How to remove nails with heads cut off?

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Yes, I know I can go to the big box store and buy lumber. That is not the point of this question.



I have some boards that have the nail heads removed, leaving the nail flush with the surface of the board. The boards come from pallets where apparently they used a sawsall or cutoff blade to reconstruct the pallets several times:



Side view:



image1



Close up view:



image2



After prying them out, I see tiny wires around the outside (my guess is to actually prevent removal ... what are these nails called?):



image4



https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/27821/81954 gives some hints on how to remove nails, but relies upon the head being somewhat close to the surface. But in this case, the heads are sheared or sawed off flush with the surface.



Since this is for shop use (not fine furniture), and I don't need to preserve the whole width of the board (but do want to preserve the length), I have been cutting a notch into the wood about 1/4" deep, and chiseling the wood out just enough to get a ViceGrip around the nail, and then slowly prying up the nail and ViceGrip with a long crowbar. I can subsequently rip off the edge of the what is left over of the board and reuse most of the board.



Here is a view of the result after I've pryed out the nail:



image3



That works but is time consuming.



Is there a tool that would both dig into the wood and around the nail, and have enough gripping force (similer to what I can get with the ViceGrip) to allow me to then pry out the nail? The "Nail Jack" style of tools are close but they don't have the toggle-bolt gripping action of a ViceGrip and lack a way to hammer the chisel edges into the wood deeply enough to grip the headless nail body.



How to remove these nails (no access to head)? seems like it would be applicable, but it is not.










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  • 3




    What about driving them through and then gripping at the bottom?
    – bib
    4 hours ago










  • might try heating the nail with a woodburner, which could loosen the "socket" they are stuck in
    – dandavis
    3 hours ago











  • Make a nail puller
    – hello moto
    1 hour ago
















up vote
3
down vote

favorite












Yes, I know I can go to the big box store and buy lumber. That is not the point of this question.



I have some boards that have the nail heads removed, leaving the nail flush with the surface of the board. The boards come from pallets where apparently they used a sawsall or cutoff blade to reconstruct the pallets several times:



Side view:



image1



Close up view:



image2



After prying them out, I see tiny wires around the outside (my guess is to actually prevent removal ... what are these nails called?):



image4



https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/27821/81954 gives some hints on how to remove nails, but relies upon the head being somewhat close to the surface. But in this case, the heads are sheared or sawed off flush with the surface.



Since this is for shop use (not fine furniture), and I don't need to preserve the whole width of the board (but do want to preserve the length), I have been cutting a notch into the wood about 1/4" deep, and chiseling the wood out just enough to get a ViceGrip around the nail, and then slowly prying up the nail and ViceGrip with a long crowbar. I can subsequently rip off the edge of the what is left over of the board and reuse most of the board.



Here is a view of the result after I've pryed out the nail:



image3



That works but is time consuming.



Is there a tool that would both dig into the wood and around the nail, and have enough gripping force (similer to what I can get with the ViceGrip) to allow me to then pry out the nail? The "Nail Jack" style of tools are close but they don't have the toggle-bolt gripping action of a ViceGrip and lack a way to hammer the chisel edges into the wood deeply enough to grip the headless nail body.



How to remove these nails (no access to head)? seems like it would be applicable, but it is not.










share|improve this question







New contributor




bgoodr is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.















  • 3




    What about driving them through and then gripping at the bottom?
    – bib
    4 hours ago










  • might try heating the nail with a woodburner, which could loosen the "socket" they are stuck in
    – dandavis
    3 hours ago











  • Make a nail puller
    – hello moto
    1 hour ago












up vote
3
down vote

favorite









up vote
3
down vote

favorite











Yes, I know I can go to the big box store and buy lumber. That is not the point of this question.



I have some boards that have the nail heads removed, leaving the nail flush with the surface of the board. The boards come from pallets where apparently they used a sawsall or cutoff blade to reconstruct the pallets several times:



Side view:



image1



Close up view:



image2



After prying them out, I see tiny wires around the outside (my guess is to actually prevent removal ... what are these nails called?):



image4



https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/27821/81954 gives some hints on how to remove nails, but relies upon the head being somewhat close to the surface. But in this case, the heads are sheared or sawed off flush with the surface.



