Comments on: Pulling Out Decking Joist Brackets

Question: Pulling Out Decking Joist Brackets

yerfatma — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 10:42:15 -0800

Currently in the middle of a major deck renovation and a question occurs to me: is there a better way to remove the old joist brackets?

We're currently jamming/ sledgehammering prybars into the old brackets and pulling like sunuvabitches. We've also tried an air chisel, but while it makes a pretty mess and vibrates out the odd nail or two, it might actually be less efficient than the prybar approach.

By: 5MeoCMP

5MeoCMP — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 10:47:42 -0800

You won't be re-nailing into the same holes, right? So get an angle grinder and grind the heads off the existing nails.

By: weapons-grade pandemonium

weapons-grade pandemonium — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 10:57:01 -0800

Well, there's a winery in these parts called Blasted Church. According to the story, pioneers wanted to dismantle and move a local church, but didn't want to damage the timbers by prying. So they hung and detonated just the right amount of dynamite to blast everything loose without damaging the structure.
Better warn the neighbours.

By: LionIndex

LionIndex — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 11:58:15 -0800

You won't be re-nailing into the same holes, right? So get an angle grinder and grind the heads off the existing nails.

Yep. Contractors I know just use a powersaw.

By: yerfatma

yerfatma — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 12:17:49 -0800

Hmm. An angle grinder would be kind of a tight fit in a bracket built for a 2x8. If you could fit a powersaw (I'm assuming something like a Sawzall), the nails are knocked flush, so it would be difficult to get behind the heads.

None of which should be perceived as ingratitude re: your answers.

By: Mitheral

Mitheral — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 12:50:37 -0800

Sawzall is the correct tool for whacking off nails in frame construction.

To use: saw into the joist just enough to get behind the bracket and then go to town on the nails. The joist will be roughed up a bit but unless your right at the limit of the span tables you'll be fine. Use a medium tool metal blade. Any decent tool place can make a recommendation.

Your other option is a slide hammer nail puller but they are a lot of work and you'll have troubles in corners. Plus you are almost garanteed a few blood blisters.

By: RikiTikiTavi

RikiTikiTavi — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 14:08:32 -0800

+1 for Sawzall or any "reciprocating saw," as they are generally called. The tool for demolition. If I was being cheap, I'd try my Dremel or my cheap angle grinder, 'cause I don't have one of them. You can get one for $20, though, so it'd be hard to argue with getting one for a big job. I like Harbor Freight for tools that you don't expect too need past one job, so it's OK if they don't last forever and a bonus if they last for a while.

By: tommunation

tommunation — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 21:12:30 -0800

You might find a solid pitchfork more ergonomic than a pry bar, for the pulling. Just jam it in and push down.

By: Mitheral

Mitheral — Tue, 14 Jun 2005 07:13:19 -0800

Mitheral writes "Use a medium tool metal blade."

That should be medium tooth metal blade.