Sometimes when I hang drywall, I have to tack down a spot that’s about 10 in. beyond my reach. Rather than move the scaffold to drive one nail, I use my wooden hammer handle to extend my range. I rest a nail on a hard surface, and drive the handle butt down on the head of the nail until it’s embedded in the handle, as shown. Then I hold the hammer upside-down, set the nail where I want it, bring the handle back into my hand and drive it home. This trick also works with some hammers that have handles covered with rubber sleeves. Just tuck the nail head into the small hole at the center of the handle butt.
—Dell Wade, Seattle, WA
Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #23
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Sounds like a good way to ruin your hammer.