How to Hammer a Nail into a Wall
Sometimes the simplest everyday tasks, such as hammering nails, can turn out to be the most complex. It is likely that at least once in your life, you have decorated your flat and hurt your finger while trying to hammer a nail into a wall; or maybe you have not been able to make it stay in place and remain firmly embedded in the wall. Hammering nails seems like an easy task, but it has its tricks. Today, at OneHowTo.com we explain how to hammer a nail into the wall without bending it, hurting your fingers, and damaging the wall.
Steps to follow:
How to hammer a nail without bending it
One of the first problems arising when hammering nails is that, if they are very thin, they bend or do not go into the wall properly. If you want the nail to slide smoothly within the wall, an excellent trick is to moisten it with a little olive oil or run it over a bar of soap.
That trick will allow the nail to be inserted straight and smoothly. Start by positioning the nail tip where you want it, then use a few light taps to help it catch before striking more firmly.
How to hammer a nail without hurting your fingers
When hammering nails, a typical problem we experience is hurting our fingers by unintentionally hammering them. To prevent this from happening to you, there are a couple of useful tricks you can use.
The first trick is to get a long plastic comb; the one typically used by men, and place the nail between any of its bristles. The comb will allow it to stay in place so that you can hammer the nail to the wall without having to bring your fingers close, thus avoiding hurting yourself. Hold the comb by its handle and keep your hand away from the hammer's path as you strike.
If you do not have a comb, it is not a problem. You can insert the nail in a rectangular piece of cardboard that will serve to hold it without the need of having your fingers close. It is a good trick, isn't it? Once the nail has started to enter the wall, gently pull the cardboard away before continuing.
How to hammer a nail without damaging the wall
In addition to these recommendations for hammering a nail without bending it and without hurting your fingers, you must also take into account how to properly hold the hammer. The further away from the head you hold the hammer the more accurate the hit. That will allow the nail to enter more precisely into the point where you want it to go. Take it into account and you will get better results when hammering nails into a wall. Keep your wrist steady and make sure the hammer's face meets the nail head squarely to help prevent slips.
Lastly, remember that the hit must always be straight and never tilted down. If you fail to do this, it is possible that the nail bends and does not enter as expected. Before you start, check that the chosen spot is suitable for a nail and keep the wall clear around it while you work.
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- Hand and Power Tools (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
- Hammer Safety (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
