The leaning fence of mollwollfumble is down.

Trouble is, way too heavy to lift. And the top 3/4 has been made from mortar almost as hard as concrete and with strong bricks.

How to break it into small pieces (bricks) light enough to lift?

Has to be done by one person, eg. I can’t hold a cold chisel and swing a sledge at the same time.

Possible – use an angle grinder to gouge out the top of the mortar, then some sort of wedge as used to be used in rock quarries?

Help please.

You need a brick bolster and an appropriate mallet thing to hit it with. It’s not fast. But it works. You can’t have mine – I need them.

:)

mollwollfumble said:

The leaning fence of mollwollfumble is down.

Trouble is, way too heavy to lift. And the top 3/4 has been made from mortar almost as hard as concrete and with strong bricks.

How to break it into small pieces (bricks) light enough to lift?

Has to be done by one person, eg. I can’t hold a cold chisel and swing a sledge at the same time.

Possible – use an angle grinder to gouge out the top of the mortar, then some sort of wedge as used to be used in rock quarries?

Help please.

No home insurance?

Looks like a job for a pro to me.

Hit it with a sledge hammer

It will fall apart

mollwollfumble said:

The leaning fence of mollwollfumble is down.

Trouble is, way too heavy to lift. And the top 3/4 has been made from mortar almost as hard as concrete and with strong bricks.

How to break it into small pieces (bricks) light enough to lift?

Has to be done by one person, eg. I can’t hold a cold chisel and swing a sledge at the same time.

Possible – use an angle grinder to gouge out the top of the mortar, then some sort of wedge as used to be used in rock quarries?

Help please.

Hammer drill possibly.

wookiemeister said:

Hit it with a sledge hammer

It will fall apart

let it sit there, eventually it will demolish itself

Other option

Rent / borrow an ectric jack hammer and concentrate on mortar parts

An electric jack hammer will come with a spade bit

Start from an edge and work back as each brick falls away

You can tell mine have had quite a bit of use. Fortunately for me the mortar used in Casterton around 1900 was pretty soft. But some of the bricks I’ve been pulling apart and cleaning have more modern concretey mortar. It’s surprisingly easy to break them apart with those simple hand tools. Actually cleaning off the mortar can be more taxing.

Experimental

Drill holes through the mortar and pour pool acid down into it.

Submit your fence to Shit Brick Fences of Melbourne!

https://www.facebook.com/shitbrickfencesofmelbourne/

wookiemeister said:

Experimental

Drill holes through the mortar and pour pool acid down into it.

recommend take the acid first then you’ll be all charged ready to smash the damn bricks with your bare hands

wookiemeister said:

An electric jack hammer will come with a spade bit

Start from an edge and work back as each brick falls away

^probably spoken by a man that’s done some time on an electric jackhammer

an alternative possibility is to wait until late in the evening, or early morning when everyone is safely in bed, place some fertilizer underneath it, maybe do it during a very bad thunderstorm, or if you want to do away with the fertilizer just fix a lightning rod to the bricks and let nature do the job, maybe keep it all moist from the inside, put the hose on it occasionally and just wait, very patiently, lightning is very good at exploding moisture in concrete, you just need encourage it down the lightning rod to where you need it

on a more serious note, i’m guessing a big sledge would do it, you may need someone more youthful for that, anything like me swinging things like that hurts me as much as whatever being cut or hit

buffy said:

You need a brick bolster and an appropriate mallet thing to hit it with. It’s not fast. But it works. You can’t have mine – I need them.

:)

Have brick bolster. Have club hammer. Trying now. It’s not fast. It’s working so far (on the weak bricks with softer mortar).

> Hammer drill and acid

Am considering as a last resort.

> Sledge hammer

Mine was “borrowed” and never returned. Will see about buying a heavier replacement.

wookiemeister said:

An electric jack hammer will come with a spade bit

Start from an edge and work back as each brick falls away

Bunnings doesn’t hire them out.

I wonder about kennards. Fom $85 for four hours. That’s OK.

mollwollfumble said:

> Hammer drill and acid

Am considering as a last resort.

> Sledge hammer

Mine was “borrowed” and never returned. Will see about buying a heavier replacement.

wookiemeister said:

An electric jack hammer will come with a spade bit

Start from an edge and work back as each brick falls away

Bunnings doesn’t hire them out.

I wonder about kennards. Fom $85 for four hours. That’s OK.

