driving common nails

Chances are, if you’re a DIY enthusiast, you’ve likely encountered that home improvement staple – the common nail. Common nails are the tool of choice when it comes to general construction – the steel material is smooth and reflective, with a blunt end and a head measuring about 1/4 of an inch in diameter. The most widespread length clocks in at around 3-1/2 inches.

With the nail nestled firmly in your fingers, take your dominant hand and grasp it about halfway up the shaft. Setting the wood resting in your non-dominant hand, position it in a steady spot to allow nailing. Then, with a firm grip on both items, let the hammer meet the nail as you slowly hammer it into the wooden piece.

With a firm grasp, use your go-to hand to secure the hammer at the head. Initiate your task with a gentle tap that sets the nail in motion. Then, as you progress, increase the impact of your swings until the nail is even with the semblance of the wood beneath.

When the going gets tough and it’s hard to get the nail started, a few tricks may come in handy. One option is making use of a nail set, a convenient tool for tapping the nail into the wood. Alternatively, tapping the nail with a scrap piece of wood can easily do the job too.

When the nail is firmly in place, you can add more force when striking it.

If driving that nail fully in is causing you problems, there’s a few options you can attempt. Utilizing a nail set could be helpful; this is a small, easy-to-handle instrument people use to help drive the nail in. An alternate approach would be to use some kind of throwaway wood piece as the hammering apparatus.

If the timber is yielding, a screwdriver can be used to slightly lever the nail out of place. Once it begins to move, more impact can be applied to drive it out.

Struggling to get the job done? Why not attempt a switch of nails? Various sizes of common nails are at your disposal, so experiment with both a smaller or larger one to determine what works best for you.

When the nail has been completely secured, your work here is done!

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