[TheForge] Prybar question

[Andy Vida]

Barking Crow wrote:
> 
> A friend dropped off a two pronged commercial wrecking bar and a list of
> modifications he'd like made to it, or rather modifications he'd like
> incorporated into two more he wants me to make.  I expect to be paid in
> lunches so I'd like the project to come out well.  The two prongs that are 3
> 1/2" apart and designed to go down between deck boards and pry them up
> efficiently are made of 1/4 plate on edge that tapers down to 3/16 at the
> point, and then back up to 1 1/4" wide at the curve which is 4" back from
> the tip and designed to roll back and lift the tip and the decking caught
> above it, up.  My question is whether or not I need to use some steel other
> than mild 1/4 plate like I have lots of lying around?  Will the mild steel
> hold up to the pressure of prying wood loose from ring shank nails and
> whatever other torture can be dreamed up for a job site prybar.
> 
> Any advice will be appreciated.

	For the few extra pennies it will cost to put a piece of
	tool steel in its place, I would not use mild.

	Not sure what you mean by "deck boards". What kind of deck?
	Marine?  Backyard?  Something else?  Anyhow, if it's even
	only 3/4" held down by ring nails, such a tool will see some
	pretty serious abuse.  Mild steel doesn't sound like it will
	cut the mustard in the long run.  At all.  Think if it's 6/4"
	held in by ringers.  That can take some pretty serious prying,
	especially if everything is pressure treated and hard as rock.

	The usual plugged kopek's worth.

	-andy