Homemade nail puller. The basics of metalworking in the household: we make a collar and a crowbar-nail puller with our own hands. How a nail puller works

O metal processing is carried out not only in factories: when repairing a car, home mechanization, inventory and equipment, not to mention construction works ah, you have to drill, forge, sharpen and cut.

Of course, if you need a complex part made of special steels, it is better to order it in a specialized workshop - http://zelmatik.ru/, where metalworking is carried out using powerful presses and precision machines. But, if right now you need a simple part or a device made of iron? It even costs a penny, but until you find it, the day will pass! This is where knowing the techniques of working with metal will help.

You will be able to make the desired product from waste scrap metal, having a minimum of tools, literally “on your knee”. Let's see how to do it and what is needed for this.

What will we work

Tools that have already become familiar in household:

• powerful;
• welding machine;
• electric grinder.

We will add an anvil, a gas cutter (included) and a powerful vice.

All this can be borrowed, but it is better to buy. On the farm, such universal devices will come in handy more than once.

The anvil can be made from a regular rail. At the rail trim on one side, we form a point with a grinder, then we drill holes for fastening with a drill and a working hole, for what it is, you will see further.

Klupp and (or) a set of dies with a holder for M10 ÷ 18 threads will significantly expand your capabilities.

You can not do without hand tools:

• a hammer and a small sledgehammer "cam";
• pliers;
• metal scissors;
• pliers (can be ordinary carpentry).

We process metal, hardening

Before we find out what can be done on the farm with the simple set described above, let's look at some of the properties of the metal.

Various rolled products, fittings, parts from mechanisms, that is, almost any steel available to an ordinary person, becomes malleable and ductile with strong heating. It can be flattened, bent and twisted as you like.

However, after the metal has cooled, it often becomes more ductile than it was before, but less hard and durable. This is especially noticeable when you work with springy steels, for example, an automobile spring.

The reason is the slow cooling of the workpiece during operation, during which the so-called "vacation" occurs. In order to restore hardness and strength to the metal again, it must be hardened, i.e. heat up again and cool quickly.

The construction tool is rather anti-building. The fact is that with the help of nail pullers they do not build, but break. It is intended primarily for disassembling fixed connections. wooden structures made with nails. At the same time, with the help of a nail puller, you can also perform other dismantling work: beating off plaster, dismantling brick walls and much more.

Nail pullers are the most different designs but they all have common feature. At least one of their ends has a flattened area in the form of a narrow blade with a widening slot. When pulling out the nails, the upper part of the protruding nail is inserted into this slot and using the nail puller as a lever, resting against the nail head, it is easy to pull it out. In hardware stores you can find a very large variety of nail pullers and we want to talk about all of them.

Types of nail pullers

crowbar nail puller

This tool is a classic nail puller tool. It is made entirely of steel. Structurally, it is a piece of steel rod, the ends of which are bent in different directions, and one or both of them are flattened and slots are made in them for pulling out nails. Along the length of the crowbar, the nail puller can be either of a small length - 40 cm, or very significant - up to 1.5 meters. Accordingly, the longer the nail puller, the thicker and stronger it is.

Previously, these tools were usually made independently from improvised materials. Usually, various shafts from mechanisms and machines were used for these purposes. If you see such a homemade nail puller - take it without hesitation. The fact is that this is a truly eternal tool due to the very high strength qualities of the material used. All the same, the shafts are made of high-strength steel. They used to make nail pullers usually familiar from factories that had access to powerful presses, or in forges that can be found in the vastness of Russia at the present time.

Those crowbars - nail pullers, which are now sold in stores, are of course worse. First of all, this is due to the fact that standard rolled metal products are used for their production. Currently, for the production of crowbars - nail pullers, reinforcement, a round bar or a hexagonal bar with a diameter of 10 mm to 25 mm are used. Despite the fact that some manufacturers still harden the ends, this tool wears out quickly and is easy to bend if you try to break a powerful building structure.

