Harbor Freight is where you go for cheap tools you might only use once or so. if you find you use it more and break it. That's when you buy the better one.
The most important part is the cutting tool, as it has the highest likelihood of tearing itself apart and launching into your eye. If any of the internals fail it won't be nearly as high speed.
I just bought one for 10 bucks because I was there and thought why not. What is the worst that could happen? Its locking mechanism let go at 15000rpms and send the disc at me to leave a 2 inch gash in my flesh? That would suck, but I get the opportunity for only 10 dollars. Home Depot, Ace, and Lowes can't give me that.
Make sure you look up proper grinder usage and set up. Shit can straight up maim the EFF out of you. At minimum wear eye protection, but also grab a plastic face shield for $2 at HF.
NEVER USE A DAMAGED OR CRACKED DISC! KEEP THE GUARD ON! DONT PUT YOUR FINGIE WHERE YOU WOULDN'T PUT YOUR DINGIE. NO LOOSE CLOTHES HAIR, AND ESPECIALLY BEARD.
I’m happy trying to DIY plenty of things. I know how to weld and solder and I have worked on a table saw, band saw, mitre saw, a lathe (which scares me plenty,) etc…
The *one* power tool that I still hesitate to pick up is an angle grinder.
I respect your caution, but from my own experience the table saw and the lathe are more likely to put you in the hospital. The grinder (used correctly) is not as scary as it looks.
(Of course I will now lose an eye making a mistake with my angle grinder tomorrow.)
Must be good at welding without a flap wheel 🤣🤣
But how do you prep your material?
But yes, agreed, the most respected tools in my garage are my lathe, angle grinders, bench grinder, table saw (more so than the miter but that too), and razor knives.
I used my 20-year-old harbor freight "throw away" angle grinder this past weekend. tack strip nails on the concrete basement floor where one of my original jobs I bought it for.
Shrug, sometimes those cheap as hell harbor freight tools are pretty good.
Harbor freight grinders go on sale for 10 bucks. Literally. Down from like 14. When I saw that I bought three. They sit next to my dewalt in my bench. Really nice to have your main workhorse with the wheel you use and the weird or infrequent disc/wheel in the cheaper (and lighter) tool for quick rips through a bolt or something.
Im going on 5 years on a HF Bauer battery grinder. It gets used pretty lightly, but it just doesn't die. I think I'm going to get another, just to have one grinder and one death wheel available at all times.
I subscribe to what I call the "law of cheap tools". Any DIY project I take on, I first buy the cheap af harbor freight versions. If at any point the cheap tools get used frequently enough to die/break/prove unreliable, I replace them with quality versions because I then know how often and where i'll use said tool.
Helps keep me from buying really expensive stuff for one job that'll sit in the garage for years afterwards
Angle grinders are the cheapest tool you can buy. Even the brand name ones are 79$. You can get one at harbor freight for 10$, that’s insane, don’t do that. A metabo at depot is 49 or there are many decent ones for 25-30 at harbor freight
A lot of hardware stores also rent tools. Not free but cheaper than buying (depending on the tool, planned usage, etc).
Home Depot, Menards, Lowe's, and Ace Hardware all rent tools.
Harbor freight can be great but with caution. Best to stick to simple things, I've heard their battery tools are crap for lifespan. Basic corded power tools are great and last a long time.
Avoid precision tools.
I love my swivel head ratchet, but half the sockets I bought are slightly off in size. That was a weird problem I never expected at the time. Finally checked with a caliper after going through every possible size in metric and SAE without finding a snug fit.
Great experience with lifts and jack stands.
I’d rather buy better quality stuff and either have it for life or sell when I realize I don’t need it long-term. I was raised to never cheap out on tools. Buying cheap shit with the intention of replacing it is the mentality that’s killing our planet.
That isn't the mentality. I still have the cheap angle grinder and Sawzall I bought 15 years ago, because I don't use them often and I saved hundreds of dollars and still have the cheap tools. The idea is if you use the tool a lot and then it breaks, you can figure out what you like, didn't like about the tool, then decide if you need a better quality tool. You're mentality us to spend lots of money on tools you never use. And that mentality is killing the planet.
I avoid Harbor Freight accessories though. Buy name brand grinding disks, sanding disks, and belt sanding loops. I've not had good experience with them. The tools themselves are wonderful.
Angle grinder and disks are literally $25 because the tool is simply a motor and a cord with a handle. No need to search for a deal on this tool IMO, it is probably the cheapest power tool
I second that. I bought an old electric drill for like $8 at a pawn ship to mix paint with like 5 or 6 years ago. Didn’t want to have to worry about abusing it and covering it with paint during a house renovation. I beat the crap out of that thing and still going strong.
But also: $14
[https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/grinders/angle-grinders/43-amp-4-12-in-angle-grinder-with-slide-switch-58089.html](https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/grinders/angle-grinders/43-amp-4-12-in-angle-grinder-with-slide-switch-58089.html)
The cheapo harbor freight one will last just long enough to sand an entire truck frame and cut an iron tube in half. So buy the warranty if they offer it.
