Insane bolts giving us runaround

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

Not model engineering I know but still relevant I hope.

A friend and his men recently did me a good favour by moving and positioning my new lathe and I would like to repay the favour. In the course of his business he has to remove large bits of machinery from factories and the like. This invariably leaves redundant anchoring studs/bolts sticking out of the concrete floor. Up to now they have gas cut the studs of but increasingly the elfs will not allow the showers of sparks this involves (think food factory/refineries). The same also applies to angle grinding. So an alternative – non spark/flame – method – needs to be found.

Up to now they have been using a length of thick walled tubing and snapping the smaller diameters of but even this often leaves some sticking out of the ground. The larger diameters of course pose even more of a problem. He has asked if I could come up with an idea and make something to do the job. So, given that two (or more) heads are better than one I am looking for suggestions.

The solution needs to be as cheap and cheerful as possible. Any bright ideas?

Rik

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Really big side cutters. Failing that, shaped demolition charges.

These would do M10.

**LINK**

or the old fallback of the good old fashioned cold chisel.

regards Martin

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Not the cheapest but have had it done on contracts was involved with.

Diamond core drill with full water control (minimal mess) drill bit larger than the anchor and drill out a core of concrete complete with anchor still in the middle. Fill hole with epoxy floor repair concrete.

Another way depending on the anchor sysyem used and how much stud you have poking up a hydralic puller can be used if force exceeds the grip of the anchor out it comes

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Another thought chip up a bit of the floor around the fixing then use a reciprocating saw to cut off below floor level

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Flush cut circular saw with TCT metal cutting blade. Try Google.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Alligator saw to cut down to about 1/2" or less above floor. Then drill down length of bolt to reduce volume to cut through. Finally cutting flush with floor with a hacksaw modified as you do manually with your thumbs pressing on one side of the blade so it scrapes along the floor.

[Andy CarruthersParticipant @andycarruthers33275]

Cut-off tool with shroud to prevent grinding material showering the area?

Mount the cut-off tool on an arc to cater for varying size floor bolts?

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

It was common practice in our factory to over drill the holes for fixing bolts so they could be hammered into the floor when no longer required, it might be worth a bash before having to cut off the studs. Another way is to just knock the stud backwards and forwards with a hammer until it snaps, can damage the hole a bit but works well upto 12mm studs. Grinding and gas axe needed a hot work permit so anything else was quicker.

Mike

[John McNamaraParticipant @johnmcnamara74883]

Hi

I Googled "concrete edge grinder water vacuum"

I have seen these in action on projects with the right wheel they will work, some have a wet vaccum to clean up the mess.
They can also be used to knock down any grouting.

**LINK**

Regards
John

[vintagengineerParticipant @vintagengineer]

Enerpac hollow jack and jack them out.

[vintagengineerParticipant @vintagengineer]

Oh, the good old Pikey keys, will open anything!

Posted by Martin Kyte on 09/08/2017 11:43:49:

Really big side cutters. Failing that, shaped demolition charges.

These would do M10.

**LINK**

or the old fallback of the good old fashioned cold chisel.

regards Martin

[richardandtracyParticipant @richardandtracy]

Most sensible thing to do: Exterminate the Elfs. Then you'll be able to go back to easy, quick & efficient bolt removal methods .

Regards,

Richard.

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Posted by richardandtracy on 09/08/2017 14:45:18:

Most sensible thing to do: Exterminate the Elfs. Then you'll be able to go back to easy, quick & efficient bolt removal methods .

Regards,

Richard.

Lateral thinking. I like that

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Drill through the bolt turning it into a tube then use your snapper-offer tool or a cold chisel

[RRMBKParticipant @rrmbk]

Hand or power operated hydraulic cutters can be had that will cut virtually flat up to the cutting face . not cheap but very effective . used by fire and emergency services etc . **LINK**

[Martin CargillParticipant @martincargill50290]

Big cold chisel to notch either side of the bolt then either hammer from side to side or the thick walled tube. Then hammer any stub down (assuming the bolts are not chemical type)

Martin

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Oscillating power saw, no sparks, swarf limited to immediate area, cuts flush with the floor, yours for 70 smackers or less. Job done,
BobH

[Flying FiferParticipant @flyingfifer]

Padsaw handle with a hacksaw blade. Keep the blade flush with the surface with your fingers and go for it. I removed the remains of 6 x 1 inch dia studs & 6 x 1/2 inch studs this way yesterday.

Alan

[John McNamaraParticipant @johnmcnamara74883]

A reciprocating saw would work also **LINK**

Very handy for demolition.

Working against concrete the flexible blades will take a pounding but they are not that expensive, they could be regarded as a consumable.

Regards
John

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by Mike Poole on 09/08/2017 13:07:05:

Grinding and gas axe needed a hot work permit so anything else was quicker.

Hot Work Permit? Every time I hear of some elfincobblers like this I am glad I don't have to leave my home workshop anymore.

How on earth did we manufacture anything throughout the 19th and 20th centuries with factories constantly burning to the ground left right and centre due to the absence of Hot Work Permits?

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

Hopper, the comical thing was you still needed one in the body in white shop with 1,100 robots spot welding all day long, you couldn't make it up.

Mike

[Roger Baker 2Participant @rogerbaker2]

Method 1 Oxy torch, heat till red hot, Large chisel at the base, hit with lage hammer. No Sparks

Method 2 Get the elves to do it themselves.

Roger

[john carruthersParticipant @johncarruthers46255]

Diamond wire saw? I use one for cutting the studs and keys left after window and shop front removal.

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Step 1. Wait for the elf's to trip over the studs.

Step 2. Do what you like.

Martin

:0)

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