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Removing burglar bars

28K views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  MTN REMODEL LLC  
#1 ·
I got a single story house I'm going to paint. Customer wants the burglar bars removed and disposed of. Should I use a grinder with a metal cut off blade?
 
#3 · (Edited)
Typically, the bolts holding the bars to the frame are non-reversing. I use a Dremel tool with a fiberglass cut-off wheel. I take the Dremel tool and cut a notch in the bolts right down the center next to the raised parts of the bolt head that was used to attach it.

I went to the auto parts store and bought a socket wrench socket that has a wide screwdriver blade. This is a very effective tool as the bolt screw threads can really grab into the wood making them difficult to remove with a normal screwdriver or even a specialty socket tool you mentioned.

Some use a grinder and grind the heck outta the bolt head until there's nothing left, leaving just the shaft, but you still have to get the bolt shaft outta the wood. That's why I prefer my Dremel tool method.
 
#5 ·
Those work pretty good too, but are specific to bolt head sizes, meaning you have to buy a $25 one for each differently sized bolt head. Also, bolt companies make slightly different designed bolt heads, and I've had trouble getting that tool to bite onto some bolt heads, which means I end up breaking out my Dremel tool.
 
#6 ·
Once you get it started with the drill bit you can finish unscrewing it with some vice grips or similar.

Definately a pain. Might take 4-8 hours to do a whole house depending on # of windows and the bite of the fasteners.

The house does look better when done though.