Got a boiler and it needs to get out!

So, I landed a sweet job scrapping/removing junk from a guy's basement. The main obstacle is this FREAKIN HEAVY boiler that we just couldn't get up the stairs no matter what we tried. I've searched the forums and come up with...just beating the hell out of it with a sledge and wedge? Does cast iron really break up like that? I mean, if it does, it seems like it'll actually be a pretty straight forward deal...

Any other tips/advice? I have a 4 1/2" angle grinder but it just seems like sooooooo much to cut through. Anyone else tackle one of these beasts like that?

Thanks guys and gals!

Yes cast will break if you smack it enough. ;)

Can't help on the rest, but I answered one question!

Sounds like a job for a BFH!

Good luck!

Sirscrapalot - The seven marvels that best represent man's achievements over the last 2,000 years will be determined by Internet vote... so look for Howard Stern's Private Parts to come in No. 1. - Jon Stewart

Your "sweet" job is going to be a "sweat" job! Good Luck and have fun

If it is ductile cast, you can not break it with a hammer. You can use a torch though. If it is pure cast, you can break it with a sledge hammer. Once you break a hole in it, the rest will break much easier. The other option is to use a thermal or oxy lance, but you better know what you are doing. I would not use one in a house. Goggle it and you will see why. The other option is to use a quickie saw. Good luck.

Patriot is the man when it comes to this stuff. Listen to him over me. For proof on how awesome he is, view his thread. Talk about a big job.

Sirscrapalot - Off to revoke Hobo's quote license...Zac efron...c'mon man! ;)

Thanks Sir. I only wanted to point out that there are different types of cast and knowing the amount of steel used dictates the cutting procedure. Pure cast was used in the past but some of the cast produced today is categorized as ductile because of the amount of steel used with the iron.

Steel is the fuel used to burn through metal with a torch. Pure cast only melts with heat because it does not have the fuel to burn.

My understanding is that cast up to the 1940's with steel in it is rare. After the 1960's ductile cast is more common than pure cast. In between these time frames it is a crap shoot. If someone could provide more insight it would be appreciated.

I did 1 boiler and the sections were held together by some heavy steel rod

Might check the other links down below, might be some other good info.

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Originally Posted by scrapping4ever

I did 1 boiler and the sections were held together by some heavy steel rod

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I'll second this one. Take the outside cover off and look for these threaded rods. Once removed, most of these boilers will separate into 3 or more pieces.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mthomasdev

Quote:

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Originally Posted by scrapping4ever

I did 1 boiler and the sections were held together by some heavy steel rod

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I'll second this one. Take the outside cover off and look for these threaded rods. Once removed, most of these boilers will separate into 3 or more pieces.

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I'll third this motion. Each section will be about 75 pounds each, if it is a sectional boiler. If it's a pot belly type or "in shot" oil burner type, you will have to start cutting. Any tool you use will be a long journey to cut it. Just my 2 cents.

I'm with the others. The cast iron boilers i've seen are sectional. Pull the jacket, bag up the insulation ( watch for asbestos), and undo the nuts on the ends of the long rods that hold all of the sections together.

Socket wrench would do.

If the nuts are rusted solid heat them up cherry red and then just feed a little bit of paraffin in every so often as it's cooling.(90 % of the time that will free up a frozen nut.)

Electric impact wrench ! zip,zip,zip .....just like a tire change at the garage.

A four inch grinder on the nuts if you could get it in there.

If all else fails, a metal cutting blade on a skil saw will work on cast iron. The blades are only a couple of bucks each. When they wear down to 4" dia. toss em' aside and use them for your angle grinder later.

It's not so bad with the right tools. The job can go quick -n- easy.

I cut a large one in half with a sawzall. It was brutal. If it made domestic hot water there will be a nice copper coil inside.

As Scrappah said be careful of Asbestos. There is always the possibility of someone knowingly trying to get you to remove something with Asbestos. Double check before you touch it. The fines can be awful.