Best tool to remove concrete fence post

[c0tt0nt0p]

The wind brought down a fence panel, caused by a rotten wooden post that had been concreted in.... What's the best tool to remove said concrete? Might go and hire something to save time on the job....

Thanks

 

[Gramaisc]

I have, at times, been able to remove the wood, leaving the square hole in the concrete, then slide a new post back down into the hole - it's not always possible, but removing the concrete can be a bit of a job - sometimes people go a bit overboard.

I had to get a really huge concrete lump out once and it was like excavating the submarine pens at Brest.

You can also - subject to the state of the remaining wood, whack a Metpost in and stick a new post in that - not as good as getting the old wood out, though.

Or, subject to the state of the concrete, screw this sort to it.

 

[c0tt0nt0p]

Thanks... We had a similar issue a few years ago and the neighbour and I had no end of issues.... The fence post is in a right state and there no level ground so both of the met posts shown would help... We ended up using a metpost spike last time and they've been great.... Just gotta find a way to get rid of the rough concrete surround....

 

[littleme]

A hammer & a bolster chisel - might take some time though....

 

[proactive]

Might be a bit OTT but

http://www.hss.com/hire/p/breaker-medium-21kg-air

 

[c0tt0nt0p]

Might be a bit OTT but

http://www.hss.com/hire/p/breaker-medium-21kg-air

I'd say so.... Neighbour's patio is nearby... Recipe for disaster....

 

[Gramaisc]

Thanks... We had a similar issue a few years ago and the neighbour and I had no end of issues.... The fence post is in a right state and there no level ground so both of the met posts shown would help... We ended up using a metpost spike last time and they've been great.... Just gotta find a way to get rid of the rough concrete surround....

My preferred solution is to leave the concrete in place and reuse the hole in it. You can chew up the remaining wood with drill, scoop it out and leave a nice, solid socket for the new post. It may be necessary to wedge it a bit, but, if it's a nice fit, then they'll often swell into place when they've been there a few days.

 

[stoofer34]

SDS Hammer drill?

S

 

[Gramaisc]

If you really must get rid of the concrete - dig round it, roll it out and break it into manageable pieces with a sledge-hammer - beware of any nearby* glass.

*..or no so nearby...

 

[c0tt0nt0p]

Given the raised bed and patio there's no space to dig around... Might have to be an SDS hammer drill..

 

[Gramaisc]

A "normal domestic" SDS-plus may struggle - you could hire an SDS-max or a Kango hammer.

 

[c0tt0nt0p]

I've already managed to get a fair bit of the wood out.... Might get a cheap long wood drill bit to chew the rest of the wood up with....

 

[Gramaisc]

I've already managed to get a fair bit of the wood out.... Might get a cheap long wood drill bit to chew the rest of the wood up with....

Usually the way to go.....

 

[Perrier]

Semtex

 

[Noah]

Semtex

Other explosives are available

 

[proactive]

Semtex

That'll have raised an eyebrow at GCHQ.

 

[c0tt0nt0p]

work is afoot at excavating the fence post....have gotten about 4-5 inches down with a bit more to go

 

[Gramaisc]

It's like the Chilean Mine Rescue, Stafford -style...

 

[Gramaisc]

That'll have raised an eyebrow at GCHQ.

We might be OK. They may be distracted by their own problems with concrete - http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/artic...nes-for-hipster-job-adverts-on-london-streets .

 

[c0tt0nt0p]

gotten down to the point where the crowbar is of little use from a leverage point of view....still undecided whether to persist removing the remains of the post or to attempt a full removal of the concrete....

@Gramaisc on the times you've put a new post in the concrete hole left by removing the old post, have you added anything to assist stability such as mortar, cement or sand ?