Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a fence
I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break, either. Post
doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of a gust, but we
do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not enough
above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.

In message , Cursitor Doom
writes
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a fence
I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break, either. Post
doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of a gust, but we
do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not enough
above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.

I'd be inclined to try drilling/hacking out the centre of the stump so
that you can wallop the tapered spike of a Metpost (or similar) in. You
might need make life easier by shortening the spike (typically 22" long)
a little. If necessary, secure it with resin.
--
Ian

In article , Cursitor Doom
writes
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a fence
I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break, either. Post
doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of a gust, but we
do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not enough
above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.

Try a long coach screw down from the top to fix some kind of metal
bracket to the top and use a scaff pole to get leverage to lift it out.
The new fence post and a jack may work as well.
--
fred
it's a ba-na-na . . . .

Generally if its been concreted in, the rot will be there, just in the hole
in the concrete, and tends to percolate up and when it reaches ground level
that is when it is broken.
No drainage in a concrete hole so it rots surprisingly fast.
Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Ian Jackson" wrote in message
...
In message , Cursitor Doom
writes
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a fence
I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break, either. Post
doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of a gust, but we
do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not enough
above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.

I'd be inclined to try drilling/hacking out the centre of the stump so
that you can wallop the tapered spike of a Metpost (or similar) in. You
might need make life easier by shortening the spike (typically 22" long) a
little. If necessary, secure it with resin.
--
Ian

In message , fred writes
In article , Cursitor Doom
writes
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a fence
I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break, either. Post
doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of a gust, but we
do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not enough
above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.

Try a long coach screw down from the top to fix some kind of metal
bracket to the top and use a scaff pole to get leverage to lift it out.
The new fence post and a jack may work as well.

Alternatively, clear enough space round the broken off stump to loop a
rope with a *strangle* knot such that it tightens as you lift the lever.

Unlikely to work if the post is concreted in place.

--
Tim Lamb

On 15/11/2014 08:51, Tim Lamb wrote:
In message , fred writes
In article , Cursitor Doom
writes
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a
fence
I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break, either. Post
doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of a gust,
but we
do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not enough
above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.

Try a long coach screw down from the top to fix some kind of metal
bracket to the top and use a scaff pole to get leverage to lift it
out. The new fence post and a jack may work as well.

Alternatively, clear enough space round the broken off stump to loop a
rope with a *strangle* knot such that it tightens as you lift the lever.

Unlikely to work if the post is concreted in place.


If you can drill a hole in the centre of the stump, a wrecking bar or
long cold chisel should do the rest.

On 14/11/2014 22:09, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a fence
I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break, either. Post
doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of a gust, but we
do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not enough
above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.

If there is enough above ground for you to drill a hole about 1"
diameter, use a pry bar with a pointed end and some bricks as a fulcrum.
That's worked for me in the past.

Failing that, use a repair spur

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Land...r+Spike/p69167

--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On Sat, 15 Nov 2014 10:33:26 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

On 14/11/2014 22:09, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a
fence I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break,
either. Post doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of
a gust, but we do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not
enough above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.

If there is enough above ground for you to drill a hole about 1"
diameter, use a pry bar with a pointed end and some bricks as a fulcrum.
That's worked for me in the past.

Failing that, use a repair spur

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Land...Post+Metalwork
+Tools/sd3224/Drivein+Repair+Spike/p69167

Thanks for the tips, guys, some food for thought here.

I slept on the problem and had a brainwave myself. I've got some of that
98% pure sulphuric acid they use for unblocking toilets. I could pour
that into the middle of the stump bit by bit until the resulting sludge
can easily be scooped out without damaging the surrounding soil or
concrete base (if such exists; I haven't investigated).
How about that idea? Genius or what?

Cursitor Doom wrote:
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a fence
I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break, either. Post
doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of a gust, but we
do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not enough
above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?