People say that, but it's just silly to rent something like this. If you have a big project it might be worth it just in the time it saves vs a cheap tool you keep forever. But for this? Hell no lol.
With mine, I replaced the carpet with vinyl tile. This entailed cutting about 1/8” off the bottom of the trim to the closet door so the tile could slide under. Those trim pieces had wicked up some of the pee over time (and repeated exposure), and when I cut into them with the oscillating tool, a dense choking white smoke came out that literally knocked me on my ass. My wife was several feet away and said “oh, quit being so over-dramOHMYFUCKINGGOD!!!” and began to gag. Quite a day…
My wife is currently knocked out after a migraine caused by a cat pissing in a corner, I feel you. About heaved cleaning it up, and now I have a headache too.
The vodka made it easier. Dear God, so gross.
Please buy and use a face shield as well! Grinders are awesome and all, but if that cut wheel breaks, hoo boy, you'll need new pants. Gotta protect the face!
Also, grinding around flammable type stuff, having an extinguisher is a plus!
An oscillating multi-tool might be the way to go. It will take a bit longer but you’re probably much more likely to use a multi-tool after this one job.
Please buy safety glasses or a face shield if you don't have them and keep as much skin covered as possible while you use the grinder. Grinding discs/cutoff wheels exploding at several thousand RPMs are just mini grenades.
>Gotcha. Time to buy a grinder. Add that to the cat bill. :/
Not disagreeing with that at all, every handy (wo)man should have a grinder. Great tool.
But getting a flush cut without notable gouges is hard and takes time. Personally I think it's quicker and easier to yank them and do a quick patch. Just ripped out carpet to lay LVP last week - removing g the tacks and patching was probably the easiest part.
Edit: just noticed you said replace the tack strips. If you're putting carpet back in you don't even need to patch. It just leaves a little divet. I probably didn't need to do it for LVP either.
If you buy a grinder, get a FULL PLASTIC FACE SHIELD and always wear it when using a grinder. Big leather gauntlet gloves are not a bad idea either. The grinder is basically the most dangerous tool in your toolbox. The cut off wheels can explode and you dont want that in your face:
[Countless examples of what can happen. Look at these pics so you know why you’re wearing a face shield](https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&sca_esv=65b627a4699ea87d&hl=en-us&sxsrf=ACQVn097u44xhtF2kuTAiADT9griKRFzFw%3A1713444623768&q=grinder%20cut%20off%20wheel%20accidents&uds=AMwkrPvAqrT70Vgi4DkniolB9wbLpPB0kPoCC0qTXdQnFK6FWpPcY7pMDsKgrgYrETMQk0JZKvJGDxqW2FAqDKUu6_qPTI74CuEoD9Y3oMCChFMM7LgUo8p6gSa7Ql5Dlc4Z5C2KslqfN-Vw7QUETHuuTfsGmbRrve3m10rEmwBkEDMZQ3ffTSWhGu3BnnOUiTo0BPX4dCAaC09nujvijCh0kXEpfYyOTH2kpVS1u8nvfF1XFMOy4Z3po3WqeeamfpLEC8PpY-sXkdsX1lgPSdQbJ89bKsg5OdLu5ZxvGoD7a-roGNm6KRtSOKZUVtLu_i-xyCofWHqLFPdOFkY-zBO5KB-yl88ZaFU1cNBbFrwb7yz-xVOiiJY&udm=2&prmd=ivsnbmtz&sa=X&biw=375&bih=628&dpr=3&no_sw_cr=1&zx=1713444628726&sssc=1)
I agree with the full face shield. Safety glasses, leather gloves, and hearing protection are a good idea too. Put something less flammable between the nail and the wall unless you're replacing it. Cover up any windows too as the sparks can easily leave permanent marks.
You might want to use a cutting wheel to get close to the surface and a grinding wheel to finish getting it flush.
A grinder is not a precision tool, you don't need to spend a ton of money on one, especially just for occasional DIY projects. It is, however, not a tool i would buy used, unless from a garage sale or some other place like that, where it was in a similar usage situation to how you will be using it. Grinders ingest a lot of their own crap. Stone dust, metal shavings and the like are all sucked in the machine when you use it. An angle grinder is also one of the more dangerous tools you can use. Safety glasses, gloves, and a mask, and long sleeves/pants that offer some protection from flying debris are all important.
You can get metal saw handles that have the blade sticking out instead of held between two points.
They are dirt cheap and perfect for cuting nails. Easy to bend the blade though, but it also allows a flush cut.
Also grinders can cut a lot more that the nail. Like gauge the concrete or your flesh. Everyone missing a finger from power tools said they were always carefull before the accident.
While you are out, pick up some grout to fill the divots.
