[hellbilly]

It dosn't tear the shingles into tiny bits like other shovels. And the deeper teeth dont slip off nails when prying them up as easy as other shovels. I have used other shovels that do work good bub are a lot heavier then the rippers.

 

[hellbilly]

And the head angle is very good on them so a lot less bending way over to pry. I have not seen you other tools There are only a few places in the area that carry the rippers

 

[acc]

shingle eater works for us

 

[flashingmaster56]

4 Prong potato fork.

I like the four prong potato fork to remove the shingles, then we come back with the shingle eater to get the nails.

 

[acc]

We found shingle eaters are the best for shingles so we can remove nails as we go save you from coming back, we use wood forks for wood shakes.

 

[roofbutcher]

I like the four prong potato fork to remove the shingles, then we come back with the shingle eater to get the nails.

If you like the potato fork, it might be worth taking a look at Razor Bar. Not limited by tooth length, it has infinite penetration for long strokes on rough deck. Its tempered steel teeth tend to self-sharpen and will deliver high performance for many tear off jobs.

Nice looking brake btw.

 

[Grumpy]

We found shingle eaters are the best for shingles so we can remove nails as we go save you from coming back, we use wood forks for wood shakes.

I hate using them for tearing off shingles personally. Yes it seems like less work so you don't have to go back and pull nails, but I find we tear off more per push with the pitch forks and it's not at all that time consuming to follow with the eater to get the nails. Nothing's worse than constantly smacking the nails with the eater when you're trying to rip.

 

[MGP Roofing]

I use a flat garden spade and then go back over the area with a claw hammer to pull the nails. I want something better for the wood shingle tear offs, most of them here are fixed with narrow crown staples which are a pain to remove from the battens after the shingles are off. I use a cats paw for this which works but isn't ideal, slips off the staples too easy and frequently sends them flying all over resulting in a big cleanup that at times includes the neighbours properties!
Any recommendations? Anything I get will have to come from the US as they're not available here in NZ.

 

[roofbutcher]

I use a flat garden spade and then go back over the area with a claw hammer to pull the nails. I want something better for the wood shingle tear offs, most of them here are fixed with narrow crown staples which are a pain to remove from the battens after the shingles are off. I use a cats paw for this which works but isn't ideal, slips off the staples too easy and frequently sends them flying all over resulting in a big cleanup that at times includes the neighbours properties!
Any recommendations? Anything I get will have to come from the US as they're not available here in NZ.

Wooden shingle stapled to slat, Hmmm...

Provided that the slats were at least 3 1/2 inches wide, I'd pull out the power stripper. Those staple jobs can be pretty tough depending on the specifics.

The staples will still need to be dealt with. A (welder's) grinder will make short work of them, but may pose a fire hazard. Be careful. I usually use either end-nips, or just bend them over with a hammer, depending on who's looking :whistling:

 

[dougger222]

Only use pitch forks. It's tough to find thin wide tines but now we just buy them and put them on the grinder before they gon the roof.

I wished you could still get the good ones.

I have toothy shovels too. They work great for pulling nails. As far as ripping shingles? Way slower than a pitch fork!

 

[jimsonburg]

Shingle eaters are the best

Yes, Shingle Eaters are the best and it is especially designed to remove asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, and underlayments from roofs with the least amount of stress on your back.

 

[roofbutcher]

Yes, Shingle Eaters are the best and it is especially designed to remove asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, and underlayments from roofs with the least amount of stress on your back.

Shingle Eater has its day and is certainly rugged enough, but in shake? No way. Try pulling those 5s with those coarse teeth or slamming through them with that steep angle and narrow sweet spot and it won’t be a fun morning.


Shin-dig or Shingo are far more effective in shake, with even better results after having done this.

 

[roofbutcher]

Only use pitch forks. It's tough to find thin wide tines but now we just buy them and put them on the grinder before they gon the roof.

I wished you could still get the good ones.

I have toothy shovels too. They work great for pulling nails. As far as ripping shingles? Way slower than a pitch fork!

Tines that are thin AND wide? I have either maximized that concept, or went totally opposite, not sure which.


Anyhow, If you like the forks, it may be worth your while to have a look at this thing. It gives long strokes on rough deck, and has several cool tricks for dealing with the debris.

The "good ones" may be gone, but perhaps now you can get better ones. It took over twenty years practice to get the tool running just right. It would be nice to see some of my fellow roofers benefit from those lessons.

 

[MGP Roofing]

This pic gives you some idea of what i'm up against. Battens are 2" wide.

 

[roofbutcher]

This pic gives you some idea of what i'm up against. Battens are 2" wide.

Those narrow battens look tough for a fork, not enough surface to ride on. My first choice ripping that one would be Shin-dig. Second would be Shingo.

 

[The Roofing God]

aND i WOULD USE A SHINGLE EATER FROM THE BOTTOM UP.WHICH PULLS SEVERAL COURSES AT ONCE WITH THE NAILS,AND ANY STRAGGLERS WOULD BE ELIMINATED WITH MY 20 OZ. estwing hammer---but what do I know,only been doing this for over 30 years,and I don`t sell tools like some here seem to-but just so you kinow the very best tear off tools cannot be purchased,as they are
"Will,And Determination"
and not for nothing,but I went to help a friend in Indiana,they used shingos,and I of course brought my shingle eaters--before long the guys were asking if I had more,and yes a few of them used the shingle eaters,Asked if they liked them ,they said HELL YES,Why don`t you use them?,,because these are what the boss buys

 

[acc]

"THE ROOFING GOD"

{ so you kinow the very best tear off tools cannot be purchased,as they are
"Will,And Determination" }



my words exactly.......:thumbup:

 

[rooferguy]

red rippers for years

 

[Interloc]

red rippers mostly, on cedar tears we use a leaf spring from a vehicle weld a handle on it and slide it between the strapping and lift the spring does all the work, works like a charm when ya figure it out..:thumbup:

 

[rooferguy]

red rippers mostly, on cedar tears we use a leaf spring from a vehicle weld a handle on it and slide it between the strapping and lift the spring does all the work, works like a charm when ya figure it out..:thumbup:

that woprks great have used them before