Well if you have someone nearby with a tractor that has a hydraulic
three-point hitch you can use my method. Hang a bit of chain on the
three-point hitch, wrap it round the end of the post and get the
tractor to do the hard work.

If there's not enough post for the chain to grip then I screw a couple
of 300mm coach screws into the 'stump' and pull on them. I've removed
quite big (and quite rotten) posts this way.

--
Chris Green
·

In article , Cursitor Doom
writes

Thanks for the tips, guys, some food for thought here.

I slept on the problem and had a brainwave myself. I've got some of that
98% pure sulphuric acid they use for unblocking toilets. I could pour
that into the middle of the stump bit by bit until the resulting sludge
can easily be scooped out without damaging the surrounding soil or
concrete base (if such exists; I haven't investigated).
How about that idea? Genius or what?

In the absence of a very wide smiley, I'd suggest that it was the
stupidest f'ckn idea I'd heard of in a very long time.

No offence . . . .
--
fred
it's a ba-na-na . . . .

On 14/11/2014 22:09, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a fence
I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break, either. Post
doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of a gust, but we
do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not enough
above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.

What usually works for me on agricultural fence posts hammered a foot or
more into subsoil (if the post is not too rotten) is to hammer the heavy
metal bar I usually use to make the original hole for the post into the
side of the stump at an angle and as low down as I can conveniently make
it and then lean on the bar trying to avoid breaking up what is left of
the post. If the post was in really tight some side ways hammer to
loosen the stump in its socket first helps. I try to avoid concreting in
even gate posts these days as that makes subsequent removal much much
harder.

--
Roger Chapman

On Sat, 15 Nov 2014 13:36:01 +0000, fred wrote:

In article , Cursitor Doom
writes

Thanks for the tips, guys, some food for thought here.

I slept on the problem and had a brainwave myself. I've got some of that
98% pure sulphuric acid they use for unblocking toilets. I could pour
that into the middle of the stump bit by bit until the resulting sludge
can easily be scooped out without damaging the surrounding soil or
concrete base (if such exists; I haven't investigated).
How about that idea? Genius or what?

In the absence of a very wide smiley, I'd suggest that it was the
stupidest f'ckn idea I'd heard of in a very long time.

No offence . . . .

Well feel free not to give a reason for your objection. I'm a f'ckn
mindreader, after all.
No offence......

"Cursitor Doom" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a fence
I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break, either. Post
doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of a gust, but we
do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not enough
above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.


If, after utilising tractors, metres of threaded bar, various screws, car
jacks, scaffold and every other 'Wile E Coyote' method (ACME dynamite -
there's a thought), and it's still not out, take a spade and spend 4 minutes
scraping the soil away from one side of it, then get hold of it, with your
fingers, and lift it out.

On 15/11/14 14:29, Phil L wrote:
"Cursitor Doom" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a fence
I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break, either. Post
doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of a gust, but we
do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not enough
above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.


If, after utilising tractors, metres of threaded bar, various screws, car
jacks, scaffold and every other 'Wile E Coyote' method (ACME dynamite -
there's a thought), and it's still not out, take a spade and spend 4 minutes
scraping the soil away from one side of it, then get hold of it, with your
fingers, and lift it out.


+1

Its amazing how far you can dig down with just a trowel.



--
Everything you read in newspapers is absolutely true, except for the
rare story of which you happen to have first-hand knowledge. €“ Erwin Knoll

"Cursitor Doom" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 15 Nov 2014 10:33:26 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

On 14/11/2014 22:09, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a
fence I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break,
either. Post doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of
a gust, but we do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not
enough above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.

If there is enough above ground for you to drill a hole about 1"
diameter, use a pry bar with a pointed end and some bricks as a fulcrum.
That's worked for me in the past.

Failing that, use a repair spur

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Land...Post+Metalwork
+Tools/sd3224/Drivein+Repair+Spike/p69167

Thanks for the tips, guys, some food for thought here.

