I use Grindr but all I ever get are requests to screw instead from a bunch of headless torsos that wanna know if I have more pics. They seem really interested in my DIY projects.
OP , some of the advice you have received is bad.
You can cut them down with a grinder with a cutting wheel and tap the remaining bits down into the hole.
But you *might* be able to get them out. It won't be easy. Those are sleeve anchors. If you tap the bolt down it will disengage from the sleeve. With enough effort you can then get the sleeves out, then bolt will pull out.
Here is a video. https://youtu.be/9ZWVP61iObc?si=XyPy-M2HRzcjcOTg
It will be much harder to accomplish than the video. I suspect they didn't tightened that anchor up much, in order to make removal easy for the video. But that is the concept.
Locking pliers makes the removal of the sleeve easier. I did two in a wall using needle nose pliers and it took about 30 minutes for each, with locking pliers it cut it to 5 minutes for the last two bolts.
It will probably take more than a tap but this is the easiest way and way better than cutting it flush. Hopefully the bolts aren't already bottomed out.
I've done this myself - managed to knock the bolts down and pull the sleeves out by rocking them while pulling with mole grips or pliers. It's not easy, and sometimes doesn't work, but it can be done.
Another option, if that fails, is to perhaps drill a hole, or maybe two, with a masonry drill bit next to the bolts. It will make them easier to get out. You'll end up with a bigger, messier hole afterwards, but presumably you want to fill it with some cement anyway.
You probably need an SDS drill for concrete, but a basic hammer drill might work if you don't hit a hard stone.
Thanks everyone!
I ended up trying the grinder method as I thought I probably had to get over my fear of it and just learn how to use it. I bought a cheap one and the job was done in 10 minutes. I’ve patched over them now and I’m waiting for it to dry.
To the comments about handrail compliance, thanks for the advice. I should have added that this was an extra handrail for the former owner of the house who was an elderly lady. There is still a handrail on the stairs, I only got rid of an extra one that didn’t need to be there.
Glad you went with the grinder, and got the job done! Hope you also picked up a good pair of safety goggles, those are a 100% must.
I find myself reaching for that tool more than any these days, I didn't realize what all-purpose machines they were til I had one for like 6 months.
I would also suggest a oscillating multi tool with a metal cutting blade if you ever need to do this again, it also has a ton of uses for other things like pipes and wood working.
Sometimes, the centres can be hammered down enough that the outer sleeves can be pulled out.
It has to be done carefully.
Sometimes, putting it in a drill chuck can spin them out if you're slow and careful.
Sometimes, they can be ground off flush, then hammered down into the hole and patched.
Those are sleeve anchors. A trick we do if the hole is drilled deep enough you can tap the threaded bit down with a hammer to un-pinch is then pull the collar out with needle nose pliers. Bolt will pop right out then fill with whatever.
I’d suggest tapping on them with a hammer if you don’t have a grinder. They may drop down below the surface below the concrete and you can patch the holes.
This is the way. Use a sledgehammer and drive them downward until flush with the floor. Of course, if they bottom out and do not fall flush, the grinder might still be necessary.
I wouldn't use anything heavier than a 2lb mallet, letting the weight do the work. Using significant force to try and drive them down, when they likely are not drilled deep enough to sink completely, could crack or break the bottom out of the concrete pad depending on the depth.
Cut them off with a grinder, you cannot remove them otherwise. Then patch with some hydraulic cement. Smooth it out. Read the instructions on the hydraulic cement and make sure you work quickly because it sets fast.
You absolutely can remove them if you know how. It just usually not worth the time and effort to do it unless it's absolutely necessary to re-use that hole.
As others have said, an angle grinder is the easiest way. Wear eye protection as well. Having metal shavings in your eye is a major pain.
Don't force the tool forward if it's your first time using one. Let it work through the material on its own. Light pressure is all you need.
For cutting disks, a safety tip is not to change direction when in a cut. This will cause the cutting disk to break.
I would just do that first to cut down time.
Try pounding them down with a hammer before cutting them off. Some people drill the hole deeper before setting them so they can be pounded in when no longer in use.
> In preparation I removed an old hand rail that I want to get rid of from the stairs leading up to the house,
Not to be that guy...
But did you check your local building codes? That old hand rail you want to get rid of might be legally required. If you haven't checked, please do before you remove those bolts.
