Nailing Tips And Removing Nails

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For accurate, well finished work, nails alone do not normally make a strong joint. However, if the nails are angled in opposition to each other, a reasonable joint can be made. When used in conjunction with one of the modern, woodworking adhesives, a very strong joint can be achieved. Nailing Tips below shows some common nailing techniques. Seldom are nails driven straight, a stronger joint can be made if they go in at an angle or skew.

When nailing two pieces of wood together, nail the smaller to the larger. Avoid nailing into hardwoods altogether: if you must, drill a pilot hole first, slightly smaller than the shank of the nail.

[edit] Nailing Tips

A. Use nails about 3 times as long as the work piece. Always nail smaller to larger
A. Use nails about 3 times as long as the work piece. Always nail smaller to larger
B. On rough work, clench-nailed joints are much stronger.
B. On rough work, clench-nailed joints are much stronger.
C. Skew-nailing is one of the best ways of securing a housing joint.
C. Skew-nailing is one of the best ways of securing a housing joint.


D. When nailing into end-grain, drive in nails at opposing angles.
D. When nailing into end-grain, drive in nails at opposing angles.
E. Driving more than one nail along the same grain line risks splitting the wood.
E. Driving more than one nail along the same grain line risks splitting the wood.
F. Nail small battens over length to avoid splitting the end. Afterwards, saw or plane off the excess.
F. Nail small battens over length to avoid splitting the end. Afterwards, saw or plane off the excess.


G. Avoid 'bouncing' by placing a block under the work piece.
G. Avoid 'bouncing' by placing a block under the work piece.
H. Small nails can be positioned with the aid of a cardboard holder.
H. Small nails can be positioned with the aid of a cardboard holder.
I. Secret nailing. Prise up a sliver of timber with a chisel, nail, then glue down sliver.
I. Secret nailing. Prise up a sliver of timber with a chisel, nail, then glue down sliver.


Wrong Way
Wrong Way
Right Way
Right Way
Right Way
Right Way

[edit] Removing Nails

The claw hammer is used to remove partially driven nails.

To avoid damaging the surface of the wood, place a small off cut of timber under the hammer head before you start levering.


Extract nails with a number of pulls rather than trying to do the job in one.


Use pincers to remove small nails and pins, which are difficult to grip with the claw hammer.

Rock the curved face of the tool on the wood surface to draw the nail smoothly out.

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