4" Cast Iron Pipe: Unplug Sections

Xroad · Feb 20, 2009

How difficult is it to separate one section of 4" cast iron from another section. Is the oakum & lead stuff really tight? If I can unplug, then I do not have to cut the cast iron. I found flexible rubber pipe coupling that fits the 4" PVC on one end and the other end fits the "socket" female end (where the lead and oakum goes) of the cast iron pipe. No cutting.

-xroad

Jadnashua · Feb 20, 2009

Slim to none...you can't pull a properly done lead/oakum joint apart.

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

Xroad · Feb 20, 2009

Ooh-Kaay .... Thanks .... That idea got shot down. Back to diamond disk.

C NUMB · Feb 21, 2009

If you have access to a sawzall ( recriprocating saw) lennox makes a diamond blade that will give you a clean cut.

hj · Feb 21, 2009

lead

You can melt the lead and pull the pipe out, however. Assuming you have space to pull it.

SewerRatz · Feb 21, 2009

Some rental places rent the chain cutters for snap cutting cast iron.

TheZster · Feb 21, 2009

Done both ways

Rented the snap cutter - and it worked great where I had the space to use it...... Used the Sawzall in tight spots... Actually got a cleaner cut with the Sawzall......

hj · Feb 21, 2009

cut

quote; Actually got a cleaner cut with the Sawzall

That is to be expected, but since cast iron does not need a "cleaner" cut, the snapper works better and faster.

SewerRatz · Feb 21, 2009

This is the best snap cutter I ever owned. I like the fact I can take of the orange handle to make it fit in tight places.

Xroad · Feb 21, 2009

I am exploring various options. Cutting disk, sawz-all, remove lead/oakum, snap cutter ....

Spoke with a plumber. He said depends on the workanship of the lead/oakum. Sometime it can be a bitch to get it out, sometimes easy. Snap cutter is risky. The section of cast iron pipe I need to remove is already cracked. Probably bad casting from 100 years ago. Not much left at the "good" portion of the pipe. Cannot risk the pipe collapsing under the snap cutter. So, going with the diamond disk and sawz-all.

Kingsotall · Feb 22, 2009

That tools is "da bomb" ratz! Me likey likey! lol

The diamond "discs" won't go on a sawzall. You need the diamond blade made for cutting CI.

Xroad · Feb 22, 2009

kingsotall said:
That tools is "da bomb" ratz! Me likey likey! lol

The diamond "discs" won't go on a sawzall. You need the diamond blade made for cutting CI.

I have diamond cutting disk, for my grinder. Also carbide disk as well. Dimond blad for the sawz-all ready. I'll be testing all on a scrap cast iron elbow first.

4" Cast Iron Pipe: Unplug Sections

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