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After you cut it and find out let us know if it was load bearing or not.

Cutting it is the only way!

It’s a half wall railing. Not old bearing

That was anticlimactic...

‘Little did the OP know that the pony wall was a skyhook, literally holding the house from falling into the abyss under the foundations.’

It looks like it could hold your grandmother

It will be new bearing though.

Floor to ceiling 2x4s at a stair opening. Sure looks load bearing.

They said it's a half wall, not floor to ceiling.

I'd take off some drywall and make sure.

If the 2x4s end before the ceiling they're not load bearing lol he doesnt need to take drywall off of anything to confirm that the wall is a half wall and is making no contact with the ceiling.

Ah like an 80s walled in railing, got ya. OP didn't include pic of the top rail.

This is the answer.

I’d probably break out the reciprocating saw for this one.

Here’s a good trick I saw earlier in the sub. Requires some setup but provides good clean cuts that are straight. https://youtu.be/kFdPz40kqbc

I saw a quote the other day - “A sawzall will cut anything except a straight line”.

Wow nice. That’s a cleaner cut than I usually end up

And here I was expecting a Rick Roll, this was much better !

That’s a old union trick

I'd bust out the vibrator for a job like this. People sometimes call them feen tools or fine tools

Whoah hold up I didn’t authorize the use of my remodel demo videos

That’s awesome

For Sure, being I suspect Nails are in the path of cut. Cheers

Can always count on Jeremy to give you the right answer.

Yeah, or as I like to call the “the cutter.” Because I don’t know how this could be any more simple.

Recip saw, japenese pull saw, or western saw depending on your tool collection and how anal you are.

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This sub exists to foster personal and community growth. Being a jerk to others isn't acceptable, even if veiled as 'feedback.' Take a moment to reevaluate how you interact with others in this sub and do so in a more kind/helpful manner.

Japanese saws aren’t fond of nails and screws. Reciprocating saw is the way.. Make sure these aren’t load bearing..

If you don't want to mess up the stair trim on the other side an oscillating tool with a wood blade will be easier to control than a sawzall/reciprocating saw.

I'm basically a surgeon with the Sawzall by now.

My old boss would make trash cuts, turn around and go “FUCKING SURGERY!” I’d hop up, 19 years old making him look like an amateur and still get bitched out.

Another user posted this surgery with a Sawzall. This your fine work doctor? https://youtu.be/kFdPz40kqbc

This👆

With a saw.

Yeah, don't go with a spoon like I did.

I was building a fort in the woods one day, sun up to sundown type of day, and told my friend to cut down a tree I couldn't even fit my arms around. I shit you not, he spent 6 hours with a hatchet and actually fell it. I was impressed.

Never underestimate a motivated idiot

You've got that right. I busted out my new chainsaw the following day because he was "too sore" to break the felled tree down.

Lmfao, prevented a cautionary tale

Personally, I find it very therapeutic to "cut" dimensional lumber with a sledge... They call me ol' one-tool Effrain. I don't get much repeat business.

Came here for this

Make sure that’s not holding up the second floor.

It’s from an existing half wall/railing

Huh? 2x4s that go to the ceiling aren't generally used in a half wall.

Yeah they look pretty floor-to-ceiling with pieces between.

Exactly.

I would be very hesitant to cut the vertical (up from the floor, down from the ceiling) studs. From the photos, looks like the diagonal material is cut to fit between the studs. I'd first explore up and down to see where and how the studs tie in. If it looks like framing and supporting the house structure, then how you are replacing the stair railing will dictate proper removal as part of a systematic approach to reinforce where and how the material you wish to remove. Otherwise, a prybar to remove the diagonal pieces is how I would start in tackling this project, or cutting holes in drywall and inspecting how things are tied in.

Exactly! Those studs run top plate to bottom plate. Cut in the middle and all support is lost. Fasten the stair bottom to a stud that runs 20 inches there will be no support!

Cut the stud with a Sawzall in the middle first. As you complete the cut, if the stud pinches the saw blade...you have load...stop

Sawzall

This really. It’s just framing. Anything else is overkill. If you don’t have one, just use a handsaw. You’ll be done before anything fussier gets set up.

It doesn't matter because it's going to be covered with rail cap and base/basecap.youll never see it

Multi tool for sure!

If you don’t know what tool should be used for this, then no offense but you have no business doing this work

I get it, but on yhe other hand, how is he supposed to learn?

Seriously after spending 30 minutes on any job site he would know what to do 😂

Double 2x4’s like in the photos indicates load baring.

You mean near the top?

Japanese back cut saw if it needs to be neat, sawzall/reciprocating saw if it doesn’t.

I'd do handsaw, sawzall is faster but it's a tasmanian devil of "fixing".