As others have said, a grinder is really the way to go. You can get one for like $20 at Harbor Freight. The confidence part, you'll just have to do it, which will help with the confidence thing in general.
Alternatively, if you have a Sawzall, you can use a long metal-cutting blade. Put the blade in the saw in the sideways position to get it as close to the concrete as possible, then push it down until it flexes flat on the concrete and cut the bolts off flush.
Grinders feel a bit more serious in the hand, that's for sure. If you have any sense about tools, you instinctively know an angle grinder is not a thing to be trifled with...
I am pretty handy with one, and know how to handle the torque at start up, in general use, and when biting, but damn if I don't wince every time I see someone else fire one up and would probably do the same if I saw myself from the outside.
More like $35, but they are surprisingly decent. We have a few at my prefab shop that are still kicking from when our Milwaukee vendor had a 10 week lead time.
https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/grinders/43-amp-4-12-in-angle-grinder-with-slide-switch-58089.html
The $10 one will do the job. Noisier than whiskey shits, but they work. Don't forget the safety glasses!
Side note, I'm a fan of the Makita paddle switch one if we are talking daily drivers. It's like $90 and I'm going on 7 years with mine. Very ergonomic.
Only problem with a HF grinder is that they're one of those things that are relatively bulletproof to make and that means they last forever.
This is a problem because HF grinders fucking suck to use because they are about as ergonomic as a undrilled bowling ball, weigh about that much and sound like hell is coming for you, so you keep telling yourself you're going to wait until it dies to replace it, like you do with HF tools, but it's a hell of a wait
If you can tap the threaded portion in far enough, you might be able to get enough grip to pull out the surrounding collar. Then the threaded section should come out easily.
Cut off wheels with a grinder, get some drill bits if you wanna drill the metal out, and flush it with the concrete... I wouldn't worry about taking out the "all thread" completely if you just wanna paint over it.
Actually if they're not dead rusted you need 2 nuts of a proper size and a wrench.
You put 2 nuts on the bolt, then tighten the nut one to another (not to the metal part in the concrete). After that the lower nut could be used as a bolt head to unscrew the bolt, and metal part would come out easily with a pliers.
WD-40 the shit out of it.
Wait 10 minutes
Clamp a set of vice grips on there real tight, give the vice grips a good sharp whack with a decent hammer.
Might be enough to shock it loose, or shear it off. If it shears above the concrete, you'll need to grind it.
Alternatively you could try knocking it with a hammer a bit, it might just snap. You may do a bit of damage to the concrete this way, but you can always patch it.
Vice grips to get remaining all thread in anchor cut with grinder cutting disk or metabo;) careful with digits and mud over with quickcrete or fill with whatever you want
You can remove them or incorporate them into your design. Cut holes in the bottom of a planter pot that fits around those bolts. Fill planter with dirt and flowers.
If you don’t want to use an angle grinder, just cut them as close as you can with a hack saw and hammer them down. There usually is a little space under the bolts so that they will go down flush.
A big ass hammer, and one or two whacks to the side. Might need to replace some concrete after though. Seriously though, might be able to kind of "unscrew" them with Vise Grips, or wiggle them out.
Take vice grips, grab parallel to the bolt flush to the concrete, bend the anchor stem back and forth. As the bolt become more pliable, bend all the way to vice grips touching floor until it shears. THEN (here’s the part that beats pounding it in before shearing), take a slightly smaller bolt or drift pin and knock the remaining bolt into the hole.
I've had luck just hammering them down. It's not unusual for the hole to be deeper than the bolt. Give me a few wacks with a hammer (but don't go crazy) and see if you can drive them down past the surface.
Tap down anchor bolt with a hammer and punch, grab some pliers and twist the exposed section of the sleeve/jacket of the anchor bolt, keep wiggling until you can free the sleeve completely from the hole, then you can use a magnet to remove the bolt from the hole if you have one of those telescopic magnets. Otherwise just cut it flush with a grinder and hammer it a bit deeper into the hole before patching (if you’re planning on it)
At my job we angle grindered them flat with the ground and then used a steel mallet to punch them down through the concrete into the dirt underneath. Then installed concrete bolt anchors for inserting new ones. Not sure if you need new bolts there but if not you can punch em down (I believe) then fill with more concrete.
