gov135

Dear Tilted Handypeople,

I recently removed the majority of an old basketball hoop from the property. It was rusted into one solid piece, and was quite a job. I need advise on how to remove the part left.

What is left: A two-inch diameter metal pipe cemented into the ground. The pipe is filled with cement over its whole length, though the cement seems to be pretty easy to crack. The pipe is cemented into the ground, and must be at least three feet deep (for frost). The pipe itself is about an eigth of an inch thick.

I would like some advise on how to saw off the pipe. It must be done close to the ground or the lawnmower will catch it. I would consider digging out the whole thing, but this may not be a one-man job.

Any advise?

jbrooks544

Just dig down a few inches, 6-12 inches around the pole, assuming the concrete doesn't come all the way up to grade. You can use a "sawzall" (reciprocating demolition saw) with a metal blade to cut the metal all the way around. You could even use a hack saw instead of a power reciprocating saw - just a little more work and scraped knuckes. You don't even have to cut 100% of the way through the metal, just at least half way through all the way around. Then just start sledge hammering the stump back and forth, or just pushing it with your hands and body back and forth and it will snap right in half where you cut/scored it. Then, just fill in the couple inches of dirt to grade (you cut it off 2-3 inches below grade, remember?) and no one will ever know it was there.

LewisCouch

Secure the pipe/post material with some chain or a heavy tow rope, and yank it out with a truck.

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noblejr

I would use a hacksaw or reciprocating saw to cut it down to size, then grind the last bit with an angle grinder until it was level with the cement.

Tirian

If the cement goes three feet deep, I don't think a truck could yank it out. Unless you dig a trench angling down from the direction you intend to pull from ground level down to the bottom of the cement.

Other wise to pull, you will likely require a heavy piece of machinary with a front end loader to pull it straight up.

Also a good angle grinder should be able to do the cut as well as take it down right to the concrete. Just work your way around the pipe with the grinder until your through the thickness of the metal all the way around.

Oh ya and like the drill thread - make sure you have safety glasses, and for grinding probably a long sleeved shirt and gloves as well.

Also don't allow the stream of sparks to head straight into a flammable material.

Ashton

gov135

Update -

The unsightly pole is no more.
Final solution: Pole was cut down with the cutting attachment of a Dremel tool. Yeah, I know, Dremel's aren't much use for anything. I went through four attachments ground right down to the nub with the Dremel on its highest setting before the thing gave way.

Thanks to all that offered advise - I used a bit here and there from everyone. The gloves and long sleeves were very important, Tirian. And Brooks, I did only cut it to a point where a sledge did the rest.

Ashton

LOL! I'm suprised you didn't kill the poor thing! I don't have a dremel, I have a Foredom..... They are very useful for small things, polishing stuff ect....

jumpingbeans

Stump remover.... RUN

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snicka

I just recently did this on my new home and it was a bitch. The best solution for me was to run to home depot and rent an electric jackhammer. I just broke up the concrete slab that the pole was embedded in until I could drag the pole away (now buried in another section of my yard where I built a retaining wall) and then hauled the much smaller pieces of concrete out.

JStrider

DREMEL POWER!!!!!!!!!!!

dremel tools are the best...
/me runs off to give his dremel a hug...

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~Clatto Verata Nicto

briana

shouldn't be a bad job, two courses of action, get a recipricating saw with a large metal cutting blade and you should be able to cut it off very close to the ground, if you want to go closer, use a hand-held metal grinder....Second method if it is really loose is to just get the whole damn thing out, put a chain around it and put it on the hitch of a truck, if it's loose like you say it is, the 200 lbs or so of concrete there should come out without too much problem but take it easy at first just in case so you don't do some damage!@