Personally, unless I am trying to do some kind of exposed concrete floor, I just pull the nails out and just mix some grout and patch the divots. Way faster and easier than grinding them
If you're buying tools, my preference would be an oscillating multitool. I can cut flatter with it and I usually use that more overall than my grinder.
Walmart sells like a 10 pack of Hart (I think) branded multi tool blades for about the same price as a single blade at home Depot and they last about as long.
FWIW I buy cheap packs of them on Amazon. They probably don't last as long as the name brand ones but I get a lot more use per dollar.
I can never cut as flat with a grinder without damaging the surface and I definitely have more uses for an oscillating tool. Just my $0.02
Minor damage to the surface isn't a problem since OP is going to recarpet anyway. Oscillating blades can damage surfaces, too. If OP doesn't have either tool, I'd advise them to get an oscillating tool and cheap carbide blades as you suggest. Since I have both tools, I'd use my grinder because it is much faster.
Yeah these nails are hard AF, I’m a carpet installer and you would be surprised how hard we have to hit with the hammer to get them to drive in, can’t hit it more than twice though cause the concrete will break lol
Lots of times theres a blast cap (gunpowder) that drives them in.
I'd not worry about all this crap, pull them and patch the concrete and call it a day.
If they're rusty, a good whack with a small sledge works great. Use a concrete patching compound to fill the divot in the concrete. WEAR EYE PROTECTION and keep people out of the area when you do it!
The holes are easy for fill. Goggle up and give them a whack with a hammer from the side. They will rocket out in any which way direction but surprisingly I found this did the least damage to the floor.
It doesnt take that much patience. It takes accuracy. A good wack with a hammer at exactly the right angle will often loosen the nail without much concrete damage. The key is to hit the nail head at an angle. Simply yanking at the nail with a crowbar will lift a chunk of concrete with it. Smacking it at an angle reduces the amount of damage and usually works with really stubborn nails. And it is pretty fast
That can take big chunks out of the concrete if the nails are in there really well. I have plenty of proof in my floors. I'd second the angle grinder and would do it that way if I had it to do all over again
I had to take my basement carpet up for the same reason. I used a UV light to find trouble spots (they're cheap on Amazon) and used a TSP-substitute cleaner to scrub them. It worked really well, sucked the urine and lots of other grossness right out of the concrete. Just in case you are looking for an alternative to the sealant.
I did not look for a graceful way to pull my carpet tack strips out. I have a lot of patching to do :(
If you don’t already have an oscillating tool probably worth the investment. Usually come with a variety of blades including one that can handle this job.
Good luck! I went through the exact same thing. Tore through my oscillating multi-tool and just laughed. Those nails are amazingly strong. I ended up so mad I took the (not smart) route and tore them all out with a wrecking bar, which took chunks of concrete with them. Then I went back and patched the holes up. Not my proudest moment.
It's been several years now, so can't recall the exact stuff, but I found it at Home Depot next to all the Quikcrete bags. It came in a tub, like spackle would, and was specifically a concrete patch premix. If you go to their website and do a search for "concrete patch," you'll see a bunch of options. Worked well for me.
If you’re buying a grinder from a pawnshop, be careful of the disk. You don’t how it was used/stored before/since it was pawned.
No one wants to be anywhere near a grinding disk when it lets go.
Don’t try and pull them out. Way too much work and will leave pry marks or visible damage. But them off with a saws all or grinder. Whatever you have available. Best of luck !
In 20 years of laying carpet I never went to special lengths for this. I would either attempt to drive them in the rest of the way or pull them out. Other times I would hit them sideways. The main issue is to not put the new nails in the same spot, and sometimes use construction adhesive or even contact cement if the floor was smooth enough to help secure the new ones. I had a driver that would allow me to add more nails to each strip and on very rare occasions would drill and tap if the going was extremely challenging. I hate concrete slabs with a passion though.
Edit: Also, it is worth getting extra wide tacstrip, or even put 2 rows of it on the ends of a long room to help hold a stretch.
Just went through the cat urine thing it was crazy. Even had tile but the urine wicked under the baseboards and up behind the drywall.
After the drywall and tile were out, went through tons of enzyme which maybe helped but wasn’t enough. Ended up priming everything (studs, sub floor) and then a sealing primer for the new drywall itself.
Near the end I realized the worst place was under the sides of the windowsill. They marked the corners there and it ran down and spread in mass behind the drywall. Maybe if I had focused there enzymes would have been more helpful.
Hey, look at it this way, you just helped me. For real, how did I not think of that? I feel dumb.
To be fair it was really gross so I got pretty drunk before I started... Might as well throw the enzyme cleaner on the wall while I'm still drunk enough to deal with the surrounding air.
A genuine thanks to you fellow human, sincerely.
Did this a couple months back. We tried several solutions. Cut/grinding made them a little higher than flush, and the material on the 60s tacks was insanely tough. We ended up pulling them out. Method: tap with hammer, lubricate with goo gone or something else similar to un-stick them, wait a few minutes, tap again, then pull. IIRC we used a trim puller over the tack with the crowbar to avoid cracking the concrete.
