Replies

1. 
   ganjo | Jul 15, 2008 02:07am | #1

   on a wall or on a roof?

   Dave

1. 
   toogroovy | Jul 15, 2008 03:11pm | #3

   On a wall. Although if there is a difference, I would like to learn both. Thanks

1. 
   ganjo | Jul 16, 2008 06:04pm | #8

   just that on the roof you want to make sure you get it under the shake felt.

   Dave

2. 
   Shep | Jul 15, 2008 02:21am | #2

   Get a shingle/slate ripper. Its basically a long strip of steel with flat hooks on one end, and an offset handle at the other .

   You slide the ripper up behind the shingle, feel for and catch the nail, and hammer on the handle to either cut the nail, or pull it out. Once you get a feel for the tool, it goes pretty quickly.

   When you're replacing the shingle, tap it up until its about 1/2" to 3/4" below the final place. Then drive the nails into the shingle  just below the butts of the course above, and use a block of wood to tap the shingle up to where it belongs. This way, the shingles are well secured, and the nails are hidden.

1. 
   toogroovy | Jul 15, 2008 03:15pm | #4

   Seems I've seen that berfore. Are the nails then bent and isn't the possability of splitting good? Thanks for your help, Dave

1. 
   Shep | Jul 15, 2008 03:25pm | #5

   I try to drive the nails at a bit of an angle up, so when you tap the shingle up, they straighten out. They might not be perfectly straight, but close enough.

   And I've rarely had problems with shingles splitting doing this. I think the cedar is soft enough that it gives a little.

1. 
   toogroovy | Jul 16, 2008 05:25pm | #7

   Thanks for your help, I can make things harder than they are in the planing stage. Dave

2. FHB Editor
   JFink | Jul 15, 2008 04:45pm | #6

   ...couldn't have said it better myself. Do what Shep said.Justin Fink - FHB Editorial