And it looks like there's blocking in between?

And you want to cut along the red line and remove everything to the left of the line, the painted part, entirely?

I'm thinking that a chain saw would have the reach and even be able to get flush to the ledger, or very nearly flush to it.

Tough puzzle!

I don't know the term but yes, those joists go clear through the house.

It makes a hell of a mess and most of the time it doesn't get the mosquito.

A long Sawzall blade will do the job. If you don't want to own the tool, you can usually rent it. Just get your own blade.

Who the heck wouldn't want to own THAT???

I'm sure that will be the way my husband thinks about this. The price wasn't bad at the link I saw at Amazon. I wonder what it would cost to rent, though.

that's who.

made you or anyone else feel stigmatized or ridiculed. Please accept my sincere apologies and thank you for reminding me that even tho I think a remark may be funny and/or even silly, I must first stop and ask myself if there is any conceivable way that my remark may be hurtful and even if I believe the answer is "no" to just go ahead and confine myself to simple factual statements, preferably short declaratory sentences or even "yes" or "no" answers.

I've lusted after a Sawzall for many years. Along with a table saw.

He had mentioned that. He also thought about a chain saw.....but just for a minute. We considered a lot of things. Even tried with a hand saw but that would take forever.

Thanks so much for all the quick responses! I'll post some before and after pics when we're done.

And you'd get a great workout!

If you use a Sawzall, buy the longest blade you can get, it should bend to make a nearly flush cut, as indicated above in another reply.

If that doesn't work... chain saw!

Seriously, if the ends are going to be covered up any skilled person with a sharp blade can make a pretty neat cut.

I'd like to get this job done sometime in this decade, lol.

I have this one- http://www.factoryauthorizedoutlet.com/porter-cable/porter-cable-3-amp-corded-oscillating-multi-tool-kit-with-31-accessories?CAWELAID=1802700173&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CLTrsJnO27kCFcbm7AodUgUASg

It cuts nice and flush, but it's not very fast, and I'd expect to have to go through a few blades with that many to cut.

I think Mr. Onion decided on a DeWalt because he already has several tools of that line and the batteries will be interchangeable. http://www.cpopowertools.com/dewalt-dc385b-18v-cordless-xrp-1-1-8-in-reciprocating-saw--tool-only-/dewndc385b,default,pd.html?ref=nextag&zmam=31282435&zmas=47&zmac=164&zmap=dewndc385b

Unbelievable, the cost of the batteries! I hope the blades aren't too expensive. Sounds like you think we may go through a few?

BTW, construction starts today! I'm so excited!

When you start seeing more smoke than cut, you know your blade is dull.

Be sure to post pics!

That's exactly the type of tool I was envisioning. Hmmm....I'll have to show this to the old man.

He wants one of those now. He's heading down to get one this afternoon.

I knew he would like it. I just hope we can find other uses for it. It's not cheap. We have a lot of remodeling to do around here, though, so I bet we'll find plenty of uses for it. It looks like it can scrape paint and we have a whole house to paint.

It had rave customer reviews on the places we checked online. Everyone says it's a very useful tool and loved it. Thanks for the recommendation!

we sure have!

let me know how it works

I use mine on almost every project.

I just used mine to cut some baseboard in place to install a cabinet for a client. Without the tool, I would have had to remove the baseboard, cut it, re-install and do repairs to the caulking and paint. I was able to draw a line with a square and do a bit of "surgery" and remove the board off the wall. (of course, I nicked the baseboard with the cabinet anyway. DOH! cheap MDF trim in a brand new million dollar home)

I've used my multi-tool from everything to cut outlet boxes in kitchen cabinet islands, to drywall repairs to flooring repairs to grout removal.

There is a German company by the name of Fein (sp?) that had the patent on the multi-tool design. Fein is an old tool manufacturer that had one of the original patents on the power drill, IIRC. Anywhoo, Fein's patent ran out a few years ago and that's when you saw the explosion of the "multi-tool". Everyone started making the tools from Dremel to Dewalt to Rigid etc. Before then, the only game in town was the Fein tool for $300-400 bucks and up.

The new multi-tools all seem to cost about $99 bucks for the corded version. PS: I would only buy the corded version - my brother and I were having this discussion the other day about how the only tools we need to be cordless are drills (even though we still need cords on our bigger masonry etc. drills). But that's our opinion. It seems to me, that using tools like a sawzall or multi-tool for cutting anything of any thickness like joists or studs would require batteries to recharge faster than you could recharge them - But we do work in older Chicago homes with solid old lumber that sometimes feels (and cuts) like oak. There IS something to be said about not tipping over cords or "shooting blanks" when you go to make a cut and your tool is unplugged.

The blades for all the multi-tools are ridiculously expensive. I knew of a guy making knock-off blades for the Fein tool out of cheap Home Depot saws he would buy for 5 bucks and cut in to strips and punch holes for the mounting washers.

About half of the joists are still fine. The ones that are rotted have boards sistered to them. I can't shoulder the expense of a new deck but want to fix the rotted ones. Had a few contractors out, they just wanted to replace rather than repair.

I don't know why it couldn't just be fixed. They probably don't want to bother with a small job, especially if they're used to doing major renovations. Hopefully you can find a smaller outfit or individual who's willing to take that kind of job.

Our deck was beyond repair and had to be completely replaced. We decided we'd to do it ourselves to save money. My husband is a fairly skilled carpenter and I know the basics, so I can help. Our problem is finding the time to work on it! We only have weekends, and there are tons of other chores that need to be done on the weekends but we're slowly making progress. We used the multitool that was mentioned up thread to cut off the old joists and it worked really well. Hubby was able to get a nice, flush cut with it.

to fill in a 2x3" hole left by woodpeckers in my cedar carport siding. It's fun to use.

If removing the nails/screws that hold the deck to the joists is impractical, a sawzall with a bimetal blade can be used to cut between the joint, severing all the fasteners.

Use pressure treated lumber for the joists.

That said, if half the joists in a deck are known bad, I'd remove the old deck boards and rebuild the substructure.

and yeah, might have to pull them all up but i just really am trying to keep the cost of the project down.

I would recommend renting a flush cut flooring saw. They are typically used installing flooring. They can rest on floors and cut jambs or door bottoms off. You would use vertically while resting against house.
Rent instead of buying, but purchase an blade that will cut nails.....
good luck