We have a metal fireplace 'plate' for want of a better description, that is attached to the wall (plaster over concrete block) using some kind of anchors that were clearly hammered in. We want to remove the plate and replace it with a new one as well as put an inset stove in place.
Here is a picture of the fireplace, the black thing's the plate:
What's a reasonably low-destruction way to remove these anchors and hence, the plate? I've gotten one suggestion to use an angle grinder, which I've never done and I have images of sparks flying everywhere in the living room, which is scary. Another possibility is a concrete chisel/sledge hammer combo, which I fear will create big holes in the concrete block.
Here is a closeup of a corner of the plate with one of the anchors in it, slightly exposed after I broke off a corner of the plate (which had cracked) with a hammer and small chisel. The other anchors aren't yielding, however
The anchor's actually hollow - I stuck a stick all the way into it. It's not a bolt nor threaded. Is there some kind of extractor I could rent that might yank them out?
Thanks!
