
chisel to cut it enough that you can break it off. That can get you mostly at or
below ground level.

Ernie Willson wrote in
:

Wrap it (near the ground) with two turns of detonation cord, fit a
proper blasting cap, stand back and push the plunger

Best suggestion yet.

Then you went and f'ed it up with

..(Just kidding).



:^)

EJ in NJ

James Sweet wrote:
Oren wrote:
On Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:08:58 -0800, James Sweet
wrote:

Oren wrote:
On Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:39:35 +0000 (UTC), "SteveBell"
wrote:

Nil wrote:

I have a 4-foot metal post next to my driveway, installed by a
previous owner, that once supported a basketball hoop. It's a
fairly thin-walled tube about 4 inches in diameter, embedded in
a huge block of concrete, buried in the lawn. I've tried
excavating around the block, but it will be a really big hassle
to get out of the ground. And so, the pole remained there for
many years.

I'd be just as happy cutting the pole off at ground level. If I
can cut if off flush with the concrete, it will hardly be
visible and it won't interfere with the mower. I don't want any
of the metal to stick up.

My question is, what common tool can I use to cut this thing? I
wouldn't enjoy doing it manually with a hacksaw, and anyway, I
don't think I could get close enough to the ground. Could I cut
it fairly close, then grind the rest down with something?
The best tool is a reciprocating saw with a bimetal blade for
cutting metal. Sawzall is a popular brand. You can rent one, but
they'll probably make you buy a blade. Maybe your neighbor will
loan you his....

If it were mine, I would:
* Drill a hole through the pipe.
* Put a long metal rod, like a large machine screw, through the
hole so it sticks out on both sides.
* Use a bumper jack to lift the whole thing out of the ground.
* Whale away at the concrete with a sledge until the pieces are
small enough to put in the trash.

There are lots of other ways to do this:
* Bend the pipe over near the ground, then use a long 2x4 as a
lever to lift the whole thing.
* Run a come-along between the pole and a tree. Crank it down and
it should shift. You'll probably have to dig on the tree side of
the concrete first.
* Pull it out with a 4-wheel-drive vehicle in extra-low gear. Be
careful--I've seen videos where everything comes loose and once
and flies into the back of the truck (or the neighbor's house).
On second thought, don't do this one.
Git a nylon snatch-strap from a 4X4 shop. Use it instead of a
chain. If it really is that difficult, then tug on the mess with a
vehicle.

Chains and a come-along can will kill you if they sling at the
wrong time. The strap will be better for safety.

The nylon strap stretches and stores even more potential energy,
given all the things that can go wrong, I don't recommend this
approach at all .

Let a chain or cable hit you up side the head. Understand the
difference? I mentioned tug and nylon straps are safer.



Which is why I say I don't recommend this approach at all. Pulling
something stubborn out with a vehicle is just asking for trouble,
there's lots of safer ways.

On Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:25:35 -0600, Red Green
wrote:

Wrap it (near the ground) with two turns of detonation cord, fit a
proper blasting cap, stand back and push the plunger

Best suggestion yet.

You left out the Thermite option. (worth a watch) and cheaper.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrCWLpRc1yM

Thermite would be safer and more colorful, but somewhat short on sound.

EJ in NJ

Oren wrote:
On Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:25:35 -0600, Red Green
wrote:

Wrap it (near the ground) with two turns of detonation cord, fit a
proper blasting cap, stand back and push the plunger
Best suggestion yet.

You left out the Thermite option. (worth a watch) and cheaper.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrCWLpRc1yM