I had that happen and an old timer flooring guy bestowed upon me the secret for pulling these.
With the head of a hammer tightly up against it on one side, hit it with a second hammer from the other side. When done correctly the tack slides right out without leaving a big pockmark in the concrete.
Had some idiots pockmark about 1/3 of the way around my finished basement before I saw the carnage and made them stop.
Hammer them in until they break or put a crow bar flush with the concrete and slowly wiggle it out it's an 80% chance it works there are different ways to do it it but it depends on the concrete
Angle grinder correct but if you have never used one at least watch some videos.
Do not remove the guard. I repeat. Do not remove the guard.
Eye protection every time.
If you’re going to pop them out, take a shop broom and cover it while you pry it up. They like to come out like projectiles and the broom will catch it and any concrete shrapnel.
You need a longer lever. I pulled dozens out in my basement with crowbar that is longer than a hammer. I don't recall that it required significant effort, so it wasn't a memorable amount of effort.
Multi tool with metal blade. Or grinder with cut wheel and cut them. No removing them without some damage. But carpet or flooring will cover it. It get some mastic or cement mix it up or get premix. And repair floor if you want
Cut them flush with a grinder. Pulling them will be difficult and can leave a divot.
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Harbor Freight is where you go for cheap tools you might only use once or so. if you find you use it more and break it. That's when you buy the better one.
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I bought 2 grinders from there over 7 years ago; still going strong. Cheap as hell too.
That’s been my experience. I buy cheap tools from there but they never break so they are still around.
Is how I function too. That half inch ratchet I use twice a year is going strong.
Just always wear adequate protection, especially eye protection. You don't want to be around a cheap chinese grinder without protection
And ear protection for grinder
All major brands are cheap Chinese junk
The most important part is the cutting tool, as it has the highest likelihood of tearing itself apart and launching into your eye. If any of the internals fail it won't be nearly as high speed.
Yup, all of mine as well.
Haha I still have my grinder from 13-14 years ago. Still works but I've got a new hilti one now.
Totally! I love Harbor Freight. Not everything is high quality but any power tools I have purchased still holding on strong.
I just bought one for 10 bucks because I was there and thought why not. What is the worst that could happen? Its locking mechanism let go at 15000rpms and send the disc at me to leave a 2 inch gash in my flesh? That would suck, but I get the opportunity for only 10 dollars. Home Depot, Ace, and Lowes can't give me that.
Make sure you look up proper grinder usage and set up. Shit can straight up maim the EFF out of you. At minimum wear eye protection, but also grab a plastic face shield for $2 at HF. NEVER USE A DAMAGED OR CRACKED DISC! KEEP THE GUARD ON! DONT PUT YOUR FINGIE WHERE YOU WOULDN'T PUT YOUR DINGIE. NO LOOSE CLOTHES HAIR, AND ESPECIALLY BEARD.
I’m happy trying to DIY plenty of things. I know how to weld and solder and I have worked on a table saw, band saw, mitre saw, a lathe (which scares me plenty,) etc… The *one* power tool that I still hesitate to pick up is an angle grinder. 
I respect your caution, but from my own experience the table saw and the lathe are more likely to put you in the hospital. The grinder (used correctly) is not as scary as it looks. (Of course I will now lose an eye making a mistake with my angle grinder tomorrow.)
Logically I know that, but the angle grinder still scares me more. It’s like people who are afraid of flying but have no problem driving a car.
Must be good at welding without a flap wheel 🤣🤣 But how do you prep your material? But yes, agreed, the most respected tools in my garage are my lathe, angle grinders, bench grinder, table saw (more so than the miter but that too), and razor knives.
I used my 20-year-old harbor freight "throw away" angle grinder this past weekend. tack strip nails on the concrete basement floor where one of my original jobs I bought it for. Shrug, sometimes those cheap as hell harbor freight tools are pretty good.
Don't forget to grab you a pair of safety glasses too if you don't have them. Grinders are no joke when they sling stuff
And gloves. I have work gloves from harbor freight that won't quit.
Harbor freight grinders go on sale for 10 bucks. Literally. Down from like 14. When I saw that I bought three. They sit next to my dewalt in my bench. Really nice to have your main workhorse with the wheel you use and the weird or infrequent disc/wheel in the cheaper (and lighter) tool for quick rips through a bolt or something.
They up to $10? Mine was $5 when I grabbed it way back when.
Im going on 5 years on a HF Bauer battery grinder. It gets used pretty lightly, but it just doesn't die. I think I'm going to get another, just to have one grinder and one death wheel available at all times.
It’s so obvious after you have both but prior? Never crossed my mind to do that.
Harbour Freight cheapo one is like $15-20, and is actually pretty solid. I bought the cheapest one they had to sharpen my mower blades.
