Any Brick Mason's on here?

[NXcoupe]

Got a project at my house I want to tackle, but have a few questions. I have a very old home, built before 1900. It had fireplaces all over it, and none of them are functional now. I want to put a ventless fireplace insert in, but the cheaper one I found is about 3 to 4 inches wider than the opening of my fireplace currently. How difficult would it be to remove bricks from each side and what tools would I need to do it? I am assuming a hammer and chisel of some sort? The brick rows are about 2.5' thick on each side, so there are plenty, removing a row on each side front to rear shouldn't affect it at all. Any info at all would be appreciated.
Thanks!

[NXcoupe]

Wow, no one can give me any input??

[motox159]

I don't know much about the ventless fireplace systems. As far as the brick go, hammer and chisel would be the less messy way to do it. If your not worried about dust, use a grinder. You can get away with the carbide blades but the diamond blade would cut thru it like a hot knife thru butter. Hope this helps, i did masonry work for almost 10 years. Gook luck

[NXcoupe]

Yeah, don't need input on the ventless fireplace, the issue is the quickest way to remove the row of brick. What is this diamond blade you mentioned? Is it on a large angle grinder or something? Going quick and easy sounds like the best plan.

[DSSKing68]

I know a few Freemasons...LOL

But they don't know much about laying brick. ;)

[motox159]

You can use your standard 4 1/2 inch hand grinder, angle grinder. You can get the diamond blades at Lowe's or Home Depot. Basically a blade for cutting rock, stone...basically anything like that. The carbide blades (black) will work too they seem to start burning once they get hot tho.

[NXcoupe]

Gotcha, so next time I'm at Lowe's I'll check on a diamond blade. That sounds like it will speed up the job a lot. I appreciate the suggestion. I might post up pics of the job as it progresses. Thanks!

[dsmawd350]

buy a roll or two of 3m painters plastic. hang from ceiling to floor and try to mask off as small as area as possible when doing the cutting. id just go to Arts or depot and rent a 10'' concrete saw with diamond blade. chalk a line around the fireplace where you want to cut and go to town. would be much easier than an angle grinder

[NXcoupe]

Ok, so a 10" concrete saw? I will go check it out. there isn't much to remove, one row of brick thick by about 2' high and 2' deep. Going to get a lot of plastic to seal around it for the dust. My wife would lose her mind!

[motox159]

I'm not arguing that a concrete saw wouldn't make it a faster job, alot more dust compared to the angle grinder. You won't have any problems with using an angle grinder with a diamond blade. The blades don't cost much, if you mess up a 10' blade its going to cost you a few hundred to replace. If you need a pic of what i'm talking about let me know, i have one on my grinder from a chimney repair I did not too long ago. Good luck man

[NXcoupe]

Yeah, post up the pic man. Thanks!

[motox159]

I'll post it up on here for you tomorrow fella, or mail it to you.

[motox159]

http://www.lowes.com/pd_99665-70-DW4700_4294857526+4294867767_41_?productId=1204989&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_quantity _sold|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Cement_4294857526%2B4294867767_41 _%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_prod uct_quantity_sold%7C1&facetInfo=Cement , this is the link to the blade. I don't think mine is a Dewalt. I think you know what the 4" grinder is. It may not cut completely thru the brick but will give you a straight line and to chisel the rest out will not take much.

[NXcoupe]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I only need to take out one row which is about 2.5 to 3" thick. I can cut all around and start pounding it out on the rest. I appreciate it! I'll post up as I tackle this project. Going to start doing more house stuff now that the shop is finally winding down on the remodeling.

[motox159]

Glad I could help man. Hope it all goes smooth, wear some safety glasses, brick chips in the eye do not feel good! Good luck fella