Pulling Out Decking Joist Brackets

June 13, 2005 10:42 AM

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.

posted by yerfatma to Home & Garden (8 answers total)

You won't be re-nailing into the same holes, right? So get an angle grinder and grind the heads off the existing nails.
posted by 5MeoCMP at 10:47 AM on June 13, 2005

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.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 10:57 AM on June 13, 2005

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.
posted by LionIndex at 11:58 AM on June 13, 2005

Response by poster: 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.
posted by yerfatma at 12:17 PM on June 13, 2005

Best answer: 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.
posted by Mitheral at 12:50 PM on June 13, 2005

+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.
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 2:08 PM on June 13, 2005

You might find a solid pitchfork more ergonomic than a pry bar, for the pulling. Just jam it in and push down.
posted by tommunation at 9:12 PM on June 13, 2005

Mitheral writes "Use a medium tool metal blade."

That should be medium tooth metal blade.
posted by Mitheral at 7:13 AM on June 14, 2005