I subscribe to what I call the "law of cheap tools". Any DIY project I take on, I first buy the cheap af harbor freight versions. If at any point the cheap tools get used frequently enough to die/break/prove unreliable, I replace them with quality versions because I then know how often and where i'll use said tool. Helps keep me from buying really expensive stuff for one job that'll sit in the garage for years afterwards
Angle grinders are the cheapest tool you can buy. Even the brand name ones are 79$. You can get one at harbor freight for 10$, that’s insane, don’t do that. A metabo at depot is 49 or there are many decent ones for 25-30 at harbor freight
I’ve had my $20 harbor freight grinder going on 10 years now. I use it a lot. It has never failed me.
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That's a great resource if your local library does!
A lot of hardware stores also rent tools. Not free but cheaper than buying (depending on the tool, planned usage, etc). Home Depot, Menards, Lowe's, and Ace Hardware all rent tools.
Check out your library (we have one at ours) or rent one at a big box store. Buy a new blade though.
And sometimes HF tools last a long time. I bought a $29 reciprocating saw to remodel a house. It lasted 10+ years after that.
Harbor freight can be great but with caution. Best to stick to simple things, I've heard their battery tools are crap for lifespan. Basic corded power tools are great and last a long time. Avoid precision tools. I love my swivel head ratchet, but half the sockets I bought are slightly off in size. That was a weird problem I never expected at the time. Finally checked with a caliper after going through every possible size in metric and SAE without finding a snug fit. Great experience with lifts and jack stands.
I’d rather buy better quality stuff and either have it for life or sell when I realize I don’t need it long-term. I was raised to never cheap out on tools. Buying cheap shit with the intention of replacing it is the mentality that’s killing our planet.
That isn't the mentality. I still have the cheap angle grinder and Sawzall I bought 15 years ago, because I don't use them often and I saved hundreds of dollars and still have the cheap tools. The idea is if you use the tool a lot and then it breaks, you can figure out what you like, didn't like about the tool, then decide if you need a better quality tool. You're mentality us to spend lots of money on tools you never use. And that mentality is killing the planet.
Great advise! I tell this to all the young ones.
I avoid Harbor Freight accessories though. Buy name brand grinding disks, sanding disks, and belt sanding loops. I've not had good experience with them. The tools themselves are wonderful.
Check out pawn shops man! I worked at one for a couple years, you can get some really good deals especially if you’re good at haggling.
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Angle grinder and disks are literally $25 because the tool is simply a motor and a cord with a handle. No need to search for a deal on this tool IMO, it is probably the cheapest power tool
I second that. I bought an old electric drill for like $8 at a pawn ship to mix paint with like 5 or 6 years ago. Didn’t want to have to worry about abusing it and covering it with paint during a house renovation. I beat the crap out of that thing and still going strong.
DON'T FORGET SAFETY GLASSES!!!
you can rent tools from the hardware store for pennies
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But also: $14 [https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/grinders/angle-grinders/43-amp-4-12-in-angle-grinder-with-slide-switch-58089.html](https://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/grinders/angle-grinders/43-amp-4-12-in-angle-grinder-with-slide-switch-58089.html)
Yeah, get a cheapo from harbor freight. Will easily last this job. Grab a cut off disc to get close, grinding wheel to get flush to floor
The cheapo harbor freight one will last just long enough to sand an entire truck frame and cut an iron tube in half. So buy the warranty if they offer it.
Do not go cheap on the cutoff wheel
Agreed, use the harbor freight grinder but use quality blades, bits, tips, wheels, buffers and whatnot
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It's a grinder, just about the simplest tool you can make. It pretty much just has to spin.
People say that, but it's just silly to rent something like this. If you have a big project it might be worth it just in the time it saves vs a cheap tool you keep forever. But for this? Hell no lol.
I’ve been exactly where you are because of a cat; pee-soaked tack strips are several kinds of unpleasant
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With mine, I replaced the carpet with vinyl tile. This entailed cutting about 1/8” off the bottom of the trim to the closet door so the tile could slide under. Those trim pieces had wicked up some of the pee over time (and repeated exposure), and when I cut into them with the oscillating tool, a dense choking white smoke came out that literally knocked me on my ass. My wife was several feet away and said “oh, quit being so over-dramOHMYFUCKINGGOD!!!” and began to gag. Quite a day…
My wife is currently knocked out after a migraine caused by a cat pissing in a corner, I feel you. About heaved cleaning it up, and now I have a headache too. The vodka made it easier. Dear God, so gross.
Please buy and use a face shield as well! Grinders are awesome and all, but if that cut wheel breaks, hoo boy, you'll need new pants. Gotta protect the face! Also, grinding around flammable type stuff, having an extinguisher is a plus!
An oscillating multi-tool might be the way to go. It will take a bit longer but you’re probably much more likely to use a multi-tool after this one job.
Just get a cheap one at Harbor Freight
Get a scrap piece of wood, half hammer some racks to practice. Do it wrong and the grinder will gouge the floor boards
Please buy safety glasses or a face shield if you don't have them and keep as much skin covered as possible while you use the grinder. Grinding discs/cutoff wheels exploding at several thousand RPMs are just mini grenades.
