Removing window security bars

[wannadie]

These security bars are cemented into the motor / bricks.

How best to remove them?

 

[blup]

Id try grinding them off flush to the wall. Cut the whole thing apart piece by piece to reduce the load. The "proper" way would be to chip out the mortar, then refill.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

That, looks as if the steels are set into the mortar of the bricks, in the four corners. I would lash a rope on to the steel, to take the weight, and avoid it coming crashing down, once released. You will need a large enough grinder, to be able to cut through the steel, without it catching on the grinders spindle, and a few thin, steel cutting disks. Wear eye protection!

Chop the steel at the four corners, wherever it is easily accessible, taking the weight on the rope, then lower the released steel to the ground. Then you have a choice of either cutting the four stubs in the corners, still left in the wall, flush - or trying to dig them out of the mortar, and patching up with sand and cement.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Chop the steel at the four corners, wherever it is easily accessible, taking the weight on the rope, then lower the released steel to the ground. Then you have a choice of either cutting the four stubs in the corners, still left in the wall, flush

I would do this.

 

[JohnD]

These security bars are cemented into the motor / bricks.

How best to remove them?

If you are a burglar, the usual method is to steal a tow truck or a 4x4 with a hitch, fasten a chain to the bars, and drive away.

 

[opps]

As above. Use an angle grinder with a thin Inox blade. I am a weakling so I would make several cuts to reduce the weight.

Unfortunately, a 115mm angle grinder will only cut to a depth of 24-30mm but as the blade wears down, so will the depth of cut.

The horizontals look to be about 40mm deep. You might need a 9" grinder. Alternatively, I think a reciprocating saw might be safer

 

[crank39]

+1 for the recip saw and a decent blade, not had the need to use one in a number of years but when I did we used Lenox fire and rescue blades

 

[foxhole]

As above. Use an angle grinder with a thin Inox blade. I am a weakling so I would make several cuts to reduce the weight.

Unfortunately, a 115mm angle grinder will only cut to a depth of 24-30mm but as the blade wears down, so will the depth of cut.

The horizontals look to be about 40mm deep. You might need a 9" grinder. Alternatively, I think a reciprocating saw might be safer

Looks like a 10mm deep or less cut would remove ?

 

[endecotp]

A neighbour removed some window bars using an angle grinder and it has left nasty scars on the surrounding stonework where he overshot while grinding. I don't know if that was due to lack of experience with the angle grinder, or not.

In your case, if you're careful then any accidental contact between the grinder and the wall might be with the mortar rather than the brick, which you should be able to patch up afterwards.

In any case, take your time.

(I wonder how deep they go?)

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

In your case, if you're careful then any accidental contact between the grinder and the wall might be with the mortar rather than the brick, which you should be able to patch up afterwards.

In any case, take your time.

(I wonder how deep they go?)

If the OP, cuts the steel, leaving a stub sticking out from the masonry - he might be able to just hammer the stubs back and forth, to loosen them, so they can be simply pulled out.

 

[wannadie]

That, looks as if the steels are set into the mortar of the bricks, in the four corners. I would lash a rope on to the steel, to take the weight, and avoid it coming crashing down, once released. You will need a large enough grinder, to be able to cut through the steel, without it catching on the grinders spindle, and a few thin, steel cutting disks. Wear eye protection!

Chop the steel at the four corners, wherever it is easily accessible, taking the weight on the rope, then lower the released steel to the ground. Then you have a choice of either cutting the four stubs in the corners, still left in the wall, flush - or trying to dig them out of the mortar, and patching up with sand and cement.

Thank you.

I tried drilling / chipping out the surrounding mortar but these things are in deep and have a bend that 'hooks' in.

I am thinking the easiest cut would be where I have sketched the red lines.

So the plan is to use an angle grinder with a thin metal cutting disc and eye protection. I guess the only other safety tip is don't twist whilst cutting.

How do I finish the cut so it is not sharp?

If you are a burglar, the usual method is to steal a tow truck or a 4x4 with a hitch, fasten a chain to the bars, and drive away.

Useful to know...

 

[wannadie]

+1 for the recip saw and a decent blade, not had the need to use one in a number of years but when I did we used Lenox fire and rescue blades

Would a jigsaw work?

 

[blup]

If you are a burglar, the usual method is to steal a tow truck or a 4x4 with a hitch, fasten a chain to the bars, and drive away.

Or drive a tele handler in at speed , forks up.

 

[foxhole]

Just a small grinder at 45 degrees across red line area.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

How do I finish the cut so it is not sharp?

Any sharp, thin edges will rapidly rust away, but if you swap the cutting disc, for a grinding disc, you will be able to grind the sharp edges off.

However, once the main weight of the bars have been cut off, and taken down - just hammering the remaining stubs of steel in the wall, repeatedly, side to side, might be all you need to do to get those stubs out of the wall. The stubs are not usually hooked, though sometimes they are longitudinally cut, like a fork.