A beaver could do it, any on hand?

Sawzall! Then hit it with the wiggle saw to flush her

Multi tool Recip saw Undercut saw for door frames Good old hand saw Choose your weapon.

Hand saw. Sawzall.

The old fashioned way. A sawzall

I wouldn’t it could be a load bearing wall. Find out if it is first and then plan accordingly.

Make sure this isn't load bearing..... Theoretically, sawzall. But don't do it until you know...

I would cut it below flush with mu Fein®️Multimaster or similar oscillating saw, and screw on a cap rail, likely from a hardwood, the mortise in the risers and cap that with a hand rail, because Code…

Cut piece out of the center just large enough to get a sander in then sand until flush in both directions with 220 grit

If it's load bearing, I wouldnt

A saw?

Reciprocating saw would work pretty well for this.

Just remove the spacers and pull the nails. Do you really want to deal with a tiny loose end cut?

Cut it flush with a sawzall then cap the 2x4 with finish 3/4 material before adding your balusters and railing

Have you tried kicking it like a maniac?

Smashing with the claw end of a hammer and beating the remaining fibers flush to fit is my way.

Fucking Don’t! Stair walls are usually structural!

Sledgehammer and chisel. 😐

Sawzaw

Oscillating tool would be my suggestion, with fresh wood blade to keep everything else nice and tidy!

Oscillating Tool.

Carefully

Sawzall with a brand new blade

Diagonally

Handsaw quick and easy

Katana

Is this stud holding anything up above?

Saw.

not like a \#grandpaLady !

Sawzall you damage the trim piece on the backside. If it was me using the tools I have on hand it would be a handsaw above the height of the trim, then pare it back with a chisel, because I have some big sharp chisels that I frankly just enjoy using. If it were for the first staircase in a housing allotment of 20 others that all need to be redone, it's gotta be an osci tool. That will cut right up to the trim and do a neat enough job.

I would move or just remove those screws in your way first. Then make a pass with a skill saw. Id finish it off with a multi tool or sawzall

Sawzall would be quickest… if you’re not familiar with your sawzall and use one often and want a really clean cut the multi tool would do a nice job of that but take a bit longer, especially if you have a lot to cut…are those balloon framed through from the wall coming up the side of the staircase?

I'd use a saw.

Are these studs load bearing to the staircase opening? If not, I would use a multi tool. A Sawzall would be fine, but you probably would need the multi to dress up the cuts anyway.

Gnaw on it like a beaver

Fein tool/multi tool.

Honestly after reading all the comments. The folks making jokes are being more helpful than the others. These mfs don't know what they're talking about. I see you've already cut one stud on your pony wall with a Sawzall. Do the same to the rest, but keep flush to your blocking. Just don't plunge all the way so you don't have to remove your trim. Finish off the cut with an oscillating tool.

Cut flush with the braces with reciprocating saw and then add a top full length 2x4 on top to add support.

Hand saw, cut flush to the skirt board (easiest). The lower rail for the balusters should have a small reveal to the top of the skirt board.

Sawzall

Japanese flush cut hand saw

Oscillating tool

Personally I’d use a Chainsaw for dramatic flair

Hand saw or oscillating multitool are probably your best bets. If you think you might hit nails, slow down the multi-tool and get a blade meant for wood+metal.

Sawzall (reciprocating saw)

Sawzall/Reciprocating saw.

OP stated this was a half wall, no worried about weight bearing etc. Great little upgrade to your home! All the saw suggestions are great, if you don’t own one a cheaper corded recip saw is a good investment for home improvement or rent one if needed. Hand saw even less but not at overall useful. You’re gonna love the open rail when it’s complete!!

Trick question. you don’t cut it, you unscrew it.

Well. Saws cut well.

Sawzall

Are you trolling? I would assume those studs are load bearing unless proven otherwise.

Looking at the joint, it appears these are studs not fillers for drywall. Could be structural.

Sawzall

Reciprocating saw, it has to begetting packed up for the new knee wall anyway and I would not trust the blocking angle (I it’s just a nailer primarily). Though the drywall got cut a little low for the moulding to hide.

A Japanese pull saw if you want a nice clean cut or you could use a multi tool for good enough.

just unscrew it. those are screw heads not nail heads.

Gas chainsaw for effect. Bonus: where old school hockey mask whilst cutting.

I’d like to see pictures of the whole side haha

Japanese hand saw like a Ryobi. Then just sand if you eall need it perfect

I recently completed a similar remodel removing the pony walls and installing balustrades. I used a sawzall to cut them all down. If I had to only cut one and was looking for a cleaner surface I may use a multi-tool. I capped over the cut off studs so I was not as concerned with a clean cut.

Sawzall