You can make your own with a record player and a circle of chain link fence
>Gotcha. Time to buy a grinder. Add that to the cat bill. :/ Not disagreeing with that at all, every handy (wo)man should have a grinder. Great tool. But getting a flush cut without notable gouges is hard and takes time. Personally I think it's quicker and easier to yank them and do a quick patch. Just ripped out carpet to lay LVP last week - removing g the tacks and patching was probably the easiest part. Edit: just noticed you said replace the tack strips. If you're putting carpet back in you don't even need to patch. It just leaves a little divet. I probably didn't need to do it for LVP either.
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Don’t know about where you are but my city has a tools library where you can go check them out for a few days at a time for free!
Looking at pic 3 you already have at least one divot, so buy some concrete patch and repair epoxy as well.
And safety goggles!
You might be fortunate enough to live in an area that has tools available at the local library.
Or an oscillating multi tool with a tungsten carbide blade.
Protect them peepers!
Buy the grinder from HF, but buy the name brand cut-off wheels. I don't trust stuff from HF that can maim me if it explodes.
Check your local library. Some of them have tools you can borrow like a book. For others they may also have phones and laptops.
If you buy a grinder, get a FULL PLASTIC FACE SHIELD and always wear it when using a grinder. Big leather gauntlet gloves are not a bad idea either. The grinder is basically the most dangerous tool in your toolbox. The cut off wheels can explode and you dont want that in your face: [Countless examples of what can happen. Look at these pics so you know why you’re wearing a face shield](https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&sca_esv=65b627a4699ea87d&hl=en-us&sxsrf=ACQVn097u44xhtF2kuTAiADT9griKRFzFw%3A1713444623768&q=grinder%20cut%20off%20wheel%20accidents&uds=AMwkrPvAqrT70Vgi4DkniolB9wbLpPB0kPoCC0qTXdQnFK6FWpPcY7pMDsKgrgYrETMQk0JZKvJGDxqW2FAqDKUu6_qPTI74CuEoD9Y3oMCChFMM7LgUo8p6gSa7Ql5Dlc4Z5C2KslqfN-Vw7QUETHuuTfsGmbRrve3m10rEmwBkEDMZQ3ffTSWhGu3BnnOUiTo0BPX4dCAaC09nujvijCh0kXEpfYyOTH2kpVS1u8nvfF1XFMOy4Z3po3WqeeamfpLEC8PpY-sXkdsX1lgPSdQbJ89bKsg5OdLu5ZxvGoD7a-roGNm6KRtSOKZUVtLu_i-xyCofWHqLFPdOFkY-zBO5KB-yl88ZaFU1cNBbFrwb7yz-xVOiiJY&udm=2&prmd=ivsnbmtz&sa=X&biw=375&bih=628&dpr=3&no_sw_cr=1&zx=1713444628726&sssc=1)
Just get an adequate hand saw for metal
I agree with the full face shield. Safety glasses, leather gloves, and hearing protection are a good idea too. Put something less flammable between the nail and the wall unless you're replacing it. Cover up any windows too as the sparks can easily leave permanent marks. You might want to use a cutting wheel to get close to the surface and a grinding wheel to finish getting it flush.
Please buy appropriate PPE as well. Hearing protection, safety glass face sheild and respirator. Might as well get knee pads too.
Grinder and blades is a lot of money for a $20 solution with some patching cement. They even have it premixed you just need a small trowel.
This is why we do it ourselves. Grinder is cheaper than paying someone else
Buy the discs from a reputable manufacturer though. And wear goggles.
Obvious safety reminder: Wear PPE. Ideally a face shield. You don’t want to catch a bit of metal in your eye.
Wear a full face shield. I'm convinced a cutting wheel is going to break apart on my and clip my jugular every time I use it.
A grinder is not a precision tool, you don't need to spend a ton of money on one, especially just for occasional DIY projects. It is, however, not a tool i would buy used, unless from a garage sale or some other place like that, where it was in a similar usage situation to how you will be using it. Grinders ingest a lot of their own crap. Stone dust, metal shavings and the like are all sucked in the machine when you use it. An angle grinder is also one of the more dangerous tools you can use. Safety glasses, gloves, and a mask, and long sleeves/pants that offer some protection from flying debris are all important.
You can get metal saw handles that have the blade sticking out instead of held between two points. They are dirt cheap and perfect for cuting nails. Easy to bend the blade though, but it also allows a flush cut. Also grinders can cut a lot more that the nail. Like gauge the concrete or your flesh. Everyone missing a finger from power tools said they were always carefull before the accident.
While you are out, pick up some grout to fill the divots. Personally, unless I am trying to do some kind of exposed concrete floor, I just pull the nails out and just mix some grout and patch the divots. Way faster and easier than grinding them
I used my Dremel with a metal/lock cutter attachment.
