Nail sets (most trivial tool recommendation thread ever)

[dwasifar]

Background: Today I was reclaiming a bunch of deck joists. The people who took it down bent the nails over, so I cut them flush with a grinder and drove them out with a nail set, because I had it on hand. Being intended for countersinking finish nails rather than driving framing nails out of two-bys, the nail set is somewhat the worse for wear now, and I need to buy a replacement.

I search Amazon, and they have a bunch of familiar and respected brands like Horusdy, Whlling, Xage, Sedy, and Qwork. Names that everyone knows, right?

For something as simple as a nail set, do you think it matters whether you buy a real brand like Stanley or a fly-by-night make-believe brand like Horusdy? It's not like they don't both come from China anyway.

 

[JRC3]

How is it "worse for wear?" The tip? Square it back off with a cutoff disc or grinder.

 

[RivennHewn]

1st world problems

 

[dwasifar]

How is it "worse for wear?" The tip? Square it back off with a cutoff disc or grinder.

Well, that would change its gauge, because it's tapered, so I'd have to re-taper it too. And it's mushroomed at the other end. My intention was just to keep this one for this kind of abuse and get another for actual finish nail countersinking.

Let's pretend I don't have one at all, and I'm trying to decide whether to buy a name brand or an Amazon alphabet-soup brand. Do you think it matters?

 

[dwasifar]

1st world problems

Admitted it was trivial right in the title. Still curious what people think, though.

 

[The Cobbler]

Nail set? what is this tool you speak of? Oh yea, they predated nail guns.
sorry, not intending to be a smart *** . just being an idiot

 

[dwasifar]

Nail set? what is this tool you speak of? Oh yea, they predated nail guns.
sorry, not intending to be a smart *** . just being an idiot

Yeah, granted I use it a lot less these days. Basically only if I'm nailing something I can't use the gun for, or to tap home a nail that's worked its way proud of the surface. Or, occasionally, as a centering punch when drilling wood.

 

[nadogail]

I have not purchased a Nail Set in the last 40+ years, nor do i recall using one in the last 30+ years. I am so far out of touch with the Nail Set using community, that if I were to go to the store looking for one I would ask the Sales Person who waited on me for a recommendation.

 

[shoeless]

https://www.menards.com/main/tools/...852385009.htm?tid=-5466272685312094041&ipos=1
Wilde Tools makes one here in the US. Pretty sure Tekton sells it as their brand as well.

 

[CGarage]

The sales folks do not know anything the vast majority of the time these days.
In the U.S., I would likely pick Stanley. Versus the “off branded” items from China.

 

[RTM]

I grab any brand I recognize at a garage sale, but that does you no good. Stanley from any local store should be OK. If Wilde or Mayhew made them, they are probably o k too.

 

[Ricky Joe]

How is it "worse for wear?" The tip? Square it back off with a cutoff disc or grinder.

Mail sets typically have a dimple at the tip that you would lose by grinding, designed to match the finish nail head.

 

[alinc100]

Spring-Loaded Nail Set

Woodworking assortment of spring loaded nail sets designed to provide up to 3,500 psi of driving force.

www.rockler.com

 

[mike93lx]

I have mostly used a center punch for the applications you listed, but recently caved and bought a set at lowes, craftsman I think. For how little use they will get, my kids will throw them away in 50 years while grumbling about all the **** I have.

Just buy anything

 

[Corset1975]

strange world i use nails sets a lot as i use them to hide pins and nails in woodoworking as intended. I like starrett or eclipse (uK). However my go to set is PB swiss, soo nice. I bought a stanley fatmax one but it was not great. Hope that helps

 

[lardy1]

I buy vintage ones at garage sales. I haven't bought a new nail set since I was a cub.

 

[Dave455]

Personally, while there are some things I might economise on, striking tools are not one of them. I used to once, but there’s a very noticeable difference in the quality so I don’t now.

Definitely forget the Amazon specials. Stanley might be better, would have been once, but doubt they are now. I’m generally very disappointed in the quality of Stanley tools.

I’m in the U.K. so my choices might be different, but I’d be happy with any of the following -

Priory - cheapest I’d use. Inexpensive ($4 ish) and perfectly acceptable. British made.

Eclipse. I use these myself. A frac more expensive than Priory, but a slightly better tool. Also British made.

PB Swiss. Comparable money to the Eclipse so good value. Better finished (really nice) but perhaps not so hefty.

Starrett. Very nice, but double the cost of the Eclipse for me.

 

[KnurledNut]

Once you use a Spring Tools nailset you’ll never want to use a regular one ever again.

When I have to, I use my mini Sharkgrip. They make the best nail pullers too. I’ve pulled thousands of nails and nothing compares to their Japanese engineering across their range of sizes. (With the exception of TOP Japans combo puller bar.)
Most of your better quality pullers copy their profile but none are as good as the original.

 

[billconner]

I bought a Stanley set a few years back when doing a lot of white oak trim - a lot - and they have been great. Set of 3 - each with a different bright color vinyl sleeve. Easy to find and easy to identify the one I'm using for a particular nail. Just installed a solid wood floor and very helpful for those first and last strips where you can't use floor nailer unimpeded.

 

[jives]

Couple of years ago I could not find a couple of my nailsets and punches. Decided to treat myself to a new set of punches (okay, so not a nailset) and a couple of new metal chisels. Bought what I thought were quality Mayhew from HD. The centerpunch dulled and the pin punch bent and one of the chisels dulled upon first contact. About the most disappointing tool purchase ever.

 

[lardy1]

Pin punches don't last long as a nail set. Ask me how I know.

