What is the fastest method for removing loose oil paint on a wood surface?

Simply have the MIL breathe on the affected area, gone in a jiffy!

If the wire wheel works, and doesn’t destroy the surface that you’re trying to paint, then that could be fine. Hand scrapers are pretty safe because unless you get really careless and use the tool totally improperly, you’re just scraping flat against a flat surface. So all you’ll be removing is loose paint (and minuscule amounts of siding). Wire brushes can scratch pretty deeply, and powered wire wheels can eat right through siding in no time.

If you’re very careful (or maybe if you made a jig to ensure that the wire could not penetrate deeply – like the guard on a skilsaw, for example) then a powered wire wheel should work fine. You also don’t want to overheat the drill motor, because your use for “scraping the side of the house” would be a huge increase in duty cycle over the design intent.

Test for lead if the house is older than the 1970’s.

You don’t want to disturb and breathe lead dust! And putting a mask on only stops you from inhaling it while you work, there will be lead dust everywhere.
Here’s a website for lead paint

Is it outside or inside? If outside, power washing could remove a lot of the loose paint.

@ucme That is an option :)
@WasCy -I am all about destroying things with power tools…actually it is not a very big job.I just want it over with ASAP—
@Tropical_Willie Thank you.The “new” parts of my house were built in the 40’s,but what I am painting,I had applied the paint in the past few years myself to a bare wood surface.
@marinelife They are outside wooden steps and part of a porch that runs the length of the front of the house.
I have decided to make Vunessuh do it when she comes to visit! If she loses in a game of basketball/“horse” that will be her punishment! LOLOLOL!