how can i remove hammer-drive anchors

23803 Views 16 Replies 11 Participants Last post by greg24k, Mar 15, 2014

Spike7

Discussion Starter · Mar 6, 2014

i`m in south Florida.
most guys install storm shutters with tapcons.
this person used those lead , hammer-drive anchors.
the client needs these shutters ( accordion-shutters)removed , so the tile guy can install new tile around the pool area.then I have to re-install them.
we`re taking maybe 80 fasteners or more, and some are in recessed niches , where I have maybe 3 inches wide to get my hand and tool 5 or 6 inches in.
can`t use a grinder, no room ,
if I try to slam them out with a chisel ( which is hard as hell), it just really damages the aluminum face . it`ll look like crap

any ideas?

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EmmCeeDee

· #2 · Mar 6, 2014 (Edited)

Regular answer: If the nail part is flush maybe you could drill them out like pop rivits. With 80 fasteners that's a lot of drilling, but hopefully it will reduce the amount of force needed to pull them out.

Mad scientist answer: freeze them with liquid nitrogen and shatter the heads with a couple taps. I also understand this can be accomplished with electronics cleaner (canned air).

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Spike7

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 7, 2014

really ?
;liquid nitrogen?
is that realistic?

CrpntrFrk

· #4 · Mar 7, 2014

Probably better than I was going to suggest.....melt them out. :devil2:

EmmCeeDee

· #5 · Mar 7, 2014 (Edited)

Spike7 said:
really ?
;liquid nitrogen?
is that realistic?

Well yeah, if you are a mad scientist!

Seriously, it might work. Some thieves broke into my buddy's storage trailer doing that. They came out in the middle of the night in a quiet residential neighborhood, froze the big security lock and shattered it with a hammer. Cutting it with grinder would have attracted unwanted attention.

Liquid nitrogen is pretty cheap. The insulated flask you need to hold it is expensive, more than $100. Personally I would try it just for an excuse to buy some liquid nitrogen and freeze stuff.

You might also be able to do it with some canned air. Turn the can upside down and the liquid sprays out and will freeze whatever it sprays on.

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CrpntrFrk

· #6 · Mar 7, 2014

EmmCeeDee said:
Personally I would try it just for an excuse to buy some liquid nitrogen and freeze stuff.

:laughing:

EmmCeeDee

· #7 · Mar 7, 2014

here's another thought, why not use an oscillating multi-tool with a metal blade. you'll probably go through a bunch of blades but if you buy them in bulk they are much cheaper

Jaws

· #8 · Mar 7, 2014 (Edited)

EmmCeeDee said:
here's another thought, why not use an oscillating multi-tool with a metal blade. you'll probably go through a bunch of blades but if you buy them in bulk they are much cheaper

If there isnt room to do this, Id go some good cobalt bits and drill them out.

Pics would help

Reactions: 1

EmmCeeDee

· #9 · Mar 12, 2014

So what did you decide to do?

Inner10

· #10 · Mar 12, 2014

Drive pins don't come out easy...grinder?

ubcguy89

· #11 · Mar 13, 2014

Zamac pins are freaking awesome, that's why we set door bucks with them they don't come out. I would suggest drilling them out

Tom M

· #12 · Mar 13, 2014

Was there a head or stub available to grab? If you're confident its lead maybe plumbing torch to soften the anchor?

Reactions: 1

Calidecks

· #13 · Mar 13, 2014

Liquid nitrogen may end up shattering everything around it as well, like that aluminum you mentioned. Might not be a great idea.

EmmCeeDee

· #14 · Mar 13, 2014

Californiadecks said:
Liquid nitrogen may end up shattering everything around it as well, like that aluminum you mentioned. Might not be a great idea.

Yeah, good point. Way to go Cali. Spoiling all the fun he could have had freezing stuff with the voice of reason.

Reactions: 1

CarpenterSFO

· #15 · Mar 15, 2014

So what happened, Spike?

CraigHarimon

· #16 · Mar 15, 2014

why dont you try a die grinder?

Reactions: 1

greg24k

· #17 · Mar 15, 2014 (Edited)

Funny you guy brought that up, when I owned a junkyard we used that to take steering wheel and steering column locks off cars :laughing:

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