How to remove remains of wooden fence post from hole - Updated: DIY Win!

pinkteapot

Some !!!!! must have reversed into the end of a low wooden fence that borders our drive. Came home to find a fence post broken and laying on the drive.

The post was just a 3x3 length of wood sticking out of a hole in concrete. The post has broken and the bottom of it has been left in the hole. How can I get it out so that I can put a new post in?

This happened a few weeks ago and I thought the recent rain would soften the wood so I could scrape bits out, but it's as solid as ever.

dave82_2

You could try a drill? Get a long bit and drill down into the post lots of times.

pinkteapot

Thanks Dave - that could work with a bit of elbow grease... I have just read about tree stump remover - a chemical designed to break down tree stumps for removal. Does anyone know if that would help?

dave82_2

I have another idea

Disclaimer : do not actually try this.

You should bolt a rope to the remains of the post. Find a comicly oversized pickup truck to tie to the other end of the rope one like this would do



Then film it as the back axel of the truck falls off or your whole house falls down either way the post stump stays in place.

Remember I am not actually saying you should do this but you should do this.

Ebe_Scrooge

As far as I'm aware, tree stump remover is very slow. It's designed to kill the stump so that it gradually rots away, so it's probably not suitable for your situation. I think Dave's approach is probably best - either drill it out, or else use a hammer and chisel to split it up, then you should be able to remove it bit by bit.

googler

Use the largest wood drill available to you to take chunks out of it, and eventually there'll be so little left you can break it up with chisels, old screwdrivers and other breaking tools.

pinkteapot

Thanks all. MrTeapot has one of those cases filled with more drill bits than anyone could ever need. Will find the biggest bit and attack the post with the drill.

Hope it caused some damage to the culprit's car. :mad:

ormus

you might be able to screw one of these into the post, and tie a long lever to it. then simply lift it out.

ps
if the post is held pretty fast/tight, the eye bolt will probably rip out first.

dave82_2

ormus wrote: »

you might be able to screw one of these into the post, and tie a long lever to it. then simply lift it out.

ps
if the post is held pretty fast/tight, the eye bolt will probably rip out first.

Or

Add this



And this

Gloomendoom

I had to do this with a much bigger 9" x 9" post. I ended up hammering an iron spike into it and using a rope with a long pole to lever it out.

Like one of these, but with an eye instead of a pin...



BTW The rain is more likely to make the wood swell and more difficult to get out.

dave82_2

Gloomendoom wrote: »

I had to do this with a much bigger 9" x 9" post. I ended up hammering an iron spike into it and using a rope with a long pole to lever it out.

Like one of these, but with an eye instead of a pin...



BTW The rain is more likely to make the wood swell and more difficult to get out.

By long pole do you in fact mean monster truck?