How to lift pavers without damaging them

One of the most difficult things about a paved surface is lifting the pavers out of the surface without damaging them. In many cases it is impossible, and various techniques such as using a screwdriver, prybar, hammer etc end up either breaking the edges or damaging the paver. In the end it is often easier to break up a paver and pull out the pieces.
Here is an idea for non-destructive lifting method using old spring steel plaster spatulas or an old backsaw. The lifting plates are easy to make and cost pretty well nothing.
I show how to make the plates and demonstrate by lifting some of the pavers around the yard - in one spot the cars are usually parked and the pavers haven't been disturbed for about 30 years.
Although not shown in the video pouring water around the edges, or using a high pressure cleaner, makes removal easier with stubborn bricks. See this at • Lifting pavers using ...
Hit around the edges with a rubber mallet to loosen it a bit.
As far as dimensions goes spatulas are all different sizes, but go about 2 cm from the end and 1/3 way in from the side for each hole. Drill, preferably slowly, with a carbide bit and a drop of oil, or better still a cobalt bit (carbide bits are best for impact drilling, or hard cast metal and non-ferrous metals but they absorb heat well). Ordinary bits will get blunt and burn, but they do work (and they are cheap). Don't bend the spatula metal too much or the steel cracks.
It took me 3 minutes and cost about $1 to make one lifter.

[@NicoSmets]

That technique is just fantastic. Thank you for the great demonstration too.

[@nabilulde5961]

Anyone who takes the their time to teach another ought to be respected.big respect to you sir a valuable inexpensive tool that will surely come in handy for me

[@RogerM9]

Brilliant! I think you have just solved my problem. I particularly like the "warts and all" presentation, showing how you overcame the difficulties at around 10 - 12mins in rather than just ignoring it. Thanks for posting.

[@lancemehle6840]

Great video!! It’s so simple. I wish I would have thought of creating that tool! Great job

[@junlu8643]

Smarter than any paver puller company, all thumbs up. This could be patented.

[@ericgladwish7538]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@dingdong8473]

Well done, I like how you show the WHOLE process. This is the best solution I’ve seen to this pain in the A problem. Hats off

[@Farrovia]

Just made some from an old tenon saw and used them to lift a 24" square slab that had been down for decades. Worked brilliantly, so thank you for the instruction and the inspiration!

[@susiealverson1]

This is such a brilliant idea. I wish there were a way you could patent these and make millions. Thank you for sharing your genius with the world. I look forward to trying this.

[@TMoss-mp2hf]

Many thanks for your knowledge and tutorial. I was over thinking my issue of lifting some 450 square slabs and chanced upon your KZbin video - fabulous - I quickly made a couple and they have worked effortlessly. 10/10

[@liamswan8942]

Excellent idea thanks

[@MrDweb]

Great idea. I've just laid 180 flags and there's a few that have sunk already. I'll give this a go. Thanks.

[@ImOnAJourney]

8:49 Ok, I know this wasn’t intended, but it looks so cool! That’s a pretty slick trick with the pavers. I had to do this with a 4’ square patch of multi-sized pavers a few years ago - I could’ve used this method back then. Oops! I missed it! 😂 Thanks for sharing that!

[@marklawson8346]

Thank you for that video I’ve been using screwdrivers for years and struggling and knew the was another diy method and you have shown me your way 👍🏻

[@Rudy32225]

Great job, thank you!

[@PossetCraggs9411]

Brilliant - thanks for sharing

[@davidheap400]

Thanks. Best demo vid on the net. I appreciate the time you put into making and posting this.

[@thecovidprisoner]

Ingenious, may have a job relaying some slabs. Many thanks 👍

[@ramzanmughaljee]

Cleaver man. That's cool. Thanks for sharing.👍🏼

[@stanleyyyyyyyyyyy]

I was just looking exactly for this! Thanks you so much, now I can finally fix my concrete patio

[@Jnjetv]

I loved your video...and I would like to thank you for sharing your amazing knowledge with us....God Bless you

[@thesalopian1389]

Brilliant idea, You are a star.

[@jimgibson4760]

Best solution I've seen. Thank you for sharing.

[@azizaviation]

Great idea thank you

[@armandocortes8719]

Estupenda herramienta. Wauu. Y. Yo. Comprando. Una. Herramienta que costó. 280 dólares.