Since this is for shop use (not fine furniture), and I don't need to preserve the whole width of the board (but do want to preserve the length), I have been cutting a notch into the wood about 1/4" deep, and chiseling the wood out just enough to get a ViceGrip around the nail, and then slowly prying up the nail and ViceGrip with a long crowbar. I can subsequently rip off the edge of the what is left over of the board and reuse most of the board.



Here is a view of the result after I've pryed out the nail:



image3



That works but is time consuming.



Is there a tool that would both dig into the wood and around the nail, and have enough gripping force (similer to what I can get with the ViceGrip) to allow me to then pry out the nail? The "Nail Jack" style of tools are close but they don't have the toggle-bolt gripping action of a ViceGrip and lack a way to hammer the chisel edges into the wood deeply enough to grip the headless nail body.



How to remove these nails (no access to head)? seems like it would be applicable, but it is not.










share|improve this question







New contributor




bgoodr is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











Yes, I know I can go to the big box store and buy lumber. That is not the point of this question.



I have some boards that have the nail heads removed, leaving the nail flush with the surface of the board. The boards come from pallets where apparently they used a sawsall or cutoff blade to reconstruct the pallets several times:



Side view:



image1



Close up view:



image2



After prying them out, I see tiny wires around the outside (my guess is to actually prevent removal ... what are these nails called?):



image4



https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/27821/81954 gives some hints on how to remove nails, but relies upon the head being somewhat close to the surface. But in this case, the heads are sheared or sawed off flush with the surface.



Since this is for shop use (not fine furniture), and I don't need to preserve the whole width of the board (but do want to preserve the length), I have been cutting a notch into the wood about 1/4" deep, and chiseling the wood out just enough to get a ViceGrip around the nail, and then slowly prying up the nail and ViceGrip with a long crowbar. I can subsequently rip off the edge of the what is left over of the board and reuse most of the board.



Here is a view of the result after I've pryed out the nail:



image3



That works but is time consuming.



Is there a tool that would both dig into the wood and around the nail, and have enough gripping force (similer to what I can get with the ViceGrip) to allow me to then pry out the nail? The "Nail Jack" style of tools are close but they don't have the toggle-bolt gripping action of a ViceGrip and lack a way to hammer the chisel edges into the wood deeply enough to grip the headless nail body.



How to remove these nails (no access to head)? seems like it would be applicable, but it is not.







removal nails reuse






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asked 4 hours ago









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  • 3




    What about driving them through and then gripping at the bottom?
    – bib
    4 hours ago










  • might try heating the nail with a woodburner, which could loosen the "socket" they are stuck in
    – dandavis
    3 hours ago











  • Make a nail puller
    – hello moto
    1 hour ago












  • 3




    What about driving them through and then gripping at the bottom?
    – bib
    4 hours ago










  • might try heating the nail with a woodburner, which could loosen the "socket" they are stuck in
    – dandavis
    3 hours ago











  • Make a nail puller
    – hello moto
    1 hour ago







3




3




What about driving them through and then gripping at the bottom?
– bib
4 hours ago




What about driving them through and then gripping at the bottom?
– bib
4 hours ago












might try heating the nail with a woodburner, which could loosen the "socket" they are stuck in
– dandavis
3 hours ago





might try heating the nail with a woodburner, which could loosen the "socket" they are stuck in
– dandavis
3 hours ago













Make a nail puller
– hello moto
1 hour ago




Make a nail puller
– hello moto
1 hour ago










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
3
down vote













I know this may not apply to every situation, but as an electrician I use a pair of side cutters and leverage it out of a hole. Lineman's pliers work too if there is enough space and you can get enough of a grip on it.






share|improve this answer




















  • That sounds like it should work, but I suspect it's bad for the cutter's blade. Maybe it's best to use an old pair of side cutters if you're going to do a lot of this.
    – mrog
    24 mins ago

















up vote
1
down vote













Use a small hole saw to drill out a wood plug around the nail. The method you have been using also works, obviously, though you don't need to clear so much area to get the grips on.



