technique for wall demolition

[Wontner]

hi all happy builders

I have started tearing down an interior wall, I know it doesn't have electricity in it or is load-bearing as it was put up by the previous owners.
What I am wondering, as I can't find any thread about it, is what technique is best for preserving the ceiling and floor fairly well but is also efficient for poor old me.

I started today with a reciprocating saw but it is incredibly heavy, I think, and I am taking out sections in the wall of 50x50 centimeters. I have about 2x3 meters of wall left and have done about 1x1 meter of wall. Are there any tips and tricks anyone wants to share?

EDIT:

the wall consists of plasterboard->chipboard->insulation->chipboard->plasterboard and is held up by wooden studs, no metal in the bottom or top.

 

[kniv]

To be able to give a sensible answer, please tell me what the wall is made of.

 

[Wontner]

To provide a sensible answer, feel free to tell us what the wall is made of.

The wall consists of plasterboard->chipboard->insulation->chipboard->plasterboard and is supported by wooden studs, no metal at the bottom or top.

 

[pacman42]

I find it easiest to cut squares in the sheet material and break them off as needed. If you're willing to sacrifice a blade, use a circular saw/plunge saw. It's not particularly heavy....

 

[Stefan N]

Do you have a bad saw, blade, or technique? Because it's a job done in no time with a good reciprocating saw.

 

[Mathiasffs]

I would have done as you did but made sure to only take the sheet material between the studs first, of course in pieces large enough so you can carry them. So that the studs + the small sheet pieces that are in front of the stud stay in place, then you remove the standing studs and finally, with caution, either unscrew or pry off the stud at the ceiling and the floor.

If nothing else, maybe you have a younger teenage relative or friends who can help you with the heaviest parts for a small fee?

 

[Wontner]

I would have done as you did but made sure to only take the sheet material between the studs first, of course in pieces large enough for you to carry them. So that the studs + the little sheet pieces in front of the stud remain, then you remove the standing studs and lastly carefully either unscrew or pry off the stud from the ceiling and the floor.

If nothing else, maybe you have a younger teenage relative or friends who can help you do the heaviest work for a small fee?

Are there circular saw blades that can cut screws as well?

 

[Mathiasffs]

are there circular saw blades that take screws as well?

There certainly are, there are blades for pure metal at least I know that.

 

[Wontner]

Do you have a bad saw, blade or technique? Because it's a job done in no time with a good reciprocating saw.

using a Claes Ohlson saw with a blade for metal and wood. it cost about 500:-

 

[Düsseldorff]

Hmm... With a proper reciprocating saw, you should be able to tear down that wall in no time. What's wrong?

Edit: Ok, you answered my question while I was writing it.

 

[Wontner]

Hmm... With a decent reciprocating saw, you should tear down that wall in no time. What's wrong?

Edit: Ok, you answered my question while I was writing it.

maybe I was dumb and cheap with the saw, bought one from Claes Ohlsson for about 500:-

 

[Mathiasffs]

Are the teeth on the saw blade very fine or a bit coarser?

I usually find that my small battery reciprocating saw can struggle/take a long time with thicker walls/studs. When you borrow the carpenter's large saw, they usually cut like butter in sunshine.

 

[Wontner]

Are the teeth on the saw blade very fine or a bit coarser?

I usually find that my small battery reciprocating saw can struggle/take a long time in thicker walls/studs. If you borrow the carpenter's big one, they usually cut like butter in sunshine

Pretty fine. As I mentioned, I bought blades that were supposed to work for both metal and wood. Maybe I should consider renting a slightly heavier one instead tomorrow.

 

[Mathiasffs]

It may be that the teeth are a bit small, if you take the wall as I described, you can often use teeth that are as large as on a handsaw, which are also made to handle a screw or two.

 

[Wontner]

The teeth might be a bit small, if you take the wall as I described, you can often use teeth as large as on a handsaw, which are also made to handle a screw or two.

I use these
https://www.clasohlson.com/se/Tigersågblad-BIM-S922HF-Bosch/p/40-9356-4