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 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.

https://youtu.be/7e55D2jLW2Q

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Thanks olefella! We've added your Paving Tile Lifting Method to our Miscellaneous category,
as well as to your builder page: olefella's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

<div id="blocks"> <div class="block b1 pngfix"> <div class="bimg"> <div> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-paving-tile-lifting-method"> <img src="/uploads/232808/homemade-paving-tile-lifting-method.jpeg"/> </a> </div> </div> <div class="head pngfix"></div> <div class="left pngfix"></div> <div class="right pngfix"></div> <div class="blockover b1 pngfix"> <div class="title"> <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/homemade-paving-tile-lifting-method">Paving Tile Lifting Method</a> <span> by <a href="https://www.homemadetools.net/builder/olefella">olefella</a></span> </div> <div class="tags">tags: <a href='https://www.homemadetools.net/tag/lifting'>lifting</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>
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Thanks.
I especially like that you show where you are headed before you start.
So many videos jump right in, so they are 5 minutes in before you can tell what they are making.

Any tricks to drilling the holes in the spring steel? It seems that would be hard to do.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Karl_H

Thanks.
I especially like that you show where you are headed before you start.
So many videos jump right in, so they are 5 minutes in before you can tell what they are making.

Any tricks to drilling the holes in the spring steel? It seems that would be hard to do.

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The better the spring steel the harder it is. I used tap fluid and a high quality drill bit, blunted a few cheap ones en route.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Karl_H

Thanks.
I especially like that you show where you are headed before you start.
So many videos jump right in, so they are 5 minutes in before you can tell what they are making.

Any tricks to drilling the holes in the spring steel? It seems that would be hard to do.

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I have used a slightly modified masonry bit with success when drilling spring steel.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by olefella

The better the spring steel the harder it is. I used tap fluid and a high quality drill bit, blunted a few cheap ones en route.

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And I've used cobalt steel bits successfully, but they're expensive.