You can either leave the "artificial knotholes" resulting, or plug them. It would be a lot faster than cutting and prying each nail.






share|improve this answer



























    up vote
    1
    down vote













    I use a device called a nail jack. It will work with or without a nail head. It has a beak that you center on the nail then a slide that you smack down on and it bites the nail. After it has a grip 1 sole has a lever that you rock back on and it pulls the nail out. I have used on all sizes of nails in both hard wood and soft wood. Aged oak with nails is the toughest as it sometimes bites through the nail and you need to get another bite, will try to see if they are still sold I have had mine for 35+ years. They call the nail puller 56 , cost is close to 60$ but are well worth it and last for years or decades in my case.






    share|improve this answer





























      up vote
      0
      down vote













      A drill with a metal bit should help. You can try using it to push the remainder out, or, if it won't move, drill the nail out of the board.






      share|improve this answer
















      • 1




        In my experience, trying to drill out a small metal object in wood leads to the drill walking off into the wood, not following the metal to drill it out.
        – Ecnerwal
        1 hour ago










      • @Ecnerwal It's not the best but if you have no purchase for pliers it's the next best solution
        – Machavity
        1 hour ago

















      up vote
      0
      down vote













      You might be able to use a pneumatic denailer.



      It punches the nails through the wood to drive them out, and seems to work from either end of the nail, so would not require the nail to have a head.



      It is probably an expensive investment for a one-time task, but you may be able to rent one from your local home-improvement store.



      Here is a video of the denailer in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gbm15fzNQM





      share








      New contributor




      GentlePurpleRain is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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        5 Answers
        5






        active

        oldest

        votes








        5 Answers
        5






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes








        up vote
        3
        down vote













        I know this may not apply to every situation, but as an electrician I use a pair of side cutters and leverage it out of a hole. Lineman's pliers work too if there is enough space and you can get enough of a grip on it.






        share|improve this answer




















        • That sounds like it should work, but I suspect it's bad for the cutter's blade. Maybe it's best to use an old pair of side cutters if you're going to do a lot of this.
          – mrog
          24 mins ago














        up vote
        3
        down vote













        I know this may not apply to every situation, but as an electrician I use a pair of side cutters and leverage it out of a hole. Lineman's pliers work too if there is enough space and you can get enough of a grip on it.






        share|improve this answer




















        • That sounds like it should work, but I suspect it's bad for the cutter's blade. Maybe it's best to use an old pair of side cutters if you're going to do a lot of this.
          – mrog
          24 mins ago












        up vote
        3
        down vote










        up vote
        3
        down vote









        I know this may not apply to every situation, but as an electrician I use a pair of side cutters and leverage it out of a hole. Lineman's pliers work too if there is enough space and you can get enough of a grip on it.






        share|improve this answer












        I know this may not apply to every situation, but as an electrician I use a pair of side cutters and leverage it out of a hole. Lineman's pliers work too if there is enough space and you can get enough of a grip on it.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 4 hours ago









        Retired Master Electrician

        7,353419




        7,353419











        • That sounds like it should work, but I suspect it's bad for the cutter's blade. Maybe it's best to use an old pair of side cutters if you're going to do a lot of this.
          – mrog
          24 mins ago
















        • That sounds like it should work, but I suspect it's bad for the cutter's blade. Maybe it's best to use an old pair of side cutters if you're going to do a lot of this.
          – mrog
          24 mins ago















        That sounds like it should work, but I suspect it's bad for the cutter's blade. Maybe it's best to use an old pair of side cutters if you're going to do a lot of this.
        – mrog
        24 mins ago




        That sounds like it should work, but I suspect it's bad for the cutter's blade. Maybe it's best to use an old pair of side cutters if you're going to do a lot of this.
        – mrog
        24 mins ago












        up vote
        1
        down vote













        Use a small hole saw to drill out a wood plug around the nail. The method you have been using also works, obviously, though you don't need to clear so much area to get the grips on.