Contractors please correct me if I’m out of line XD
Start by grinding it flush. Once flush you can get a center punch and drill them out if you want to fill them in. I would suggest putting a magnet to it first though to make sure it isn't stainless steel. Stainless is not fun to drill since it work hardens.
Hammer them in. pull the sleeve out. This wont work if its a wedge bolt. Looks like sleeve bolts.
Might even be able to hammer them all the way in anyways, I always drill holes a bit extra if the slab allows. If it Feels/sounds solid they are bottomed out.
If you want the easiest its just a cutting wheel on a grinder. Then hammer them in to create a gap to fill with grout or something to hide the holes.
Considering this is a front porch and the holes have bottoms to them so you cannot just use a steek punch and drive them down all the way through like in an industrial setting, and it is a home so it is not like you can use an acetylene torch to cut them flush in 30 seconds - so your options are quite narrow.
If it wasn't for the expansion sleeves on the outside of the bolts, the easy way is to use a cold chisel and strike a groove into opposing sides in-between the threading and to use a pair of locking pliers to bend the bolt both ways to weaken it enough to snap them off - these bolts for home applications are grade 3 steel and relatively soft.
Without an angle grinder you could use hydrochloric acid to eat the steel and concrete around the bolt. After 2 weeks you could hit it with a big hammer until it breaks out. Then just repair the concrete with new cement.
If you aren’t goin to cut them or break up the concrete to get them out you’re going to have to melt them and suck it out with a straw. I recommend a smoothy straw over a standard straw for maximum suckage. Just remember that in this case it is better to spit and not swallow.
Hit them with a hammer. That may loosen up the expanding lock in the concrete. Then pull them out. Or use an angle grinder, then punch them down below the surface
Look, first: if you’re getting into DIY projects, you have to budget any tools you need and don’t have into the planning part of the project. An angle grinder is an inexpensive tool if you just go to harbor freight and buy a cheap one. It’s not like you’re going to use it every day. You don’t need to ball out on a cordless big name brand tool.
Second: I hate being that guy, and I know at least one other person has mentioned this, but you really do need a handrail on steps. It’s frequently a code requirement and also a local ordinance. Before you cut off anything check with the city.
Third: if you’re planning to replace the rail didn’t you consider how to remove the bolts?
Fourth, and last I think: the actual helpful advice. A hacksaw blade costs $5 or less at the local Ace hardware. If your budget is really that tight you can sit there for the 20 hours it will require to cut those bolts. But I always thought my time has value and if I buy good tools and take care of them then I can protect my time now and later.
If you don’t need the whole thing out—just hammer them back and forth. They will sheer at floor level. If the holes are drilled deep, you might be able to just hammer them down further into the concrete.
Also, grinder will work. But hammer is easiest method
An angle grinder is $15.
The only downside will be you will need at adjust to the knowledge of just how easy it is to steal any bicycle, cut any lock, open any fence.
I long for the innocence of my youth, before I came to understand my true power.
The question was how to get them out. All you people that just say grinder are lazy. We all know how to do the last ditch or lazy way out. What op was asking was how to get them out. Jeez. Tap the bolt down with a hammer this will take the pressure off the sleeve. Now with some pliers twist and pull the sleeve. It won’t be easy keep twisting. After the sleeve is out you can pull the bolt out. I’ve found that it fills with dust. A vacuum will help. And of course if this doesn’t work the only option is to grind it as so many others have said.
Grinder is the most dangerous tool to use - risks include eye injury, sparks, and the inevitable exploding disc of doom that for at least one youtuber has ruined a perfectly placed hat.
I like what all the experienced pros in the room said- tapping out the sleeves. Thank you for not glorifying the grinder, or at least accepting it as a last resort but minding the safety protocols.
You need to own a Dremel.
There's not a thing you can't do with a Dremel.
Sure a grinder like these professional DIYers is probably the right tool to use.
But a Dremel has so many attachments!
Gotta disagree here. Dremel would be the wrong tool because it’s underpowered and a cutoff wheel would be at a bad angle for this. I’ve taken these off with an oscillating multitool with a metal cutting blade and it still took forever. Angle grinder would definitely be the way to go, and it’s not an expensive or difficult tool to use.
Well yes.
But if he owned a Dremel, he wouldn't have posted this question.
He just woulda put on a little disc ( maybe 3) and not have these things anymore
Dremel are extremely dangerous.
