is there a tool that can plane or cut 3/8" from an installed 2"x4" stud?

[edprush]

I need to take 3/8" off the 4" dimension of 4 installed studs. Is there way to do this with the stud in place?

I am repacing a shower and presently I have 32" of width from stud to stud but I need 32 3/8". I'd prefer not to tear down the entire wall, install narrower studs, then rebuild the wall.

Any suggestions?

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Do you need the width from floor to ceiling?

 

[Batti]

I'd plane them if you are sure there is no metal. Maybe a power planer?

like this

Might be able to rent one...

 

[Rastus]

Cut it 3/8" with a saw in several places along the length and use a hammer and chisel to split out the rest.

 

[Howard]

You do know it's a nominal 3.5", right?

 

[bctbct]

The easiest way I think to do this is a router, will be very messy though. Use a chisel to get the four inches at the top and bottom that the router wont reach.

edit
You probably have a corner stud too though, tear them out and rip them down.

 

[Nik]

Text

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Do you need the width from floor to ceiling?

I could get away with from floor to 1.5' below ceiling. Maybe even an inch away from the floor would be okay to start the narrowing.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: Batti
I'd plane them if you are sure there is no metal. Maybe a power planer?

like this

Might be able to rent one...

Wow, spending $135 for a power planer would certainly be cheaper than moving a wall!

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: Rastus
Cut it 3/8" with a saw in several places along the length and use a hammer and chisel to split out the rest.

That is what one hobbyist woodworker mentioned to me as well. I will consider that too.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: Howard
You do know it's a nominal 3.5", right?

Yes. I need it to be 3 1/8".

 

[Evadman]

assuming the wall is not bearing, score it in a bunch of places with a circular saw and use a chisel to knock it out.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: bctbct
The easiest way I think to do this is a router, will be very messy though. Use a chisel to get the four inches at the top and bottom that the router wont reach.

edit
You probably have a corner stud too though, tear them out and rip them down.

There are portable routers?

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: Evadman
assuming the wall is not bearing, score it in a bunch of places with a circular saw and use a chisel to knock it out.

It's not weight bearing. Thanks.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: edprush

Originally posted by: bctbct
The easiest way I think to do this is a router, will be very messy though. Use a chisel to get the four inches at the top and bottom that the router wont reach.

edit
You probably have a corner stud too though, tear them out and rip them down.

There are portable routers?

sure, Guidebot posted the pic. Wont work in the corner though.

It really wouldnt be that difficult to take them out and rip them down. Use screw to put them back, old lumber is usually hard to nail and it wont kcock the pictures off the walls.

Saw cutting the studs would work but it would take longer than the router and not be very accurate with that many cuts.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: bctbct


sure, Guidebot posted the pic. Wont work in the corner though.

It really wouldnt be that difficult to take them out and rip them down. Use screw to put them back, old lumber is usually hard to nail and it wont kcock the pictures off the walls.

Saw cutting the studs would work but it would take longer than the router and not be very accurate with that many cuts.

I saw the pic from Guidebot after I posted the question about portable routers.

What would be the advantange of a router vs. a power planer? I have used a planer before but not a router.

Regarding ripping out the studs and replacing them, wouln't that ruin the other finished wall that the studs are attached to?

 

[Kirby]

Originally posted by: Rastus
Cut it 3/8" with a saw in several places along the length and use a hammer and chisel to split out the rest.

qft, get a skil saw and set the depth to 3/8" and knock it out.

 

[Greenman]

Without removing the studs, any method you use is going to be slow, rough and dirty. Bite the bullet, remove the studs and cut them down. The 2 top and 1 bottom plates will still be to wide, but I assume you've planed for that.

 

[FP]

My Dremel has a planar attachment that worked when I had to plane some door frames earlier this year. It may take a fews passes but it should work.

 

[Batti]

I would consider the router to be quite a bit more dangerous to handle than the planer, given you need to run it up on edge up and down the whole length.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: binister
My Dremel has a planar attachment that worked when I had to plane some door frames earlier this year. It may take a fews passes but it should work.

Can you link me to a pic of your setup?

Edit: I found a pic-->http://www.toolsforless.com/images/products/pd/400-6--90-4.jpg

I never knew planes existed for Dremels.

 

[dullard]

Taking out and replacing 4 studs would be, what, 10 minutes of work? Sure, there are other methods like everyone above mentioned. But why bother when doing studs is so quick and easy.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: dullard
Taking out and replacing 4 studs would be, what, 10 minutes of work? Sure, there are other methods like everyone above mentioned. But why bother when doing studs is so quick and easy.

Because I can't take out the studs without taking out the finished wall and damaging the finished ceiling.

These are studs for an interior wall.

 

[FP]

I am sure you have already found it online but here it is at Amazon.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Batti
I'd plane them if you are sure there is no metal. Maybe a power planer?

like this

Might be able to rent one...

Grizzly sells them for $50 plus shipping or you could pick up a Ryobi or some crap from the BORG since you only need it once.