Nail Cutter for siding....other than a chisel

"Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Anyone know of a tool that would be good to slide up under existing
> siding to cut the nails, other than a chisel? I'm thinking of
> something like a carbide heaed chisel with a V in the tip like a
> dandelion weeder. A beater chisel did an ok job today, but it makes me
> cringe a bit, even though it is a beater. Plus, they get chewed up in
> a hurry.
>
> I would have used a hacksaw blade but I didn't have one with me, and it
> just seems a quick rap with a hammer on a sharp carbide edge would be
> much faster than sawing each nail. Maybe I'm wrong...
> JP
>
A carbide tipped chisel, if it exists, would chip badly when encountering a
nail. Use a Sawzall and a fine tooth blade. Milwaukee's "The Torch" blade
works great.

Dave

TeamCasa wrote:
> Use a Sawzall and a fine tooth blade. Milwaukee's "The Torch" blade
> works great.
>

Agreed, a reciprocating saw and a fine tooth blade is faster than you
think. I would also add that it would probably not cause as much damage
as a chisel or a straight end of a cat's paw pry bar.

Tom in KY, That is, IF you have a recipro-saw available. If not, maybe
a Stanley mini Wonderbar?

for finish nails a good stiff putty knife driven in will either cut or
drive out sideways. it mungs up the edge, so don't use your
grandfather's heirloom putty knife, but the technique works.for bigger
nails, pry up a bit and use the sawzall like Dave sez.

Jay Pique wrote:
> Anyone know of a tool that would be good to slide up under existing
> siding to cut the nails, other than a chisel? I'm thinking of
> something like a carbide heaed chisel with a V in the tip like a
> dandelion weeder. A beater chisel did an ok job today, but it makes me
> cringe a bit, even though it is a beater. Plus, they get chewed up in
> a hurry.
>
> I would have used a hacksaw blade but I didn't have one with me, and it
> just seems a quick rap with a hammer on a sharp carbide edge would be
> much faster than sawing each nail. Maybe I'm wrong...
> JP

You're wrong. A standard steel chisel will work better than carbide,
because carbide is brittle and chips. You might also want to think
about sticking some hacksaw blade handles, and some blades, in your
tool box or drawer. Those will work best, take jus a few strokes per
nail, and do almost no damage to the side. Similar handles are
available for recip saw blades, which are sturdier.

Yes, there was an old tool that was flat with a hook and notch to cut
siding & shingle nails. The bottom end had a right angle bend that
could be hammered to hook and cut the nail. Haven't seen one for a long
time but your local blacksmith [Welding Shop?] could whup one out in a
fer minutes.
Bugs

> Anyone know of a tool that would be good to slide up under existing
siding to cut the nails, other than a chisel? ...

I've used a reciprocating saw with a Porter-Cable #12466 Blade -- 18
TPI "Nail Embeded Wood". It's long enougn and it will flex enough tor
you to cut the nails behind the siding. I'm sure other brands have
comprable blades.

[email protected] wrote:
> > Anyone know of a tool that would be good to slide up under existing
> siding to cut the nails, other than a chisel? ...
>
> I've used a reciprocating saw with a Porter-Cable #12466 Blade -- 18
> TPI "Nail Embeded Wood". It's long enougn and it will flex enough tor
> you to cut the nails behind the siding. I'm sure other brands have
> comprable blades.

Thanks all. I will definitely not repeat the unpardonable sin of not
having a hacksaw or recip saw with me on a jobsite. I may check out
that shingle ripper too. Heck I might clean up my beater chisel for
next time as well!

JP
****************************************************
This looks good to me too - http://tinyurl.com/8v372 or
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000095SGN/qid=1137192949/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/102-0410230-5548911?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=228013

HEH HEH... I just "saw" this while studying the net for my latest post,
a Disston # 240 Nail Cutting Saw on this page:
http://www.patented-antiques.com/Backpages/T-F-S/Saws%20hndles%20drills/saws/disston_saws.htm
At the very bottom of the page, it's cheap!

--
Alex - "newbie_neander" woodworker
cravdraa_at-yahoo_dot-com
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/

Prybar: not a crowbar, a prybar. Perfect for the job.
http://www.new-intergem.com/prospecting/prybar.htm

HTH,
Pop


"Jay Pique" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
: Anyone know of a tool that would be good to slide up under
existing
: siding to cut the nails, other than a chisel? I'm thinking of
: something like a carbide heaed chisel with a V in the tip like
a
: dandelion weeder. A beater chisel did an ok job today, but it
makes me
: cringe a bit, even though it is a beater. Plus, they get
chewed up in
: a hurry.
:
: I would have used a hacksaw blade but I didn't have one with
me, and it
: just seems a quick rap with a hammer on a sharp carbide edge
would be
: much faster than sawing each nail. Maybe I'm wrong...
: JP
:

On 12 Jan 2006 18:55:20 -0800, "Jay Pique" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Anyone know of a tool that would be good to slide up under existing
>siding to cut the nails, other than a chisel? I'm thinking of
>something like a carbide heaed chisel with a V in the tip like a
>dandelion weeder. A beater chisel did an ok job today, but it makes me
>cringe a bit, even though it is a beater. Plus, they get chewed up in
>a hurry.
>
>I would have used a hacksaw blade but I didn't have one with me, and it
>just seems a quick rap with a hammer on a sharp carbide edge would be
>much faster than sawing each nail. Maybe I'm wrong...
>JP

Watch the line wrap:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004Z2F7/qid=1137126235/104-2797820-7385543

No personal experience but I saw it on this old house ;) You slide it
up next to the nail, hook it and then whack the handle with a hammer.


-Leuf