Blunt nails don't split wood - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

glowinganode · 15th Jul 2009, 12:20 am

Hi all. Whilst doing some woodwork today, I had to nail and glue some thin sections. Sub conciously before starting the nail, I held it the wrong way round and blunted the point by hitting it with the hammer. I then proceeded to drive home the nails in the usual fasion, and indeed the wood did not split. I seem to remember being taught this trick, but I can't think where. Has anyone else heard of this, or am I going mad?

BGmidsUK · 15th Jul 2009, 12:37 am

I've not heard of this, but I can see why it would work. However, I usually pilot-drill the hole first if there is a risk of splitting, for peace of mind.

Brian

Alan Stepney · 15th Jul 2009, 2:51 am

It is quite a common "trick".
A sharp nail pushes the fibres aside, thus risking spliting the wood, whereas, if blunt, it cuts the fibres.

A pilot hole still seems the safest way to me, particularly on something that has been, or is being, restored.

Mike Phelan · 15th Jul 2009, 8:55 am

Yes - I was told that by our woodwork teacher in secondary school, and have done it ever since.

Aerodyne · 15th Jul 2009, 4:38 pm

Take the example of flooring brads. These are tapered, rectangular in section and - crucially - blunt at the tip. Used to hold floorboarding in place, splitting would be disastrous as would happen with large normal nails, especially near board ends.
I don't recommend the use of flooring brads for radio cabinet repair...!
-Tony

glowinganode · 15th Jul 2009, 7:32 pm

Thankyou for your replies. I did my training as a mech fitter, so maybe I remember this from school too. It's funny what the sub concious stores, I found myself reciting "eram, eras, erat, eramus, eratis, erant" the other day.
Going off thread a little (again), does anyone know of a supplier of imperial thickness ply in the UK?
Regards.

Herald1360 · 15th Jul 2009, 10:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowinganode

It's funny what the sub concious stores, I found myself reciting "eram, eras, erat, eramus, eratis, erant" the other day.

I wonder what you were thinking of, doing that? Something arboreal perhaps?

60 oldjohn · 15th Jul 2009, 11:00 pm

Re blunting nails, I have always used this trick. I can not remember where I learnt it. John.

Darren-UK · 16th Jul 2009, 9:10 am

The comment in post #6 regarding going off thread has hit the nail on the head very nicely and the Moderators feel the blunt nail dodge has now been adequately brought to the our attention. The hammer is therefore now about to hit the Close button.

15th Jul 2009, 12:20 am	#1
glowinganode Octode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 1,522	Blunt nails don't split wood Hi all. Whilst doing some woodwork today, I had to nail and glue some thin sections. Sub conciously before starting the nail, I held it the wrong way round and blunted the point by hitting it with the hammer. I then proceeded to drive home the nails in the usual fasion, and indeed the wood did not split. I seem to remember being taught this trick, but I can't think where. Has anyone else heard of this, or am I going mad? __________________ We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.

15th Jul 2009, 12:37 am	#2
BGmidsUK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Leicester, UK. Posts: 809	Re: Blunt nails don't split wood I've not heard of this, but I can see why it would work. However, I usually pilot-drill the hole first if there is a risk of splitting, for peace of mind. Brian

15th Jul 2009, 2:51 am	#3
Alan Stepney Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Dorset, UK. Posts: 947	Re: Blunt nails don't split wood It is quite a common "trick". A sharp nail pushes the fibres aside, thus risking spliting the wood, whereas, if blunt, it cuts the fibres. A pilot hole still seems the safest way to me, particularly on something that has been, or is being, restored.

15th Jul 2009, 8:55 am	#4
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: Blunt nails don't split wood Yes - I was told that by our woodwork teacher in secondary school, and have done it ever since. __________________ Mike.

15th Jul 2009, 4:38 pm	#5
Aerodyne Octode Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hampton Vale, Peterborough, UK. Posts: 1,698	Re: Blunt nails don't split wood Take the example of flooring brads. These are tapered, rectangular in section and - crucially - blunt at the tip. Used to hold floorboarding in place, splitting would be disastrous as would happen with large normal nails, especially near board ends. I don't recommend the use of flooring brads for radio cabinet repair...! -Tony

15th Jul 2009, 7:32 pm	#6
glowinganode Octode Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK. Posts: 1,522	Re: Blunt nails don't split wood Thankyou for your replies. I did my training as a mech fitter, so maybe I remember this from school too. It's funny what the sub concious stores, I found myself reciting "eram, eras, erat, eramus, eratis, erant" the other day. Going off thread a little (again), does anyone know of a supplier of imperial thickness ply in the UK? Regards. __________________ We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.

15th Jul 2009, 11:00 pm	#8
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,988	Re: Blunt nails don't split wood Re blunting nails, I have always used this trick. I can not remember where I learnt it. John.

16th Jul 2009, 9:10 am	#9
Darren-UK Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 4,061	Re: Blunt nails don't split wood The comment in post #6 regarding going off thread has hit the nail on the head very nicely and the Moderators feel the blunt nail dodge has now been adequately brought to the our attention. The hammer is therefore now about to hit the Close button.