Sophia Delgado
Removing old nails can be a tricky business, especially when they are buried or broken. There are several methods and tools that can be used to remove nails, depending on the situation. For example, if the nail is protruding from the surface, a simple claw hammer can be used to pry it out. However, if the nail is damaged, bent, or deeply embedded, other tools such as pliers, chisels, or specialised devices like a cat's paw or nail puller may be required. In some cases, it may be necessary to cut around the nail or use a screwdriver to dig underneath it. It's important to work carefully and wear eye protection to avoid injury when removing nails.
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What You'll Learn
Using a claw hammer
Removing old nails with a claw hammer is a straightforward process, but it requires some know-how and the right tools. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a claw hammer to remove old nails:
First, assess the nail you need to remove. If it is a small nail with a tiny head, it may be difficult to grip with the claw hammer. In this case, you can use pliers or pincers to grip the nail head and twist and pull it out. If the nail is bent, you can use pliers to yank it out, or push it through the surface with a screwdriver. If the nail head is not exposed, use a screwdriver, chisel, or cat's paw to dig underneath it before attempting to pull it out.
If you are dealing with a large nail, you will need to use the claw of your hammer. Flip the hammer around so that you are holding it by the head, with the claw facing the nail. Position the claw around the nail shaft, and press the hammer against the surface, ensuring that the claw is tight against the nail and the timber. To protect the surface, you can place a block of wood between the hammer and the surface.
Next, apply pressure to the hammer handle in the opposite direction that the claw is pointing in. For maximum pulling power, rock the hammer sideways, using the claw edge as a pivot point. You can also try twisting the head of the hammer from left to right to lever the nail out. If the nail is stubborn, gently tap the claw in and under the nail head to get a grip before levering it out.
Finally, pull the nail out. Depending on the size and depth of the nail, you may need to yank it out with force, or gently wiggle it out to avoid damaging the surrounding surface. If you are removing a nail from wood, be careful not to snap the wooden handle of your hammer by applying too much force.
By following these steps, you can effectively remove old nails using a claw hammer. Remember to wear protective eyewear and gloves to shield yourself from debris.
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Exposing the nail head
Using a screwdriver
Use a screwdriver to dig directly under the head of the nail. Tap the back of the screwdriver with a hammer until the tip of the screwdriver is pinned under the nail head. Be careful not to strike the screwdriver too hard, as this step does not require a lot of force. Once the screwdriver is under the nail head, press down lightly to expose a small portion of the nail.
Using a chisel
Use a chisel to break out a shallow chip next to the nail head. Hammer the chisel about an inch or 25mm to the side of the nail, towards the nail. You can also try chiselling once above the nail and once below it. This will expose the nail head, allowing you to use a pry bar or claw hammer to remove the nail.
Using a cat's paw
A cat's paw is a specialised tool with two slots on each side for removing nails. Slide the L-shaped end of the cat's paw under the head of the nail. Then, pull the cat's paw away from the nail to pop it out of its slot. This method is particularly useful for longer or tougher nails.
Using a pry bar or claw hammer
If the nail is already sticking out a little, you can use a pry bar or claw hammer to gently lever it out. Place the bar or hammer behind the nail head and pull it forward just enough to expose the nail head. Be careful not to pull too far, as you risk breaking the surrounding material.
Using a bar
Hammer the point of a bar into the wood around the nail head. This method combines the actions of a chisel and a pry bar in one tool. It works best on horizontal surfaces but can be used elsewhere with practice.
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Using a cat's paw
To use a cat's paw, start by sliding the L-shaped end under the head of the nail. You can do this by striking the L-shaped end with a hammer while holding the flat end of the cat's paw next to the nail at an angle. This technique is suitable for any surface but will damage drywall. Once the L-shaped end is securely under the nail head, pull the cat's paw away from the nail to pop it out.
If you are removing nails from wood, it is important to note that the cat's paw may leave marks or damage the wood around the nail head. This is because the tool tends to tear up the surface around the nail. Therefore, it is best suited for demolition work rather than finish work.