 

[JRC3]

The people who took it down bent the nails over, so I cut them flush with a grinder and drove them out with a nail set...

Maybe try other ways to remove nails too. Here's my nail removal setup. All 3 are kept in my daily work bag.

 

[billconner]

Someone knows - that tool for removing nails with a slider on the handle?

 

[m6z]

I usually use a prybar and a good pair of pliers to remove nails. Have I been doing it wrong this whole time?

Edit: like the one posted above.

 

[RTM]

Someone knows - that tool for removing nails with a slider on the handle?

The blood blister creator? I have one, and would only use it for wood which I am planning to destroy the working face.

Crescent Tools : Crescent-Smith & Hemenway Tools : Crescent Tool Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

24 p., illus., 14.7 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Another decent quality, but not low priced nail set is here. Great for tight clearance.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/hand-tools/punches/40379-japanese-nail-set?item=44K1301

 

[RonnieC]

Pin punches don't last long as a nail set. Ask me how I know.

How do you know?

 

[lardy1]

How do you know?

By destroying pin punches when I couldn't find my nail set. They bend.

 

[billconner]

Someone knows - that tool for removing nails with a slider on the handle?

 

[WWheeler]

Someone knows - that tool for removing nails with a slider on the handle?

I suspect what you're referring to is just called a nail puller, or 'sure grip' nail puller. Crescent and Bahco still make them, or if you search ebay for 'slide hammer nail puller' you can usually find a vintage one made by Bridgeport, Greenlee, Crescent, etc.

Amazon.com : slide hammer nail puller

FWIW I sometimes yank nails out of pallets with a vise grip attachment on a slide hammer? OTC sells the slide hammer attachment called a "Grip Wrench Adapter". Perhaps other companies make one too. IDK. Or with a welder it's easy to fab one.

 

[JradM]

I've got some Stanleys in my tool box, they seem fine. However, were I "in the market", I'd probably look at Dasco.

I've been impressed with their punches and awls, I don't see why a nailset would be much different.



Alternately, with a higher budget, I consider Mayhew to be the top-dog in punches. They've got some slick-looking offerings too:

 

[four.cycle]

Home Page | SpringTools

^ embrace the new technology. stop smashing your fingers.

Noxon / Noxon, Inc. DBA Spring Tools, 2921 No. University, Spokane, WA 99206 (also Spring Line Inc.) / http://springtools.shptron.com/ / est. 1993 / patent 5307741 May 3 1994 & 5426858 Jun 27 1995 & 5433007 Jul 18 1995 Emory J. Clark and Robert J. Warner / TM 86209086 Feb 11 2021 / center punches, nail sets / https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/mar/02/inventor-emory-clarks-swring-finds-therapeutic-app/ / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...inc-emory-j-clark-spokane-wa-01-15-22.492380/ /

^ as near as I have been able to ascertain, this guy is the original. the others are knock-offs of Clark's design.

 

[Dave455]

Someone knows - that tool for removing nails with a slider on the handle?

One of these?

Historically they were called “case openers” in the U.K, since their original function was to open nailed packing crates. Bahco call them “nail pullers”.

Still an essential tool for electricians here as they remain the best tool to remove nailed floorboards.

 

[four.cycle]

^ or is he talking about the kind of "slide-hammer" set up like in post #29 ?

 

[Ricky Joe]

Maybe try other ways to remove nails too. Here's my nail removal setup. All 3 are kept in my daily work bag.

What? No fencing pliers?? That is an incomplete set!

 

[billconner]

One of these?

Historically they were called “case openers” in the U.K, since their original function was to open nailed packing crates. Bahco call them “nail pullers”.

Still an essential tool for electricians here as they remain the best tool to remove nailed floorboards.

this

 

[Renegade1LI]

I use a straight pin punch when I need to drive back through, just this weekend had to set a bunch of nails in a new hard floor. I keep a couple sets of these starrett punches, work great.

S565PC Drive Pin Punch Set

The Starrett 565 Drive Pin Punch is well proportioned, hardened, properly tempered, nicely finished, and have a knurled finger grip. Each punch has the size stamped on the head. SET of 8: 565A/B/C/D/E/F/G/H in Protective Vinyl Case.

www.starrett.com

 

[tarbellb]

Thread notes:
_Destroying the face of something to pull a nail sometimes (often) is unacceptable in certain trades

_Spring loaded nail setters are awesome

_Quality steel goes a long way in striking tools, buy the best you can afford

_Dasco is typically **** quality, steer clear, same with Stanely

_Dave455 seems to have it figured out, I would take his advice

 

[JradM]

_Dasco is typically **** quality, steer clear, same with Stanely

Really? I've been pretty happy with my Dasco Pro punches. Are there different product lines or a style you were unhappy with?

Or maybe I'm just not discerning enough. I can't dismiss that possibility!

They are USA-made and offer a lifetime warranty. I didn't find much on GJ. There's this thread on cold chisels.

I wouldn't claim Dasco is the same as Mayhew - but they're probably 1/3 the price in most categories too.

 

[seber]

That slider as well as the one you just bang in with a hammer and lever out the nail have always been called cat's paws in my world.

 

[tarbellb]

Really? I've been pretty happy with my Dasco Pro punches. Are there different product lines or a style you were unhappy with?

Or maybe I'm just not discerning enough. I can't dismiss that possibility!

They are USA-made and offer a lifetime warranty. I didn't find much on GJ. There's this thread on cold chisels.

I wouldn't claim Dasco is the same as Mayhew - but they're probably 1/3 the price in most categories too.

Dasco in my experience has been soft, cheap metal geared toward rough masonry work.

You're experience may differ, you have a great selection I'd be interested in your thoughts.