I slept on the problem and had a brainwave myself. I've got some of that
98% pure sulphuric acid they use for unblocking toilets. I could pour
that into the middle of the stump bit by bit until the resulting sludge
can easily be scooped out without damaging the surrounding soil or
concrete base (if such exists; I haven't investigated).
How about that idea? Genius or what?


This will definately not work, but feel free to waste some acid

On Sat, 15 Nov 2014 14:29:27 +0000, Phil L wrote:

"Cursitor Doom" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a
fence I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break,
either. Post doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of
a gust, but we do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not
enough above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.


If, after utilising tractors, metres of threaded bar, various screws,
car jacks, scaffold and every other 'Wile E Coyote' method (ACME
dynamite - there's a thought), and it's still not out, take a spade and
spend 4 minutes scraping the soil away from one side of it, then get
hold of it, with your fingers, and lift it out.

Trouble with dynamite is I'd have to dig out a recess under the stump for
it to work, anyway, so no effort saved.
Aside from that, although the neighbours have largely got used to the
frequent fires and explosions by now, that solution might be pushing my
luck a bit too far.

On 15/11/2014 13:36, fred wrote:
In article , Cursitor Doom
writes

Thanks for the tips, guys, some food for thought here.

I slept on the problem and had a brainwave myself. I've got some of that
98% pure sulphuric acid they use for unblocking toilets. I could pour
that into the middle of the stump bit by bit until the resulting sludge
can easily be scooped out without damaging the surrounding soil or
concrete base (if such exists; I haven't investigated).
How about that idea? Genius or what?

In the absence of a very wide smiley, I'd suggest that it was the
stupidest f'ckn idea I'd heard of in a very long time.

No offence . . . .

+1

In article , Cursitor Doom
writes
On Sat, 15 Nov 2014 13:36:01 +0000, fred wrote:

In article , Cursitor Doom
writes

Thanks for the tips, guys, some food for thought here.

I slept on the problem and had a brainwave myself. I've got some of that
98% pure sulphuric acid they use for unblocking toilets. I could pour
that into the middle of the stump bit by bit until the resulting sludge
can easily be scooped out without damaging the surrounding soil or
concrete base (if such exists; I haven't investigated).
How about that idea? Genius or what?

In the absence of a very wide smiley, I'd suggest that it was the
stupidest f'ckn idea I'd heard of in a very long time.

No offence . . . .

Well feel free not to give a reason for your objection. I'm a f'ckn
mindreader, after all.
No offence......

I really did think you were joking.

Negs:

Contaminating the workpiece with a highly corrosive substance without a
guarantee of success.

Likelihood of conc acid remaining in pockets even if flushed out with
water resulting in danger when subsequently trying to remove the post by
mechanical means.

Resorting to mechanical force methods then risks splashing/spray of conc
acid.

Conflict of then needing to carry out work mechanical work whist wearing
hand and eye protection and the risk of damage to acid proof gloves
leading to serious burns.


That's just from a few mins thought, prob not an exhaustive list.

In summary I'd say, not a good idea.

--
fred
it's a ba-na-na . . . .

On Sat, 15 Nov 2014 11:25:37 +0000, Cursitor Doom wrote:

On Sat, 15 Nov 2014 10:33:26 +0000, The Medway Handyman wrote:

On 14/11/2014 22:09, Cursitor Doom wrote:
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a
fence I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break,
either. Post doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell
of a gust, but we do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not
enough above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an
easier alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.

If there is enough above ground for you to drill a hole about 1"
diameter, use a pry bar with a pointed end and some bricks as a
fulcrum.
That's worked for me in the past.

Failing that, use a repair spur

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Land...Post+Metalwork
+Tools/sd3224/Drivein+Repair+Spike/p69167

Thanks for the tips, guys, some food for thought here.