I reckon for $85 you could probably just pay someone else to take it away. Local garden cleanup people or someone?

“If at first you don’t succeed, use a larger hammer” – Woodie

Woodie said:

“If at first you don’t succeed, use a larger hammer” – Woodie

“If at first you don’t succeed, find someone to blame” – Tamb

If you’re on deep soft sand like the rest of the area, bury it as a strip footing for the replacement.

Rule 303 said:

If you’re on deep soft sand like the rest of the area, bury it as a strip footing for the replacement.

Don’t forget to write on it first, ‘look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair!’.

Put an advert for them on Gumtree and/or Facebook Marketplace.
“Free bricks! Pick-up only”.

Spiny Norman said:

Put an advert for them on Gumtree and/or Facebook Marketplace.
“Free bricks! Pick-up only”.

Even more effective:

put a sign on them that says ‘Please do not take bricks’..

captain_spalding said:

Spiny Norman said:

Put an advert for them on Gumtree and/or Facebook Marketplace.
“Free bricks! Pick-up only”.

Even more effective:

put a sign on them that says ‘Please do not take bricks’..

go online and tell people that they aren’t bricks

SCIENCE said:

captain_spalding said:

Spiny Norman said:

Put an advert for them on Gumtree and/or Facebook Marketplace.
“Free bricks! Pick-up only”.

Even more effective:

put a sign on them that says ‘Please do not take bricks’..

go online and tell people that they aren’t bricks

Save the planet. Free recyclable bricks.

Tamb said:

SCIENCE said:

captain_spalding said:

Even more effective:

put a sign on them that says ‘Please do not take bricks’..

go online and tell people that they aren’t bricks

Save the planet. Free recyclable bricks.

Sign that says, ‘Bricks. Help yourself.’

And then gives Christian Porter’s address.

All be gone by afternoon tea time.

Jesus. you are lucky that didn’t fall on anyone…

Which way was it leaning ?

Did you dig a small trench behind it?

Wookie’s way = Very quick, very noisy, requires ear muffs.

Buffy’s way = A bit slower, less noisy.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Which way was it leaning ?

Did you dig a small trench behind it?

Wookie’s way = Very quick, very noisy, requires ear muffs.

Buffy’s way = A bit slower, less noisy.

The Way of the Wookie is my daily mantra.

A tip tray truck with a winch ?

Tau.Neutrino said:

A tip tray truck with a winch ?

Might be cheaper with Wookie’s way.

Witty Rejoinder said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Which way was it leaning ?

Did you dig a small trench behind it?

Wookie’s way = Very quick, very noisy, requires ear muffs.

Buffy’s way = A bit slower, less noisy.

The Way of the Wookie is my daily mantra.

:)

Tau.Neutrino said:

Which way was it leaning ?

Did you dig a small trench behind it?

Wookie’s way = Very quick, very noisy, requires ear muffs.

Buffy’s way = A bit slower, less noisy.

My way? Get the man in.

Woodie said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Which way was it leaning ?

Did you dig a small trench behind it?

Wookie’s way = Very quick, very noisy, requires ear muffs.

Buffy’s way = A bit slower, less noisy.

My way? Get the man in.

Buffy’s way, slow, but you get good exercise.

Wookies way, faster but very noisy.

Crazy Neutrino’s way, even faster but most expensive.

Depends on time and money. But if you go with a winch trailer or truck use some sort of metal or wood rollers under the bricks if you don’t want to leave drag marks.

Maybe look at hiring a small jackhammer.

party_pants said:

Maybe look at hiring a small jackhammer.

Or a small man, named Jack, with a hammer…

furious said:

party_pants said:

Maybe look at hiring a small jackhammer.

Or a small man, named Jack, with a hammer…

:)

Thanks all.

Buffy, thanks because I’ve had a bolster for decades but never had a use for it before.

Then a passing neighbour took pity on me and lent me his sledge hammer. I couldn’t lift it easily and couldn’t hit the same spot twice, but it speeded things up by a factor of two.

Then a second passing neighbour leant me his heavy duty electric jack hammer. Heavy duty indeed. Weighs about 30 kg. I’ve known adult humans that were easier to pick up. Demolished the fence posts fast, including the bottom bricks still in the gound, but needed a lot of breaks.