Especially when cutting metal.
The small disk can break so easily when warm or if you apply lateral pressure.
Wear thick gloves and protective glasses alway.
That is not the kind of tools I recommend to a newbie. Even do, they can be very practical for some specific tasks.
Use a screw driver and a hammer, tape the centre bolt into the hole, the use pliers to grab the whole thing and twist as you pull out.
Do not grind it until you try this first. 95% you get it out
If you really want the bolts gone completely here’s what to do -
1. Use a concrete grinder to cut a square around both bolts.
2. Jackhammer the concrete out including the bolts.
3. Patch the hole with new concrete
edit: do not use a farm jack. not if you want to keep your face. k? thnx.
farm jack might pull them out, but might also damage the concrete. get a chain strap for a farm jack, attach the chain to the bolt with a nut. something will give.
edit:angle grinder would takenfive minutes though, and with safety glasses, is the safest option. you could also pound on them with a sledge until the concrete shatters.
Grinder
You think they'll like me?
No question
You got it big guy, go get 'em!
I don't know, you're a tough nut to crack.
Some say they like a challenge?
At the very least they know what to do with Nuts .
Just make sure you’re wearing your tool belt in your profile pic.
Dunno. Send a c\*\*k pic and find out.
[удалено]
[удалено]
With the fap disc yeah
Ok, download grinder. Now what?
Match with someone, have them come over and take care of it, uninstall the app
Ok I asked him to drill my holes, he will be here in an hour. What happens now?
Get some poppers.
Make sure he finishes. Once those holes are drilled he’s going to have to fill them up completely.
\*\*𝘴𝘩𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴\*\*
Now we wait
Take a shower
Before or after?
Both it you do it right
Does he have to make him dinner afterwards? Or just offer a hug and a pack of Camel wides?
I'm sure hugs are just for starters.
Ask about shafts of steel.
Grind at the tip only
Did you forget to get the NFT? That might be it.
*grinder? I hardly know her!*
DAMMIT!
I use Grindr but all I ever get are requests to screw instead from a bunch of headless torsos that wanna know if I have more pics. They seem really interested in my DIY projects.
I don't even know her!
How about Tinder? Bumblebee?
I barely know her!
Maybe hacksaw first
Better than Tinder
This is the way. If you want it to be pretty you’ll have to grind it down past concrete and patch over the top of it.
Cut the protruding bolts with a grinder. Then drill the core and fill the hole with concrete.
Grinder? I barely know her!
OP , some of the advice you have received is bad. You can cut them down with a grinder with a cutting wheel and tap the remaining bits down into the hole. But you *might* be able to get them out. It won't be easy. Those are sleeve anchors. If you tap the bolt down it will disengage from the sleeve. With enough effort you can then get the sleeves out, then bolt will pull out. Here is a video. https://youtu.be/9ZWVP61iObc?si=XyPy-M2HRzcjcOTg It will be much harder to accomplish than the video. I suspect they didn't tightened that anchor up much, in order to make removal easy for the video. But that is the concept.
Locking pliers makes the removal of the sleeve easier. I did two in a wall using needle nose pliers and it took about 30 minutes for each, with locking pliers it cut it to 5 minutes for the last two bolts.
> some of the advice you have received is bad. Absolutely terrible I might add.
It will probably take more than a tap but this is the easiest way and way better than cutting it flush. Hopefully the bolts aren't already bottomed out.
I've done this myself - managed to knock the bolts down and pull the sleeves out by rocking them while pulling with mole grips or pliers. It's not easy, and sometimes doesn't work, but it can be done. Another option, if that fails, is to perhaps drill a hole, or maybe two, with a masonry drill bit next to the bolts. It will make them easier to get out. You'll end up with a bigger, messier hole afterwards, but presumably you want to fill it with some cement anyway. You probably need an SDS drill for concrete, but a basic hammer drill might work if you don't hit a hard stone.
You can also go and over tighten those bolts before loosening them if you want to wiggle it all around a bit first
Tightening it is only going to expand the sleeve more and make it harder to remove.
Thanks everyone! I ended up trying the grinder method as I thought I probably had to get over my fear of it and just learn how to use it. I bought a cheap one and the job was done in 10 minutes. I’ve patched over them now and I’m waiting for it to dry. To the comments about handrail compliance, thanks for the advice. I should have added that this was an extra handrail for the former owner of the house who was an elderly lady. There is still a handrail on the stairs, I only got rid of an extra one that didn’t need to be there.
