Choosing the right tool for the job is very important, even to the point of the correct type of nail. Beginner do-it-yourselfers can be daunted by the huge selection of nails in the hardware store, but don't despair. This quick article will get you started with learning the language of hardware stores, so you can have more fun and know how to ask for help more effectively.
PARTS OF A NAIL
HEAD -- the part you hit with the hammer
DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEADS
finishing - small
regular - bigger
roofing - biggest
SHANK -- the long part that will go into the wood (or whatever you are nailing)
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SHANKS
RING SHANK - little circles printed on the shank, used in flooring
SCREW SHANKS - the shaft of the nail has a spiral on it, so the whole nail twists as it goes in. When you have a load from the side, the nail would have to twist to come out, which is hard for it to do, so it stays in! These are commonly used for siding.
POINT OF A NAIL -- the tip that goes in first
BASIC TYPES OF NAILS
"common nails" (or "bright common") - used for framing
"galvanized" just means "weather resistant" -- use for outside, siding, decking shops, sheds, anything outside
"finishing nails" - very small heads , for trim work, such as baseboards and moulding
"casement nails" -- used for installing door frames
"roofing nails" -- have a big head for installing shingles or roofing paper, big heads hold it in
"button head nails" - these have a large metal head, and they also have a large plastic disc under the head, to provide a larger surface area, so that the roofing paper is even less likely to rip or blow off
HOW TO HOLD A NAIL WHILE HAMMERING
"like a pencil" -- this is a common way to hold a nail, but not the best way. When you hold the nail this way, if your hammer slips, you will end up whacking your own fingertips and fingernails - ouch!
"palm up' -- this is the better way. Turn your hand over, palm up, and hold the nail between your first two fingers. It takes some getting used to, but if your hammer slips and you hit your fingers this way, it won't hurt as much or cause as much damage to your hand and fingers.
"with pliers" -- for very small nails, hold the nail with a pair of needle nosed pliers, to protect yourself.
SIZES OF NAILS
The unit of measurement of a nail is called a "penny" and it is abbreviated by the letter D.
Example:
The sign on the containers for nails might say "2d" and you'd read that as "2 penny nails".
Bigger numbers mean bigger nails.
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