Replies

1. 
   rasconc | Aug 28, 2003 12:47am | #1

   Recip saw and grit your teeth.

2. 
   johnhardy | Aug 28, 2003 01:15am | #2

   Plumbers use a device which has a chain that can be wrapped around the pipe, and at each link there's a wheel that goes perpendicular to the iron when the chain is tightened. The handles are about 3 feet long. You hook the chain to the handles after it's wrapped around the pipe, and then you close the handles (like a bolt cutter). The cast iron is cut very quickly. Your rental yard should have one.

   John

3. 
   Remodeler | Aug 28, 2003 01:21am | #3

   Stick long pins in your arms and legs for fun. 

   I hate cast iron for what you're trying to do.  If you're going to DWV, they make a plastic saddle that has a neoprene gasket to form up to the ci.  it has bolts in the side of it to saddle on.  A steel drill tip to start a hole and then the recip saw is the only way I know to work.  A torch won't work - ci disintegrates before cutting with oxy/acetylene.  A rotary grinder hasn't worked well for me.  ci is somewhat malleable so you get two sides cut you can sometimes punch it out, creasing in the middle.

   remodeler

4. 
   Remodeler | Aug 28, 2003 01:22am | #4

   wear good goggles too.  I've had ci flakes dug out of my eyes twice now with standard safety glasses.  You can see the slivers after a few days by the rust stain in the white of your eye if you get one

   remodeler

1. 
   Scooter1 | Aug 28, 2003 01:28am | #5

   Ditto on the chain cutter.

   Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934

5. 
   Poolman | Aug 28, 2003 02:05am | #6

   14 inch fas cutoff saw. 30 seconds thru 4 inch

   waer protection, make sure pipe will be supported after cut, have fun!

   untill the circumstances change, my answer will remain the same...
6. 
   KQRenovation | Aug 28, 2003 02:10am | #7

   metal blade on circular saw works good, but I prefer to use a metal blade on my gas concrete saw if you have one. A sawzall will work, but slow

1. 
   junkhound | Aug 28, 2003 05:31am | #8

   in the old days , a cold chisel and hammer took about 2-3 minutes for 4" pipe -  nick all the way around, then break along the score

   Hint - practice a lot on old pipe pieces before trying on an in place pipe.

1. 
   kaufman | Aug 28, 2003 06:44am | #9

   Milwaukie make a recip. blade that has a carbide dust imbedded in some sort of medium. pricey, but they will cut clean.

2. 
   JeffBuck | Aug 28, 2003 06:49am | #10

   2-3 minutes!

   Man..your old days must be way back....

   long enough to forget how long the hard work took!

   JeffBuck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

    Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite                  

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Aug 28, 2003 12:50pm | #11

   Agree with others about the chain cutter. $20 deposit and $10/day rental if you don't have an account at the rental center. Takes more time to pick it up and return it than it does to do the job. Suport both side of the ci before you make the cut. Insert new the new tee, ci or pvc, with no hub connectors.

   Dave

1. 
   seeyou | Aug 29, 2003 12:21am | #12

   Thanks all. I've seen the chain cutters used, but not on installed CI. I'll check my rental place out.