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The Best Nail Removers For Construction

Last updated on January 13, 2022

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Nails are an essential part of construction, but they can become a nuisance if you ever need to remove them. Pulling one nail out of a section of wood can be a small job, but what happens when an entire wall or building is jam-packed with them?

That’s where a good nail removal tool can come in handy. A hammer claw will pull out some nails, but a big job calls for an even more powerful device. This is especially true if you aren’t a fan of breaking hammers while trying to remove stubborn nails. There are claws made of top-quality materials that can pry nails out without breaking, but manual nail removal is only recommended if you need to remove a few nails every now and then.

For large-scale nail removal, experts call on something called a pneumatic nail remover. This type of tool uses compressed air to force the nail through the wood and out the other side. This method might leave a bigger hole in the wood than you would have gotten otherwise, but you can fix that using wood filler.

With pneumatic nail removers, it’s important to wear safety goggles the entire time you’re working. You should also test your pneumatic gun before connecting it with the nail to make sure it’s working properly.

You might find that a pneumatic nail remover won’t cover all your nails. Narrow, confined spaces will be tough to access with larger removal tools, so a smaller crowbar-type device can help you in a pinch. If a nail is bent or has a flat head that makes it hug the wood tightly, you may similarly need a manual tool. If nail removal is a regular part of your job, you’ll probably find it necessary to invest in multiple tools that will cover every possible scenario.

Our Picks For The Top Nail Removers For Construction

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

Air Locker Ergonomic Grip Pneumatic Nail Remover For Construction

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Air Locker

Ergonomic Grip Pneumatic Nail Remover For Construction

With a lightweight die-cast aluminum body and an adjustable exhaust, this is just the nail remover you need for your bigger jobs. A rubberized ergonomic grip will keep you comfortable while you're working, and you'll get 80-120 PSI operating pressure to push nails from both hard and soft wood. The slim nose will help you get into those tight spots ...

Overall Take

Long-Lasting OptionJob after job, this nail remover will operate as though it's brand-new, giving you years of reliable performance.

 Runner Up

‎3PLUS HAPT50SP Compressed Air Nail Punch Remover For Construction

‎3PLUS

HAPT50SP Compressed Air Nail Punch Remover For Construction

Great for blowing nails at a range of 10-20 gauge, this nail remover is great for hard and recycled woods. A lightweight die cast aluminum body won't weigh down your hand as you work, and it's powerful enough to use continuously. A slim, elongated nose will help you squeeze into those tight spaces.

Overall Take

Works QuicklyWaste no time with this nail remover, which can push nails out of boards at a fast pace.

 We Also Like

Bates Choice Gooseneck Cat’s Paw Crowbar Nail Remover For Construction

Bates Choice

Gooseneck Cat’s Paw Crowbar Nail Remover For Construction

Designed to remove nails without damaging the wood, this small 8-inch bar helps you remove nails when you're working in narrow, confined spaces. The remover is made from high-quality metal to ensure it lasts. The gooseneck design gives you a little extra leverage when you’re pulling.

Overall Take

For Tighter SpacesThis smaller version of a cat's claw will help you get into tight spaces to get the nails your other tools can't.

 Also Great

Crescent Box-Joint Design Alloy Steel Nail Remover For Construction

Crescent

Box-Joint Design Alloy Steel Nail Remover For Construction

You can choose from a long jaw or short jaw with this nail puller, giving you the length you need to do the job. It has a black enamel finish to not only make it look great but ensure it will last for years. This tool is best for those flush, hard-to-grip nails that can make your nail removal job more challenging.

Overall Take

Packed With PowerThe extra-tough jaw and forged alloy construction will give you plenty of strength as you're pulling nails.

What to Look For

  • If you’re dealing with a finished surface, you can put a wood block between a hammer’s head and the wood you want to protect. This will allow you to freely grip the nail without having to worry about damaging something.
  • As useful as nail removal tools can be, heavier ones can weigh you down while you’re working. For bigger jobs, look for a tool with an ergonomic handle that will keep you comfortable.
  • Pneumatic nail removal tools vary in how powerful they are. Look for one with a high PSI to get the force you need to push nails through wood.
  • Nail removal difficulty will vary depending on the type of wood. Softer woods might be easier to work with, but they can also be damaged more easily.
  • Tight spaces can be tough for pneumatic nail removers and longer claw-style ones. You can find tools with narrow noses and smaller builds for just that purpose. They are handy to have around in case you ever have a job where you need to squeeze into more confined spaces.
  • Some nail removal tools serve other purposes like cutting wires that might get in your way while you’re taking nails out. This will give you a two-in-one option that will save space and ensure you have to take fewer tools along with you on jobs.
  • For plier-style manual tools, look for something that opens and closes easily to keep hand strain at a minimum.
  • If a nailhead is buried beneath the surface of a piece of wood, you may find that removing the nail without damaging that wood is next to impossible. A claw-style tool is best for this type of wood when blowing it through the other side isn’t an option.

More to Explore

Today’s nails are made by machine, but there was a time when workers handmade them. Until around the year 1800, artisans called nailers crafted nails into the shape still in use today. Workers called slitters started the process by cutting iron bars into the small sizes necessary to turn them into nails.

The industry saw a big shift from 1790 to 1820, when both the U.S. and England came up with a way to use machines to make nails. To make nails today, a thick, continuous steel wire is fed through a machine that cuts the material into the length necessary. The machine leaves extra metal at one end and that extra material is shaped into a flat head by a mechanized hammer.

More to explore