Replies

1. 
   Scooter1 | Mar 07, 2003 08:12pm | #1

   I use a 4" grinder with a dry diamond blade. Really zips through tile and masonry products. But with any demo, there is no substitute for a sledge hammer.

   Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1927

1. 
   Kneeofyte | Mar 07, 2003 08:52pm | #2

   What brand grinder do you recommend? I can't use a sledge hammer because I don't want to damage rooms on the other side of the shower walls. Thanks.

1. 
   RW | Mar 07, 2003 10:05pm | #3

   It's not the grinder that makes the difference. DW, Mak, you name it, if they spin and you put a diamond blade one, you'll cut through lickety split. Been doing some of that lately with backer. When you lick through it for outlets & the like, might as well be drywall. Trust our communist friend, it's what you want if you don't want to sledge it. " I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am ungrateful to those teachers." Kahlil Gibran

2. 
   timkline | Mar 08, 2003 08:09pm | #17

   Milwaukee 6149-20 5" Magnum Grinder  8.5Amp

   Milwaukee 6153-20 5" Super Magnum Grinder  12Amp

   http://www.milwaukeeconnect.com/html/index.html

   Bosch

   1703AEVS  5" Grinder 8.5 Amp

   Any of these three will make you happy. The grinders are the same physical size as a 4", but with the added benefit of a bigger cut.

   carpenter in transition

2. 
   wrick2003 | Mar 07, 2003 10:09pm | #4

   i have a 15amp dewalt 7" angle grinder, which does a fine job cutting through wetset tile walls, stucco, almost anything.  

3. 
   NickNukeEm | Mar 07, 2003 11:45pm | #5

   I had to do the same thing last year on a bath reno.  After horsing around with a sawzall, I finally found the perfect tool of destruction: my 16 year-old son.  I gave him several different prybars, a hand sledge, a box of construction bags, and closed the door.  Saved my 48-year-old back.  He had the tile and drywall out in about an hour, no damage to anything that wasn't meant to be destroyed.  And I gave him 10 bucks an hour for the pleasure.  (And he even hauled the mess down to the truck!)

1. 
   FrankB89 | Mar 07, 2003 11:49pm | #6

   Now that's a tool to hang on to!  And unlike most 'power' tools, they get stronger with age.  (They can become finicky, though). 

1. 
   NickNukeEm | Mar 07, 2003 11:58pm | #7

   Another similarity to older power tools: they sometimes can be difficult to get going.

1. 
   FrankB89 | Mar 08, 2003 12:15am | #8

   Is that where the art of  'a sharp rap or kick to the tool body' got started? 

1. 
   NickNukeEm | Mar 08, 2003 12:58am | #9

   Could be.  Never hurts to try the 'old fashion method' every once in a while!

2. 
   Kneeofyte | Mar 08, 2003 04:22pm | #15

   I remember when I was 16 years young : )

4. 
   AaronRosenthal | Mar 08, 2003 04:05am | #10

   I also use a 4" angle grinder with a diamond blade.

   Make sure you wear gloves and goggles (NOT safety glasses) and a very good resperator. The dust will cause your eyes and lungs real damage. Hearing protection too, because if you don't close the door, you'll have dust everywhere.

   At my age, my fingers & knees arrive at work an hour after I do.

   Aaron the Handyman
   Vancouver, Canada

1. 
   Sancho | Mar 08, 2003 04:29am | #11

   4 1/2" grinder w/ diamond blade will do it but doing that kind of demo to me nothing beats a air chisel, that'll knock tile off a wall faster than gunner beating a check at the Tav... 

   Darkworks:  We support the US military "We kick your #### and take your gas"

1. 
   Danusan11 | Mar 08, 2003 04:42am | #12

   Thats right air chisel, diamond blade when needed. SAFETY GLASSES!!

5. 
   chiefclancy | Mar 08, 2003 09:55am | #13

   I use a 4" angle grinder with diamond blade, makes a mess and a lot of noise but it's fast. My favorite demo tool is the 48" gorilla bar. I can pull down thick wet set walls in big sections quick with that sucker. Between the grinder and a selection of pry bars I can usually avoid using the sledge too much without losing too much in efficiency..

1. 
   Handydan | Mar 08, 2003 11:46am | #14

   I don't anticipate ruining all of this great fun of demoliton work, but somebody should mention the importance of checking for wires and pipes before getting rreal excited with that diamond blade.  I just got a refresher course last week when I managed to air nail the 1/2 inch copper.  Good news was it was in an unfinished wall, and at my own house, so at least it was me that was affected.  Sure would be smart to look first, instead of after hearing that funny hissing sound!  On drywall it seems pretty easy to just punch a hole up high and pull.  I imagine that the backer board would be much tougher and require grinders.  Plywood to protect tub would also seem reasonable.

   Dan        Practice, Practice, Practice, man I hate practice.

2. 
   Kneeofyte | Mar 08, 2003 04:27pm | #16

   Now that you mention it, I'm buying a bigger crowbar. Any tips for removing the shower pan without damaging the subfloor? Thanks.