That only works with nails of certain sizes, so your hammerhead size and nail head size would have to be compatible. If you do struggle to hold a nail and not hit yourself on the hand, there are these really cool tools that look like a cross between pliers and wire strippers which hold multiple nail sizes safely away from your hands while you hammer them in.
you could place the nail with the hammer this way precisely with one hand, wack the other end with a second hammer or your palm, drive the nail in that way. Didn't test it myself but could be a good way to hold the nail static and not having to aim to drive it in
If you watch someone who does it for a living "spitting tacks" with an actual magnetic tacking hammer, or a framer doing it with (again) a magnetic framing hammer it's fine they will hit the mark first hit and do it well. Note that that is using a magnetic hammer designed to hold the nail decently not this hack.
Sure, but when you're using nails that are driven by a hammer that size, you're usually aiming for a target the size of a ping pong ball rather than a marked up dot. As long as the nail holds a board to a rafter, it's in the right place.
It's a standard sized claw hammer, for people doing fine work there's a whole range of smaller hammers with far more sensibly sized heads for smaller targets.
Also, it’s not that hard to soft hit a nail exactly where you want and then drive it in. Thanks for the “hack”. The time it takes to set the nail nullifies any time savings. Stupid.
I always buy roofing hammers now because most of them have that magnet at the top so if the nail does spring out it's going away from you not towards you
My dad would just take a bit of steel and mag charge his hammers so they did this naturally and safely. angle grinder for a tiny groove and good-to-go.
Spare copper and steel from a work site is all you need, that and understanding of basic physics. So it cost him maybe $0.0004 to magnetize his hammers.... This was 20ish years ago, but point still stands even if you adjust for inflation. Plus it's fun!
I was 5-ish when I learned this; but I was 5ish when I learned as to why not to do this. Fortunately my dad was a carpenter who loved that work more than me so I learned fast and often.
Everyone acting like it'll fly at your eyes. How would it go to your eyes if the entire hammer is blocking any upwards movement. Wouldnt it fly downwards to the floor?
Well, anything is possible when dealing with tools and different physical forces at play but at the same time people all forgetting that eye protection is a thing and highly advised for any and all tool work.
The hammer's hold on the nail is quite tenuous at best and there are a lot of variables in play ranging from the nail material to the angle and movement of the swing and the shape of the hammer itself, so the nail slipping sideways and launching in very unpredictable ways is always a possibility. All in all, you really don't want sharp metal objects flying around near your face.
Not many people wear eye protection when driving a nail. Especially Americans. Also, to be pedantic, but were you wearing eye protection when you created this comment? Because it couldn't have been done without "any tool work".
Well if we really want to be pedantic, by definition a smart phone or computer isn't a tool. I always wear eye protection doing any sort of handyman or construction work though.
Pros: You wont hit your thumb. Cons: You cant aim properly, the nail might launch out, the nail might bend, the nail might not penetrate enough and will fall out anyway, the nail will penetrate at an odd angle and you will need to pull it out and try again. Pro-tip: Don't do this, it's actually stupid and not a life hack.
PaddyPatrick
Some hammers have a notch at the top that cradles a nail that faces forward to do the same thing.
artmeredith5236
Make it 60's.
t4triceratops
Downvoting bc wear your damn safety glasses ffs
Thissideupusenohooks
https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTY1YjkxZmJlZHJrNmN1NmQza3pvYXc4Mm9zYXR6ODExaG12NTM4cWU0NnJkaGJkYSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/evVKsrjZEqVVWvE2VR/200w.mp4
SergeyPrkl
Until that nail flings in your eye.
MidnightBaelfire
Anyone know how he is doing? The last time I saw a post of his, he was battling a form of stomach cancer.
Nebbo
So now you have a dent/scuff in your wall and the nail isn't where you needed it to go? Sounds brilliant!
OnFridaysWeWearBeskar
Or you could just learn how to hammer a nail.
LeighCosmosVillain
I’m with you dude. Why didn’t they just tell us?
PauliePlaysPoorly
Until the nail spoings out and you've got a dent in your forehead to impress the girls.
MiHaleEsSuHale
Spoings! You silver tongued devil, you.
XeroZach
Wouldn't this dent the wood with the claw?
jillofmanytrades
That only works with nails of certain sizes, so your hammerhead size and nail head size would have to be compatible. If you do struggle to hold a nail and not hit yourself on the hand, there are these really cool tools that look like a cross between pliers and wire strippers which hold multiple nail sizes safely away from your hands while you hammer them in.
aflarge
seems a hell of a lot less precise than just doing it normal
keyserv
I wouldn't normally do it but it has come in handy from time to time.
Thojira
you could place the nail with the hammer this way precisely with one hand, wack the other end with a second hammer or your palm, drive the nail in that way.
Didn't test it myself but could be a good way to hold the nail static and not having to aim to drive it in
valen00
If you watch someone who does it for a living "spitting tacks" with an actual magnetic tacking hammer, or a framer doing it with (again) a magnetic framing hammer it's fine they will hit the mark first hit and do it well. Note that that is using a magnetic hammer designed to hold the nail decently not this hack.
