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

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.

• 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.