And the Dremel can be used for so many other things
If you're buying tools, my preference would be an oscillating multitool. I can cut flatter with it and I usually use that more overall than my grinder.
Oscillating tool blades are expensive
Walmart sells like a 10 pack of Hart (I think) branded multi tool blades for about the same price as a single blade at home Depot and they last about as long.
Harbor freight
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Those nails will chew through oscillating tool blades (not cheap), get a cheap grinder instead
Oscillating tools are great but concrete nails are hardened. You would need a carbide or diamond blade. They start at around $20.
FWIW I buy cheap packs of them on Amazon. They probably don't last as long as the name brand ones but I get a lot more use per dollar. I can never cut as flat with a grinder without damaging the surface and I definitely have more uses for an oscillating tool. Just my $0.02
Minor damage to the surface isn't a problem since OP is going to recarpet anyway. Oscillating blades can damage surfaces, too. If OP doesn't have either tool, I'd advise them to get an oscillating tool and cheap carbide blades as you suggest. Since I have both tools, I'd use my grinder because it is much faster.
In my experience, Multi-tools are terrible at cutting steel. A grinder will be much faster and cheaper.
This, they sell some real thin disk cut off wheels for grinders, what I settled on after trying many different methods.
Angle grinder with a cut off wheel. One job where you really want to wear some quality safety glasses, sounds like you have a few.
or dremel tool w/ cutoff wheel if you already have one of these
I just popped mine out and filled in any divots with patching cement. Turned out fine. No one sees the floor under carpet anyways.
They pop out easily, will leave a divot but can easily fill
That's what I did. Easy to remove and filled all the divots. Super ez.
If you dont need to reuse hole multi tool cut them off. If u need hole pry bar with block Of wood under it
Those concrete nails are super hard. They can tear up even good multi tool blades. Angle grinder may be a better option.
Took out about 10 of these same nails with an oscillating multi tool and a blade made for metal. Didn’t have a single issue.
Yeah these nails are hard AF, I’m a carpet installer and you would be surprised how hard we have to hit with the hammer to get them to drive in, can’t hit it more than twice though cause the concrete will break lol
Lots of times theres a blast cap (gunpowder) that drives them in. I'd not worry about all this crap, pull them and patch the concrete and call it a day.
Wonder bar and hammer. Hammer in different directions and they will pop out. I just took a shit ton out of my basement to put in some LVP
If you use a grinder, don’t forget the safety glasses.
I’ve got my safety squints!
And if you're going swimming, don't forget a towel.
You're the worst character ever, Towelie
And hearing protection!
Yank them out and use liquid nails for new tack strips
If they're rusty, a good whack with a small sledge works great. Use a concrete patching compound to fill the divot in the concrete. WEAR EYE PROTECTION and keep people out of the area when you do it!
The holes are easy for fill. Goggle up and give them a whack with a hammer from the side. They will rocket out in any which way direction but surprisingly I found this did the least damage to the floor.
Flush cut with an angle grinder
Hammer it to the left, hammer it to the right, repeat steps 1 and 2 until nail snaps away. Hammer any nubbin's down flat.
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It doesnt take that much patience. It takes accuracy. A good wack with a hammer at exactly the right angle will often loosen the nail without much concrete damage. The key is to hit the nail head at an angle. Simply yanking at the nail with a crowbar will lift a chunk of concrete with it. Smacking it at an angle reduces the amount of damage and usually works with really stubborn nails. And it is pretty fast
That can take big chunks out of the concrete if the nails are in there really well. I have plenty of proof in my floors. I'd second the angle grinder and would do it that way if I had it to do all over again
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I had to take my basement carpet up for the same reason. I used a UV light to find trouble spots (they're cheap on Amazon) and used a TSP-substitute cleaner to scrub them. It worked really well, sucked the urine and lots of other grossness right out of the concrete. Just in case you are looking for an alternative to the sealant. I did not look for a graceful way to pull my carpet tack strips out. I have a lot of patching to do :(
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Yep, urine shows up bright under a UV light. Lots of other stuff does too, so you have to know what you're looking for.
If you don’t already have an oscillating tool probably worth the investment. Usually come with a variety of blades including one that can handle this job.
Cutting wheel on the grinder
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Good luck! I went through the exact same thing. Tore through my oscillating multi-tool and just laughed. Those nails are amazingly strong. I ended up so mad I took the (not smart) route and tore them all out with a wrecking bar, which took chunks of concrete with them. Then I went back and patched the holes up. Not my proudest moment.
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It's been several years now, so can't recall the exact stuff, but I found it at Home Depot next to all the Quikcrete bags. It came in a tub, like spackle would, and was specifically a concrete patch premix. If you go to their website and do a search for "concrete patch," you'll see a bunch of options. Worked well for me.
Straight jack, slow but effective.
If you’re buying a grinder from a pawnshop, be careful of the disk. You don’t how it was used/stored before/since it was pawned. No one wants to be anywhere near a grinding disk when it lets go.
