Drill bits.

doldrum · Post by **doldrum** » Thu Sep 12, 2024 9:40 am

Grendel wrote: ↑Thu Sep 12, 2024 7:15 am
doldrum wrote: ↑Thu Sep 12, 2024 12:40 am
I'm considering and all purpose hand saw that, it is claimed, will cut through nails. And I don’t want to buy power tools.
p p.m.
I can understand the not wanting to buy any more tools or power tools at least , I generally feel the same and think I’ve got enough to last me . I have one of those multi saws and they are very useful . I was in restoration from the start of my apprenticeship and we used them for taking down old panelling or whatever where it had to be done carefully and that was before the likes of multi tools . We also used bog standard hacksaws either in a frame or with just a handle at one end. As time or speed isn’t really an issue for you a hacksaw put down the joint might be a decent option although saying that if you can work your measurements carefully you may be able to cut from the unnailed parts of the pallets.

The pallet that I'm working on is one one those with slats on each side framed by four 3x2 runners, not the regular 9 block type, and the joints so tight, there is absolutely no gap to work with. A hacksaw isn't an option but I think I shall probably get one of those multi-purpose saws. Aiming to saw through where the join is.
As for measuring the the length of slats cutting out all that nail-removing.
I might just be able to do just that, will have a look.

Anyway, I can't thank you all enough for the response that you've given. Sometimes is just nice to talk things with the experts, y'know?

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Thu Sep 12, 2024 10:22 am

just look for an 8mm plug cutter they normally come in sets do not get a quality set as frequent accidental nibbling at nails will eventually ruin the plug cutter
whilst a 6mm plug cutter will work iff the heads are sub 5mm many more nibbles will happen
if the nails are close together, plug cut the ones you can then you have more chance off levering open to get a blade in

doldrum · Post by **doldrum** » Thu Sep 12, 2024 11:36 am

big-all wrote: ↑Thu Sep 12, 2024 10:22 am just look for an 8mm plug cutter they normally come in sets do not get a quality set as frequent accidental nibbling at nails will eventually ruin the plug cutter
whilst a 6mm plug cutter will work iff the heads are sub 5mm many more nibbles will happen
if the nails are close together, plug cut the ones you can then you have more chance off levering open to get a blade in

Yeah, I've been thinking about that big-all. When I first discovered the multi-purpose saw I thought yes, that will do nicely thank you very much. But that's a lot of sawing. Although to be honest, I'm being told that I should exercise more and sawing I find is quite a work-out.
I think that I probably shall look for that 8mm plug cutter, it has got to be worth a try.
And if I think that the holes are too big, well ? I can plug them.

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Thu Sep 12, 2024 2:15 pm

yes indeed try it have fun and frustration in equal measures

eventually you will decide its worth it and thrive or decide the time effort and finance required exceeds its value

aaannnddd the hole left by the plug cutter is not governed by a need to be accurate so may be random and no plug cutter available for the size off hole

doldrum · Post by **doldrum** » Thu Sep 12, 2024 4:02 pm

What fool I am.
I just bought a plug cutter online without having the faintest idea what the plug size refers to.
Is that the length of the plug being removed please? :dunno:

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Thu Sep 12, 2024 4:11 pm

Size refers to the diameter of the plug cut with the tool. So you’ll be left with a hole whatever size the cutter is plus twice the thickness of the cutter itself. One other thing you may need a guide , just a thin piece of ply with a hole in it , to run the plug cutter through , they aren’t really meant to be used freehand .

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Thu Sep 12, 2024 5:41 pm

Grendel wrote: ↑Thu Sep 12, 2024 4:11 pm Size refers to the diameter of the plug cut with the tool. So you’ll be left with a hole whatever size the cutter is plus twice the thickness of the cutter itself. One other thing you may need a guide , just a thin piece of ply with a hole in it , to run the plug cutter through , they aren’t really meant to be used freehand .

i only ever use them freehand and never a problem as i use battery drills and slow speed around 400 rpm and thats many hundreds over the years

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Fri Sep 13, 2024 7:16 am

Not saying they can’t be used freehand , I have done it myself although if making loads a drill press is a quicker choice . In this situation where the tool is being used for a use it’s not designed for and if I’m reading this right by a relative novice the I still think a guide to position the cutter over the nail would be a good idea . If I’m completely honest I still tend to think the op is overthinking this and has come up with a solution that will leave him with timber that is potentially useless with big holes in it . I still think sawing is a much better idea.

bourbon · Post by **bourbon** » Sat Sep 14, 2024 7:54 pm

Late to the party. get one of these. Makes short work of them. https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/roughne ... et-buster/

doldrum · Post by **doldrum** » Sun Sep 15, 2024 9:12 am

bourbon, thanks for the link, I had a look.
I bought a pry bar and even with a hammer, I can't force it under the slats and they won't move. Those nails must be two and a half inches.
I've forked out fifteen quid for a plug cutter, it's on it's way, and if it works I shall be happy with that.
Re-claimed slats in perfect condition. Holes not a problem.

fin · Post by **fin** » Sun Sep 15, 2024 11:59 am

https://www.screwfix.com/p/roughneck-pa ... lsrc=aw.ds

maybe cheaper elsewhere. ive got one of these tools for lifting floor boards. i got it for a job where the entire floor was absolutely rotten. it seperated the boards from the joists with ease. made it a much faster job

doldrum · Post by **doldrum** » Sun Sep 15, 2024 3:37 pm

fin, it took a while for the penny to drop, I'm not the brightest light in the street.

The prongs on that tool go under the slat either side of the runner, not between slat and runner, and then the runner is used for leverage.
Would be great for the pallet that I'm trying to strip now actually but as someone has already said, it's so easy to get sucked into buying a shed load of tools that I might rarely use again.
I'm amusing myself reclaiming a few slats for what I want to do right now but beyond that ..........

fin · Post by **fin** » Mon Sep 16, 2024 3:00 pm

ahhh reet ha. well in that case maybe something like one of these with a hacksaw blade would help..
https://www.screwfix.com/p/irwin-24tpi- ... 0mm-/99650

cheaper options are probably available also.

doldrum · Post by **doldrum** » Tue Sep 17, 2024 3:14 pm

Another fail I'm afraid.
As someone here suggested, the plug cutter slipped and slid all over the place.

Am going to back off for a while.
I don't buying a few tools but I'm not getting anywhere.

doldrum · Post by **doldrum** » Tue Sep 17, 2024 3:15 pm

big-all wrote: ↑Thu Sep 12, 2024 2:15 pm yes indeed try it have fun and frustration in equal measures
eventually you will decide its worth it and thrive or decide the time effort and finance required exceeds its value

aaannnddd the hole left by the plug cutter is not governed by a need to be accurate so may be random and no plug cutter available for the size off hole

Yeah.