 To withdraw
large nails use a pinch bar and for smaller nails and to save your work from
being marked, place a block of wood between the tool and the work.
Use safety
goggles when hammering metals. Too often chips fly from steel chisels, or
nailheads break off.
Whenever possible, drive the nail through
the thinner piece of wood into the thicker one.
Use a nail that is at least twice in length
than the thickness of the thinner piece of wood.
Pre-drilling a pilot hole, slightly smaller
than the nail thickness you will be using, prevents splitting the wood and
is recommended for hardwoods (oak, maple, etc.) or near the ends of boards.
Blunting the point of the nail with your
hammer before driving it also prevents splitting. Do this by tapping the end
of the nail while the head rests on a solid surface. |
