Roof steel removing tool

for anyone interested, i'll try to describe how to make one that works well and does not harm the steel. cat's paw tools, hammers, and pry bars will get the nails out, but when whacking them, they egg out the nail hole.

start with a fence pinchers (the one that looks like an oversized nail clipper, mine is a Diamond brand). the ones that work best are the ones that have most or all of the bit bevelled on the back side of the bit. in the center of the bits, use a dremel tool with a small grinder bit and grind half of a hole in each bit. you'll want to remove enough material from each side so that when the bits are touching there is a hole about 1/8 inch diameter. this will go around the shank of the nail, under the head of the nail, when the handles are squeezed. when you use a pinchers with a back bevelled bit, the bit will cut through the rubber/neoprene/lead washer. using a dremel tool is necessary, as a larger grinder just takes the temper out of the bit.

next i welded a 1/2" steel rod (approx 22" long) to one of the pincher handles. next i got some 2" steel bar stock and drilled (i used a lathe) a hole through it from one end to the other. this is the slide weight. slide the slide weight onto the steel rod and weld a large nut on the end of the rod to keep the slide weight from coming off. (it works on the same principle as an automotive dent puller.)

with the slide weight down against the pincher handle, squeeze the pincher under the nail head, hold the handles together with one hand and slam the slide weight back against the nut. the nail WILL come out with one whack, and the steel is undamaged.

hope this helps somebody out there, it's saved me a lot of time repairing my buildings, and most of my neighbors have used it at one time or another for repairs and tearing down.

if you want to make one and my directions are a little foggy, post back and i'll see if i can help you out.

sorry about the long post, old bones

the tool i made would be similar to a LARGE fingernail clipper that grips the nail (under the head) and pulls it STRAIGHT out as the slide weight slams against to stop welded to the back end of the 1/2" rod. you don't pry it out with this (prying against the steel will mark it up and/or bend it).

if the idea is still a little foggy, check out an automotive dent-puller. an auto dent puller has a screw on the end of it to go into the auto sheetmetal and the weight pops the dent out. mentally substitute a fingernail clipper in place of the screw on the auto dent puller. hope this gives you a better idea. old bones