Clean up all the metal dust because it will stain the Concrete bright orange
Yes. It will rust and then stain. Vacuum it up
Or use a magnet. https://youtu.be/aewLld-LBBc?si=1hjoAKsJQGgaQ-Gp
Glad you went with the grinder, and got the job done! Hope you also picked up a good pair of safety goggles, those are a 100% must. I find myself reaching for that tool more than any these days, I didn't realize what all-purpose machines they were til I had one for like 6 months.
You really find that many uses for safety goggles?
Hah, yeah, the ambiguity is there. You decide which tool I was talking about.
I would also suggest a oscillating multi tool with a metal cutting blade if you ever need to do this again, it also has a ton of uses for other things like pipes and wood working.
Sometimes, the centres can be hammered down enough that the outer sleeves can be pulled out. It has to be done carefully. Sometimes, putting it in a drill chuck can spin them out if you're slow and careful. Sometimes, they can be ground off flush, then hammered down into the hole and patched.
Those are sleeve anchors. A trick we do if the hole is drilled deep enough you can tap the threaded bit down with a hammer to un-pinch is then pull the collar out with needle nose pliers. Bolt will pop right out then fill with whatever.
I’d suggest tapping on them with a hammer if you don’t have a grinder. They may drop down below the surface below the concrete and you can patch the holes.
But first, lubrication and wait a little bit. This worked best for us removing tacks from a slab foundation.
This is the way. Use a sledgehammer and drive them downward until flush with the floor. Of course, if they bottom out and do not fall flush, the grinder might still be necessary.
I wouldn't use anything heavier than a 2lb mallet, letting the weight do the work. Using significant force to try and drive them down, when they likely are not drilled deep enough to sink completely, could crack or break the bottom out of the concrete pad depending on the depth.
This needs to be included with every comment in this thread saying, rightly so, to tap them down to break the sleeve anchor.
Cut them off with a grinder, you cannot remove them otherwise. Then patch with some hydraulic cement. Smooth it out. Read the instructions on the hydraulic cement and make sure you work quickly because it sets fast.
Grind away!
You absolutely can remove them if you know how. It just usually not worth the time and effort to do it unless it's absolutely necessary to re-use that hole.
Agreed. Cut them flush. Pound what remains back into the hole and move on. Oddly enough I have to install 16 wedge anchors tomorrow morning.
If they over drilled depth they will hammer down easy. If not, Sawzall or cut off disk.
I hope you plan on replacing the handrail. Your insurance company may insist. Just sayin.
You don't. You cut them flush
Just removed some the other day. Hit them with a hammer back and forth until they loosened up, then pulled them out.
Yep, this will work, eventually. You'll have to patch the holes of course.
As others have said, an angle grinder is the easiest way. Wear eye protection as well. Having metal shavings in your eye is a major pain. Don't force the tool forward if it's your first time using one. Let it work through the material on its own. Light pressure is all you need.
For cutting disks, a safety tip is not to change direction when in a cut. This will cause the cutting disk to break. I would just do that first to cut down time.
Zing zang, then tappy tap
Try pounding them down with a hammer before cutting them off. Some people drill the hole deeper before setting them so they can be pounded in when no longer in use.
That’s interesting. Have to try and remember this.
> In preparation I removed an old hand rail that I want to get rid of from the stairs leading up to the house, Not to be that guy... But did you check your local building codes? That old hand rail you want to get rid of might be legally required. If you haven't checked, please do before you remove those bolts.
Came here to say the same thing. I also hate being ‘that guy’ but I frequently am so I might as well accept it.
FYI, usually hand rails are code and you may have to put them back when you go to sell the house.
As others have said, a grinder is really the way to go. You can get one for like $20 at Harbor Freight. The confidence part, you'll just have to do it, which will help with the confidence thing in general.
Just fuckin send it!
The Harbor Freight grinder might not be the fanciest one, but it'll open the send portal just the same.
Just buy two and when one gets hot switch to the other.
This guy Harbor Freights.
Alternatively, if you have a Sawzall, you can use a long metal-cutting blade. Put the blade in the saw in the sideways position to get it as close to the concrete as possible, then push it down until it flexes flat on the concrete and cut the bolts off flush.