I slept on the problem and had a brainwave myself. I've got some of that
98% pure sulphuric acid they use for unblocking toilets. I could pour
that into the middle of the stump bit by bit until the resulting sludge
can easily be scooped out without damaging the surrounding soil or
concrete base (if such exists; I haven't investigated).
How about that idea? Genius or what?

What.

As far as I am aware wood does not dissolve in acid.
Certainly not over night.

Also, (remembering a bit of chemistry) concentrated acid becomes very un-
concentrated as soon as it starts to react with anything.
It also requires something to help it work - generally some water.
Concentrated acid by itself is not that reactive.
Unblocking toilets almost certainly relies on the water which is already
in the toilet to dilute the acid and enable the reaction - you add strong
acid to a toilet full of water and get a weak acid which is highly
reactive.
Playing with highly concentrated acid is not recommended for amateurs,
either.

If you are looking for a "quick" (i.e looks at first thought like magic
but actually turns out to take weeks to have any effect) you could always
drill some holes down the centre, fill them with diesel then try and burn
the stump out.
Alternatively, see if you can hire a hungry beaver.

Alternatively, just dig down one side.
It doesn't take long and I've taken out many wooden posts sunk into
concrete this way.

Cheers

Dave R

--
Windows 8.1 on PCSpecialist box

In message , Cursitor Doom
writes
On Sat, 15 Nov 2014 14:29:27 +0000, Phil L wrote:

"Cursitor Doom" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a
fence I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break,
either. Post doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of
a gust, but we do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not
enough above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.


If, after utilising tractors, metres of threaded bar, various screws,
car jacks, scaffold and every other 'Wile E Coyote' method (ACME
dynamite - there's a thought), and it's still not out, take a spade and
spend 4 minutes scraping the soil away from one side of it, then get
hold of it, with your fingers, and lift it out.

Trouble with dynamite is I'd have to dig out a recess under the stump for
it to work, anyway, so no effort saved.
Aside from that, although the neighbours have largely got used to the
frequent fires and explosions by now, that solution might be pushing my
luck a bit too far.

Not a serious suggestion but I was impressed/concerned by the effect of
oxidizing agents used for glass fibre work. Seriously charred wood from
minor spillages.

--
Tim Lamb

On 15/11/2014 18:13, Huge wrote:
On 2014-11-15, David wrote:

Alternatively, just dig down one side.
It doesn't take long and I've taken out many wooden posts sunk into
concrete this way.

I had to replace 4 posts in the garden a couple of weeks ago. I dug down one
side of the concrete until I had enough space to run a tow rope round them,
then dragged them out of the ground with the Disco.


Better to leave the concrete where it is surely?

Cursitor Doom wrote:

I slept on the problem and had a brainwave myself. I've got some of that
98% pure sulphuric acid they use for unblocking toilets. I could pour
that into the middle of the stump bit by bit until the resulting sludge
can easily be scooped out without damaging the surrounding soil or
concrete base (if such exists; I haven't investigated).
How about that idea? Genius or what?

A much safer idea would be to use high explosives.

Bill

On 15/11/2014 22:41, Huge wrote:
On 2014-11-15, stuart noble wrote:
On 15/11/2014 18:13, Huge wrote:
On 2014-11-15, David wrote:

Alternatively, just dig down one side.
It doesn't take long and I've taken out many wooden posts sunk into
concrete this way.

I had to replace 4 posts in the garden a couple of weeks ago. I dug down one
side of the concrete until I had enough space to run a tow rope round them,
then dragged them out of the ground with the Disco.


Better to leave the concrete where it is surely?

Really? Why? How do I get the new post in through where the old post is? The
old posts break off at ground level, leaving ~ 2ft of old post through the
concrete and into the ground.



I've always managed to get the old stump out. Not easy, but neither is
removing (and disposing of) great lumps of concrete

In article ,
Ian Jackson writes:
In message , Cursitor Doom
writes
Hi all,

In the high winds we had recently, a wooden post in the middle of a fence
I have got snapped off at ground level. Not a clean break, either. Post
doesn't appear to be rotten so it must have been a hell of a gust, but we
do get 'em round here, I'm afraid.
This was a 4"x4" post and the fence is about 5' high. There's not enough
above ground to get a grip on, unfortunately. Is there an easier
alternative to digging the remaining bit out?
cheers,
cd.

