Removing Stubborn Wood Stringers

[Liberal623]

I have a few stringers I am trying to remove, I got a couple of them out no problem, just used a putty knife and hammer, and the came out easily.

But the center stringer is being very stubborn.

Any thoughts on how to remove these last few, without ripping a hole in the hull ?

If more info is neede or pics are needed let me know I'll provide.

Thanx in advance, I posted this question in my project thread, but no one has answered.

 

[rickryder]

Re: Removing Stubborn Wood Stringers

Hi Liberal,
I use a 4 1/2" angle grinder with a diamond blade to cut along the fiberglass at the bottom of the stringer....ya just have to go easy and take your time.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Removing Stubborn Wood Stringers

The center stringer is the main structure support and typically the best installed. It's most likely bedded well. As Ricky stated an angle grinder is the best method and yes be careful and take your time, it'll come out ok.

 

[Liberal623]

Re: Removing Stubborn Wood Stringers

Hi Liberal,
I use a 4 1/2" angle grinder with a diamond blade to cut along the fiberglass at the bottom of the stringer....ya just have to go easy and take your time.

The center stringer is the main structure support and typically the best installed. It's most likely bedded well. As Ricky stated an angle grinder is the best method and yes be careful and take your time, it'll come out ok.

Thank you both for your responses, I guess the grinder it is.

I was hoping that I could try to keep the glass tracks in place, so I could just lay in new 2 x 2 for the stringer, but if cutting it is the only way it will come out then so be it, I thought I read something about using a heat gun to break the bond.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Removing Stubborn Wood Stringers

Keeping the glass channels in place is NOT a good idea. Your new glass will NOT adhere to it as well as if you grind it all down and put down NEW glass.

 

[Liberal623]

Re: Removing Stubborn Wood Stringers

Keeping the glass channels in place is NOT a good idea. Your new glass will NOT adhere to it as well as if you grind it all down and put down NEW glass.

Ok thanx Woodonglass, I did not even think about that aspect. Arghh !
I know they say not to take short-cuts, but I sure was trying to save some money on the cloth
and resins I will have to buy soon.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Removing Stubborn Wood Stringers

A putty knife is like a penknife in a gunfight. You need the big guns.
Grinder, sawzall , skillsaw or chainsaw. I find the sawzall throws up zero glass dust.
You can leave 2 inch glass channels to seat the new stringers in, many of us did it that way but you're still going to have to glass over the whole thing and onto the hull so theres no way around having to grind 6 inches either side of the stringer.
The elec chainsaw works a charm to route out the glass channels of all old wood with no danger going through the glass unless you apply stupid pressure, you can hear it when it touches the glass.

 

[Psiclown]

Re: Removing Stubborn Wood Stringers

I used a long metal blade on my sawzall. Just bent it over and out it came. (get your minds out of the gutter)

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Removing Stubborn Wood Stringers

You could get yourself one of these. I found it easier to cut the glass where it meets the hull & grind from there. A lot less grinding.

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/multifunction-tools/multifunction-power-tool-67256.html

 

[aldfaa]

Re: Removing Stubborn Wood Stringers

You could get yourself one of these. I found it easier to cut the glass where it meets the hull & grind from there. A lot less grinding.

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/multifunction-tools/multifunction-power-tool-67256.html

I second that. I purchased a similar craftsman unit and loved it. I took out the deck,all strings, bulkheads, and transom on my 1996 Celebrity 190 with it. It was very safe, and cut the old glass like butter. I would have been lost without it.

I borrowed a harbor freight unit to start with and found the blades didn;t last long on it. I bought some blades from Ebay and they held up well. (only replaced it once.) but other than that, I was hard on the harbor freight tool and it worked well.

 

[Liberal623]

Re: Removing Stubborn Wood Stringers

Thanx to all you guys for the suggestions.

You could get yourself one of these. I found it easier to cut the glass where it meets the hull & grind from there. A lot less grinding.

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-t...ool-67256.html

I already have one of those, and you guys are right they are great.

Here are a few pics of what I am doing, you can refer to my Biesemeyer Project thread