How to cut metal pole

It could be on his property but in the city easment for the alley. Think 'sidewalk' - you can build something over a sidewalk even though you own the land, same can go for the alley.

Me? I'd ask one of the trucks to push it over and get the driver to help me roll it out of the way. But then I've pulled out bushes from my front yard with a 4wd and a tow strap, I'm kind of messy that way.

Andy wrote: : I need to cut a steel pole. It is the pole of an inground basketball : goal. It is currently standing up and anchored with concrete to the : ground. I am totally clueless about metal cutting.

: Is it possible to "saw off" the pole near its base ? If yes, what : type of saw or cutting tool do I need to use ? Any advice on how to : go about it ?

Sounds like a good excuse to get that 50 amp plasma cutter you always wanted. :)

I've read news stories about trash (dumped couches, washers) in the alleyway and the property owners are responsible for cleanup so the trash trucks can do their job. I have a 3' sidewalk right at the curb, but an 8' easement for utilities (5' past the sidewalk). That's most of my front yard. Technically the utility can come in ripup and fix their stuff and leave the mess, but they usually put things back.

I'll never forget the guy in my front yard who was standing in a 3' deep hole. Since it was 105 outside, he looked like a bog monster.

Joel. phx

Our HomeDepo have rent-a-centers. Must be something in there to hack down a pole. I'd go for something gas powered without a muffler,....

That or Harbor Freight has a $14 hand-held gr> > Another question..is it on or off your property line? If its off your

--Didja ever see the very beginning of "Cool Hand Luke"? He's cutting parking meters with a pipe cutter. Rent a big one and you'll be able to top that pole in no time..

I really, really appreciate all the great help, wisdom and advice I got from all of you guys (and gals anybody ?). If I have to take it down myself, I think that I have a good choice of options to pick from.

After determining yesterday evening that the pole is in city property, I have notified the city that I cannot remove a basketball goal that somebody else installed outside of my property, that I never use and that other people do. I could then well be accused of destruction of property or theft of somebody's else property. In fact, it is not clear at all who installed this goal, since it is very old.

We will see what happens on the legal front before going further on the physical destruction methods front.....

Thanks again, Andy

And if the pole is full of water (as was a flagpole I saw them trying to cut down when I was in high school), it can take a long time to cut through, at which point it attempts to put out the torch with a stream of water. I would drill two holes -- one where I intended to cut, and one a little lower, to drain the water below the ring of cutting, so you don't have this boiling heat sink on the inside of the pipe. It seemed to take forever for him to get that hole through, and a drill motor first, and while it is draining you set up your torch would probably make more sense.

Enjoy, DoN.

On Wed, 16 Jul 2003 16:28:25 GMT, Stan Stocker scribed:

I agree with Stan... What's wrong with a hacksaw? I have chopped off cyclone fence poles that way, I dinna know what a basketball pole is made of but having run into enough of them (literally) I would venture some sort of cast iron or mild steel... Bring a hacksaw a couple of extra blades, and a friend to hold the thing up while you do it. If you get tired cutting, switch places for a bit... You don't need anything fancy, just a $12.00 hacksaw, blades, buddy and a couple of beers after for a job - well - done...

Best,

Freddie

Hi Martin,

The size of the company doesn't matter, small ones have to operate at a profit just like big ones. These little homeowner type jobs are just flat money losers, anyway you slice it.

Being hungry or having too little work isn't a reason to lose more money, the opposite is true, it's a time to really avoid those jobs as you can't absorb the loss in order to do a favor or creat good will as you might do during better times.

As far as keeping your hands busy so's they don't look elsewhere, that's a much used tactic during down times but only when all overhead is covered, folks will work at cost to keep good help, few if any will operate at a loss to do the same.

regards, JTMcC.

As my wife once said, "I'd rather not work and not make any money, than *work* and not make any money."

Jim

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Drill a few holes in it near ground level. Throw chain around it near top. Other end of chain attach to frame of your truck. Pull it down and drag it away. Beat the stump down with big hammer. Go have beer. make sure to videotape it in case something goes wrong you can always sell tape to America's funniest video

"John T. McCracken" wrote: ...

$25 per ton sounds like a pretty good return - the yard here in Huron SD pays only $10/ton. When I bought some steel recently I took along two old PC chassis to dispose of and only got a dime for each.

-jiw

If I were doing that, either a) the chain would snap and take out my truck window, or b) the damn pole would land on top of the truck.

Jim

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Just have a kid hit you in the sack with a baseball or baseball bat, while a dog bites at an oscillating sprinkler beside the truck and you have the mandatory cliche winners on the show :-)

Cheers, Stan