need advice to cut existing studs without cutting the attached siding

[atch]

well..., yeah..., just what it says.

i'm doing a remodel and will install a window where there isn't one now. it is january, after all, and it's too cold to have a big hole in the wall for very long. so what i want to do is remove the sheetrock and insulation; then cut the studs where they need to be so i can frame in the new rough opening and install a header (fwiw; this is a non-load bearing wall) without cutting the hole in the siding. then on a nice day i can just cut the siding and slap the new window into the opening.

so here's the question:

how do you cut the studs all the way through without cutting into the siding? i've got a sawzall, skill saw, hand saws, saber saw, etc., but there's a drawback to everything i've got. anyone got any ideas?

 

[Vicious_Cycle]

Go as deep as you can with the circular saw, then finish the cut with the sawzall.

 

[atch]

vc,

well, that works to an extent, but you can't get a sawzall blade to be parallel to the siding so the end of the blade will be beating on the siding. see what i mean?

i know i'm not really good conversing in writing, and without you being able to see me talk with my hands i'm just about mute.

but really, what you're suggesting is exactly what i'm trying to overcome.

 

[PAToyota]

Yep, I've used my circular saw to cut the whole way through. Just pry the studs off the sheathing with a crowbar then.

 

[atch]

pa,

you can't get a 3.5" deep cut with a skill saw. if you could there would be no problem.

(if i was goint to cut through the 1.5" depth it would work, but not the 3.5" dimension)

 

[PAToyota]

Posted at the same time. If your circular saw doesn't cut deep enough turn the blade in the sawzall around so the teeth point up and go at it that way - you can get closer.

 

[PAToyota]

You may not be able to cut deep enough - that's why I have a manly circular saw!

10 1/4" Circular Saw

 

[1320stang]

Why not remove the drywall from floor to ceiling? Then you could pull each stud. You'll need jack studs for the header anyway. Then you just have two edges to worry about taping and bedding and trying to match any texture you might have.

 

[Vicious_Cycle]

vc,

well, that works to an extent, but you can't get a sawzall blade to be parallel to the siding so the end of the blade will be beating on the siding. see what i mean?

Yeah, I know you're gonna beat-up the inside of the siding a little bit, but that's what I would do. The first stud is the worst, but once that is out of the way, you can get the sawzall a little more parallel to the siding. But since the sawzall is bigger dia. than the blade is, you still have to come at it at an angle!

I have to agree with 1320stang though- even if it isn't a load bearing wall, I would still beef it up above and below the window.

 

[toxicz28]

how do you cut the studs all the way through without cutting into the siding?

Use an electric chainsaw.

 

[Junkman]

Wait till warmer weather.

 

[Fueler]

how about this?
Use the sawzall with a blade that is long enough the width of the stud. Nail an appropriate thickness board across the offending studs horizontally to compensate for the probably too long blade.
Lay the sawzall on the nailed up board and cut. IF you don't want to risk whacking the siding, make the sawzall support just thick enough so that you can cut as close to the siding as possible.
You will have a sliver of wood left on the siding end of the stud. Big pair of channel locks and twist the stud piece sideways and break it loose. There will be some splinters to shave off of course.

If you have had practice with the sawzall you can lean the sawzall at an angle while on the cross board and visually skin cut that stud right up to the siding.

 

[trovato]

I have found a flush cut blade on my jigsaw to be very useful in situations like this. Check out

http://cgi.ebay.com/DeWALT-DT2074-F...9169265QQihZ009QQcategoryZ20786QQcmdZViewItem

for an example.

 

[MXtras]

V notch the stud as deep as you can with a standard circular saw and then bend it towards you - prying it away from the sheathing.

Scott

 

[Strate]

I have found a flush cut blade on my jigsaw to be very useful in situations like this. Check out

http://cgi.ebay.com/DeWALT-DT2074-F...9169265QQihZ009QQcategoryZ20786QQcmdZViewItem

for an example.

If it was me with this problem this would be my solution.

 

[Strate]

I've lurked for so long, I did realize that would be my first post.

 

[MXtras]

Congratulations, Strate!

 

[Herb]

well..., yeah..., just what it says.

i'm doing a remodel and will install a window where there isn't one now. it is january, after all, and it's too cold to have a big hole in the wall for very long. so what i want to do is remove the sheetrock and insulation; then cut the studs where they need to be so i can frame in the new rough opening and install a header (fwiw; this is a non-load bearing wall) without cutting the hole in the siding. then on a nice day i can just cut the siding and slap the new window into the opening.

so here's the question:

how do you cut the studs all the way through without cutting into the siding? i've got a sawzall, skill saw, hand saws, saber saw, etc., but there's a drawback to everything i've got. anyone got any ideas?

How was it done before power tools were available? Handsaws- I know, a dirty word! Seriously, start the cut with skilsaw, finish it with a handsaw, if it's a 2x4 stud you will only have an 1 1/2'' piece left to cut through, no big deal. Sometimes simple is best and the time wasted over engineering a solution is, well, time wasted.

 

[atch]

I have found a flush cut blade on my jigsaw to be very useful in situations like this. Check out

http://cgi.ebay.com/DeWALT-DT2074-F...9169265QQihZ009QQcategoryZ20786QQcmdZViewItem

for an example.

now here's a solution i can live with!!! i've never heard of these, but i'm off to lowe's &/or home despot to see if they have any in stock.

THANX.

of course, like i said, i have hand saws i could use, but none of them look like they would really work all that well. if only i had a short hand saw with an offset handle...

 

[atch]

Wait till warmer weather.

you're obviously not married...

 

[TNToy]

Use an electric chainsaw.

Done it before. Worked well. An electric is pretty weak, so you won't shoot clean through the siding the moment you hit the throttle. I wouldn't attempt this with a 65cc Stihl, though. Kinda like using a cutting torch to open a soda can.

You can cut with the tip of a chainsaw.

 

[atch]

i did go to lowes today and now must apologize for wasting the board's resources. they had at least a half dozen hand saws priced between $10 and $25 that will work just fine to do exactly what i want.