Where can we get a stake puller around SF or Seattle?

[akb427]

My camp is bringing some very large military tents. We're gonna need a stake puller to get out the big stakes, and I'm not sure where to get one for a reasonable price; home depot wants $300.

We have people coming from Seattle and SF; are there places around there we could score one?
Anyone want to sell/loan/trade us one?

[seantildawn]

How big are these stakes?

[TomServo]

and an vw bug jack..or a hi lift jack

couldn't tell you where to find a puller, but they are cheap

[Bob]

Good grief. Hire a Mexican.

[Shambala]

Why not bring a stake puller with you? Why start searching for one while you're on the road? Sure, you might be able to save $25, but is it worth it?
Good grief!

[akb427]

OK, for future reference, here's one way to build a stake puller out of cheap home depot materials.... sorry no pics, after the burn it went to one coast and I to the other...

There are three components: A fulcrum, a lever, and a cable to transmit pull from the lever to the stakes.

Fulcrum: 4x4 post around 36" long. Optimally, with a metal end cap added. The end cap probably isn't needed, but cuts down on splintering and if it has projecting tabs that aren't sharp, it makes it easier to hold the fulcrum in place during use.
Lever: Large solid metal prybar around 4' long, with a couple of hose clamps on it to keep the cable from slipping off the end while in use.
Cable: Steel aircraft/guy wire cable with the rigging hardware to put a small loop in each end. One loop goes over the stake, the other goes over the end of the lever.

Set up with the fulcrum standing vertical on the ground near the stake, put one loop of the cable around the stake and the other end loop of the cable around the end of the lever, rest the lever horizontally atop the fulcrum. Ideally use with two people: one holds the fulcrum steady while the other pushes down on the lever. Watch for cable splinters.

If you are having trouble visualizing the entire unit, picture this: T. Yes, a capital letter T followed by a period. The vertical of the T is the 4x4, the horizontal is the prybar, the period is the tent stake. Make the cable go from the right end of the top of the T to the period, push down on the left end of the top of the T. In reality, is usually better to have the vertical a bit closer to the stake rather than in the middle of the lever.

Main thing is to design a system with no give in it so that all the force gets transmitted, so a metal cable is better than rope, rigger's hardware better than knots, solid prybar better than wooden handl.

[Bob]

You never stated what kind of stakes, but roughly 100% of people don't need anything more complicated than visegrips and a hammer.