Then the second neighbour said – you’re going to have trouble removing the concrete from under the fence where the new fance posts will be going, and handed me a pick attachment for the jackhammer. Aagh! He also said I would be digging straight above the gas pipe and water pipe.

I haven’t started removing the concrete yet, that’s tomorrow. My back is getting very sore from the weight of the jack hammer. I really doubt whether I’ll be able to walk at all tomorrow.

:-))

Thanks all.

mollwollfumble said:

Thanks all.

Buffy, thanks because I’ve had a bolster for decades but never had a use for it before.

Then a passing neighbour took pity on me and lent me his sledge hammer. I couldn’t lift it easily and couldn’t hit the same spot twice, but it speeded things up by a factor of two.

Then a second passing neighbour leant me his heavy duty electric jack hammer. Heavy duty indeed. Weighs about 30 kg. I’ve known adult humans that were easier to pick up. Demolished the fence posts fast, including the bottom bricks still in the gound, but needed a lot of breaks.

Then the second neighbour said – you’re going to have trouble removing the concrete from under the fence where the new fance posts will be going, and handed me a pick attachment for the jackhammer. Aagh! He also said I would be digging straight above the gas pipe and water pipe.

I haven’t started removing the concrete yet, that’s tomorrow. My back is getting very sore from the weight of the jack hammer. I really doubt whether I’ll be able to walk at all tomorrow.

:-))

Thanks all.

Gas pipes, jackhammers.

Runs away.

mollwollfumble said:

Thanks all.

Buffy, thanks because I’ve had a bolster for decades but never had a use for it before.

Then a passing neighbour took pity on me and lent me his sledge hammer. I couldn’t lift it easily and couldn’t hit the same spot twice, but it speeded things up by a factor of two.

Then a second passing neighbour leant me his heavy duty electric jack hammer. Heavy duty indeed. Weighs about 30 kg. I’ve known adult humans that were easier to pick up. Demolished the fence posts fast, including the bottom bricks still in the gound, but needed a lot of breaks.

Then the second neighbour said – you’re going to have trouble removing the concrete from under the fence where the new fance posts will be going, and handed me a pick attachment for the jackhammer. Aagh! He also said I would be digging straight above the gas pipe and water pipe.

I haven’t started removing the concrete yet, that’s tomorrow. My back is getting very sore from the weight of the jack hammer. I really doubt whether I’ll be able to walk at all tomorrow.

:-))

Thanks all.

Good one.

:)

captain_spalding said:

Spiny Norman said:

Put an advert for them on Gumtree and/or Facebook Marketplace.
“Free bricks! Pick-up only”.

Even more effective:

put a sign on them that says ‘Please do not take bricks’..

The fence originally was mostly breeze blocks.
I put a sign on Facebook Marketplace for “Used Breeze Blocks $2 each”. They all went. :-)

I have learnt that it costs ~$100 more to place a skip on the nature strip. Skip itself is a bit more than $200.

Michael V said:

mollwollfumble said:

Thanks all.

Buffy, thanks because I’ve had a bolster for decades but never had a use for it before.

Then a passing neighbour took pity on me and lent me his sledge hammer. I couldn’t lift it easily and couldn’t hit the same spot twice, but it speeded things up by a factor of two.

Then a second passing neighbour leant me his heavy duty electric jack hammer. Heavy duty indeed. Weighs about 30 kg. I’ve known adult humans that were easier to pick up. Demolished the fence posts fast, including the bottom bricks still in the gound, but needed a lot of breaks.

Then the second neighbour said – you’re going to have trouble removing the concrete from under the fence where the new fance posts will be going, and handed me a pick attachment for the jackhammer. Aagh! He also said I would be digging straight above the gas pipe and water pipe.

I haven’t started removing the concrete yet, that’s tomorrow. My back is getting very sore from the weight of the jack hammer. I really doubt whether I’ll be able to walk at all tomorrow.

:-))

Thanks all.

Good one.

:)

Why remove it? Should make a good foundation.

Tamb said:

Michael V said:

mollwollfumble said:

Thanks all.

Buffy, thanks because I’ve had a bolster for decades but never had a use for it before.

Then a passing neighbour took pity on me and lent me his sledge hammer. I couldn’t lift it easily and couldn’t hit the same spot twice, but it speeded things up by a factor of two.

Then a second passing neighbour leant me his heavy duty electric jack hammer. Heavy duty indeed. Weighs about 30 kg. I’ve known adult humans that were easier to pick up. Demolished the fence posts fast, including the bottom bricks still in the gound, but needed a lot of breaks.

