More than once I’ve had to drive a nail in a place that couldn’t be reached because a stud or a joist was in the path of the hammerhead. One such situation occurs when studs are closer than typical layout, and an electric box has to be nailed between them. When this happens, I get out out my 2-ft. prybar and lever the nail home. As shown in the drawing, I use a block of wood against one of the studs to bring the flat of the prybar perpendicular to the nail. As the nail is embedded, I add shims or a thicker block to keep the flat perpendicular to the nail — otherwise leverage is lost and the nail will go in crooked.
Steve Sawtelle, Leesburg, VA