I'd be inclined to try drilling/hacking out the centre of the stump so
that you can wallop the tapered spike of a Metpost (or similar) in. You
might need make life easier by shortening the spike (typically 22" long)

+1
I've done this a number of times. You simply use the stump in the
concrete as a giant rawl plug. You can get Metpost repair spurs which
are specifically designed for hammering in to this (a collar which
wedges between the stump sides and and the concrete hole sides), but
the ones designed to hammer into the ground work too, but may need
shortening.

Ideally, the post should position in the socket so it doesn't quite
touch the ground. That way, it won't rot.

The sockets with a clamping nut will grip the post better than one
where you just hammer the post into the top with a wedge fit, and
you can tighten them up if the post becomes loose.

BTW, if it's not really concrete but just a bag of postcrete, I rather
doubt this will work as it won't be strong enough.

a little. If necessary, secure it with resin.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

On Sat, 15 Nov 2014 17:59:22 +0000, David wrote:

As far as I am aware wood does not dissolve in acid.
Certainly not over night.

Also, (remembering a bit of chemistry) concentrated acid becomes very
un-
concentrated as soon as it starts to react with anything.
It also requires something to help it work - generally some water.
Concentrated acid by itself is not that reactive.
Unblocking toilets almost certainly relies on the water which is already
in the toilet to dilute the acid and enable the reaction - you add
strong acid to a toilet full of water and get a weak acid which is
highly reactive.

That is the most exceptionally inaccurate/error-riddled explanation of
how acids work I think I've ever seen. The rest of your post was more
constructive, though!

On Sat, 15 Nov 2014 18:50:37 +0000, Tim Lamb wrote:

Not a serious suggestion but I was impressed/concerned by the effect of
oxidizing agents used for glass fibre work. Seriously charred wood from
minor spillages.

Exactly.
There seems to be some "lack of awareness" here as to the capability of
the oxidizing agent I suggested. I am talking about stuff like
Rothenberger Toilet and Drain Unblocker which is approaching 99% pure
sulphuric acid. "Concentrated" acids are typically only about 70% pure
IIRC so it's very misleading. You pour "concentrated" acid onto wood and
it'll probably only change colour. Pour on pure (or close to pure) acid
and the results are totally different. You get instant charring, burning,
smoking and spitting as the wood is destroyed. Any organic matter in fact
will be attacked in this way, including human flesh. It really is like
something out of an old horror movie. I'm quite astonished anyone can
actually buy this stuff from places like BnQ in this day and age, but who
am I to complain?

On 16/11/2014 12:59, Cursitor Doom wrote:
On Sat, 15 Nov 2014 18:50:37 +0000, Tim Lamb wrote:

Not a serious suggestion but I was impressed/concerned by the effect of
oxidizing agents used for glass fibre work. Seriously charred wood from
minor spillages.

Exactly.
There seems to be some "lack of awareness" here as to the capability of
the oxidizing agent I suggested. I am talking about stuff like
Rothenberger Toilet and Drain Unblocker which is approaching 99% pure
sulphuric acid. "Concentrated" acids are typically only about 70% pure
IIRC so it's very misleading. You pour "concentrated" acid onto wood and
it'll probably only change colour. Pour on pure (or close to pure) acid
and the results are totally different. You get instant charring, burning,
smoking and spitting as the wood is destroyed. Any organic matter in fact
will be attacked in this way, including human flesh. It really is like
something out of an old horror movie. I'm quite astonished anyone can
actually buy this stuff from places like BnQ in this day and age, but who
am I to complain?


You can even have it sent through the post

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/br...ffice/?ref=rss