DIYers, how often do you use the correct tool?

[dwasifar]

You can pull hand- driven nails with a claw hammer or prybar if the inner edges are sharp enough, but it's clumsy and dents the wood all over.

A beekeeper's hive tool is perfect for doing that. They are cheap, and made from spring steel, so they pry really, really well. The hooked end can be pounded in and then exerts tremendous force.

I think I'm not making the task clear here. I'm talking about pulling the nail through the wood from the back side, head and all, like this:

So I can't see how a claw hammer or prybar (like that hive tool) would grip the smooth nail shaft. That's why I use pliers. The guy in the picture is using nippers, which I also never thought of but looks like it would work well.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I think I'm not making the task clear here. I'm talking about pulling the nail through the wood from the back side, head and all, like this:

So I can't see how a claw hammer or prybar (like that hive tool) would grip the smooth nail shaft. That's why I use pliers. The guy in the picture is using nippers, which I also never thought of but looks like it would work well.

Sorry, I thought you meant you needed a way to pull the trim off the wall. I've never pried any off that brought the nail with it--they always stay behind after pulling the tiny nail gun head through. The few times I've done what your picture shows I just used a channel lock upside down.

 

[JR 42]

Yes, I'd recommend end nips, they worked great for me. I keep them in my tool bag at work and use them frequently for pulling nails, but not often for pulling nails out of molding anymore.

To use a hammer for this, you swing the claw into the nail shank on the backside of the molding (so the claw bites into the shank), and then push the handle over at a right angle to the claw direction. It's awkward, and you're more likely to dent the molding on an edge or split it, but it works in a pinch. With a prybar, you drive the bar claw (or notch) into the nail and pry. The key in both cases is having a fine enough edge in the claw to grip the nail shank. It's a lot harder with finish gun nails, and pretty easy with thicker ones.

 

[Jack84]

It's the model number of Channellock 12" pliers. Just how we refer to them at work. 440s or 420s.

Thanks.

 

[dwasifar]

Sorry, I thought you meant you needed a way to pull the trim off the wall. I've never pried any off that brought the nail with it--they always stay behind after pulling the tiny nail gun head through. The few times I've done what your picture shows I just used a channel lock upside down.

In my current house, whenever I pull off a piece of trim it's about 50/50 whether the nails stay in the wall or come out with the trim. The ones that stay in the wall I just hammer in. The brads on the inner edge of door casing usually come out with the trim.

Last week I replaced an exterior door, and all the nails on both sides came off with the trim - the outside because they wouldn't pull through the thick brickmold, and the inside because they weren't nailgun nails, just ordinary finish nails driven in with a hammer and a nailset the old-school way. (I put that trim up years ago, before I had my own finish nailer.) I replaced the casing with new pieces when I trimmed out the new door, but I'm still going to yank the nails out of the old pieces because I have a use in mind for them eventually.

 

[Jim C.]

As often as possible, and if I don’t have it and it’s not cost prohibitive, I’ll usually go buy it.

Jim C.

 

[PelicanPines]

To be a true DIYer ... you must use the correct tool.

If you improvise... you are a professional... not a DIY.

 

[sberry]

My MIL was watching me demo a rabbit hutch. Said,, I never knew 1 tool could do so much referring to number 9's.

 

[dwasifar]

My MIL was watching me demo a rabbit hutch. Said,, I never knew 1 tool could do so much referring to number 9's.

Number 9's?

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Before I went to college for Automotive, and working in field.
I had improvised few times, sometimes I have too recent.
When my 32 impact 1/2 for hub socket broke, I grabbed 32 oil filter socket and used adapter (1/2 to 3/8)
I took of the hub nut lol

 

[NUTTSGT]

I just bought a slide hammer to try to pull a hub assembly off the wife's Explorer. I've slammed that weighted handle I don't know how many damn times and the hub is still stuck. I just broke out my AeroKroil again and sprayed it down. . . .

. . . taking a break and then I'm going back in there with a BFH. 99.8% of the time, the correct tool for every damn job.

 

[Ramblin Man]

I just bought a slide hammer to try to pull a hub assembly off the wife's Explorer. I've slammed that weighted handle I don't know how many damn times and the hub is still stuck. I just broke out my AeroKroil again and sprayed it down. . . .

. . . taking a break and then I'm going back in there with a BFH. 99.8% of the time, the correct tool for every damn job.

I now wrap a rag or towel or something around the weight of the slide hammer to give me a whip or tail to grab hold of. That takes a lot of the shock from your arms and gives you more kapowee. You can "whip" the weight instead of slamming it by hand. I hope that is understandable.