Winter Project- Breaking up old barge

Hello all - Started last wednesday on cutting up a 25'x90'x5' barge. Deck is 5/16", all other plating 1/4". Half out of the water currently until superstructure gets cut down, then the rest will get pulled up on the beach.
Based on lbs/square footage of plate and Bowlbs/running ft of framing I estimated 42Tons (not including 300+ ft of channel welded to deck - can't seem to find weight spec).
Based on weather (ice closing in) I'm cutting peices just under max shear size.
Will post pics soon when I figure out the photobucket thing.
Stay warm and safe everybody.

Wow that's cool, how'd you get that job?

I look forward to seeing the pictures. At least you can warm yourself on the torch:D, Mike.

definitely want to see pics of that project! How many helpers do you have?

If you can get enough shots from the same angle, you can do a time-lapse slideshow that would look pretty awesome.

dapper, I have such admiration for people who can do a job like that it mild climates...my admiration for those of you in cold climates go off the charts....best of luck on this job...it sounds like a doozy..stay safe and stay in touch !!

PICTURES, PICTURES, I WANTZ PICTURES.

Seriously, that's s cool job congrats.

yea, was the pun intended.....it is "cool" alright CMHN !!

I want to see pixs

Hey ScrapperDapper, Is this Ed?

Sorry - having trouble posting pics. Error message says I'm not allowed to post links yet. 2 pics on photobucket under dapperscrapper.

heres the links to the pictures, thought they would upload

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...per/barge1.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...per/barge2.jpg

thats an awesome freaking job you picked up there!!!

MandD- got the job by bugging the barge owner and with encouragement from landowner. This thing's been a mostly sunken eyesore for many years. The barge owner has a crane nearby that he's selling and had to prove lift capability to buyer. He will be back later in winter to fix a few things on crane and then we'll pick the last section and set it on the dry.
GreenTruckR- sorry, I'm not Ed. But if Ed is crazy enough to cut up barges in winter too I'd like to meet him.
Iron Pirate- It is myself and one other. We've needed a third for a few hours to pull big sections when they're loose and to pull foam blocks out and dump in 30yd roll off while we're cutting. I'm using it as fill in work between projects and other work to keep from having to lay off anyone.

The bottom has 2-6" ice and silt in it. We're hoping to score it with a gas cutoff and then cut with torch in 3 sections, flip over and let ice fall out or pound out if we get antsy enough then cut into shearable sections.

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...per/barge1.jpg

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...per/barge2.jpg

I want one :(.

down here on the gulf they are like cowpies out in the pasture, abandon every where in every byou. but the state and fed epa regs are so high, it cost nearly $100,000 to have one has mat cleaned before you can scrap it. so they just sit half on shore and just rust away. one byou not far from my house has at least 10 ocean tugs rotting on the banks.

Did you say the E. P. A. I thought you meant the Employment Prevention Authority

Quote:

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Originally Posted by olddude

I want one :(.

down here on the gulf they are like cowpies out in the pasture, abandon every where in every byou. but the state and fed epa regs are so high, it cost nearly $100,000 to have one has mat cleaned before you can scrap it. so they just sit half on shore and just rust away. one byou not far from my house has at least 10 ocean tugs rotting on the banks.

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Typical government interference.

epa + employment prevention agency, sooooo true.

looks like alot of fun, way cool job

I think the barge weights more then 42 ton probably closer to a 100 gross ton its half the size of a regular barge that weights about 200 tons. I also have a suggestion to cut through the parts covered in ice cut all the way down to the ice then choose a place to cut it and get a rosebud propane torch fire it up and melt yourself a line the cut line and repeat flip over said piece knock out ice and prepare it. Hope that suggestion helps.

Updated progress pics on photobucket under dapperscrapper. Sorry, still all thumbs in getting image link to transfer.
Yesterday, cut the bottom in half and pulled out of the way, flipped over and ice fell out. Pulled another 30 ft of barge up on the beach. Nearing 2/3 completion. Averaging 1 Oxy tank per day and still on same LP tank!

a crane? that's cheating! :)

Barge update: 12 working days to cut up. Exactly 20 200# O2 tanks used (all on same LP tank!). 3 1/4 30yd roll offs of floatation foam removed. Missed total tonnage estimate by 3 tons (I estimated 42T, final weight 90,450 lb. #2 HMS shear).

Now all you need is another one!

Should have been un-prepared plate and structural 50/50 shear and torch cut material. I have cut up more barge pieces then I ever wanted to nothing ever went in the hms scrap pile ever. 100 percent plate and structural. If i could turn back time I would have let you know earlier so you could argue it to death with the yard.