Magnetized Tape Holds Nail
A great way to start small nails and nails going into joists.
I’m a remodeler, so my work varies from day to day. On several occasions, I could have used one of those magnet nail starters on my hammer. Since I didn’t have a hammer with this feature, I simply put the nail on the magnetized tip of my tape measure and extended the tape (drawing above). This also works great for starting small nails and nails going in joist hangers, where a traditional nail magnet won’t work.
— Richard Quaglia, Fletcher, N.C.
Edited and illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #264
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Nice idea! Just today, I was driving 1/2" brads into 1/4" quarter round, about 1/16th from a 5' x 6' sheet of glass- wish I'd read this last night.
BobboMax, Drill a hole first using a nail with the head cut off. Then PUSH the nail into the hole you've made using pliers. You won't risk breaking the glass using this method. This is the method to use when framing art, but usually the frame material is so soft that pre-drilling isn't necessary.
Banging on such a lightweight magnet will demagnetize it and will likely deform your tape end. So use a light touch.
Brilliant! Love that Milwaukee tape, including the architectural scale on the back.