A good tip (hammering a small nail)

User

14 years ago

4 Ways to hammer a small nail

I never would have thougght of these, so I thought I'd share this page.

Here is a link that might be useful: Save your fingers!

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Comments (9)

LuAnn_in_PA
14 years ago
I have been doing the cardboard one for decades.... good tips!
lynn_d
14 years ago
I learned the comb one years ago from the House Doctor! But I agree, they are all great ideas.
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Thank you all for your coments I read them all, because I am an electrician with 23 yrs under my belt. Now I am helping my son remodel and when it comes to framing I am a good Electrician. We built our first wall today, what a night mare. He wanted to use screws, but, I said "no" cause I new there was a reason you guys swing those hamers or shoot your guns. We had hell I got the right nails but again, sparky cant hit a nail and dont know the tricks, however, my son (very head strong) had it in his head how to build it with screws, however, I got nails and as I am buying them. Then he tried to build what was in his head, I wish I would have gotten screws cause what a cluster fck that was. My hat is off to you guys no wonder you are usually the General Contractor on the job cause you no what to nail in first. We did use the pilot drill method and it worked great but my god If in I had to build a house with nails I would shoot myself for lack of hitting the head. Thank you for the help and keep posting and if I can help you with any electrical needs let me know cause I am way out of my depth on buildig things. Thanks
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You can do the job woth punches. Extra long drive pin punches are often teh tool of choice. I use them regualrly to remove door split door jambs since the molding is stapled on both sides. kudzu9 is correct, Start with a nail punch to drive the head in until the hole is about 1/8 inch in diameter, then use a 1/8 inch drive punch, then an extra long 1/8 inch drive pin punch. Starting witht e long punch risks bending it. A dead blow hammer also minimizes damage to you and the wood work.
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Hammer, nails, and nail set----making sure the nail set is the correct size for the finish nail being used(I have three different sized nail sets.) Since you already have the nails, it will be less expensive to buy a nail set---or a nail set set(A set of three or so different sized nail sets). You want to use a smooth faced hammer as well. There is a chance you will miss and dent the wood----but, with a pneunatic nailer there are several bad things that can happen as well----all worse than dented wood trim. Nail blowouts split the wood, or can stab fingers. Nails not buried far enough---a real bear to sink when that happens as most small nail sets are too large for air finish nails. Predrill just the trim, that allows the nails to go in easier as well as protecting from splits.
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dotmom
14 years ago
I use Fun-tack, a clay type stuff for hanging posters, on the bottom corners of my pictures so they stay hanging straight. When I am going to hammer a small nail, I put the nail through a glob of the fun tack and push it against the wall and it will hold the nail until I hit it. Then I jut pull the glob off and use it on the corners.
sjerin
14 years ago
Thank you, Joanne! I will remember these the next time I'm hammering a little nail.
donna_loomis
14 years ago
DH thanks you from the bottom of his heart.
lazypup
14 years ago
There is a much easier & safer way to get the nail positioned exactly where you want it on the first try every time.

Get a "Brad Pusher"

The brad pusher has a telescoping hollow tube extending from the handle. You put the nail in the tube with the point extending out the front, then align the nail point exactly were you want it and push in on the handle. The tube telescoped into the handle and an internal pusher will push the nail in. With a bit of practice you can set most finishing nails without even picking up a hammer and for the rest of them, the nail will be started about half way and all you need to do is apply a couple light taps with your hammer.

You can get a "Brad Pusher" at the tool department in any hardware or home supply center for about $10.
bigbaby
14 years ago
Great website! I got lost in here for a while! Really like the section where she does house tours. Thanks for posting this Joann!
cheryl_ok
14 years ago
So JoAnn, what are you hammering with small nails?
joyfulguy
14 years ago
Building material prices have gone through the roof - she's downsizing!

My ex-'s hobby was doing miniatures, and she built a house about 2.5' high - like a doll's house, but much more detailed; and fragile. Now covers most of a table in my living room: they had it at a miniatures' sale several years ago, but no interest: people want to build their own!

o j

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A good tip (hammering a small nail)

Comments (9)

LuAnn_in_PA

lynn_d

Related Discussions

dotmom

sjerin

donna_loomis

lazypup

bigbaby

cheryl_ok

joyfulguy

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