the mantel
We did not like our mantel. It was cheap, ugly and poorly painted.
I think it's fair to say that I didn't just dislike it; I hated it. Despite the fact that I have about 30 other things I should be doing today, I decided that I didn't want to look at that mantel any longer.
There's a problem. The lumber is held up by several screws that look like this.
I can't budge most of them. Kassie's power drill doesn't have enough torque and my screwdriver slips and strips before anything moves. Is there an industrial-strength solution to this problem? Pricier/better power drill? Bigger screwdriver? Stronger arms?
posted by nimbleboy @ 10/09/2006
4 Comments:
Is the power drill you're trying to use corded or cordless? Most cordless drills are a bit wimpy for really heavy duty tasks. I've always found that it's useful to have at least one good (not terribly expensive) corded drill around the house.
Alternately you can try cutting through the screws using either a sawzall or a hacksaw, or if you're not too worried about damaging a bit of the drywall/plaster behind the wood (e.g. if you're going to put up a new mantel there anyways), then a few good shots with a hammer would loosen the 2x4s enough to either pull them out with the screws in place or to cut/break the screws.
You couldn't have waited two weeks...
There is a device called an "impact screwdriver" (or impact driver), designed to loosen siezed-up screws. You have to hit the end of the tool with a hammer to make it work. I'm not sure how much they cost, though.
-Sorce
You could bridge the gap around the border with some decorative tile or a narrow strip of natural wood.
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