[BigDaddy13]

Silly question, I am going to be repairing a small section of my roof soon. Was looking at getting a shingle eater to remove the old shingles, I am 5'9 and saw that the 55" shingle eater is recommended if you are over 6'. In everyone's experience do you use the Smaller one 46.5" or 55" one or something else? Also, roof has 2 layers of shingles on it if that is a consideration. Buying online and could not find much info on it.

http://www.shingleeater.com/Our-Tools

Appreciate the help.

 

[craig11152]

when I was in the business I liked the shingle eater just fine for one layer on ply or osb. For 2 layers and maybe one layer on 1x I preferred a Red Ripper. Sort of like a golfer I had more than one club in my bag.

http://www.roofersworld.com/red-ripperreg.html#.Vw_dkEfAGSo


I found with the shingle eater you could actually bend the handle if you put too much pressure on it. Thats why I don't like them for multi layer work.

 

[mako1]

Agree.The one you pictured looks a little light weight .Either way ,we always preferred the D handle for leverage and less blisters.Get the longest D handle you can .The tall guys will appreciate it.

 

[rjniles]

Not a tool I would use for a small section of roof. That thing is made to do a rip off.

 

[craig11152]

"small section" is a bit vague. If its a half a square with two layers I'm busting out my Red Ripper.

 

[BigDaddy13]

Apologies for being vague; it is around 1 square total.

Looking at the red ripper and was able to find one for $50 with a D Handle, purchasing soon. Any tricks when using this thing? Was not able to find any videos, except the product description advertisement.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[kwikfishron]

There's no reason IMO to go spend fifty bucks for a ripper for a one time use on that small of a project.

You could easily do it with a flat bar (spud forks work good too) but if you feel that you need it I'm sure it could be rented for less than 15 bucks.

 

[PatChap]

Do you have a pitchfork? Tears shingles like a champ, pop the nails after with a bar or something, if it's plywood their won't be too many left.
We use red rippers for most things, but I still use the fork whenever it feels appropriate.

 

[Yodaman]

We have always just used garden variety spade forks. Similar to a pitch fork but shorter and has flat blades. The tangs easily slide under the shingles and between nails. We had a ripper in the tool chest but always would end up using the spades.
You do have to come back and pull nails though.

 

[jomama45]

We have always just used garden variety spade forks. Similar to a pitch fork but shorter and has flat blades. The tangs easily slide under the shingles and between nails. We had a ripper in the tool chest but always would end up using the spades.
You do have to come back and pull nails though.

I've used alot of different things through the years, including the garden forks like that. We usually welded or clamped a short pipe on the back where all the tines come together though for leverage. Worked great.

 

[craig11152]

I was never much of a fan of the spade/pitchfork tool except maybe on Cedar. For me they always left to much little crap behind plus all the nails.
Kwikfishron makes a point that 50 bucks for a one time use may not make sense but it does make life easier. And if the OP is ever going to do the rest of his roof in the not too distant future I'd buy it for sure. Nothing takes two layers of shingles off better than a tool designed for the job.