by Sean Curtis

Created on: July 02, 2007

Removing stubborn nails from wood can be frustrating at times. But with a few helpful tips you'll cut down on the time you spend on the job and the headache that usually results. The hammer is the most common tool used for nail removal. In most cases, it will do the job perfectly. Here are some approaches to use the hammer more effectively.

GET LEVERAGE. If you find yourself struggling to remove a nail, try putting a piece of scrap wood under the head of hammer. This will give you added leverage to pull the nail up and out.

STRAIGHTEN THE NAIL. A bent nail can be harder to remove than a straight one. If the nail is severely bent, gently tap the nail to straighten it out. This will allow you to pull the nail out at a more effective angle.

TAP THE POINT OF THE NAIL. This isn't always possible, but if you can get to the tip of the nail, tap it with your hammer. This will get the nail moving in the right direction. After a few taps, the nail will pull out with no trouble.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS, TRY ANOTHER TOOL. If the hammer isn't working it may be time to try another tool. Some people use vice grips to lock on to nails and twist to remove them. This can work very well, especially when you create some leverage with some scrap wood, as noted above. For larger nails, many people use pry bars.

Most nails pop right out with no trouble. But sometimes you need to give the nail a little extra help. Hopefully these tips will come in handy on your next woodworking project.

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