SIGforum
How to remove concrete from posts?
July 01, 2017, 06:04 PM
4x5How to remove concrete from posts?
OK Sigforum, I need your help. We're giving our swingset to our neighbors. I spent the day tearing it down, now I need to get the concrete off the posts. Is there an easy way to do this, or am I stuck with a sledge and concrete chisel?
By the way, I may not survive the night. This about killed me today

Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice - pull down your pants and slide on the ice.
ʘ ͜ʖ ʘ July 01, 2017, 06:08 PM
ZSMICHAELYou are giving it away. I would suggest having the neighbor come pick it up, unless there is more to this story.
July 01, 2017, 06:10 PM
4x5quote:
Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
You are giving it away. I would suggest having the neighbor come pick it up, unless there is more to this story.
I wouldn't want to wish this chore on anyone

Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice - pull down your pants and slide on the ice.
ʘ ͜ʖ ʘ July 01, 2017, 06:14 PM
SportshooterA 16 lb. sledge hammer would work just like it did for me in 1963. Just find yourself an 18 yr. old to swing it.

July 01, 2017, 06:17 PM
doublesharpHammer drill or even better a rotary hammer not too hard but not easy either. drill holes in a line and then swing the sledge.
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July 01, 2017, 06:21 PM
OutnumberedSeems like it'd be a lot easier to just move those pieces to his place in a pickup or trailer as-is, and let him dig a little bigger hole. A lot easier than busting concrete, anyways!
July 01, 2017, 06:25 PM
marksman41A long handled sledge will knock the poles clean with a few swings each.
Last month I had about 40 poles to get the concrete removed so that the recycling place would take them. I tried a hand sledge and chisel first, but it didn't take long to realize that was not the way. So I took a long handled 9lb sledge to one of the poles and that concrete busted right off with two swings. Some other poles with a larger mass of concrete took 3-4 swings, but the concrete broke off cleanly. Granted, I had large chunks of concrete to dispose of but they are now doing service as erosion control in a deep ditch.
July 01, 2017, 06:25 PM
bigpond73I would sawzall the pole where it meets the concrete, and then rebuild and reinforce the pipes as needed at the new location. The kids won't notice a few joints.
Mike
You can run, but you cannot hide.
If you won't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
July 01, 2017, 07:13 PM
cparktdAs-is where-is. Done!
If you bust it off (easy to do with a sledge)
you have to dispose of the concrete.
As mentioned he could leave it on and just dig holes big enough to fit.
Endeavor to persevere. July 01, 2017, 07:39 PM
honestlouDefinitely leave it on. You dug holes big enough to pour the concrete. Unless he's going to skip the concrete he'll need to dig holes that big anyway. So yes, maybe a little bigger to fit those in, but that's balanced by not having to mix concrete.
July 01, 2017, 07:43 PM
petrRent a rotary hammer with a chisel tip to use as a mini jackhammer. Or if you have a large air compressor and air hammer it will do the same thing. The sledge hammer will work but take more muscle.
July 01, 2017, 07:45 PM
zoom6zoomtell them to dig bigger holes.
I have my own style of humor. I call it Snarkasm. July 01, 2017, 07:48 PM
41$150 without out the concrete, $50 with the concrete.

41
July 01, 2017, 07:52 PM
LS1 GTOquote:
Originally posted by 41:
$150 without out the concrete, $50 with the concrete.
^^^
Your neighbor will understand.

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July 01, 2017, 07:54 PM
mjlennonCut the ends off with a saw.
July 01, 2017, 08:00 PM
Suppressedquote:
Originally posted by marksman41:
A long handled sledge will knock the poles clean with a few swings each.
Last month I had about 40 poles to get the concrete removed so that the recycling place would take them. I tried a hand sledge and chisel first, but it didn't take long to realize that was not the way. So I took a long handled 9lb sledge to one of the poles and that concrete busted right off with two swings. Some other poles with a larger mass of concrete took 3-4 swings, but the concrete broke off cleanly. Granted, I had large chunks of concrete to dispose of but they are now doing service as erosion control in a deep ditch.
This is how to do it. I have used this method several times with success.
July 01, 2017, 08:21 PM
FredwardA few swings with the sledge will handle it! Send the wife out with the sledgehammer while you go on a beer run.
July 01, 2017, 08:48 PM
chellim1quote:
Originally posted by Fredward:
A few swings with the sledge will handle it! Send the wife out with the sledgehammer while you go on a beer run.
I like the idea of leaving it on.
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-rduckwor July 01, 2017, 08:51 PM
arfmelNine pound hammer-Townes VanZandt
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fEq-u72bV_gJuly 01, 2017, 08:54 PM
BisleyblackhawkActually...a few good wacks with an 8# sledge hammer works well...concrete seems to come off easily (within reason) from steel posts (not so much with 4X4s).
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