Then the second neighbour said – you’re going to have trouble removing the concrete from under the fence where the new fance posts will be going, and handed me a pick attachment for the jackhammer. Aagh! He also said I would be digging straight above the gas pipe and water pipe.

I haven’t started removing the concrete yet, that’s tomorrow. My back is getting very sore from the weight of the jack hammer. I really doubt whether I’ll be able to walk at all tomorrow.

:-))

Thanks all.

Good one.

:)

Why remove it? Should make a good foundation.

The new aluminium fence posts have to go down about 500 to 600 mm. I’ve already bought them :-(
Alright, you’ve caught me out, I actually got the the new fence posts for free. :-)

party_pants said:

Maybe look at hiring a small jackhammer.

+1

Ogmog said:

party_pants said:

Maybe look at hiring a small jackhammer.

+1

If the jackhammer hits the gas pipe your problem will be solved.

I’ve got number of small to large electric jackhammers. Some so small you can use one in each hand.

roughbarked said:

I’ve got number of small to large electric jackhammers. Some so small you can use one in each hand.

Must be difficult to get the back off some watches.

Ive used jack hammers “Eye protection” is essential.

Chips fly all over the place in every direction.

PermeateFree said:

roughbarked said:

I’ve got number of small to large electric jackhammers. Some so small you can use one in each hand.

Must be difficult to get the back off some watches.

I can a watch with a hard to get off back.

Tau.Neutrino said:

PermeateFree said:

roughbarked said:

I’ve got number of small to large electric jackhammers. Some so small you can use one in each hand.

Must be difficult to get the back off some watches.

I can a watch with a hard to get off back.

geez

I have a watch with a hard to get off back.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

PermeateFree said:

Must be difficult to get the back off some watches.

I can a watch with a hard to get off back.

geez

I have a watch with a hard to get off back.

That’s alright Tau, just thought the bong had dragged you off your chair.

Obtain some super phosphate and diesel, then experiment.

PermeateFree said:

Obtain some super phosphate and diesel, then experiment.

We could set a laboratory and devise a concrete dissolver for industry and retail.

PermeateFree said:

Obtain some super phosphate and diesel, then experiment.

ammonium nitrate and diesel. ANFO. You also need a detonator and an initiator.

Tau.Neutrino said:

PermeateFree said:

Obtain some super phosphate and diesel, then experiment.

We could set a laboratory and devise a concrete dissolver for industry and retail.

hydrochloric acid. already used for this purpose.

My brother has a combined electric hammer drill and small jackhammer type machine. Does heavy duty drilling in concrete or masonry, but you can switch the rotary off and just use the hammer mechanism as a small jack hammer with a chisel shaped bit (also included).

It worked rather well for making a hole in a brick wall to put in a door.

ChrispenEvan said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

PermeateFree said:

Obtain some super phosphate and diesel, then experiment.

We could set a laboratory and devise a concrete dissolver for industry and retail.

hydrochloric acid. already used for this purpose.

ok.

Linda Reynolds extends sick leave amid ongoing controversy over Brittany Higgins. Much the same for our Attorney general Christian Porter. Just get them out of the way until it cools off.

PermeateFree said:

Linda Reynolds extends sick leave amid ongoing controversy over Brittany Higgins. Much the same for our Attorney general Christian Porter. Just get them out of the way until it cools off.

Rong fred

ChrispenEvan said:

PermeateFree said:

Obtain some super phosphate and diesel, then experiment.

ammonium nitrate and diesel. ANFO. You also need a detonator and an initiator.

Surely you don’t want him to blow himself up?

PermeateFree said:

ChrispenEvan said:

PermeateFree said:

Obtain some super phosphate and diesel, then experiment.

ammonium nitrate and diesel. ANFO. You also need a detonator and an initiator.

Surely you don’t want him to blow himself up?

I didn’t know I needed an initiator. That must be what I’ve been doing wrong.

How much ANFO would I need to remove a tree stump of a cypress, 110 cm in diameter?

PermeateFree said:

roughbarked said:

I’ve got number of small to large electric jackhammers. Some so small you can use one in each hand.

Must be difficult to get the back off some watches.

:)

Actually another watchmaker who sometimes partners with me at opal mininghad this to say, “I’m good enough with this little jackhammer to drill your teeth with it”.