Slate Ripper

A slate ripper, or slater's ripper, is a hand tool for removing individual slates, and sometimes tiles or shingles, without disturbing the surrounding pieces. On a slate roof each slate is held by nails hidden beneath the course above, so a broken slate cannot be lifted out directly. The ripper reaches under the course, hooks the nail, and either cuts it or pulls it out.

Design

A typical ripper has a long, flat, thin steel blade with one or two hooked notches (sometimes called ears or barbs) near the tip, and a raised handle or striking block at the other end. Better models are forged from a single piece of spring-tempered steel so the blade can flex without breaking. A thin but strong blade slides under slates more easily and is less likely to crack neighbouring slates. Some models have interchangeable blades, which can be useful near edges, though one-piece forgings are generally considered stronger.

How it is used

1. Slide the blade up beneath the damaged slate, feeling for the nail.
2. Hook a notch around the nail shank.
3. Strike the handle downward with a hammer to cut or pull the nail.
4. Repeat for the second nail and slide the broken slate out.

The new slate is then fixed, commonly with a tingle or slate hook of copper, lead or stainless steel, because its nails cannot be driven through the course above.

Variations and related tools

• Rippers come in various lengths; longer blades are used for slates with greater headlap.
• Similar tools are used for removing clay and concrete tiles, wood shingles and asphalt shingles during repairs.
• Slate repair kits often pair a ripper with a slater's hammer (or zax), a slate cutter and a bench iron or stake for trimming.

Care

Keeping the notches sharp makes cutting nails easier. Working on slate roofs requires roof ladders or hooks rather than walking on the slates, which crack easily.