From: "JoeSpareBedroom" 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house alt.home.repair
Subject: Re: Cutting bottom of heating register panel
Date: Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:45:51 GMT
Bytes: 2850

"Wally"  wrote in message 
news:1194277321.571006.176570@22g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...
> My home has forced hot water through baseboard heating units in each
> room.  The heating units (radiators) have a steel/metal front cover
> that can be lifted up/out and removed to either vacuum the fins or
> bleed the unit.
>
> Looks like the previous owner's, when they had a ceramic tile floor
> put in, the installers tiled around the bottom of the metal cover
> making it impossible to lift up and remove the cover.  Mainly because
> the tiles and backing added probably 3/8" to the floor height.  I need
> to bleed these radiators now because we had a new heating system
> installed.
>
> I need a means to cut away the bottoms of these radiator covers where
> they meet the top of the ceramic tile.  I don't have to remove too
> much because the bottoms to be cut are not one continuous amount -
> instead they are about 2 1/2" wide "feet" on either side of the cover.
>
> I was thinking of just using a hacksaw blade but am looking for some
> easier way.  I don't mind buying some electric tool to do the job
> because I could always use the tool on other home jobs.  Any thoughts
> on what I can use to get the job done, whether it a hand tool or an
> electric tool?  I was looking at the MultiMaster tool but I don't
> think the saw blades could handle the metal thickness to cut.
>
> Thanks,
> Walter
>

I wonder if taking it to a metal shop might be cheaper than buying a tool. 
Of course, it could also be a good excuse to buy a new tool, and bury it in 
the "health care" part of the budget to make the Mrs happy.