The cat's paw is a valuable tool for anyone regularly removing nails, as it is strong and effective, with claws that tend to be bigger than those of a hammer. It is also known as a nail puller, and new designs have been introduced, such as the Nail Jack and Nail Hunter, which take a pliers-like approach to improve performance and minimise damage.
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Using a nail puller
First, ensure you have the right size of nail puller for the job. Nail pullers come in various sizes, from small handheld devices to larger, more heavy-duty tools. Choose a nail puller that is appropriate for the size and type of nail you need to remove.
Next, position the nail puller correctly. Place the jaws or claws of the nail puller around the head of the nail. If the nail head is not accessible or is below the surface, you may need to use a chisel to expose the head or a plug cutter to create a shallow circular hole around it. Ensure the handle of the nail puller is directly above the nail for maximum leverage.
Once the nail puller is in position, it's time to activate the hand pump. Grip the movable length of the handle and pump it up and down to compress the jaws. You will feel resistance as the jaws tighten around the nail. Continue pumping until the jaws are securely clenched onto the nail.
Finally, pull the nail out. Once the nail puller has a firm grip on the nail, use the tool to pry the nail out at an angle. Apply steady pressure and leverage to remove the nail completely. Depending on the type of nail puller, you may need to roll the pliers' head or use a sliding hammer action to extract the nail.
Nail pullers are particularly useful for removing nails from wood, such as pallets or salvaged wood, where you want to minimise damage to the surrounding material. They can also be effective for extracting nails from other surfaces, such as metal or masonry. However, it's important to note that some types of nail pullers, like the "cat's paw," may leave marks or damage on certain surfaces, especially drywall.
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Removing nails from wood without damaging it
Using a Cat's Paw
A cat's paw is a specialised tool with two slots on each side for removing nails. It is especially good for longer or tougher nails as it is strong and has bigger claws than a hammer. To use it, slide the L-shaped end under the head of the nail, then pull the cat's paw away from the nail to pop it out. You can also use it to reach nails that are flush with the surface by striking the L-shaped end with a hammer. However, this method may leave marks or damage, so use it with caution.
Prying or Hammering
If you have access to the backside of the wood, you can try prying or hammering the pieces apart. Use a scrap piece of wood between the good wood and your tool to act as a fulcrum when prying or as the target when hammering. This will help you avoid damaging the wood. Once you have created a gap, you can hammer the wood back together, leaving a gap between the wood and the nail head. You might even be able to separate the wood pieces and drive the nail out.
Using a Screwdriver
If the nail head is not exposed, use a screwdriver, chisel, or cat's paw to dig underneath it before pulling it out. Gently tap the screwdriver with a hammer to get it under the nail head, being careful not to hit your hand. Lower the angle of the screwdriver as you keep striking the hammer, driving it closer to the surface of the nail. This method should not require a lot of force.
Using a Nail Puller
A nail puller is a specialised tool with two claws and a hand pump. Place the jaws around the head of the nail and grip the movable handle. Pump the handle up and down to compress the jaws, then pull the nail up or pry it out at an angle. While this method is easy, nail pullers are not commonly available tools.
Drilling a Hole
If you want to preserve the wood's surface, you can drill a small hole in the nail head and treat it like a screw, using a screw extractor. Alternatively, drill a series of tightly spaced holes around the edge of the nail head to act as a "milling" tool and remove wood fibre from around the nail shank. After removing the nail, repair the damage by gluing a piece of dowel or a matching plug into the hole and sanding it down once dry.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a claw hammer, cat’s paw, prying bar, nail remover, locking pliers, screwdriver, chisel, putty knife, or a specialised nail puller.
If the nail has a broken-off head, you can use locking pliers. Lock the pliers onto the shaft of the nail, then put the claw of the hammer under the pliers, pull up and yank out the nail.
A cat's paw is a specialised tool with two slots on each side for removing nails. Slide the L-shaped end under the head of the nail. Then, pull the cat's paw away from the nail to pop it out of its slot.
