I’m not technically allowed to participate in this contest, but I thought it was a fun opportunity to share a tool that I found in the wall of an old house while helping our Editor-in-Chief, Brian Pontolilo, with a remodeling project. It’s the biggest nailset I’ve ever seen, but I find it pretty handy for sinking, well, larger nails. I’ve used it to punch old nail heads through cedar shingle so I could remove the shingle in one piece. I’ve used it to set a delicate toenail a bit deeper without destroying the edge of a the stud. I’ve also used it to punch holes in pinch.
It’s a great old tool, mostly because it’s still earning a spot in my toolbelt on a daily basis.
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That tool looks more like a pin punch then a nail set.
Justin,
The thin collar of deformed metal around the top can break off when struck. I'd suggest you grind it down to the shaft then grind a small bevel around the top of your pin punch. Then go buy a new Stanley heavy duty nail set for using on framing nails.
This is a pin punch, not a nailset - and it's anything but revolutionary for a carpenter to use it to set larger nails. Lots of carpenters have been doing it for a long time, evidenced by your discovery.
Please take silver9oak's advice before you hurt yourself.