[@smudger3805]

Fantastic ,great idea,just what I was looking for👏👏👏👏

[@hsnwfl7766]

Excellent solution. Super smart. Thank you for posting.

[@caroldurand6803]

Brilliant

[@CarFlix.]

Brilliant! thank you, I'm trying to run an armoured cable under a shared drive and it's taking me hours, this should help great, thanks!

[@sparky6612]

Just brilliant, thanks very much.

[@leni1024]

Perfect for the job I need! Thank you so much. I agree, you should patent it.

[@AndrewFosterSheff69]

Trouble with these kinds of tools to patent is the cost of manufacture. I made a pistachio shell splitter out of an old baking tray and the cost of manufacture versus the sale price still made it cheaper to just buy pre shelled pistachios! :-/ Sometimes commerce dictates whether something is economically viable or not :-( That said... CRACKING TOOL and exactly what I need to replace a cracked flag! :-D

[@cjhtas]

Yes i thought about a patent, but realistically the market is pretty small and existing devices, although not nearly as simple and effective as this one, have advertising and distribution channels I haven't. I could sell the licence one day, but frankly I'm more into just passing on a good idea.

[@artisonspaintingremodeling]

You are the MacGyver of patio blocks

[@alre8231]

Awesome idea. The best that works

[@robevanston4006]

This saved me hundreds $$

[@jessestrum]

great stuff

[@allengentz7572]

Thanks for sharing, will be a great help.

[@joekoodray4233]

Awesome - Great Idea - you should secure the rights for it

[@squeekhobby4571]

So smart

[@kreb7]

Amazing

[@SweetPeaG]

Lovely

[@lashlarue5038]

Genius!....Can I ask some dimensions? How wide were strips? How far from the bottom did you drill holes?

[@cjhtas]

There aren't any dimensions because the spatulae are all different. If you go about 2cm from the bottom and 1/3 of the way across that's about right for the cuts.

[@leecasss]

Thanks for the video. Interesting you didn't show how to make the tool out of the spatula [paint scraper] when you say you will. And you didn't use the saw in front which is too small. There are real skills to drilling holes in stainless steel which you didn't share. I estimated the size of the holes and the length of the cuts off the video so I am grateful for that. I bought new spatulas and had to buy a carbide tipped bit. I used a punch, hitting it hard to make a dent for the bit to grab on on the blade. I drilled on a slow speed, kept dipping the spatula in cold water and cooled the bit.Don't lean on the drill. If the bit gets hot in the stainless steel it will bind and break. I broke 5 standard bits before buying one carbide. And when bending the spatula, take care and bend slowly as it can crack.It took me about 20 minutes to make each tool and I am an experienced and careful worker. Not 20 minutes to make four! Get a spare spatula to clean a gap between the pavers.

[@cjhtas]

Sorry if I confused you - but the video shows what I did. There aren't any dimensions because the spatulae are all different. If you go about 2cm from the bottom and 1/3 of the way across that's about right for the cuts. Stainless - or particularly the spring steel in a paint scraper is hard to drill, but carbide works OK. You're right that cheap bits burn, but they do work (and they are cheap). You'd be better off with cobalt bits, but they are expensive. I'm used to using stainless steel, but the thin steel here doesn't need much skill - I don't think you need a punch unless the bit skids around too much and I used a drill press at ordinary speed and leant on it, using a drop of oil as lubricant. I've made a few of these and used them a lot pulling up the pavers around the house to clear tree roots last summer. The paint scraper ones seem pretty well indestructible. I was interested in your comment about timing - I just now went out the workshop and made one to see how long it took me. It took 3 minutes from start to finish. But if it takes you 20 minutes it's not a long time for something that works so well.

[@leecasss]

@@cjhtas Yes I read other readers' comments and none of us have a bench drill, know anything about cobalt drills or about cooling the bit. I found that on other sites. Ordinary drills DO NOT get through, a punch is ABSOLUTELY necessary and after drilling two holes I had to buy another carbide bit. Cobalt bits are unavailable here [Byron Bay, Australia]. I agree 20 minutes is no time at all for a good tool. I do tons of DIY work but have never worked with stainless steel except for screws and bolts. Thanks for your advice.