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Removing Beam from Brick – Need Tips

chefwong | Posted in General Discussion on May 25, 2002 10:55am

I am trying to remove this beam off my brick wall. At one point, it was being used as support for an awning that I had on the porch. No sockets in both standard or metric will fit, and I’m trying to remove it was as little damage to the brick as possible.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions on how to get rid of this beam.

 

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Replies

  1. r_ignacki | May 25, 2002 11:07pm | #1

    if you can't  turn those bolts,or they turn freely,try grinding off the heads, then see what you got.

    no turn left unstoned  

    1. FastEddie1 | May 25, 2002 11:22pm | #2

      Vise Grips.

  2. bcmoreau | May 26, 2002 04:29pm | #3

    Use an easy out ( like when the head is stripped )

    1. FastEddie1 | May 26, 2002 07:55pm | #4

      BC I think you missed his question.  I don't think the heads are snapped off, I think he is having a hard time finding a socket to fit an old square head lag bolt.

      1. MisterT | May 26, 2002 08:21pm | #6

        Usually you can get a good grip with a 12 pt. socket that is one or two sizes bigger.

        depending on rust and whatsize they were originally you may have to try a metric 12 pt.

        Or you could order one of those Monkey-grip or whatever they call them fit-all sockets

        check cable -TV for a late nite info-mercial

        A heat wrench would also do the trick!

        T

        Layers

        Onions

        Have

        Layers,

        Carpenters

        Have

        Layers

      2. bcmoreau | May 28, 2002 12:19am | #8

        I know , but you drill them anyway put in an easy out that you can put a wrench on and get them out

  3. UncleDunc | May 26, 2002 08:18pm | #5

    I had some square head lag screws in a fence I was taking down. I used two 1/2" drive sockets with a piece of hex steel stock between them, so the square drive hole of one socket engaged the screw head and the ratchet drove the other socket. That only works if the heads are 1/2" across the flats and in fairly good condition.

  4. MarkH128 | May 26, 2002 09:40pm | #7

    8 point sockets are available to fit. I think Sears might have them.

  5. BruceM16 | May 28, 2002 01:47am | #9

    I agree that an 8 point socket (at Sears?) would probably work. If not, vise grips with a crescent wrench on that. If the old lag spins, try putting a crow or pry bar under the metal piece and prying it out while you turn the old lag heads. If none of that works, do what the above post said....get your angle grinder out and grind, grind, grind. It'll come off.

    BruceM

    1. User avater
      Homewright | May 29, 2002 01:28am | #10

      I'd center punch the head, drill with successively bigger bits until the head came off and the bar with it.  Knuckles are lost and regrown in such areas with wrenches...

      1. User avater
        BossHog | May 29, 2002 04:29pm | #11

        I'd try a crescent wrench first. Just make sure it's SAE, not metric...........(-:

        Grow your own dope, plant a man.

  6. bbbbhiggins | May 30, 2002 04:50am | #12

    seems like you ought to be able to get a box or adjustable wrench on those bolt heads. Vise grips would grab ahold of the bolt heads. If worse comes to worse, you could always get an oxy acetylene torch and FRY that baby!. It will cut the bolt heads off, I guarantee you!

    1. UncleDunc | May 30, 2002 05:03am | #13

      >> ... get an oxy acetylene torch and FRY that baby!

      I believe that was the heat wrench referred to in an earlier post. Also known as a Victor wrench.

      1. cameraman | May 30, 2002 06:43am | #14

        Heat wrench, red wrench, victor wrench...   Take a cutting torch and zap those head off. While the steel is supported of corase!!

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