Cutting up a Corrugated steel pipe 1

[WARose]

I got a corrugated steel pipe that is in the middle of nowhere I need to cut up to move. The steel thickness is about 1/4" (at worse; the rust is pretty bad).

I can't get at it with any power equipment. A portable torch is (also) out of the question because of the fire danger. Can someone recommend a tool? I saw some shears on-line.....but it was for cable.....don't think that would work here. Thanks (in advance).

 

[nackra]

cordless cut-off saw might work

http://toolsinaction.com/milwaukee-cordless-cut-off-saw-review/

https://www.echo-usa.com/Products/Cut-Off-Saws?msclkid=6c7127f325c51142db7379b2853a156d

 

[WARose]

Can't be anything electric. (But thanks.)

 

[WARose]

Too small. The pipe is about 4 feet in diameter.

 

[Kuhladula]

Is the diameter of the pipe small enough to use a soil pipe cutter?

Edit: Gotcha, 4' definitely is too large.

 

[PEinc]

Tell us the whole story. What do you mean when you say that you can't get at it with any power equipment? Can't you flatten it with a bulldozer or loader and then put it on a truck and cut it up later somewhere else? If not, you can use a hand-held hack saw or lift it out with a helicopter.

http://www.PeirceEngineering.com

 

[WARose]

What do you mean when you say that you can't get at it with any power equipment?

It's basically out in the middle of nowhere. Even getting a (light) generator to it would be a challenge. There is also an issue of splashing water. So anything electric is off the table.

Can't you flatten it with a bulldozer or loader and then put it on a truck and cut it up later somewhere else?

Nope.

 

[sbisteel]

https://www.hilti.com/c/CLS_CORDLES...W_7123/CLS_CORDLESS_RECIPRO_SAW_7123/r5962277

And rent maybe 10 batteries?

Edit to add: They also have cordless angle grinders which you could add a cut-off wheel to.

 

[r13]

If you are in the middle of nowhere, I can understand that electricity might not be available. But fire hazard, are you in a wooded area?

 

[human909]

Make a splash proof battery operated a grinder. They are low voltage anyway. Otherwise have fun with a hacksaw.

 

[WARose]

And rent maybe 10 batteries?

Again: nothing electric will do.

If you are in the middle of nowhere, I can understand that electricity might not be available. But fire hazard, are you in a wooded area?

Yep. It's pretty much the worst of both worlds. I'll be working on the land and water.

I may have to get old timey/brute force here: get some bolt cutters and go at it that way. But with that, I'm gonna have to beat it down as I go through to get the space to proceed on the cut. (It won't be like cutting paper.)

 

[PEinc]

Hammer and cold chisel? Heavy duty ax and a sledge hammer? Keep hammering away.

http://www.PeirceEngineering.com

 

[r13]

It's pretty much the worst of both worlds. I'll be working on the land and water.

I'm gonna have to beat it down as I go through to get the space to proceed on the cut.

Are you a jailbird trying to escape Couldn't help here

 

[phamENG]

Splashing water doesn't necessarily eliminate all electrical tools. A lot of professional grade tools are made for adverse environments. I wouldn't use them in a waterfall, but a heavy rain storm wouldn't be a cause for concern. Edit: I'm referring to battery operated stuff - not an extension cord.

Gas powered concrete saw with a metal cutting blade?

 

[WARose]

Are you a jailbird trying to escape Couldn't help here

Nah. Just a guy trying to get rid of a corrugated pipe.

Gas powered concrete saw with a metal cutting blade?

I've thought about that. It's definitely on my option list. I'm just wondering how many cutting wheels I would go through in the process.

 

[PEinc]

https://www.walterswholesale.com/do...MIr4Tkz9zH5wIVh4NaBR0APAL0EAYYBSABEgJ9yPD_BwE

Here you go. Try this. Maybe the company can make one that is big enough for your 4' pipe. Hire a couple of lumberjacks to do the pulling. You would need a cable that has diamond chips on it, like they use for wire saws to cut reinforced concrete.

http://www.PeirceEngineering.com

 

[phamENG]

I think the number of cutting wheels becomes irrelevant when you consider the man hours required to use a hack saw (and the number of hack saws).

 

[BridgeSmith]

The tools nackra linked to are gasoline powered, not electric.

If sparks are an issue you're likely stuck with battery-powered shears, which would handle typical corrugated pipe (up to 10 gauge), but not 1/4" structural plate pipe. 1/4" thick corrugated would be very unusual, especially for a 4ft diameter pipe. Contech lists 8 gauge (.1644") as the max thickest for their CMP, but that would be typically used in their larger pipes (their's go up to 15' diameter).

Rod Smith, P.E., The artist formerly known as HotRod10

 

[BridgeSmith]

I looked closer and it looks like battery-powered shears that can handle thicker than 14 gauge are going to be hard to come by, as are non-sparking cutting blades for circular saws.

A cordless reciprocating saw with a carbide metal cutting blade would probably work.

I take it you have to walk a considerable distance to the site? If so, what is the plan after cutting it up?

You might want to consider rounding up enough friends or hiring a few guys to help remove it whole, rather than attempting to cut it up, which given your constraints could be a labor-intensive process.

The only option so far that isn't going to involve a long, hard day of labor is probably the gas-powered chop saw. If you can clear away the easily flammable stuff, that would seem to be the way to go. You mentioned there being water involved, so bring a 5-gallon bucket to fill up before you start to douse anything that gets lit.

Edit: I'll add a couple more comments on the gas-powered chop saw. 1) Controlling where the sparks land is usually not too difficult 2) They're usually made with a guard that catches most of the water they kick up, since they're used mostly for cutting concrete, and it's usually done with water on the surface to control dust.

Rod Smith, P.E., The artist formerly known as HotRod10

 

[oldestguy]

Hire a bunch of local teen agers. Bring in a few packages of hacksaw blades. Each gets a hack saw that works with one end only held by a gripper. Run a contest on rate of cutting per hour.,