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Posted by mm on September 24, 2006, 12:24 am
On Sun, 24 Sep 2006 03:27:25 GMT, "bill allemann"
>much faster, cheaper, cleaner to break it up with an electric jackhammer
>(from tool rental).
>In fact, if the slab isn't reinforced with rebar or wire mesh, you can do it
>even quicker with
>a big prybar and a 12# hammer.
I haven't tried it with a prybar. Buty I was going to suggest the
electric jackhammer. I'm only 5'8" and the biggest problem was
getting it out in order to move it after it went trhough the sidewalk
I was working on. I lifted part of the way, but then my arms were
horizontal. Very hard to lift. I was tired in less than 5 minutes.
If you're as short as I am, try to get the shortest jackhammer you can
(although the one I used wasnt' very tall) , but better yet, get your
friends back and take turns. It was fun, although I only did 3 or 4
square feet before I was too tired to continue. Of course it wasn't
my sidewalk. It was my next door neigbor's and I'm lucky the
contractor let me have the chance to have fun.
Everyone there should wear safety glasses, or at least glasses or
goggles whenever anyone is hammering. STones can fly in any
direction. I've been hit in the eye by smething like this, and it is
scarey.
YOu'll burn up the saw and it will take forever (based on how fast it
went before it burned up.)
>I just took out about 200sf of wire reinf 5" thick with a hammer and bar. I
>also used a jack to tilt the slabs.
>Fair amount of exercise, but that's mostly why I was doing it that way.
>Depending on your perspective,
>it can be kind of fun.
>Bill
>
>>I had decided to just suck it up and have a contractor do the
>> replacement work on my driveway, when a few friends came by and we got
>> to looking at what has to be done.
>>
>> The driveway is in four slabs and only one of them has to be removed
>> and replaced. Its about 9' X 11'
>>
>> They told me that if I get a diamond blade for my skil saw, I could cut
>> the slab up into manageable pieces and remove it myself. Being rather
>> poor until I hear from Ed McMahon :-) I am intrigued. In fact, if it
>> was possible to cut up the slab, I could make use of parts of it
>> elsewhere. Time I have in abundance, and I don't mind buying a blade or
>> two, so I am considering if it is doable.
>>
>> Then I figured I ought to ask those who know better than I would, if
>> what they told me is true. Can one of those blades in a skil saw cut up
>> a slab this size? (probably take a while, but like I said, time I got,
>> money is in short supply) Its a four inch slab, but I would think a
>> three inch cut and a sledge hammer would suffice, assuming the saw
>> could do the job.
>>
>> The reason I would consider it is, because if it gets messed up, or the
>> idea just goes bad, then I will just have to pay a pro to come do it,
>> but why not check around and see if its a valid idea first, maybe save
>> the cash for the new slab, try it to see how it goes. Worst case is a
>> blade or two, and my time, the call the pros. Might learns something
>> along the way <shrug>
>>
>> My friends say it cuts pretty well. Does anyone agree or disagree?
>>
>> I would love to hear opinions from those who have done it, or know of
>> it.
>>
>> As always, much obliged for any input or suggestions.
>>
>
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