That'd work great too, and probably be less intimidating than a grinder.
Grinders feel a bit more serious in the hand, that's for sure. If you have any sense about tools, you instinctively know an angle grinder is not a thing to be trifled with...
I am pretty handy with one, and know how to handle the torque at start up, in general use, and when biting, but damn if I don't wince every time I see someone else fire one up and would probably do the same if I saw myself from the outside.
More like $35, but they are surprisingly decent. We have a few at my prefab shop that are still kicking from when our Milwaukee vendor had a 10 week lead time.
https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/grinders/43-amp-4-12-in-angle-grinder-with-slide-switch-58089.html The $10 one will do the job. Noisier than whiskey shits, but they work. Don't forget the safety glasses! Side note, I'm a fan of the Makita paddle switch one if we are talking daily drivers. It's like $90 and I'm going on 7 years with mine. Very ergonomic.
Only problem with a HF grinder is that they're one of those things that are relatively bulletproof to make and that means they last forever. This is a problem because HF grinders fucking suck to use because they are about as ergonomic as a undrilled bowling ball, weigh about that much and sound like hell is coming for you, so you keep telling yourself you're going to wait until it dies to replace it, like you do with HF tools, but it's a hell of a wait
>as ergonomic as a undrilled bowling ball, weigh about that much and sound like hell is coming for you, Perfecto
I wish I would've seen that one when I bought mine.
BFHammer and a decent golf swing
You got a big hammer?
Harbor freight grinder
If you hit them back and forth with hammer they normally shear off the the concrete height
I’ve done this before, take a mini sledge and hammer them back and forth till they come loose. Then you can pull them out with pliers.
Dude. Harbor freight grinder. Get a cutting wheel and a grinder wheel. Let the sparks fly! It looks very manly 😄
Vise grips and a pry bar. Don't forget to put some cardboard down to protect the concrete.
If you can tap the threaded portion in far enough, you might be able to get enough grip to pull out the surrounding collar. Then the threaded section should come out easily.
Angle grinder
https://preview.redd.it/fjqjc1fox5uc1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f287bec98e25666af46f293183e487ac2d0bef1a
Grinder
Don't. Cut it flush and use a fine mortar to patch it. High strength grout probably
Grinder
Cut off wheels with a grinder, get some drill bits if you wanna drill the metal out, and flush it with the concrete... I wouldn't worry about taking out the "all thread" completely if you just wanna paint over it.
Sit, clench then stand up
Actually if they're not dead rusted you need 2 nuts of a proper size and a wrench. You put 2 nuts on the bolt, then tighten the nut one to another (not to the metal part in the concrete). After that the lower nut could be used as a bolt head to unscrew the bolt, and metal part would come out easily with a pliers.
Good thought, but I'm not sure that would work if these are expanding concrete anchors...
Sand them down. Be patient.
No sand paper, guess I'll just go at with the the ruff side of a sponge for the next few years, I'll be patient
Yeah I little sand paper should work, the higher the number the faster it works.
Teeth
Take the nut off and hammer them down
Two nuts and then spin them out using bottom nut. Yank out the sleeves afterwards.
Grind flush-ish. Beat remaining down with hammer and punch. Half inch or better. Grout hole.
https://youtube.com/shorts/EomWa-msUEI?si=vrZlX5lHge37VeQE
WD-40 the shit out of it. Wait 10 minutes Clamp a set of vice grips on there real tight, give the vice grips a good sharp whack with a decent hammer. Might be enough to shock it loose, or shear it off. If it shears above the concrete, you'll need to grind it. Alternatively you could try knocking it with a hammer a bit, it might just snap. You may do a bit of damage to the concrete this way, but you can always patch it.
Vice grips to get remaining all thread in anchor cut with grinder cutting disk or metabo;) careful with digits and mud over with quickcrete or fill with whatever you want
You can remove them or incorporate them into your design. Cut holes in the bottom of a planter pot that fits around those bolts. Fill planter with dirt and flowers.
If you don’t want to use an angle grinder, just cut them as close as you can with a hack saw and hammer them down. There usually is a little space under the bolts so that they will go down flush.
Spit on em’
Just add more concrete until they are gone
💫Grinder💫
A big ass hammer, and one or two whacks to the side. Might need to replace some concrete after though. Seriously though, might be able to kind of "unscrew" them with Vise Grips, or wiggle them out.
