How to use a Nail Set

I love my nail guns but SOMETIMES, they don’t quite get the job done and you’re left with a nail head protruding slightly beyond the surface and you have to resort to an old school hammer to sink that nail. Ā Now you don’t want to just go hammering away at the nail and ding up your trim, grab a “nail set” do it properly.

nail that didn't sink

 

Grab a pair of ear plugs too because it’s loud. Ā It’s important to get a nail set that has a dimple on the end. Ā That way it won’t slip off the nail head so easily.

dimpled nail set

 

Place the nail set over the nail.how to sink a nail

Hammer until the nail is sunk and you have enough of a depression in the wood to fill with wood filler.

 

You might want to put a towel down to protect the surface in an instance like this where the hammer is laying on the floor while I pound in that stubborn nail.

how to use a nail set

 

Sand down the wood that pushed out around the nail set and then fill with wood filler, prime and paint. Ā That spot should disappear.

nail hole

 

And THAT is all there is to it!
sink stubborn nails with a nail set

 

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2 Comments

  1. kelly thompson says:

    wow- very good to know- after 8 years our house is settling and the nails on the trim are starting to show- now I know what to do and what that tool is actually for!

  2. Thanks!! I’m doing this today…..good timing!

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