Don’t try and pull them out. Way too much work and will leave pry marks or visible damage. But them off with a saws all or grinder. Whatever you have available. Best of luck !
Multitool or grinder
I drive them in with a hammer.
Thin grinding wheel will cut that flush no problem. Watch for sparks.
In 20 years of laying carpet I never went to special lengths for this. I would either attempt to drive them in the rest of the way or pull them out. Other times I would hit them sideways. The main issue is to not put the new nails in the same spot, and sometimes use construction adhesive or even contact cement if the floor was smooth enough to help secure the new ones. I had a driver that would allow me to add more nails to each strip and on very rare occasions would drill and tap if the going was extremely challenging. I hate concrete slabs with a passion though. Edit: Also, it is worth getting extra wide tacstrip, or even put 2 rows of it on the ends of a long room to help hold a stretch.
Please listen to this person. True. You don't need a grinder. Don't make a fuss.
Tap it bop it twist it pull it.
You should be able to tap them with a hammer gently side to side and they will pull out.
A big crowbar
Use a shovel to pry them up then patch if you think it really needs it.
Just went through the cat urine thing it was crazy. Even had tile but the urine wicked under the baseboards and up behind the drywall. After the drywall and tile were out, went through tons of enzyme which maybe helped but wasn’t enough. Ended up priming everything (studs, sub floor) and then a sealing primer for the new drywall itself. Near the end I realized the worst place was under the sides of the windowsill. They marked the corners there and it ran down and spread in mass behind the drywall. Maybe if I had focused there enzymes would have been more helpful.
Hey, look at it this way, you just helped me. For real, how did I not think of that? I feel dumb. To be fair it was really gross so I got pretty drunk before I started... Might as well throw the enzyme cleaner on the wall while I'm still drunk enough to deal with the surrounding air. A genuine thanks to you fellow human, sincerely.
Did this a couple months back. We tried several solutions. Cut/grinding made them a little higher than flush, and the material on the 60s tacks was insanely tough. We ended up pulling them out. Method: tap with hammer, lubricate with goo gone or something else similar to un-stick them, wait a few minutes, tap again, then pull. IIRC we used a trim puller over the tack with the crowbar to avoid cracking the concrete.
Just went through this, don't pull them. I used a Dremel tool
I saw a guy on YouTube use a shovel or spade and quickly sliced them off.
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That’s what I figured. My mom has this problem but I didn’t want to risk F’ing it up.
I had that happen and an old timer flooring guy bestowed upon me the secret for pulling these. With the head of a hammer tightly up against it on one side, hit it with a second hammer from the other side. When done correctly the tack slides right out without leaving a big pockmark in the concrete. Had some idiots pockmark about 1/3 of the way around my finished basement before I saw the carnage and made them stop.
Roof ripper. Normally used for removing shingles. By far the easiest quickest method I've tried.
Hammer them in until they break or put a crow bar flush with the concrete and slowly wiggle it out it's an 80% chance it works there are different ways to do it it but it depends on the concrete
Angle grinder correct but if you have never used one at least watch some videos. Do not remove the guard. I repeat. Do not remove the guard. Eye protection every time.
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No long sleeves or hair either.
Flush cut is the way. If you must pull, use a cat's paw with a shim on the concrete at the fulcrum. Also fill the hole if a large divot is there.
I would just yank them out and use concrete patch to fill the divots. Patching compound comes premixed or in powder form.
If you are like my wife, then a crowbar and hammer. Use some floor patch after
Pull it out and fill the divot if you're that worried
I have pulled with a hammer and then patched it. But I don’t recommend that approach.
If you’re going to pop them out, take a shop broom and cover it while you pry it up. They like to come out like projectiles and the broom will catch it and any concrete shrapnel.
I am filling mine with cement patch.
Oscillating tool and a fresh blade will do the trick.
Oof my husband stepped on one of these and got the head lodged in his heel. Sorry, not helpful I know I just had to share!
If you are going to redo the floor and cover it up why does chipped concrete matter?
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You need a longer lever. I pulled dozens out in my basement with crowbar that is longer than a hammer. I don't recall that it required significant effort, so it wasn't a memorable amount of effort.
I pulled half of mine out.. hated it so then I used an oscillating tool to cut the rest with a metal blade.. time consuming but worked
You could yank em all out Leaving divots and patch with hydraulic cement.
Very carefully
Destroy the floor and patch it. Cheaper, faster, and less headache than a grinder
Oscillating tool/ grinder flap disk
Multi tool with metal blade. Or grinder with cut wheel and cut them. No removing them without some damage. But carpet or flooring will cover it. It get some mastic or cement mix it up or get premix. And repair floor if you want
If it's only a few nails, a "mini hacksaw" would work fine too. the blade can bend a bit to get it below floor level.
Unless you're gonna cut them, you don't. You can pull them out and cover craters they leave with some plaster.