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Trimming Nails on Wooden Privacy Fence
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 1:59 pm
by Acronym Esq
The lady that backs up to me replaced the 6 foot wooden privacy fence and drove nails all the way through the 2x4's. The fence is like an iron maiden on my side. After soaking her back yard with round-up, I'm going to need to knock these nail tips off the fence on my side. I'm thinking that a dremel will probably make this silly task as easy as possible. I don't know anything about dremels.
1) Is there a particular feature I need to get on a dremel for this task?
2) Is there a type of dremel blade well suited for cutting nails?
3) Is there a better way to take care of these nail tips?
4) Where can I get a hose attachment for round-up?
Acronym 2/10/2017 12:55 PM
Re: Trimming Nails on Wooden Privacy Fence
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 2:10 pm
by WTR
Well, the round up is Childness and cowardly. Have you tried talking to her ?Easier to nail a 1x4 over the nails.
Re: Trimming Nails on Wooden Privacy Fence
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 2:20 pm
by carlson1

I also would not consider a dremel I would use a grinder instead. As WTR said about the the 1X4 it would solve the problem of having to pick up all the nails you have to grind off.
Re: Trimming Nails on Wooden Privacy Fence
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 2:26 pm
by Lynyrd
I have paid for 1/2 of a couple of privacy fences that acted as a border between two houses. If you didn't pay half, I can't see why you are upset. Do you have some kind of running feud with this neighbor?
Re: Trimming Nails on Wooden Privacy Fence
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 2:30 pm
by TreyHouston
I made a fence gate and had the same problem. I used my cheap grinder and was done VERY FAST. It did not affect the strength of the gate at all.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200641716
comes with wheel also.
(messing with someones yard is also not cool though....
Re: Trimming Nails on Wooden Privacy Fence
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 2:43 pm
by uthornsfan
Grinder or sawzall....
Re: Trimming Nails on Wooden Privacy Fence
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 3:11 pm
by carlson1
Russell wrote:We kind of have the same situation, only I'm the lady in your scenario (lol) and I *did* make an effort to try to not buy screws that are too long.
Our fence is purposefully built 2 feet inside of our property line since none of the neighbors wanted to go in halves on the fence. That way we have complete control over the fence.
If you didn't go in halves on the fence (which it sounds like you may not have), and you don't want to talk to her about the nails, you may want to make sure those nails are even on your property before you start cutting up *her* fence. I know I'd be having a stern talking to the neighbors if they started cutting off the tips of my screws, leading to the fence falling apart much quicker should they back themselves out over time.
If they didn't want screw ends, they should have gone in halves on the fence so that their side looked pretty too!

Very good advice. I have not even gave that a thought.
Re: Trimming Nails on Wooden Privacy Fence
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 3:17 pm
by Acronym Esq
WTR wrote:Easier to nail a 1x4 over the nails.
That's a clever solution. I think we're talking 120' long (so times 2 for top and bottom). I'll price it.
carlson1 wrote:I also would not consider a dremel I would use a grinder instead. As WTR said about the the 1X4 it would solve the problem of having to pick up all the nails you have to grind off.
I hadn't thought of an angle grinder. Very good suggestion. I think these tips are about a quater inch long. I don't know if they will grind down quickly. Maybe they are ferrous and I can use one of those roofing magnets to clean the tips up.
Lynyrd wrote:I have paid for 1/2 of a couple of privacy fences that acted as a border between two houses. If you didn't pay half, I can't see why you are upset. Do you have some kind of running feud with this neighbor?
I paid for half. Didn't notice the iron maiden until the contractor was gone. No feud. I feel like this is a simple problem I can just solve w/o bringing her into it. She won't be able to fix it any easier than I can. If I talk to her, there's a good chance she'll interpret it as a complaint.
TreyHouston wrote:I made a fence gate and had the same problem. I used my cheap grinder and was done VERY FAST. It did not affect the strength of the gate at all.
So did you use a cutting or grinding blade? This angle grinder solution is brilliant. I'm so glad I asked you guys.
Russell wrote:We kind of have the same situation, only I'm the lady in your scenario (lol) and I *did* make an effort to try to not buy screws that are too long... I know I'd be having a stern talking to the neighbors if they started cutting off the tips of my screws, leading to the fence falling apart much quicker should they back themselves out over time.
Yea, I don't think she did it on purpose. I'll take your suggestion to keeping the communication open. I feel like it will be less confrontational if I have a solution ready to go and just let her know I'm doing it without asking for anything other than permission from her.
Acronym 2/10/2017 2:12 PM
Re: Trimming Nails on Wooden Privacy Fence
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 4:25 pm
by jmorris
There's end cutting pliers too. Might leave a tiny bit sticking out though and will certainly take more effort, but they are only about $20. If deck screws were used I would *not* use these. Those are tough little boogers.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Channellock- ... /100049589
Re: Trimming Nails on Wooden Privacy Fence
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:08 pm
by Lynyrd
If you use an angle grinder with a grinding blade on it, there won't be anything to clean up. Of course, you may have trouble keeping from leaving a few marks on the wood. If I read correctly and the nails are only protruding 1/4 inch, it will go very fast.
Re: Trimming Nails on Wooden Privacy Fence
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:16 pm
by Jusme
At first I thought you were planning on trimming your finger nails or toe nails while sitting on a wooden fence.
I could only think how uncomfortable that would be.

Re: Trimming Nails on Wooden Privacy Fence
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:31 pm
by twomillenium
Russell wrote:We kind of have the same situation, only I'm the lady in your scenario (lol) and I *did* make an effort to try to not buy screws that are too long.
Our fence is purposefully built 2 feet inside of our property line since none of the neighbors wanted to go in halves on the fence. That way we have complete control over the fence.
If you didn't go in halves on the fence (which it sounds like you may not have), and you don't want to talk to her about the nails, you may want to make sure those nails are even on your property before you start cutting up *her* fence. I know I'd be having a stern talking to the neighbors if they started cutting off the tips of my screws, leading to the fence falling apart much quicker should they back themselves out over time.
If they didn't want screw ends, they should have gone in halves on the fence so that their side looked pretty too!

I bet they would have a stern comeback about your carelessness. Then you would assume the liability for the nail ends exposed on your neighbors side. Try and did could be two different outcomes with different liabilities. Just sayin
If it is nails you could drive them back thru flush and then pull them and put the right size deck screw through the hole. That would also be one step towards conflict resolution.
Re: Trimming Nails on Wooden Privacy Fence
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:39 pm
by twomillenium
Russell wrote:We kind of have the same situation, only I'm the lady in your scenario (lol) and I *did* make an effort to try to not buy screws that are too long.
Our fence is purposefully built 2 feet inside of our property line since none of the neighbors wanted to go in halves on the fence. That way we have complete control over the fence.
If you didn't go in halves on the fence (which it sounds like you may not have), and you don't want to talk to her about the nails, you may want to make sure those nails are even on your property before you start cutting up *her* fence. I know I'd be having a stern talking to the neighbors if they started cutting off the tips of my screws, leading to the fence falling apart much quicker should they back themselves out over time.
If they didn't want screw ends, they should have gone in halves on the fence so that their side looked pretty too!

Sorry double post, I guess I deserve a stern talking at.
Re: Trimming Nails on Wooden Privacy Fence
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 5:40 pm
by G26ster
Is the "ugly side" facing you or her? Ugly side should face her house. Sounds like you got the ugly side facing you.