        You can either leave the "artificial knotholes" resulting, or plug them. It would be a lot faster than cutting and prying each nail.






        share|improve this answer
























          up vote
          1
          down vote













          Use a small hole saw to drill out a wood plug around the nail. The method you have been using also works, obviously, though you don't need to clear so much area to get the grips on.



          You can either leave the "artificial knotholes" resulting, or plug them. It would be a lot faster than cutting and prying each nail.






          share|improve this answer






















            up vote
            1
            down vote










            up vote
            1
            down vote









            Use a small hole saw to drill out a wood plug around the nail. The method you have been using also works, obviously, though you don't need to clear so much area to get the grips on.



            You can either leave the "artificial knotholes" resulting, or plug them. It would be a lot faster than cutting and prying each nail.






            share|improve this answer












            Use a small hole saw to drill out a wood plug around the nail. The method you have been using also works, obviously, though you don't need to clear so much area to get the grips on.



            You can either leave the "artificial knotholes" resulting, or plug them. It would be a lot faster than cutting and prying each nail.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 1 hour ago









            Ecnerwal

            54k23886




            54k23886




















                up vote
                1
                down vote













                I use a device called a nail jack. It will work with or without a nail head. It has a beak that you center on the nail then a slide that you smack down on and it bites the nail. After it has a grip 1 sole has a lever that you rock back on and it pulls the nail out. I have used on all sizes of nails in both hard wood and soft wood. Aged oak with nails is the toughest as it sometimes bites through the nail and you need to get another bite, will try to see if they are still sold I have had mine for 35+ years. They call the nail puller 56 , cost is close to 60$ but are well worth it and last for years or decades in my case.






                share|improve this answer


























                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote













                  I use a device called a nail jack. It will work with or without a nail head. It has a beak that you center on the nail then a slide that you smack down on and it bites the nail. After it has a grip 1 sole has a lever that you rock back on and it pulls the nail out. I have used on all sizes of nails in both hard wood and soft wood. Aged oak with nails is the toughest as it sometimes bites through the nail and you need to get another bite, will try to see if they are still sold I have had mine for 35+ years. They call the nail puller 56 , cost is close to 60$ but are well worth it and last for years or decades in my case.






                  share|improve this answer
























                    up vote
                    1
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    1
                    down vote









                    I use a device called a nail jack. It will work with or without a nail head. It has a beak that you center on the nail then a slide that you smack down on and it bites the nail. After it has a grip 1 sole has a lever that you rock back on and it pulls the nail out. I have used on all sizes of nails in both hard wood and soft wood. Aged oak with nails is the toughest as it sometimes bites through the nail and you need to get another bite, will try to see if they are still sold I have had mine for 35+ years. They call the nail puller 56 , cost is close to 60$ but are well worth it and last for years or decades in my case.






                    share|improve this answer














                    I use a device called a nail jack. It will work with or without a nail head. It has a beak that you center on the nail then a slide that you smack down on and it bites the nail. After it has a grip 1 sole has a lever that you rock back on and it pulls the nail out. I have used on all sizes of nails in both hard wood and soft wood. Aged oak with nails is the toughest as it sometimes bites through the nail and you need to get another bite, will try to see if they are still sold I have had mine for 35+ years. They call the nail puller 56 , cost is close to 60$ but are well worth it and last for years or decades in my case.







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited 1 hour ago

























                    answered 1 hour ago









                    Ed Beal

                    25.1k11535




                    25.1k11535




















                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        A drill with a metal bit should help. You can try using it to push the remainder out, or, if it won't move, drill the nail out of the board.






