How to Remove Fence Panel Without Breaking?

[Davy]

I need to remove some fence panels that were erected on earth without gravel boards by the previous owner of my house. I will install gravel boards and then re-use the panels.

The panels are nailed into the posts. Can anyone recommend a method for removing the panels without damaging them. I have tried running a loose hacksaw blade down the sides of the panels but the panels are such a tight fit that the blade jams and buckles. My jigsaw does not have long enough blades and if it did they would probably jam and buckle also.

cheers

Davy

[Tim Lamb]

In message , Davy writes

Can you not widen the gap, nail by nail, using a bolster or thin chisel?

You don't need much gap for a hack saw blade.

regards

[Stuart Noble]

Aren't the heads of the nails accessible?

[Davy]

Stuart Noble wrote in news:aSlcl.21516$ [e-mail]:

panels.

blade

does

Stuart, the heads of the nails are driven flush into the softwood edge strips. Davy

[mike]

Slip a filling/stripping knife between the panel and post and wiggle it until you've got enough play to get a padsaw in.

Or use a tack lifter or nail puller on the nails.

[PeterC]

Centre-punch the heads and drill 'em off, then use a small punch to drive them in.

They're probably a bit rusted to the panels.

[The Medway Handyman]

You could try prizing the edge strip away from the post, then knocking it back, often the nails heads will pop enough for you to get a pry bar on.

Failing that, buy a Shark pry bar like this

B&Q's sell them. I've not found anything that works as well as this brand. You can hammer the prongs under the nail & lever it out.

[Davy]

PeterC wrote in news:lt79feotlh9h.1c9aclv64fzdy$. [e-mail]:

small punch to drive

Peter,

I could try that but I don't have a lot of confidence that I could drive a rusted-in nail 1" into a post just by using a small punch. DAvy

[PeterC]

Should be possible once the head is removed. Driving the nail through the wood or moving the wood over the nail - same thing, relatively. It's just that a sharp blow on the headless nail will utilise the mass of the fence whereas trying to lever off a panel will probably break the panel.

[pcb1962]

Sounds like an ideal job for a reciprocating saw. I have this one which works pretty well for the money:

[mdavthorn]

HI Davy, cant help you with this one. But seen your post about the Normandy hubs, wondering if you would like to swap, as i have solid axles and im looking for Quick release ones. Please give me an email if your interested. oh and i tried to send you a private message but it wouldn,t work, so i thought i wold post here.

cheers Dave

[[e-mail]]

Hi, I need to remove my fence as my neighbour has put new ones. Coukd you help?

[Rod Speed]

[e-mail] [e-mail] wrote

Unlikely after 12 years, stupid.

[Brian Gaff (Sofa]

Yes its probably rotted away by now! Brian

[Harry Bloomfield, Esq.]

Brian Gaff (Sofa) formulated the question :

Only 12 years ago, I wonder what sort of help the OP expected?

[Tricky Dicky]

I think I would try a multi-tool with a decent metal cutting blade. If you can see where the nails are then just go straight in between post and panel. I took a complete corrugated garage roof off by cutting through the fixing nails which were 5 - 6mm in diam. It was a few hours work and I only went through a couple of blades in the process, I cannot imagine fence nails being anywhere as thick or difficult to cut.

Richard