We’re trying to take up old redwood floors (tongue and groove) and re-use the wood elsewhere in an old house (built in 1920). It was laid with 2 inch box nails; we’re using a flat bar and hammer, and the boards want to split. Any ideas or tips for removing the flooring intact?
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You may have to sacrifice a couple courses, but then gently pry them up off each joist with a chisel, enough to slip a sawzall blade between the boards and the joists to cut the nails. I'd use a fairly long bi-metal sawzall blade for the job, like 8 or 10 inches.
When each board is free, drive the nails out from the back side with a nail punch.
It'll be a bit laborious, but if it's nice heartwood, it's probably worth the effort.