Concrete Help - But NOT What You Think

[BJ42LX]

I scored this grinder stand at an auction this morning. When it was time to collect my winnings I discovered it was filled with concrete!

How can I get the concrete out?

Edit: ...without damaging the stand.

 

[metaleltr]

I guess you could drill and chip it out, but why? A heavy grinder stand will just be more stable

 

[BJ42LX]

I guess you could drill and chip it out, but why? A heavy grinder stand will just be more stable

Heavy does not begin to describe it in it's current configuration.

 

[Durka]

Bet that was a nice surprise lol. How heavy do you think it is?

 

[metaleltr]

ok crazy idea here, drill several 1/2 holes as deep as you are willing to **** around with, fill cavities with muratic acid and wait for it to dissolve the concrete, im sure you will have to add acid as the concrete is disolved

 

[Outlawmws]

Try an Air chisel, at least for the outer parts, then maybe try metaleltr's Muratic idea.

But maybe only remove the upper part? That weight is a good thing...

 

[G_P]

I would leave it alone. Trying to bust out the concrete could result in busting the cast iron stand.

 

[MN4x4]

I would leave it alone. Trying to bust out the concrete could result in busting the cast iron stand.

Agreed.

Yes, it's heavy. It needs to be. Unless you have an urgent NEED to remove the concrete - DON'T.

 

[91bronc300]

I don't think there is any non-tedious way to break the concrete out. It sounds like a good excuse to buy a nice rotary hammer though. I would get a name brand rotary hammer (not hammer drill) and try a bull point chisel first.

 

[sasquatch12]

I'd leave it and be happy that it was HEAVY!!

 

[BJ42LX]

Here's a little bit of a twist. I was just out in the yard disassembling the stand. I took all the grinder apparatus off it as well as the top plate. I expected the stand to be FULL with concrete. Instead, peering down inside the stand I can see it's only 10" - 12" from the bottom.

The problem with leaving it the way it is - the concrete is not flat so the stand rocks a bit. I'll probably put feet on it anyway, but I'm a, "strip it down to the bare metal and refinish," kind of guy. So the concrete has to go.

I had a small acid spill on the back patio a couple years ago (don't ask). Four of my paving stones simply disappeared. I may give the acid a try - a side benefit will be rust removal. And there's plenty of rust on this beast.

I may put this on a scale tomorrow just for giggles.

 

[SwampCat]

I went and filled mine up with concrete, what was I thinking.... OH yeah its MUCH better that way.

 

[drivesitfar]

BJ: i'd leave the concrete in it and spiff up the outside of the stand. if your stand wobbles can you grind off a little of the cement on the bottom or maybe add some rubber or wood feet to it?

now as far as the acid treatments would the acid know when to stop eating just concrete and quit before it dissolves the cast iron stand?

 

[kaferfahrer]

Take it to tge scrap yard, get paid extra for its "solid" weight then turn around your new found money and buy another one...that isnt filed with concrete

 

[BJ42LX]

As far as removing the concrete I just had another thought: What does fire do to concrete? This thing is small enough where I could build a bonfire with the pedestal inside and let it simmer for an hour or two. The fire won't hurt the iron and will help with paint removal.

Does fire weaken concrete or otherwise degrade it?

 

[Marvelicious]

Take it to tge scrap yard, get paid extra for its "solid" weight then turn around your new found money and buy another one...that isnt filed with concrete

I'm glad I'm not the only person who had that thought.

 

[Outlawmws]

As far as removing the concrete I just had another thought: What does fire do to concrete? This think is small enough where I could build a bonfire with the pedestal inside and let it simmer for an hour or two. The fire won't hurt the iron and will help with paint removal.

Does fire weaken concrete or otherwise degrade it?

Not really, you can do more damage to the CI than the Concrete IMO.

 

[strutaeng]

Is the base cast iron or steel? If it is steel break it out with a 12-15 lb. class hammer such as this one:
http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?pid=11321EVS

Anything lighter and you won't do anything. Anything heavier and you risk damaging the metal.

I wouldn't try this is the base is cast iron.

I doubt the acid would work. I've seen acid damage to concrete and it just affects the top surface.

If it were me, I would just leave it alone. Besides, who is going to know besides your buddies at GJ?

Good luck

 

[gungatim]

is the bottom open? IF so, here is how I removed concrete from a large pipe pulled out of a parking lot. I started chipping with a hammer and chisel but didn't get far. So I broke out the masonry drill bit and started drilling holes. I figured if I could get some holes started, I could crack it in pieces and it would fall out. So I started drilling but it was slow. The key was addding water. Had the hose going on it while drilling and went super fast. Pipe was 3 ft. so I could only go so far on either end, but once drilled I was able to chip it into chunks. The center section I just let soak with water then used a big railroad prybar dropping onto it until it broke and fell out...

Or muriatic acid will dissolve it too...

 

[4x4gearhead]

Why dont you grind the bottom down so it doesnt rock?

 

[PugetDude]

Post a picture of what's left of the cast iron stand after you do battle with muriatic acid, fire, air chisel, rotary hammer, demolition hammer, and grinder...

 

[Outlawmws]

Why dont you grind the bottom down so it doesnt rock?

to this ^^^^ Air chisel to the high spots on the concrete and done...

 

[BJ42LX]

Sound and fury...

I took the air chisel to it and the mess was out of there in about five minutes.

There's a decent amount of rust inside the stand which compromised the bond between the metal and the concrete. The concrete didn't seem to be too hard either.

 

[PugetDude]

Impressive! Looks great.

 

[Steroblan]

Glad you tried the mechanical method. Using acid on or near the stand will cause future rust problems that will be hard to stop. Don't ask me how I know.