Finally cut that @#$%^ root

[LVSteve]

Some may recall my thread on sawzalls and cutting a big root that was crushing my irrigation valve box. I managed to get it out this weekend after much grief. I had two batteries and a charger and flattened both batteries twice on Saturday and went through "3" charges on Sunday. Used 3-4 blades of different lengths, too.

I ended up having to make lots of small cuts until the root was less thick top to bottom. Another issue was stones close up against the thing. The sawzall does not like those.

Root material is strange stuff. Sometimes it cuts just fine and then a few seconds later the cut stops and smoke starts to come out of the slot.

After getting the root clear I was able to beat the box back into shape so the lid fits. Looks like I managed not to damage the pipes, although I forgot to test the system before I back filled the hole. Yeah, I was sore, hungry and cranky when I finished and not thinking straight. Should be OK as the pipes are pretty deep.

 

[arjay]

Guinness...

 

[Engineer1911]

Now you know that sawzall blades don't work in, near or with sand.

 

[finesse_r]

Entire forests have been clear cut in the time it took you to cut that one little root.

 

[snubbyfan]

Mission accomplished, great!
Just hope you don't get sore, hungry and cranky digging that hole again to fix those pipes.

 

[LVSteve]

Entire forests have been clear cut in the time it took you to cut that one little root.

I'm sure the proper tools wielded by an experienced user would have been quicker... and more expensive. To be fair I had not touched it since that first attempt due to weather and other commitments.

 

[LVSteve]

Mission accomplished, great!
Just hope you don't get sore, hungry and cranky digging that hole again to fix those pipes.

I'll test it tomorrow night when I get home from work. At least then I'll know and the earth will still be loose.

 

[snubbyfan]

I'll test it tomorrow night when I get home from work. At least then I'll know and the earth will still be loose.

Yep, tonight's Miller time.

 

[A10]

V.R. Day! Congratulations!

 

[dcxplant]

Man do I hate cutting roots. Hard as steel some of those things.

 

[Evil Dog]

chain saws don't work much better......

 

[dmar]

Next time, try a 12 gauge w/ 00 buckshot...

Congratulations, I'm a big fan of life's little victories; mission accomplished!

 

[rburg]

chain saws don't work much better......

Actually, they do, but only with the correct chain for the job. Buy one with carbide cutters and it will ignore sand. Rocks, not so much. They're specifically designed for "sanded" wood. Examples are gravel pit timber or drift wood. Anyplace you have blowing sand, it gets into the wood, just like a root!

 

[thebeamanater107]

After doing several jobs under the carport with a cordless drill, you have my sympathy. I know cordless power tools are great and wonderful and all for a variety of jobs, but my $35 riobi corded drill and $45 worth of drop cord out performs dad's $200 dewalt every single time.

So the story goes to cutting up a deck. It was a 6' square deck out in the middle of the yard and nobody has any idea why it's there or what purpose it used to serve, but now it's firewood. So dad's $300 dewalt cordless reciprocating saw verses my $75 craftsman reciprocating saw and drop cord turned out the same results. His battery died, mine didn't.

...and he did much less work and much more drinking during the battery charging session while I was still working...

the original point and click interface, by Smith and Wesson

 

[amazingflapjack]

cutting torch

 

[Evil Dog]

...and he did much less work and much more drinking during the battery charging session while I was still working...

once again age and experience triumph over youthful exuberance.

 

[thebeamanater107]

once again age and experience triumph over youthful exuberance.

Every single time, in my entire existence, I beat my dad only to find out I still lost.

the original point and click interface, by Smith and Wesson

 

[Fishslayer]

...and he did much less work and much more drinking during the battery charging session while I was still working...

Hate to tell ya this but I think Dad wins!

And now you know why I rock a cordless string trimmer & hedge clipper!

 

[jaykellogg]

So the story goes to cutting up a deck. It was a 6' square deck out in the middle of the yard and nobody has any idea why it's there or what purpose it used to serve, but now it's firewood.

I hope this deck wasn't built of pressure treated lumber! It is unsafe to burn PT lumber

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

One tough root. Probably kin to Willie the Weed.

 

[DCWilson]

Looks like a triffid root. If you had just left it alone it eventually would have moved on its own initiative.

 

[Onomea]

Congrats, Steve!