Tips on dismantling a shed that's been nailed together?

[bario1]

Hi All,

I'm going to be dismantling a shed that I've bought off someone locally. My only worry is that it's been nailed together rather than bolted - does anyone have any tips on how to dismantle it without damaging it? It's a potting shed with a sloped glass full length window at the front.

Is it best to find the nails and try and remove them with a claw tool, or just try and carefully lever the panels apart with a crowbar?


Any help much appreciated!

[Bigmallly]

I would use a crowbar & claw hammer. Remove all the nails as you free the panels. If your feeling really thrifty, straighten 'em..................

[Lisasbolt]

I agree with BM, slowly use a crowbar. I separate pallets like that and the wood is always fine.

[noviceveggrower]

They guy who bought my shed popped the roof off first and then popped the sides apart. He used a crow bar or as they are sold at b&q a wreaking bar and a hammer. How about a chisel to help lever it a bit.
Get plenty of newspaper for your glass to wrap it up safely. I'd take the glass out first. Have you got some one to help you?
Like BM says try and straighten the nails out and reuse them

[bario1]

Thanks for your answers! Yes, I have a friend, and have ordered one of those 'wrecking bars' online.
I was hoping that once I'd got the roof off, the sloped panel that holds the 3 large window panes would come off in one piece, as the panes are siliconed in place... i'm assuming they're toughened glass, as the shed is only a year old.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Yes roof off first and at least one friend is essential. Tools mentioned are great
Add a Stanley knife in case you need to cut the felt as the roof may be in a few sections

Try to locate any nails or screws and don't be tempted to bang your levering tools into random locations

Wear protective gloves and do everything very carefully.

Once you get started and get the feel of how the shed has been put together it will become easier.

[bearded bloke]

Get yourself one of these ..........




....... set the blade to cut on the pull stroke, might well be easier to cut nails with it than to try levering the panels apart

[Martin H]

Levering is probably easiest, but watch out for the occasional screw or bolt that they sneaked in there when you weren't looking. If you lever these apart you'll often split the wood.

My own shed has two big coach bolts on each corner and the rest is nails, so I can take it apart easily enough.

One other tip: don't demolish the shed when it's windy. It's amazing how a gust of wind at the wrong moment can mess up your careful planning and could even be dangerous. Those panels act like big sails to catch the breeze and fly off into the sunset. The more breeze there is, the more helpers you need.

[lookbettertomorow]

Only for the brave, (I'll say it save you all bothering) or stupid
lever the joints apart by 5mm, that will enable you to see the fastenings,nails or bolts,
Whip through them with an angle grinder, the bigger the better. It's possible with a small 4 inch but easier with a 7 inch. It's how I replace 6' fence panels, quickly.
Standing by for a telling off....

[bario1]

My own shed has two big coach bolts on each corner and the rest is nails, so I can take it apart easily enough.

I think this shed will be the same, Martin - it's a 'Tiger' shed, and i've checked out their construction video. Do those hammer-in coach bolts come out easily enough? And can i use the same hole when reconstructing, or will a new hole be stronger?

[bario1]

One other tip: don't demolish the shed when it's windy. It's amazing how a gust of wind at the wrong moment can mess up your careful planning and could even be dangerous. Those panels act like big sails to catch the breeze and fly off into the sunset. The more breeze there is, the more helpers you need.

Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of choosing when to do it. Anyway, it's always windy here...

[Martin H]

I think this shed will be the same, Martin - it's a 'Tiger' shed, and i've checked out their construction video. Do those hammer-in coach bolts come out easily enough? And can i use the same hole when reconstructing, or will a new hole be stronger?

Yes, the hammer-in bolts on a Tiger shed unscrew fine. Take them out first (after the roof is off) before trying to pry the panels apart - in fact they may be the only things holding the sides to each other.When putting them back in, just push into the existing holes and tighten again, should be fine.

[Potstubsdustbins]

For levering apart the panels should that be necessary I would use a brickies 4" bolster chisel.