[Shop-talk] Cutting a chain link fence post?

[Brian Kemp]

How about something like this?  A fence post may be too thick, but there are similar options for heavier pipe.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/GEARWRENCH-3-4-in-to-3-in-Exhaust-and-Tailpipe-Cutter-2031DD/205593288


You might also want to check with a local fence contractor.  They likely have additional options.


Brian


-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Franklin <jamesf at groupwbench.org>
Sent: Oct 29, 2026 12:58 PM
To: Steven Trovato <strovato at optonline.net>
Cc: Shop-Talk <shop-talk at autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Cutting a chain link fence post?


Pulling them up will destroy the neighbor's fence so that's not an option. But I tried that with an 8' 2x4 out in front of the house where I do want to remove the concrete, and the posts didn't budge. The fence is from the 60s when concrete was cheap :-)

jim


ps - when the neighbor put in his garage, the excavator guy pulled up engine blocks and transmissions that had been buried decades ago, so you might not be far off with Volkswagens!

On Oct 29, 2026, at 2:13 PM, Steven Trovato <strovato at optonline.net> wrote:
Jim,Unless the concrete blob is the size of a Volkswagen, you should be able to pull the whole thing out of the ground without an excavator.  There are various approaches with a farm jack and a chain, a car jack or a very long lever.  Search for pulling fence posts on google or youtube.  There are a bunch of videos that should give you some ideas.-SteveAt 01:25 PM 10/29/2026, Jim Franklin wrote:I need to cut down about 20 of these a few inches below grade. The catch is they are right next to my neighbor's PVC fence, so I can't get to that side.

I can use my sawzall but I want the cut parallel to the grade which means getting the entire sawzall below grade and sucking schmutz into the motor. Do-able and at the top of the list so far.

I was going to rent an excavator (still might) to also remove the concrete blob but then I'd need a bunch of fill delivered (none on site but there may be some when they dig up the driveway to repave it, shelving this idea for a few weeks), hassle factor exceeds the joy of having an excavator.

Portable bandsaw seems like a useful lifetime tool, especially if it can be mounted vertically to use as a regular bandsaw and also mounted in a chop saw table. Internet isn't forthcoming on the viability of these options.

Angle grinder won't reach around the back.

Plasma cutter is contraindicated with neighbor's fence.

Any other ideas?

thanks,
jim

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