Best saw for cutting through metal posts

Would really appreciate some advice from knowledgeable DIY type peeps please

My pergola collapsed over winter. It was decades old and the wood had rotted so no surprise. Unfortunately whoever installed it decided that it would be a good idea to use metal poles to hold it up. I was debating whether to leave the poles and use them for climbers, but *think* I have made the decision to take the lot down as the pergola was over the shadiest corner of the garden so it would be good to open it up and let more light in.

There is no way I can dig out the metal posts myself as they have been concreted in, so I am planning to dig down slightly and cut them off just below ground level.

My question is - which saw is best for the job? Is there an electric saw I could use such as the Black & Decker Scorpion saw or should I use a standard hacksaw such as this one?

Thanks in advance

 

If I was cutting metal bars off at ground level , I would use a hand grinder with a metal cutting disc on it. It may be really difficult getting access with a hacksaw.
Maybe one of your neighbours has a hand grinder and may help you ?

http://www.wilko.com/saws+angle-gri...r-600w-115mm/invt/0244744?VBMST=angle grinder

 

Not something to be taken lightly, and probably best done by someone who has used one before, but as Harry says, easiest method is probably an angle grinder with a metal cutting disk.

 

An angle grinder would make short work of it, but it needs to be done by someone who is familiar with using them.

 

Where abouts are you merleworld? Maybe some one local to you on here could lend a hand

 

Much depends on how thick the "poles" are and what kind of metal they are and if the "poles" are solid or tubular.
As Harry says using a hacksaw could be awkward and if the metal is thick walled it will be hard work. The Scorpion with appropriate blades would be easier (I've got one). But if the metal is thick there's no doubt at all that an angle grinder is the easiest option.

 

Thanks all. The poles are hollow and the metal itself is probably no more than a mm or two. Will have a ponder

 

I'd use a hacksaw or chip away at the concrete to take the whole lot out. You are saving time by cutting it with an angle grinder but you will have to live with metal stumps sticking out of the ground imo.

 

Hi Merleworld - my father had this idea to use metal poles to hold our kiwi pergola that, considering the abundant kiwi production of the following years, maybe it did kind of make a little sense.
The poles were imbedded in cement, but then the base of the pergola was also cement.
In your case, supposing only the poles were embedded in cement, I would dig out everything (cement and poles attached to it).
First of all because it is not guaranteed that it will be any easier or less of a health hazard to "chop them off", and then what will be left on the ground is quite unsightly.

 

Thanks for the advice all, it is appreciated

I intend to dig down a bit and cut the poles off below ground level, so once they have been removed the stumps won't be visible.

I'm leaning towards an angle grinder with a metal cutting disk so may invest in one and have a couple of practice runs on something 'softer' like wood before I have a go at metal.

 

It wont cut wood, metal cutting discs are very thin grinding wheels, not really effective on wood.
Anyway the comparison would not be much use.

You get a shower of sparks when you cut metal with them, so goggles are essential.

 

DO NOT CUT WOOD WITH A METAL CUTTING DISC!!! It will Over Heat the Disc and Shatter the Disc going off like a BOMB In Your Face!!!

IF I Lived Closer to you I Would come and Dig them out for you or cut them off!!!

Ive got a Sthill Saw Manley used to Cut Stone but can Fit Metal cutting Blades in it makes light work of hard jobs

BE CARFULL Merle Please Please Get Some One Who is Experanced to Do it!!!
One Mistake Could Cost a Few Fingers a Hand eye sight This is By No Means a Scare Tacktik its the Gospel Truth!!! Any Hand Power Tools am Dangerous pices of Kit

For Example the waight of the post bearing down on the cutting blade could cause the blade to Shatter Also I Have to Grind Quite Reglar on Lorry Chassis and Shipping Container Boxes and Have Been in A & E Loads of times with Deep Cuts Bones Showing Grinding Bits in Eyes etc

PLEASE PLEASE GET SOME ONE TO HELP YOU!!!! All the best Nick

 

And you need them even if you wear spectacles because the hot bits of grit will permanently stick to the lenses, ruining them (also does it with glass, ceramic tiles and porcelain sanitary fittings.

P.S. Do not wear a hooded top with dangling draw cords whilst using an angle grinder!

 

Okay, hacksaw it is then. At least that way I get to keep my fingers and not spontaneously combust

 

Angle grinders are a dangerous tool . I shouldn't have suggested that really.

If the metal is tubular , and you are covering the cut after , I would use a 25mm (1" ) cold chisel ( also known as a bolster ) with hand guard. A lump hammer would make the job easier as well A few blows will get you through the tubes. Its good exercise as well

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHISEL-CO...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item337c66b9a5

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silverlin...t=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item19d99af766