Spring is just around the corner. Then you will find many parts of your home that need to be tightened and refurbished. Often a hammer is a tool that you will likely use more than other tools. The following tips will be helpful for novices who would like to hone their nail pounding skills, while protecting you from potential injuries.
- Wear safety glasses and earplugs while hammering (if possible).
- Roughen the hammer’s striking face with sandpaper—it’ll help prevent glancing blows that bend nails and often find your thumb.
- Drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the diameter of your nail before using the hammer to prevent the wood from splitting. In some cases, blunting the point of a nail may help reduce the chance of wood splitting.
- Initially grip the hammer firmly in the middle of the handle and then move your grip back toward the end of the handle for more power once you have set the nail.
- Use small, controlled taps when setting a nail. You may also use needle-nose pliers or a notched piece of cardboard to hold the nail in place.
- Keep your wrist straight while hammering. Make sure that the hammer face is parallel to the wood surface.
- Do not hit the nail too much (too many times). The fewer the hits on a nail, the stronger the hold.
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