Cutting back a blob of concrete!

rpg

I'm preparing a small section of garden for paving and subsequently a shed, and uncovered this nasty blob of concrete holding a fence pole in situ. There was a raised flower bed here, so it wasn't noticeable until digging began.

I'm limited with space (and height as it could affect sun) so I really need to scale some of it back. That'll allow me to have the shed at ground level and push it closer to the fence.

I'm not too concerned about the integrity of the fence pole, but then again I won't be going at it with a sledgehammer either.

Any tips on what I can do to cut a few inches width and height off the edge of it? I have access to an angle grinder and can pick up a concrete cutting disc, would that be capable of the job do you think?

Pics attached

sky6

A Con Saw will cut that out easily. You may have to break out the last of it with a Hammer and Chisel.

It's not difficult, just be very careful if you've never used a Con Saw before.

rpg

sky6 wrote: »

A Con Saw will cut that out easily. You may have to break out the last of it with a Hammer and Chisel.

It's not difficult, just be very careful if you've never used a Con Saw before.

Will do, many thanks. Haven’t used one before but I’ll do my research first, and make sure I know what I’m at, wear goggles etc.

Hills Hire will rent one out for about 30 quid for a day, so it’s probably worth it to just get the right tool and be done with it. Cheers

cheif kaiser

I'd rather put the €30 towards a cheap SDS drill and chisel it off.

You're bound to have a use for it in the future, rather than paying to hire something you have no experience of using.

Bonzo Delaney

Con saw would be the job done and dusted solution .
But investing in a sds hammer drill could be the sensible approach to have something for the next 15 + years if you ever need to fix anything to a masonry wall.
Just drill a series of 10mm holes along the break line then set it to chisel setting and break it off.

CelticRambler

I have both an angle grinder and an SDS drill to hand. I'd have had a lump like that cut and gone with the angle grinder without a thought for the drill, unless I really wanted to trim it close in to the fence. But, as the others have said, if I had to pay to rent something, I'd buy the drill instead.

Calahonda52

get a 10 0r 12 mm sds drill bit and drill a series of vertical holes full depth, maybe 30 mm apart along the line you want to break off.
Then drive a pointed chisel into the holes and the piece will break off, may take a bit longer but wont be a dusty and dangerous as using a cutting disc

TheBoyConor

2 or 3 good vigorous belts with a sledgehammer will break that protruding corner off no problem.

That is what anyone who is used to that sort of thing would do. Hiring a consaw to cut 3 or 4 inches is overkill and unnecessary. Drilling lines of holes is both unnecessary and a waste of time. Just hit it hard. very hard.

GreeBo

TheBoyConor wrote: »

2 or 3 good vigorous belts with a sledgehammer will break that protruding corner off no problem.

That is what anyone who is used to that sort of thing would do. Hiring a consaw to cut 3 or 4 inches is overkill and unnecessary. Drilling lines of holes is both unnecessary and a waste of time. Just hit it hard. very hard.

You might get a break where you don't want one, I'd just use an SDS drill and chisel bit, have done it in exactly that scenario before, it will break right off around the concrete post.

rpg

Cheers everyone for the suggestions. Very helpful.

I’m leaning towards the SDS recommendation now, as I’d definitely make use of it in the future. I’ve a cordless combi drill that has an ‘impact’ function but I remember needing a lot of elbow grease drilling holes into a concrete wall last year.

Regret not picking up that Parkside SDS I saw in Lidl a few weeks ago now!

Oh and the sledgehammer idea is very tempting but I want to keep the break relatively neat, and don’t want to disturb the post too much if I can help it. Results to follow...

rpg

Thanks again to everyone for the tips. I went with a SDS and chisel and couple of drill bits. Went with the suggestion of drilling holes first and then chiselling off. It took it a little closer to the fence pole than I hoped but pole still feels solid enough as concrete surrounds other sides.

mickdw

rpg wrote: »

Thanks again to everyone for the tips. I went with a SDS and chisel and couple of drill bits. Went with the suggestion of drilling holes first and then chiselling off.

Lovely job.

Calahonda52

mickdw wrote: »

Lovely job.

Yep ,would give him "the start" any day:D