Bazzatron666
Sure, but when you're using nails that are driven by a hammer that size, you're usually aiming for a target the size of a ping pong ball rather than a marked up dot. As long as the nail holds a board to a rafter, it's in the right place.
Colopty
...Isn't that just a normal size hammer? I use those even when I want to be precise about where the nail goes.
InevitableBadger
It's a standard sized claw hammer, for people doing fine work there's a whole range of smaller hammers with far more sensibly sized heads for smaller targets.
Colopty
Continue using the standard sized hammer for everything, got it.
rbudrick
And if you arent stupid, you can use your fingers.
Lunchbox1988
...no
MarkSengenberger
What?! No way. Fuck's sake.
ExistentialDreadlocks
Looks like a great way to get claw marks in your wall.
KevinStrexcorp
I normally like my nail to go in a specific place instead of "vaguely in this region", so will not be using this "life hack"
originfoomanchu1
It would take me 20 attempts to keep the nail in the hammer while swinging it at the wall,
Also you normally want to be pretty precise when nailing stiff so you hit a stud and not a water/electricity line.
Not very practical at all
InitHello
Unless the claw is longer than the nail...
arsCynic
Unless one can aim with millimetre precision, there's no reason to do this.
NothingPrince
or use a peg so it goes exactually where you want it to go
presswc
Also, it’s not that hard to soft hit a nail exactly where you want and then drive it in. Thanks for the “hack”. The time it takes to set the nail nullifies any time savings. Stupid.
YpsilantiRomani
I always buy roofing hammers now because most of them have that magnet at the top so if the nail does spring out it's going away from you not towards you
dataengineer
My dad would just take a bit of steel and mag charge his hammers so they did this naturally and safely. angle grinder for a tiny groove and good-to-go.
YpsilantiRomani
Yeah but the hammer with the magnet already built-in really doesn't cost that much more than a hammer without it maybe like a dollar
dataengineer
Spare copper and steel from a work site is all you need, that and understanding of basic physics. So it cost him maybe $0.0004 to magnetize his hammers.... This was 20ish years ago, but point still stands even if you adjust for inflation. Plus it's fun!
RAJrios
Can you explain this to me? Because neither copper nor many steel alloys are magnetic, and basic physics won't attach them to my hammer :D
dataengineer
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-magnetize-a-screwdriver/. The bit of copper is to build an adhoc electro magnet then just follow the bob villa how to.
dataengineer
I was 5-ish when I learned this; but I was 5ish when I learned as to why not to do this. Fortunately my dad was a carpenter who loved that work more than me so I learned fast and often.
powwerbottom
As a 42 year old - what is the reason one would not do this
NothingPrince
nail wont go exactually where you want it to go, just use a peg it youre worried about hitting your finger
dataengineer
tape works too. .
Cataleast
If the nail slips on the first swing, you might launch it towards yourself. The harder you swing, the faster the nail will come at you.
Senderoth
Everyone acting like it'll fly at your eyes. How would it go to your eyes if the entire hammer is blocking any upwards movement. Wouldnt it fly downwards to the floor?
StellarJay77
Well, anything is possible when dealing with tools and different physical forces at play but at the same time people all forgetting that eye protection is a thing and highly advised for any and all tool work.
Cataleast
The hammer's hold on the nail is quite tenuous at best and there are a lot of variables in play ranging from the nail material to the angle and movement of the swing and the shape of the hammer itself, so the nail slipping sideways and launching in very unpredictable ways is always a possibility. All in all, you really don't want sharp metal objects flying around near your face.
dataengineer
you'll blind yourself, if not otherwise blind someone nearby. Could also mess up the wall, which from a carpenters point of view is far worse.
StellarJay77
Um, y'all not hear about eye protection and that it is highly advised when doing any tool work?
StellarJay77
Jfc, how many people gonna forget that eye protection is a thing and highly advised for any tool work?
Tumescentpie
Not many people wear eye protection when driving a nail. Especially Americans. Also, to be pedantic, but were you wearing eye protection when you created this comment? Because it couldn't have been done without "any tool work".
StellarJay77
Well if we really want to be pedantic, by definition a smart phone or computer isn't a tool. I always wear eye protection doing any sort of handyman or construction work though.
turtle20314
dont feel bad, thanks to you...I TIL d at 73... thanks
Happy1sh
If anyone should know about nails it this dude!
68slug
Because … Jesus?
Happy1sh
Indeed. Was just a cheap joke.
68slug
You’re not wrong
Lumpyguy
Pros: You wont hit your thumb. Cons: You cant aim properly, the nail might launch out, the nail might bend, the nail might not penetrate enough and will fall out anyway, the nail will penetrate at an odd angle and you will need to pull it out and try again. Pro-tip: Don't do this, it's actually stupid and not a life hack.
ongabonga
Lumpyguy here gets it.
DidItForScience
You also might drive your hammer claw into the work surface.
dataengineer
you missed about 3 dozen other things on the Cons side but you nailed the Pros spot on. 13/10
Falcrist
Where's the "no way" guy on this one? I can't make sense of it without him.
dataengineer
I like where you're heads at on this one but I'd stick to Norm Abram, Tom Silva, or
Bob Vila in this case.
nojustsayitdont