Slate Rippers Tips
How to Use
Locate to be repaired piece of slate- Slide the ripper underneath the broken piece of slate
- Hook the “ear” of the ripper on the nail that is holding the slate
- Use a hammer and hit back on the handle portion of the ripper to remove the nail
- Once the nails are removed, slide the broken piece of slate out
Features
- The blade should be strong and thin. Blades that are too thick will break adjoining slates and also not slide underneath slates well.
- A spring to the blade will give the flexibility needed when sliding underneath slate. The Stortz ripper is a one piece forging, not welded, and has the recommended spring temper.
- Some rippers have interchangeable blades which give the user flexibilty when working near an edge. Most of the time these rippers are not as strong as a one piece forging.
- The rippers head is uniquely shaped with 2 ears and an indented front. The ears are used to hook roofing nails and pull them out. The depth of the ear is important so the nail does not come loose once hooked onto. The front indentation is designed to “feel” under slates for the nails. It can also be used to cut nails by striking upward but this is a last resort.
- The handle is widened and reinforced to give a large target when hitting back on it. A no-slip finger grip can be found on the Stortz ripper handle.
What to Buy?
Deciding on a ripper to purchase should be determined by value. If slate work is your profession, spend the money on the best product that will last the longest. If you are not a slate roofer but have a slate job, the most economical choice makes sense. Buying a product right the first time will save you money in the long run. A slate ripper should be an investment, not a throwaway tool.
