Replies

1. 
   joeh | Nov 24, 2007 12:56am | #1

   WHY????

             Joe H

1. 
   jvl | Nov 24, 2007 04:54am | #4

   just bought a combination wrench that has a wrench to turn off the water at the meter,also has a wrench to shut the gas off,also has a pry bar in order to lift up meter cover.old house ,the pry bar doesnt fit into the pre-existing opening needs to be 1/4 inch longer to work.i will instruct the wife how to shut the water off at the meter and also teach her to shut the gas off at the meter.one wrench is easier for her to use instead off finding a screwdriver ,wrenches and whatever.not a bad idea

1. 
   DanH | Nov 24, 2007 05:51am | #5

   Wouldn't it be easier to just give her your cellphone number?
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

1. 
   jvl | Nov 24, 2007 04:27pm | #13

   so calif earthquake and fire country.i wouldnt be around forever.

1. 
   Dave45 | Nov 24, 2007 05:22pm | #25

   Doesn't your house have a water shutoff near the front of the house?  All houses around here have a shutoff at the meter (near the curb), and another where the water line enters the house.  I always show people the shutoff at the house since few of them would even know how to find their water meter.

   I have a tool for shutting off the water at the meter.  It's about three feet long with a "T" handle and a "U" shaped piece that fits the meter shutoff valve.  If you have something similar, you could grind one of the "T" ends to fit in the meter cover slot.

2. 
   junkhound | Nov 24, 2007 06:58am | #7

   I'd work from the bottom of the lid with a small air impact hammer and simply chip it away to the size and shape needed. 

   re: Wouldn't it be easier to just give her your cellphone number?

   Cell phone probably does not work too well if you are 2000 miles away, or across town and all the traffic lights go out during an earthquake.  jv: To help references for replies, double click on your own name and add in a fe details, such as location: "sesmic alley, CA"? 

1. 
   geoffhazel | Nov 24, 2007 08:48am | #8

   If the hole is near enough to one side you could use a carbide rod saw on a hacksaw frame. I've always had good luck with those on masonry products.

1. 
   jvl | Nov 24, 2007 04:31pm | #16

   i will consider that,is that the same blade for a tile saw?

2. 
   jvl | Nov 24, 2007 04:29pm | #15

   i am trying to avoid chipping the concrete

1. 
   junkhound | Nov 24, 2007 04:37pm | #19

   Ya can always patch it up with grout.

2. 
   jvl | Nov 24, 2007 04:49pm | #20

   not much success using sanded grout in those situations.was thinking of concrete patch or pl marble and stone polyurathane adhesive.tough glue

3. 
   popawheelie | Nov 24, 2007 09:39am | #9

   How about changing the wrench instead of the concrete cover? It might be easier.

1. 
   DanH | Nov 24, 2007 04:15pm | #10

   Just grind it down a hair?
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

1. 
   jvl | Nov 24, 2007 04:25pm | #11

   the hole is 11/2 inches long by 3/4' wide.grind it down with a very smallgrinder?

2. 
   DanH | Nov 24, 2007 04:33pm | #17

   Grind down the wrench.
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

3. 
   jvl | Nov 24, 2007 04:54pm | #22

   could weaken the overall strength

4. 
   DanH | Nov 24, 2007 05:08pm | #24

   But apparently some wrenches are strong enough, even with a smaller head. Cut the head off and weld on the same size long socket. (Use long so that the welding doesn't compromise the strength of the socket proper.)
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

5. 
   Boats234 | Nov 24, 2007 06:08pm | #26

   I've got one of those combo tools you describe and I had to "grind to fit" the key portion.

   I have steel covers for my meters so I had to rekey the tool to work. (cast alloy so it works fairly easily)

   If you were set on elongating the hole in your cover, I would try drilling a few small holes. Then connecting them by chiseling or sawzall method.

6. 
   DanH | Nov 24, 2007 04:35pm | #18

   But then a slot like that seems like you could grind down with an angle grinder.(I'm having trouble picturing this thing.)
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

7. 
   jvl | Nov 24, 2007 04:53pm | #21

   8"x12" slab of concrete,11/2" thick,hole size 11/2" x 3/4" standard 6"grinding wheel wouldnt work.another typeof grinding tool?

8. 
   DanH | Nov 24, 2007 05:06pm | #23

   Ya gotta learn to use dashes.
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

2. 
   jvl | Nov 24, 2007 04:25pm | #12

   what do you have in mind?

2. 
   JTC1 | Nov 24, 2007 01:11am | #2

   Ditto JoeH reply.

   Concrete water meter cover?  How does that meter get read?

   "expand the length by 1/4" " - length of the hole? how big is it now?  How thick is this cover?

   Jim

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

1. 
   jvl | Nov 24, 2007 04:40am | #3

   the concrete cover is lifted up in order to read meter.the thickness is around 1 1/2 inches.the hole size is around 1 1/2 inches

3. 
   Luka | Nov 24, 2007 06:02am | #6

   That sawzall blade and some patience is probably your best bet.

   Don't give up. What you want to do -does- make sense.

   =0)

   ---

   Everybody is born a hero.

1. 
   jvl | Nov 24, 2007 04:28pm | #14

   tried the blade very slow,going to tool depot to see if they make a diamond blade for the sawall