removal
I need to level a patch of ground in order to put in a shed, but there's a large stump right in the middle of where the shed will go.
Since I'm in a suburban setting, dynamite is out, fires are illegal, and I can't get a truck anywhere near the location.
Is there any way to easily remove the stump? I've looked at renting something like a bobcat, but with delivery & pickup I'm looking at $500+.
For the main deck, I would recommend a floor sander, similar to what's used for finishing hardwood floors. Put a 100-120-grit belt on it and take it back and forth along the deck in the same direction as the planks until you see bare wood. Once you have bare wood, I would apply whatever stain or sealant you want very quickly thereafter, as you have just removed a large portion of both the artificial and natural weather and bug resistance the wood had.
A handheld orbital or belt sander will get most of the stuff off the vertical components (handrails and pickets). You'll need a "corner cat" or other detail sander, or some elbow grease, to get the paint out of crevices and detail work.
You will not be able to avoid taking off some wood along with the paint. Paint (especially a product designed for this kind of outdoor application) will seep into the grain of the wood, and you will be removing wood before you see the color disappear and bare wood show through.
By the way, you will still need to maintain the deck after staining and sealing. The stain will last for quite a while, but you'll need to re-apply the water seal at least once a year, once every 6 months if you get a lot of rain.
Are you turning the right way? Remember, "Righty tighty, Lefty loosy" (which never made sense to me). Most screws are right-handed threads, so you'll turn them anti(counter)-clockwise to remove them. In some situations left-hand thread screws are used (usually to prevent screws from loosening due to rotational forces), so you'll actually have to turn the screw clock-wise to loosen it.
Sometimes tightening the screw very, very slightly, can loosen it up enough that it can be removed.
The first thing to try, is simply to apply more inward force while turning.
If you are using a screwdriver with a hexagonal or square shaft, you can grip the shaft of the screwdriver with an adjustable spanner (wrench) or vise grips. This will allow you to exert more torque, and may put you in a better position to push the screwdriver harder into the screw head.
Sometimes screws seize up due to rust, or other debris. Soaking the area with penetrating oil, may free up the screw enough for you to remove it.
If both methods above have not worked, giving the area a sharp tap with a hammer might break the screw free.
Remember, you're not trying to knock the screw into next week, you just want to loosen it up (though there are situations where you'll have to give the piece a healthy whack).
For really stuck screws, you can use a manual impact driver.
This may not always be the best tool when working with sensitive electronics or delicate equipment, but it's very useful for removing stuck screws.
If you still cannot remove the screw, as a last resort you can drill the screw out.
This is a last-ditch effort, and will destroy the screw (and possibly the threads in the hole, if not done correctly). Use this technique only as your last resort.
Remove the screw, and everything else in a 20ft. radius.
It's a good idea to film the explosion using a high-speed camera, so you can watch it over and over again in super slow-mo.
Best Answer
Go to your local rental store and ask for a walk-behind stump grinder. They are easy to use, cheap ($40-50 a day). Get some instruction from the rental store. This machine is self propelled and can get into small areas. Grind out the stump to a few inches below ground grade, then build your shed right over it!!!! Good Luck