If you need to tack a piece of trim in place temporarily so you can remove it later, then you will want the nail to be sticking out a little bit. You could go get your hammer, try to find an old-fashioned nail, and bang that nail part of the way in, but there’s a better way.

T.D. Culver of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, came up with this simple little jig–a small piece of wood with a little V-notch in it. The critical dimension here is that it’s only 3/8-in. thick.

Here’s how it works. You hold it in place, position the tip of the nail gun over the notch, and fire a nail into the piece of trim. There we go–I’ve got the nail sticking out so I can remove it easily later.

Great tip, T.D. Thanks for sending that in.

Kevin Ireton is editor-at-large and a good friend and former colleague of Chuck Miller’s. Keep your eye out for more Better Way videos from Kevin and several of our other regular contributors in the near future.

_________________________________________________

More finish-carpentry tips:

Build a Simple Jig to Drill Cabinet-Handle Holes Perfectly

Prevent Pneumatic-Nailer Blowouts When Installing Trim

_________________________________________________

Attention all tipsters!

We’re looking for any smart idea that would make a great There’s a Better Way Video or that could be featured in the Tips & Techniques department in Fine Homebuilding magazine.

We pay for any tips that get published

You can post tips in our submit a tip blog, or just email them to Fine Homebuilding care of Chuck Miller. Thanks!

Plus, browse 30 years of great ideas in our Reader Tips department.