A unique way to remove buried nails

[beowulf]

A friend asked me to help him demo his kitchen and take out all the old cabinets. I took a look at it, and was hoping all the cabinets were screwed in, but saw that the cabinets (top and bottom) were nailed to the wall/studs with large finishing nails. I decided to try to take one out - the heads were buried in the wood and there was very little room to maneuver. A real job to remove just one - they were 3 and a half inch long finishing nails - sunk into the wood and no heads to grab. It looked like we would be trying to pound a nail pull in the tight spaces, or chisel out some of the wood for each nail.

Anyway, I had a week to think about it before I went down to help him out and thought of a solution that worked. I bought a set of plug cutters at Harbor Freight - four of them in different sizes - for about $4.

Then I simply put the plug cutter over the nail heads and with the drill cut a tiny circle around each nail - going all the way through the cabinet mounting boards to the drywall. With that done, we were able to simply pull the cabinets straight out and then remove the nails easily.

This is, I know, an unusual situation, but if you do have a need to take a nail or whatever out and it appears to be difficult for some reason, and the circumstances are such that you can cut a tiny plug hole around the nail or screw, this might work out for you. It saved us a ton of work.

 

[smstonypoint]

Good tip -- I will try to remember this if I run into a similar problem.

Steve

 

[k0ua]

That is a good tip. I need to remember that one. Now hunt down those rascals that used nails in the first place, and beat them about the head and shoulders...

 

[downsizingnow48]

Having done a lot of demolition and remodeling over the years, I have used that trick regularly. It is especially useful when you don't want to use a lot of force and then twist the wall studs. Like when the other side of the wall is plaster or something else that would have to be repaired. It is also useful when you need to remove plywood sheathing from floors and walls. Much less damaging and physically easy, compared to busting things loose.

 

[Thomas]

Good idea. :thumbsup:

 

[Wagtail]

Noted and Ta!

I've filed this titbit in the back of my brainbox for any future situation (where I'll undoubtedly be hailed a hero!).

 

[Industrial Toys]

I remember seeing in old cartoons how you could use a horseshoe magnet but I have never tried.

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

I like it! :thumbsup:

 

[check]

We want to use that technique to remove Cedar half log siding from a Cottage. We don't want to wreck the boards, because we are going to put them back again after we spray foam the wall cavities. So, we will just use little wooden plugs after.

 

[CalG]

finish nails are driven through to remove . Pulling screws up the surface if the nail heads are set properly.
A piece of brake line tubing with a few cutting teeth filed in one end works fine if the need is not for many. Matter of fact, put teeth on both ends, and you can flip the "cutter" for a fresh edge.