Add Leverage to a Small Hammer
A PVC-pipe sleeve adds length to a handle to make nail pulling easier.
We recently had to remove hardwood flooring from a 1950s house. Pulling up the planks was pretty straightforward, but it left the floor riddled with finish nails. I tried every version of crowbar, pry bar, and demo bar I have to pull them, but none could a good grip on the finish nails, because all are designed to rip out framing nails with a substantial head. The only thing that could get a grip was my small finish hammer, but this type of hammer has a handle too short for easy pulling, so I slipped a foot-long piece of 1 1/2-in.-diameter PVC pipe over the tiny handle for some extra leverage. It worked great and the nails pulled out easily.
Click here to enlarge the illustration
—Larry Landsberg, Palmyra, Va.
Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #288
More about flooring
Project House Video Series: Wood-Floor Repair
11 Wood-Flooring Problems and Their Solutions – For flawless wood floors, avoid these installation and finishing mistakes.
Replace damaged board floor sheathing – What’s the best way to tie in a new plywood subfloor after cutting old tongue-and-groove boards back to the wall?
Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products
Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 18v Cordless Circular Saw (2730-22)
Bosch Wall Scanner (GMS 120)
DEWALT 18v Cordless Multitool (DCS355)
