I'm rerouting some wiring in my garage, which necessitates removing the staples that hold it in its current configuration. I've been using a flat pry bar with some success (defined as "Got the staple out without gouging clean through to bare wire.") but I'm wondering if there is a tool specifically made for this task.
I use a large pair of diagonal cutters. For this to work, you need space on the sides. Grab the stable just above the wood, not so hard as to cut it, just a dent to hold onto it. And then, tilt the handle of the cutters towards the wood. This will lift the side of the staple. If you're lucky, the other side will come up at the same time. BTW, you can put a small shim under the cutter head, just next to the staple, to give a bit of leverage.
I do the same, but use an offset diagonal pliers, it sorta has the shim built in.
pliers
Nice idea .... I want one!
I use a pair of fence pliers. They have a hook for removing staples and a nice leverage scheme. Very handy tool. Any good hardware store.
I use nippers or my Knipex Cobra adjustable pliers with the serrated teeth. Grab one leg of the staple and lever it out. Then just pull out the remaining leg.
R
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I use vice grips to grab the staple and a crow bar under the vice grips to pull the staple. I know it's hard when the staple is in the sill between the joists with a foundation ledge. I don't know how they pounded them in there.
If you're a tool hound, yes there is. End cutting nippers excel at that type of work:
I'm pretty sure that this is the one. When I first bought it, I didn't realize that it was angled, and I didn't like it. After using it for a while, I wouldn't use any other:
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"Seen" being the operative word. If you ever pulled a bunch of nails you'd know that that tool has your wrist at an angle that is guaranteed to cause you pain. The tool requires you to flex your wrist in a way that puts it under a lot of stress and provides little involvement of your extensors and flexors. It's a dumb tool.
Here's a "glowing" review of the tool - note the comments on carpal- tunnel:
You did good for a start, but you need to start to do two things to refine the design and make it a tool that won't screw up your wrist. Don't start with the typical plier design - it should have the head rotated to an offset angle to minimize the stress on your wrist. Unfortunately this will make it a tool that is tough for a left-hander to use. You'll figure that part out.
It's insane to have the arms spread so wide that it requires you to have such a wide grip - there's no reason for it. Small nails are ~.
0625" thick and fat nails ~.132", so there's only a limited grip range you have to deal with. If someone needs to remove a spike, they won't be using your tool regardless of the grip range. They'll use something with longer leverage. It's easier to apply force when your hand is clenched into something closer to a fist than with the hand more open. Again, it's a trivial thing to fix.Lastly, the site you are accessing Usenet from is a spammer. They only provide the service so they can get their advertising on hundreds of posts. You are being used. There are any number of ways to get on Usenet and many of them are free.
When you use Amazon to sell a tool, there is only one review, and you give the tool five stars, it comes as no surprise that you are the guy selling the tool. See if you can get some more people to add stellar reviews so people won't suspect that you're spamming.
R
I use various tools, depending on the staple. Sometimes a screwdriver can be slipped under the staple while using another screwdriver as a fulcrum point (you don't want to force the screwdriver blade against the wiring sheath which may tear it.) Anther tool that may help is a vice grips or pliers. I have not seen a specific tool for this.
Yep! And this is one of those cases where 1 $17 tool is worth a dozen of the knockoffs at $4-5. That Klein will last a lifetime. [longer if you try to remember *not* to cut live wires with it]
Jim [not a tool snob-- but sometimes it just *has* to be a Klein, Crescent or Channellock]
I'm the OP. Before reading the review, I ordered two of these, one of each size, figuring I'd return the one I didn't want. They both arrived yesterday and I found the larger NailJack worked better for what I wanted to do, so I called the seller to see about returning the smaller NailHunter. Lo and behold, he refunded the price and let me keep *both* tools.
So, though some of your observations seem spot on, the guy's heart is in the right place and he's trying to build a reputation. If you were to send your comments to him directly, I'm sure he would appreciate it.
Dick Evans
Yes, the tool is called the Nail Hunter!
I must admit, you are a VERY knowledgeable tool guy! I have spent a lot of time trying to solve this annoying problem, and years alone on the patent work. Yes, I'm just one man, and I am no spammer, and no engineer; just a man with a very average to low income and a great desire to bring true inventiveness and pride back to one of our favorite things: hand tools! No battery, no compressor, just a mousetrap! I am not blowing smoke or trying to make friends with you, but I must tell you that your analysis is excellent, correct and speaks of a very high level of expertise! I have made six major design changes for the next version coming out soon. But I sure would like you to try these two tools and if you would be so kind, to share even more of your insight with me. Yes, I will probably be crushed by one of the giants soon enough, or have to watch as I see knock offs with the tiniest little design changes flood the market, but I believe I am on to something really great! I invite you along for the ride! Simply put, you gave some darn good analysis, and it is by no means a common event out here, trust me!
I'm interested just because it is a tool I don't have. I like those, as there aren't many tools I don't have. In the meantime, I find a small pair of tile nippers to work well. If the crown of the staple is protruding past the wire, you can get ahold of both legs. Works particularly well on crown staples, but the wideness of the jaws of a nipper catches both legs of even the regular staples that are bent at ninety degree angles. The way the nipper is curved lends itself to just pushing one way or the other to get a nice rolling motion to pull it out, and the roundness of the jaws helps eliminate messing the wire up. So, for me, tile nippers work good, but who knows, I might get one of the NailHunters for Christmas, even if I DOES have to come from "Santa". ;-)
Steve
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