As an example, I will give my own experience - as a result of using a small modern nail puller, the slot developed to such a state that the nail heads in it simply stopped holding within two days. And this is taking into account the fact that with it I pulled out only about 1500 nails 30 mm long from the wooden floor (I tore off the old fiberboard).

Nail pullers made of reinforcement are a little stronger, but they can very quickly rub calluses on your hands if you do not wrap the handle with electrical tape, for example. Round and hex rod nail pullers are approximately equal in strength. Checking the strength of a nail puller is easy enough. Take a nail approximately 120 - 150 mm long and try to scratch the working part of the tool (slotted blade) with the tip. If the scratch turned out, and even deep, do not take this nail puller. There will be little sense from him.

coming up with this design manufacturers primarily cared about giving the tool versatility. So two tools in one. Structurally, this is a classic hammer, usually with a rounded head, the sharp part of which is made in the form of a working part of a nail puller. On the one hand, of course, this is convenient, especially if you are sitting on the top of the roof, hammering nails and it took you to pull out one nail, which was bent from an unsuccessful blow.

At the same time, it is inconvenient to use a nail puller as a dismantling tool. It is not always possible with its help to crawl under the head of a nail, and it also has a less durable handle - made of wood, and the lever is much shorter than that of a crowbar - a nail puller.

As a material for the metal part of hammers of this type, forged tool steel is usually used, which usually surpasses the material of modern classical nail pullers in strength. On sale you can also find a tool of this type completely made of metal with an ergonomic rubberized handle. Hammers - nail pullers are usually used in plumbing and carpentry.

As recommendations, we advise you to have three types of nail puller in your tool kit: a hammer - a nail puller, a small classic nail puller 40 - 50 cm long and a powerful crowbar - a nail puller at least 90 cm long. The hammer can be used in construction work when you need to pull out one or more unsuccessfully hammered nails, with the help of a small nail puller it is convenient to pull out the upholstery studs and remove the lining, but a large tool will be needed when dismantling powerful building structures, pulling out large nails or staples, as well as dismantling brickwork.

With damaged hats that cannot be unscrewed. Due to its shape and strength, it can also be used for dismantling wooden, plastic and other structures that can be separated as a result of the applied force.

How a nail puller works

The tool may have a different shape, but regardless of the variety, it always has the same working part. It is a flat wedge, shaped like a spatula with a forked tip. The longitudinal slot on it has a special groove that allows you to capture the head of a nail or screw. Subsequently, the tool is used as a lever for pulling out the fastener.

Usually the tool is made of carbon steel. It has high hardness. Also on sale you can find cheaper nail pullers made of weak alloys, which are of little use for dismantling work. To identify low-quality tools, it is enough to scratch their working part using the tip of a nail. At good tool steel is hard, so scratches do not form. If a bad nail puller is tested, then a mark will appear on it directly in the metal, and not just on the paint.

Where are nailers used?

The need to pull out nails may be required in various circumstances. Such a tool is used by people of dozens of professions. First of all, it is necessary for builders, as well as for finishers who perform repair work. It is convenient to tear off old floorboards with a nail puller, tear off wall lining, dismantle the roof from slate. The need for it arises during disassembly wooden fences. Nail pullers are much more compact than crowbars, so they can be used to gently break brickwork. Thanks to a flat spatula, it is convenient to push them under the brick, and using a lever to tear it off the wall.

Also, the tool is used by loaders and couriers involved in the delivery of goods in the crate. Due to its increased strength, this device can be fully used for striking during dismantling. Of course, a hammer makes everything much more convenient, but when the latter is not at hand, it is quite possible to get by with a nail puller.

Varieties of nail pullers

This is a highly demanded tool, for which there are no analogues in the performance of certain types of dismantling work, therefore dozens of well-known brands are engaged in its production. Each of them strive to improve the design, making it more convenient for performing certain tasks. In this regard, there are several very successful varieties of this tool that are used everywhere. Conventionally, they can be divided into ordinary nail pullers and those combined with other types of tools.

