Removing nails from spar

[ChampChump]

After a fascinating search, I have to admit defeat and ask the assembled gurus: how do you remove nails from the spar without damaging the rib flanges?

I will not be doing this myself, but will be allowed loose on things soon.

I can find so much useful stuff on putting them in, but no one else seems to have experienced any problems before then. Are we just dumber than dumb?

Thanks in advance....

nic

[MikeB]

If you have the small (18 ga ?? old) nails, it's usually not much of a problem. I used a flat screw driver and worked it under the rib flange, then pulled them the rest of the way with a side cutter and a small piece of wood to 'lever' against. Might bend the flange a little but doesn't hurt anything and straightens easily. If you want to get more fancy I guess you could manufacture a flat tool with a small cut in the center to work under the rig flange (miniture nail puller). Generally, the nails pull out pretty easy as the wood has shrunk away over the past 60 years.

The ring shank nails are something else. I ground the head off with a Dremel grinder. I don't think there is a easy way with them. Hopefully, I'll never have to find out again.

Mike Berg

[Jody Wittmeyer]

The hardware stores sell a tack puller cheap. Looks like a small screw drive with a "V" cut into the blde. Works great. It is bent on an angle, so really easy to use

[MikeB]

Now why didn't I think of that! I'm from the old school and always think I have to make something . Duhhhh!!

Mike

[joea]

Mike,

Thats what pawn stores are good for, finding tools like to cut, weld, hack and bend to make them work on airplanes!

Joe

[ChampChump]

I'm overwhelmed by the speed of the gurus; thank you all. I'll put these ideas to the man at the sharp end.

Happy New Year to all.