Cutting scaffold pole

[pepp77]

Doing work on my garden and have removed a flower bed which is becoming part of the lawn. Have discovered previous owners must have put a clothesline up using a scaffold pipe and cut it off at some point. This wasn't an issue in the raised flower bed but now it is down to ground level it sticks up above the surface a couple of inches.

I have dug down 18 inches and not found the bottom, so am thinking of just cutting it about a foot down and sticking soil over it.

What would be best to cut it with?
Would a simple hacksaw do the job, would I need an angle grinder with cutting disc, how about a circular saw with HSS bit?

 

[andicole0]

Probably a reciprocating saw with suitable blade for metal.
Andi.

 

[Zefan]

I'd be inclined to just smash it with a hammer to weaken it, then bend back and forth and let metal fatigue do all the work.

 

[bitslice]

smear it with mercury (or gallium)

 

[Amp34]

I doubt you'd ever be able to get it to fatigue but bashing it with a hammer would loosen it up if it's not concreted in, possibly allowing you to pull it out.

Angle grinder with metal cutting blade would be the easiest, followed by reciprocating saw. If I didn't have one of those a hacksaw would work, just take more time. So all of the above depending on what you have.

 

[pepp77]

Well I have a hacksaw so will give it a go with that tomorrow. If that doesn't cut it (pun intended ) then I might have to treat myself to either a saw or grinder.

Cheers

 

[Rexxar]

Get a smaller pole in there if you can, and just rock it back and forth, side to side, until you loosen the soil around it, and it should eventually lift out.

 

[Iron-man]

Grinder with cutting disc on it will do it in a matter of seconds

 

[chaparral]

If you do use a grinder make sure to wear some goggles..

 

[pepp77]

Get a smaller pole in there if you can, and just rock it back and forth, side to side, until you loosen the soil around it, and it should eventually lift out.

Unfortunately its been crushed, slightly bent and deeply compacted with dirt so no chance of getting anything in it.

Grinder with cutting disc on it will do it in a matter of seconds

If you do use a grinder make sure to wear some goggles..

Yeah, if the hacksaw has no luck I'll look into the angle grinder and will definitely get some goggles. Its a little annoying as I was looking at getting a mini circular saw (like the Einhell BT-CS 860) but would have to put that off to get the grinder.

Any thoughts on a grinder to get (B&D 900W for £30 on Amazon) and what cutting discs would I need?

 

[chaparral]

Unfortunately its been crushed, slightly bent and deeply compacted with dirt so no chance of getting anything in it.





Yeah, if the hacksaw has no luck I'll look into the angle grinder and will definitely get some goggles. Its a little annoying as I was looking at getting a mini circular saw (like the Einhell BT-CS 860) but would have to put that off to get the grinder.

Any thoughts on a grinder to get (B&D 900W for £30 on Amazon) and what cutting discs would I need?

You should be able to cut scaffold poles no problem with an hacksaw as long the hacksaw blades your using are not crappy ones that go blunt when used to cut steel..

Sorry I can't help on which of the cheaper DIY angle grinders are the best as I normally buy the higher priced Professional ones for work use (mainly the Bosch Professional GWS 850 which is around £70 )

For cutting stuff like scaffold poles I normally use the thin 1mm thick stainless steel cutting discs..

 

[Maccapacca]

Peter Gabriel it

 

[kinobestew123]

I don't suppose you have a dremel?

A hacksaw/angle grider would be fine but they might be a bit awkward below ground level. I bought this angle grinder http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-blu...E4MAmK85LpPtzp-mAHmrnpZXBANyXtMG7tRoCBAvw_wcB


If you've managed to dig 18" around it and arn't seeing concrete though then it sounds like it's just been knocked in deep with a sledgehammer?

 

[Mark A]

Looks like Lidl are doing a recip saw for £30 on monday. Might be worth picking one up as they come in for all sorts of destruction tasks.

http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=32753

 

[Orionaut]

smear it with mercury (or gallium)

This is why, I have been told, Barometers are prohibited cargo on aircraft!

(Including, bizarrely, aneroid ones)

If mercury gets loose on an airframe, the aircraft is scrap!

 

[whiskycycle]

Peter Gabriel it

Digging In The Dirt?

 

[pepp77]

Tried it with the hacksaw this morning and nope, completely no go. Thought I might be able to drill a few holes to weaken it and again a disaster, just couldn't get through it that far underground.

Thought sod it and popped to B&Q. Bought a basic Macalister grinder with 3mm cutting disc for £25, took it home and was through the pole in no time. Took about 9inches off. V happy.

 

[Blackjack Davy]

I've hired angle grinders in the past, I've no need to own one.