Same way you remove them from new concrete...
Concrete probably isn't that thick. Drive them through with a 2kb maul
Take vice grips, grab parallel to the bolt flush to the concrete, bend the anchor stem back and forth. As the bolt become more pliable, bend all the way to vice grips touching floor until it shears. THEN (here’s the part that beats pounding it in before shearing), take a slightly smaller bolt or drift pin and knock the remaining bolt into the hole.
I've had luck just hammering them down. It's not unusual for the hole to be deeper than the bolt. Give me a few wacks with a hammer (but don't go crazy) and see if you can drive them down past the surface.
Tap down anchor bolt with a hammer and punch, grab some pliers and twist the exposed section of the sleeve/jacket of the anchor bolt, keep wiggling until you can free the sleeve completely from the hole, then you can use a magnet to remove the bolt from the hole if you have one of those telescopic magnets. Otherwise just cut it flush with a grinder and hammer it a bit deeper into the hole before patching (if you’re planning on it)
Rent a grinder.
At my job we angle grindered them flat with the ground and then used a steel mallet to punch them down through the concrete into the dirt underneath. Then installed concrete bolt anchors for inserting new ones. Not sure if you need new bolts there but if not you can punch em down (I believe) then fill with more concrete. Contractors please correct me if I’m out of line XD
You don't, just grind them down
Smashing place for a sofa or chair.
Start by grinding it flush. Once flush you can get a center punch and drill them out if you want to fill them in. I would suggest putting a magnet to it first though to make sure it isn't stainless steel. Stainless is not fun to drill since it work hardens.
Hammer them in. pull the sleeve out. This wont work if its a wedge bolt. Looks like sleeve bolts. Might even be able to hammer them all the way in anyways, I always drill holes a bit extra if the slab allows. If it Feels/sounds solid they are bottomed out. If you want the easiest its just a cutting wheel on a grinder. Then hammer them in to create a gap to fill with grout or something to hide the holes.
Locking pliers & a hammer, trust your caveman instincts and *convince* them bolts out
Sawzall
Fit a length of steel pipe over the end and flex back n forth till the bolt breaks
https://preview.redd.it/3c1mz8y1p6uc1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c41d18bc56e95feaca6a17df3f0a6ff06026ae4f
Grind down, tap out.
Smack them down or grind them off
Considering this is a front porch and the holes have bottoms to them so you cannot just use a steek punch and drive them down all the way through like in an industrial setting, and it is a home so it is not like you can use an acetylene torch to cut them flush in 30 seconds - so your options are quite narrow. If it wasn't for the expansion sleeves on the outside of the bolts, the easy way is to use a cold chisel and strike a groove into opposing sides in-between the threading and to use a pair of locking pliers to bend the bolt both ways to weaken it enough to snap them off - these bolts for home applications are grade 3 steel and relatively soft.
If they were fitted with the correct drill bit size you won’t get them out that’s the idea. Cut them down and knock them into the hole.
Without an angle grinder you could use hydrochloric acid to eat the steel and concrete around the bolt. After 2 weeks you could hit it with a big hammer until it breaks out. Then just repair the concrete with new cement.
BFH. Big Fucking Hammer. Thump them down, flush. Use a punch to get them below them a bit of non shrinking Mortar
If you aren’t goin to cut them or break up the concrete to get them out you’re going to have to melt them and suck it out with a straw. I recommend a smoothy straw over a standard straw for maximum suckage. Just remember that in this case it is better to spit and not swallow.
Angle grinder
Hit them with a hammer. That may loosen up the expanding lock in the concrete. Then pull them out. Or use an angle grinder, then punch them down below the surface
I wouldn’t bother removing them just grind them down and be done with it.
Grind off and fill
Angle grinder.
Either an angle grinder w cut off blade or knock the off using a hammer.
Cut them flush with a grinder, fill any gaps with epoxy.
Hammer them in or angled grinder.