                        share|improve this answer
















                        • 1




                          In my experience, trying to drill out a small metal object in wood leads to the drill walking off into the wood, not following the metal to drill it out.
                          – Ecnerwal
                          1 hour ago










                        • @Ecnerwal It's not the best but if you have no purchase for pliers it's the next best solution
                          – Machavity
                          1 hour ago














                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        A drill with a metal bit should help. You can try using it to push the remainder out, or, if it won't move, drill the nail out of the board.






                        share|improve this answer
















                        • 1




                          In my experience, trying to drill out a small metal object in wood leads to the drill walking off into the wood, not following the metal to drill it out.
                          – Ecnerwal
                          1 hour ago










                        • @Ecnerwal It's not the best but if you have no purchase for pliers it's the next best solution
                          – Machavity
                          1 hour ago












                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote










                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote









                        A drill with a metal bit should help. You can try using it to push the remainder out, or, if it won't move, drill the nail out of the board.






                        share|improve this answer












                        A drill with a metal bit should help. You can try using it to push the remainder out, or, if it won't move, drill the nail out of the board.







                        share|improve this answer












                        share|improve this answer



                        share|improve this answer










                        answered 3 hours ago









                        Machavity

                        5,78311633




                        5,78311633







                        • 1




                          In my experience, trying to drill out a small metal object in wood leads to the drill walking off into the wood, not following the metal to drill it out.
                          – Ecnerwal
                          1 hour ago










                        • @Ecnerwal It's not the best but if you have no purchase for pliers it's the next best solution
                          – Machavity
                          1 hour ago












                        • 1




                          In my experience, trying to drill out a small metal object in wood leads to the drill walking off into the wood, not following the metal to drill it out.
                          – Ecnerwal
                          1 hour ago










                        • @Ecnerwal It's not the best but if you have no purchase for pliers it's the next best solution
                          – Machavity
                          1 hour ago







                        1




                        1




                        In my experience, trying to drill out a small metal object in wood leads to the drill walking off into the wood, not following the metal to drill it out.
                        – Ecnerwal
                        1 hour ago




                        In my experience, trying to drill out a small metal object in wood leads to the drill walking off into the wood, not following the metal to drill it out.
                        – Ecnerwal
                        1 hour ago












                        @Ecnerwal It's not the best but if you have no purchase for pliers it's the next best solution
                        – Machavity
                        1 hour ago




                        @Ecnerwal It's not the best but if you have no purchase for pliers it's the next best solution
                        – Machavity
                        1 hour ago










                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        You might be able to use a pneumatic denailer.



                        It punches the nails through the wood to drive them out, and seems to work from either end of the nail, so would not require the nail to have a head.



                        It is probably an expensive investment for a one-time task, but you may be able to rent one from your local home-improvement store.



                        Here is a video of the denailer in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gbm15fzNQM





                        share








                        New contributor




                        GentlePurpleRain is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote













                          You might be able to use a pneumatic denailer.



                          It punches the nails through the wood to drive them out, and seems to work from either end of the nail, so would not require the nail to have a head.



                          It is probably an expensive investment for a one-time task, but you may be able to rent one from your local home-improvement store.



                          Here is a video of the denailer in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gbm15fzNQM





                          share








                          New contributor




                          GentlePurpleRain is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.



















                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote









                            You might be able to use a pneumatic denailer.



                            It punches the nails through the wood to drive them out, and seems to work from either end of the nail, so would not require the nail to have a head.



                            It is probably an expensive investment for a one-time task, but you may be able to rent one from your local home-improvement store.



                            Here is a video of the denailer in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gbm15fzNQM





                            share








                            New contributor




                            GentlePurpleRain is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.









                            You might be able to use a pneumatic denailer.



                            It punches the nails through the wood to drive them out, and seems to work from either end of the nail, so would not require the nail to have a head.



                            It is probably an expensive investment for a one-time task, but you may be able to rent one from your local home-improvement store.



                            Here is a video of the denailer in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gbm15fzNQM






                            share








                            New contributor




                            GentlePurpleRain is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                            share


                            share






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                            answered 18 secs ago









                            GentlePurpleRain

                            1013




                            1013




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