gollan Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 I recently scored a small number of rusty old York DBs. What is the best/quickest/cheapest/easiest way to detach the handles? My first thought was to find a welding shop but I don't know any welders in my area and feel it might take longer to find a shop and explain to them what I need than to do the work myself. I have a Dremel and was wondering if the cutting disk from that would work? Otherwise, what kind of saw will I need and what kind of work am I in for? Once I get the handles chopped off I will have no problem fixing the surface rust and refinishing them. These DBs are on the ligher side, but will be good for me and my small hands (i.e. I have to start somewhere). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMERHEAD Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 gollan- just get a hacksaw. They're cheap and it'll take about 30-45 min. to hack out a handle. Sawing that handle out is also a good hand workout -HH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan McMillan Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 Hammerhead is right a hacksaw with a blade for cutting metal will do the job with less hassle then finding a welder etc. Sorry I don't know if the dremel is up for the task or not. Jon@han Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnimalCage Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 I've used a dremel for cutting rusty bolts from my truck's exhaust system. That was really pushing it. The discs are small and flimsy. Besides, how would you position the Dremel? You probably couldn't cut straight through. I have a RotoZip, which might work only because it has a 90 degree attachment. That should get you between the ends. They're around $100. Or get a hacksaw for $2.00. If you're gonna work out with a blob, why take the easy route in getting a blob? Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bseedot Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 I use a hacksaw. Get blades that have 18 teeth per inch (I think it's per inch). At any rate, you'll see the number 18 on the package (there's also 12 and 24 but those don't work as well). It takes me only about 10 minutes to cut through each side but I apply a liberal amount of elbow grease because I want to get it done and over with. Hands, tris, and shoulders definitely feel it. The most I've cut were four in one sitting and that was pretty brutal! BC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gripster Posted February 21, 2003 Share Posted February 21, 2003 If you know anyone with a sawzall (not sure of spelling) that will go through it like butter. it is an electric reciprocating saw that you can use with a wood or metal blade. Carpenters use them alot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Crusher Posted February 22, 2003 Share Posted February 22, 2003 I made all my blobs using a hacksaw, and I would highly recommend it. "Old School" is best, and it also gives you a good workout, to boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricMilfeld Posted February 22, 2003 Share Posted February 22, 2003 Just bite it off, like a real strongman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gollan Posted February 22, 2003 Author Share Posted February 22, 2003 Thanks for the replies gentlemen. Following your tips I made one pair of blobs tonight. After trying unsuccessfully to bite it off I went and bought new hacksaw blades (18T, thanks) and spent about an hour hacking both ends off a York DB. Part of that hour included some inefficient left-handed sawing. To simplify matters I cut most of the way through both ends and then finished it off. I got a decent grip and back workout plus I'm now pretty good at sawing with my left hand (endurance needs work). I'll go at the other pair tomorrow, after my "official" grip workout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mikebyoung Posted February 22, 2003 Share Posted February 22, 2003 I am a plumber. I do much grip work daily,on the job. Reading the posts here about hacksaws,I was recalling when I had to learn to use one. Seeing an apprentice grtting his first hacksaw workout is always a yuck. You get the sawing down pretty quick with a little practice. Harder work than a Sawzall...but I can saw through 3/8" rod about twice as fast by hand than I can with my powersaw. Get hacking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wells Posted February 22, 2003 Share Posted February 22, 2003 New Strength Exercise: Sawing a blob in two for time. NO QUITTERS ALLOWED except for death or hands fall off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sybersnott Posted February 22, 2003 Share Posted February 22, 2003 I have used both a hacksaw and a dremel tool to cut my blobs. A hacksaw is easier, straighter and you get better results. Of course, it does take more time... but it is worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Browne Posted February 22, 2003 Share Posted February 22, 2003 How do you guys mount your hacksaw blades? With the teeth facing the handle? or teeth facing away from the handle? Just curious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGuy Posted February 22, 2003 Share Posted February 22, 2003 When I get my blob, I am going to cut it in half and make it into a 50 lb dumbbell. I will use a new hacksaw blade and plenty of oil while cutting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGuy Posted February 22, 2003 Share Posted February 22, 2003 teeth face towards handle. Use oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Browne Posted February 22, 2003 Share Posted February 22, 2003 OldGuy, Not to bust your chops but you place the teeth facing away from the handle and you cut with your push stroke. Believe you me, I learned the hard way years ago working with an old grizzly pipefitter . He said "Hey boy turned that G..damn blade around or I am going to thump you"! This was after he let me bust ass for 45 mins. doing it the other way 3-in-1 oil works well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan McMillan Posted February 22, 2003 Share Posted February 22, 2003 Interesting about the teeth position zcor, to tell you the truth I never paid attention to it as the teeth as so tiny I couldn't really tell which way they were facing. Never thought about using oil either that should make my next dumbell butchary go much better Jon@han Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Browne Posted February 22, 2003 Share Posted February 22, 2003 Johnathon, Yes the teeth face forward. Use an 18 teeth per inch blade for castiron or any thick material. Another tip is to use long steady strokes. Use the whole blade. The blade will not cut when you pull back but cuts on the push stroke using firm pressure. The oil keeps the blade from over heating and warping. A warped blade will bind up and will not cut straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGuy Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 Ooops! all these years of hacking away on the backstroke. Oh well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gollan Posted February 23, 2003 Author Share Posted February 23, 2003 For the record, the second pair of blobs took me 42 minutes. I changed the blade at the start of the 2nd cut (it had already cut through three handle sections). In the future I will just replace the blade after every pair of blobs. I used the cheaper high-carbon blades. Maybe the premium blades would last longer. I found that motor oil worked better than the light machine oil I used the first time. Painting is next. I thought about leaving them raw but they make my hands rusty when I handle them, they smell nasty, and my wife has some kind of "rust phobia". I'm not kidding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mac Posted February 23, 2003 Share Posted February 23, 2003 (edited) I thought about leaving them raw but they make my hands rusty when I handle them, they smell nasty, and my wife has some kind of "rust phobia". I'm not kidding. I know the feeling. My ex-girlfriend was quite alot like this... I've never had a go with a blob, but would definitely like to. This thread (and the others recently) has certainly started an interest.... Edited February 23, 2003 by The Mac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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