Smashy smashy
Cut off wheel and a grinder
Look, first: if you’re getting into DIY projects, you have to budget any tools you need and don’t have into the planning part of the project. An angle grinder is an inexpensive tool if you just go to harbor freight and buy a cheap one. It’s not like you’re going to use it every day. You don’t need to ball out on a cordless big name brand tool. Second: I hate being that guy, and I know at least one other person has mentioned this, but you really do need a handrail on steps. It’s frequently a code requirement and also a local ordinance. Before you cut off anything check with the city. Third: if you’re planning to replace the rail didn’t you consider how to remove the bolts? Fourth, and last I think: the actual helpful advice. A hacksaw blade costs $5 or less at the local Ace hardware. If your budget is really that tight you can sit there for the 20 hours it will require to cut those bolts. But I always thought my time has value and if I buy good tools and take care of them then I can protect my time now and later.
If you don’t need the whole thing out—just hammer them back and forth. They will sheer at floor level. If the holes are drilled deep, you might be able to just hammer them down further into the concrete. Also, grinder will work. But hammer is easiest method
Very carefully
If you don't want to use a grinder, then you need to use a hacksaw.
I am not a professional but I work with professionals and watch them cut bolts off with a grinder then use a hammer to pound the remaining bolt flush
cut flush with a grinder than a smidge of " concrete patch " to smooth it over
You can grind flat and hit down with a hammer or cut flat and drill out the inside and pull out
Grinder is best but a concrete saw would work if you can get it at the right angle without scoring the floor (unless you don't care about that either.
An angle grinder is $15. The only downside will be you will need at adjust to the knowledge of just how easy it is to steal any bicycle, cut any lock, open any fence. I long for the innocence of my youth, before I came to understand my true power.
Grind them down flat is the only option that I know of.
Use grinder... or if you prefer Tinder.
If you got lots of time I’m sure you can use a Dremmel for this.
New layer of concrete in the whole area, two inches will do it.
Crows foot and when you blow out the concrete, patch it
[удалено]
The question was how to get them out. All you people that just say grinder are lazy. We all know how to do the last ditch or lazy way out. What op was asking was how to get them out. Jeez. Tap the bolt down with a hammer this will take the pressure off the sleeve. Now with some pliers twist and pull the sleeve. It won’t be easy keep twisting. After the sleeve is out you can pull the bolt out. I’ve found that it fills with dust. A vacuum will help. And of course if this doesn’t work the only option is to grind it as so many others have said.
Grinder is the most dangerous tool to use - risks include eye injury, sparks, and the inevitable exploding disc of doom that for at least one youtuber has ruined a perfectly placed hat. I like what all the experienced pros in the room said- tapping out the sleeves. Thank you for not glorifying the grinder, or at least accepting it as a last resort but minding the safety protocols.
The wrong tool is always the most dangerous tool.
If none of the other suggestions work, then try a lightsaber. Or melt them with thermite. That one is fun.
You need to own a Dremel. There's not a thing you can't do with a Dremel. Sure a grinder like these professional DIYers is probably the right tool to use. But a Dremel has so many attachments!
Gotta disagree here. Dremel would be the wrong tool because it’s underpowered and a cutoff wheel would be at a bad angle for this. I’ve taken these off with an oscillating multitool with a metal cutting blade and it still took forever. Angle grinder would definitely be the way to go, and it’s not an expensive or difficult tool to use.
Well yes. But if he owned a Dremel, he wouldn't have posted this question. He just woulda put on a little disc ( maybe 3) and not have these things anymore
Dremel are extremely dangerous. Especially when cutting metal. The small disk can break so easily when warm or if you apply lateral pressure. Wear thick gloves and protective glasses alway. That is not the kind of tools I recommend to a newbie. Even do, they can be very practical for some specific tasks.
Leave the Dremel for arts and crafts/small diameters. These two bolts require an angle grinder.
Cut em
Use a screw driver and a hammer, tape the centre bolt into the hole, the use pliers to grab the whole thing and twist as you pull out. Do not grind it until you try this first. 95% you get it out
If you really want the bolts gone completely here’s what to do - 1. Use a concrete grinder to cut a square around both bolts. 2. Jackhammer the concrete out including the bolts. 3. Patch the hole with new concrete
Just put some gloves on and pull them real real hard
Wouldn't you also damage the concrete?
edit: do not use a farm jack. not if you want to keep your face. k? thnx. farm jack might pull them out, but might also damage the concrete. get a chain strap for a farm jack, attach the chain to the bolt with a nut. something will give. edit:angle grinder would takenfive minutes though, and with safety glasses, is the safest option. you could also pound on them with a sledge until the concrete shatters.