FixitUp Find: Estwing I-Beam Pry-Bar

Demolition tools come in all shapes and sizes, but which of the many will get you great mileage for your DIY buck?

For me, an 18-inch I-Beam style flat bar like Estwing’s has more than earned a place in my toolbox.

The I-beam—as opposed to a flat piece of bar-stock (hence the term “flat bar”) bent to look like a pry-bar—gives it great strength. Aggressive tooth geometry means you can drive that bad-boy into and behind material, whether you’re stripping plaster, prying off trim, or ripping off cabinets.

It’s also great for roof repair—you can slip the toe under shingles and pry up the courses above the problem. And you can use it as a lever or wedge to hold up a door or piece of drywall while you work on it

If you dull the teeth, tune them up on a bench grinder and you’ve got an old tool working like new. Now that’s stretching your demo dollar.