How can I disassemble this cavity woodwork?

[pretzelz]

Hi all,

There was an old doorway in a concrete wall inside my house. I wanted to open it back up and put a door in there.

I've removed the plasterboard, and found the cavity contains a *very* sturdy woodwork frame that I simply have not been able to touch! It is held together by screws which seem to have been inserted with industrial strength. My 720W drill can't remove the screws. What is more, most screws seem to be inserted into the wood in such a way that they are dug into the wood, so that they cannot come out again. And even with those surface casing removed, they will not budge.

Having tried everything else under the sun, hacksaw, hammer, chissle, drilling holes - nothing is proving efficient.

My final idea is to buy a 5.5mm electric jig saw and saw through near each end of each beam. The outter wood frame can remain in place for a doorway. - Is the jig the best, and cheapest idea here or am I missing something? ...screws always seem to end up being the bain of my DIY life.

Many thanks. Pictures attached.

Untitled

• pretzelz
• 22 Feb 2012
• 1

Untitled

• pretzelz
• 22 Feb 2012
• 1

 

[foxhole]

Most cordless drill drivers would remove screws with ease, but easier just to run a handsaw thru the centre of each timber and apply pressure to centre , will fall apart.[5min job]

 

[pretzelz]

I mustn't be doing that part right then because I had a junior hacksaw and a £1 big hacksaw. I broke the blade in the big one and gave up 3/4 the way through sawing one beam with the junior one. I notice the blade of the junior ended up rather twisted which didn't help. (I was probably sawing wrongly). I'm happy to shell out the £12 for an electric appliance to cut through it if good.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Really, its not that hard, if you really can't get the screws out

don't use one of these

use one of these

and then maybe one of these

 

[pretzelz]

these screws were BUGGERS!

 

[foxhole]

I mustn't be doing that part right then because I had a junior hacksaw and a £1 big hacksaw. I broke the blade in the big one and gave up 3/4 the way through sawing one beam with the junior one. I notice the blade of the junior ended up rather twisted which didn't help. (I was probably sawing wrongly). I'm happy to shell out the £12 for an electric appliance to cut through it if good.

I did state handsaw not hacksaw.

 

[Monkeh]

I mustn't be doing that part right then because I had a junior hacksaw and a £1 big hacksaw. I broke the blade in the big one and gave up 3/4 the way through sawing one beam with the junior one. I notice the blade of the junior ended up rather twisted which didn't help. (I was probably sawing wrongly). I'm happy to shell out the £12 for an electric appliance to cut through it if good.

Shell out 12 quid on a proper handsaw and you'll cut through those twigs faster than a jigsaw.

And go buy a real hacksaw, £1 does not buy you a good tool.