best ways to smash up a cast iron bath?

[obseen16]

Hi guys. just wondering what you think is the best method to break up a cast iron bath?

i.e best places to hit it. big sledge or small hammer (HAHA) etc,

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

big sledge taking into account ceilings if its on the second floor

 

[dontknowitall]

I've not tried it but was told to smack it into quarters. One between the taps. Next hit at other end in the middle. Then one side in the middle then opposite side in the middle.

 

[WHPES]

Firstly, do you absolutely have to? It is a potentially dangerous thing to do. There was a guy in town who had to be rushed to hospital with a severed artery when smashing up a piano a couple of years back and the risks are the same as from piano strings.

If there is no alternative, helmet, visor, earmuffs, gloves and protective overalls are essential. Also make sure there is nothing in the room downstairs which can vibrate loose (pictures, ornaments etc).

The best place to start is along the edge at the middle of the sides, hitting from the inside. Try to split the bath in half across the middle. Obviously a weak point is the overflow and waste hole, hit from the inside.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

i've only done one, but i started at the plug hole and worked down the bath to make two halves. i used a club hammer, ear defenders and plenty of old towels (to keep enamel chips, which are razor sharp, down)

 

[obseen16]

sadly yes it has to be destroyed, there aint many left in my area so in the past 4 years i think i have only done 2, both were just used to vent my anger on so cant really remember where i hit it, just smacked the bugger as hard as i could, although to stop the shards flying we used to hang a dust sheet over the bath.

 

[WHPES]

That reminds me, vacuum up immediately to get rid of the enamel chips which as as sharp as glass. Shake off your overalls etc in the room you are working so you do not transfer chips round the house, and never tuck your overalls in your boots!

 

[WHPES]

The last one I had to do I cut in half with a stihl saw. Too fragile ceilings etc to start hammering.

 

[vaughan]

Hit the plug hole first after taking off waste and trap. Don't forget Ear defenders and Goggles tho.
(PPE)

 

[vaughan]

I've not tried it but was told to smack it into quarters. One between the taps. Next hit at other end in the middle. Then one side in the middle then opposite side in the middle.

Thats the way to do it.

 

[REDSAW]

get the apprentice on it and go out for a ***.

 

[mredd]

I have done a fair few. Ear defenders, goggles, gloves, steel toe cap boots. A sturdy lump hammer rather than a sledge hammer.
A old dust sheet or bit of carpet will help stop the enamel flying about too much when you hit it.
Start by smacking out waste work you way up to the overflow.
The bit between the taps is normally the hardest
Move to other end, bottom of the slope and work you way up. A few well place hits on the top curve should crack the top end.
Now work your way up and down the bath, to crack it down the middle. Just before the bath falls in half the sound it makes will change.
If you keep on side of the bath near the wall it will hold it up when it goes.
Break the two halves by first breaking the slope then hold one end and hit the flat bit.

 

[TGor]

I used to turn them upside down first to keep the glaze from flying about then start on the sides in the middle of the bath & work your way around very messy and dangerous though take care!!

 

[stevetheplumber]

if i could turn one over id carry it out lol
trick on upper floors is dont hit downwards swing the sledge sideways i always start on the over flow area as i find its weakest as aid lots of protectives

 

[Barry98]

i just take our lass and let her loose , a bit like Monica in friends when the wee chics got stuck in the football table , she loves it that and grouting

 

[Centralheatking]

DEad easy - what we used to do was dis-connect the thing -turn it upside down - get two cigarette buts (players no 6 ) and stick em in your ears and bash away dividing the cast monster into 4 parts.

I dont smoke now so dont do it anymore !

centralheatking

 

[SWLondon Ltd.]

They used to call the area between the plug hole and overflow the ""Sweet point" (Why it was called this is beyond me, as there is nothing sweet about this task)position yourself well and a good solid hit with a club hammer will get you going! Follow your crack along with hammer, once you are halfway down the bath set about the sides, it will be alot easier to handle in quarters. Take notice of all the health and saftey issues brought up in previous threads as it can be a dangerous operation! I was admitted into Kings college hospital when I cut the back of my neck carrying a quarter section. (The scar is still there)
GOOD LUCK!
Kind regards
SWLondon Ltd.
[DLMURL="http://www.swlondon.co.uk"]SW London Ltd. Plumbing, Design & Installation - HOME[/DLMURL]

 

[tamz]

A 2lb ball peen is easier as you have a lot more leverage in your blows.

 

[lame plumber]

if the ceilings are plaster and lath, angle grinder not worth the cost of new carpets and furniture if that lot comes down.

 

[Slugbabydotcom]

I smashed one up once! All the rest I got out in one piece.
The only time I had a problem was when I was working with a labourer who was a bit deaf.
I shouted him to move out to one side to square it up as I slid it down the stairs and he pushed it towards me instead. I did the daintiest dance as it chased me down the stairs! Could have had my freaking legs off!
Learnt a lesson that day and now I think the job out carefully and do them on my own.

 

[lame plumber]

I smashed one up once! All the rest I got out in one piece.
The only time I had a problem was when I was working with a labourer who was a bit deaf.
I shouted him to move out to one side to square it up as I slid it down the stairs and he pushed it towards me instead. I did the daintiest dance as it chased me down the stairs! Could have had my freaking legs off!
Learnt a lesson that day and now I think the job out carefully and do them on my own.

should have just hopped in the bath and done a cresta run

 

[woodytheplumber]

the first time I went to do a bathroom to help my retired plumber of a granddad out (for his sister) must have been 10 year ago when he was in his early 70s he poped the waste out of the bath put his claw hammer through the hole handle end into the bath claw underneath and woosh he had it on his back and was walking down the stairs

 

[PowerFlusher2]

Call a local reclamation yard and offer it collect only for a fiver - Sarah Beeney or Nick Knowles will be after one of these?

 

[clarky101]

Not being funny but why does the op need to know how hard to hit a bath to break it with a hammer....googles, ear plugs,hammer, hit it til it goes...carry it out, pikey van turns up and takes it..

 

[jim fennessey]

wrap it up in an old painters dust sheet then give it the malky,lift large sections carefully with leather gloves take to scrapers yard and roll up dust sheet and bin all the loose shrapnel,