T&G siding "pusher"

[Ign]

No one would ever accuse me of being a woodworker or carpenter but right now the fiancee is installing T&G siding on the interior upper walls and ceiling of -- let's say -- a tiny house.

She was needing a way to lever boards with a light smile down into each other. We tried a basic block + pry bar but it was only mildly effective and a PITA.

I have no idea how this is typically done but I cranked this out in the shop tonight. The "push block" is acetal/delrin.

This was done Q&D, from BAD (brain aided design) to reality in a hurry. I'm sure we'll find revisions along the way. May not work at all... tomorrow I think she'll try it

 

[Firstram]

That will work well for the stubborn ones for sure. You can use a 1 1/2" wood chisel hammered into the corner of the framing to lever the boards over. Drive the chisel in with the flat side away from the board so it doesn't try to cam out of the joist and lever away.

 

[Boilerhouse]

I use a small scrap piece of T&G as a pusher block with the wood chisel as a pry bar, or, if I am going over strapping which I typically do, I will use a large pair of channel lock T&G style pliers which latch onto the strapping and use that as a pry bar. Both methods seem to work well. Technique helps too. If a board is a bit warped, set it in, start at one end, working it in place and nailing it down as you go along securing the plank. I did an entire cottage out of T&G cedar once, walls and some ceilings.

 

[bullnerd]

Copy the bowrench, could probably make one from wood.

 

[DFB]

Ya I did a big job for my boss at his new store (though ours was shiplap cut and not T&G) Once the best boards were used up I had to do a lot of persuading on the rest to close the gaps.

Using my hammer would tap a wedge of scrap between the bowed section and a secured block of wood. Most often did the trick for me to push them tight together and could move right along

 

[Ign]

Well, she finally used it today and seems quite pleased with it. She doesn't have the strength many of us would so this allows her to set it and forget it, freeing both hands to then use a nail gun while on a ladder, etc

 

[bullnerd]

Thats cool.

 

[PugetDude]

Nice job on the jig.
I've always used a wedge or a demolition screwdriver /scrap of siding, but this looks like a good hands-off solution.

 

[The Cobbler]

nice set up . I always use a pc of the material, and wedge it with a pry bar.