Ordinary

Such a tool is intended solely for tearing nails. He has small size up to 40 cm. At its end, an ordinary handle with an overlay is provided, similar to that found on hammers. This is a relatively light nail puller, allowing you to work mainly with fasteners. He is quite capable of tearing off floorboards or dismantling wooden boxes. Purely nail pullers are not very popular, since for a similar cost you can purchase a more advanced tool that can perform at least one more additional function.

There are also more compact devices designed to work with small nails, which are usually used in furniture assembly, as well as knocking together small boxes. They have the size of an ordinary large one, with the exception that they are equipped with a slotted spatula at the end. With the help of such a device, fasteners can be removed, creating minimal damage to the surface from which they break out. This tool is also suitable for dismantling push pins that are firmly embedded in wood. They can also rip off the clips that hold the interior plastic elements of the car's interior.

Combined

Such a nail puller combines one or more additional tools:

• Ticks.
• Mount.

Nail pullers compatible with crowbar have dimensions up to 150 cm. At their second end there is a flat blade or a pointed wedge. It is a versatile construction and demolition tool and the easiest to work with because it has a large leverage, which reduces the load when pulling out nails. With a similar device, it is good to dismantle floorboards, benches, wooden buildings, as well as roof battens. In addition, the tool can be used as an ordinary scrap. Its forked shoulder blade is quite large, therefore it is not able to capture small carnations with a small diameter cap. It will not work if it is necessary to carefully disassemble small structures, the components of which must be kept intact, preventing the appearance of dents in the wood.

Enjoy great popularity hammers, they have a nail puller on the opposite side of the striker. They have a small leverage, so pulling out fasteners with such a device is quite difficult. At the same time, such structures also have advantages. First of all, they are compact and able to fit in a toolbox. Hammers can quite cope with tearing out small nails, but for long ones their leverage is too short. The bulk of the load falls on the hammer handle, which is usually made of wood. Overdone and pressing too hard, it is quite possible to break it. If you plan to make great efforts, then it is better to choose an all-metal hammer with a nail puller. Such a tool may well survive a large load, and besides this, it will not be damaged if the handle is lengthened. metal pipe to increase leverage. Typically, these hammers are used when they need to be used to drive nails. If one of them is bent, then it can be immediately removed to score the other.

Nail pullers-chisels

A highly specialized tool designed for beekeepers. It is used for processing and cleaning old frames. With its help, small carnations are removed, and the planks of the frame are cleaned from the old foundation with a chisel. Also on sale are reinforced chisels, which, in addition to performing the current two functions, also work like a hammer. This makes them versatile for repairing bee frames and more serious tasks. It is worth noting that such nail puller although it is a chisel, it is not sharp enough to carry out woodcarving, like carpentry counterparts.

Meet ticks, which themselves are used to extract nails. At the same time, on one of their handles there is a flat spatula with a slot for studs, copying the shape of a nail puller. Such a device cannot cope with large fasteners, but it is quite useful for disassembling small wooden boxes, which are usually used for the transport of vegetables and fruits.

Nail pullers deserve special attention mounts. This is an almost universal dismantling tool that allows you to perform a large list of works. Typically, these devices are 4 in 1. They can be used as a nail puller, pry bar, hammer and tool for bending metal rods. Often this device costs much more than all other varieties. However, it cannot compete with the power of a crowbar nail puller.

How to use a nail puller

Often, when using a nail puller, one has to deal with heavily hammered nails, the head of which is deepened into the surface. In this case, there is no way to get hooked. To solve this problem, it is necessary to keep auxiliary tools at hand. First of all, it is a hammer, or pliers.

If a structure is being dismantled, in which there is access to the reverse side, where the tip of the nail is located, then it is worth checking if it protrudes. If the pointed part sticks out, then it is necessary to hit it with a hammer, after which the hat will come out and you can pull it out. Sometimes fasteners with reverse side bent for increased reliability. In this case, it needs to be unbent. For this, pliers or tongs are useful. After leveling, hit the sharp side so that the hat comes out a little.

In the case of dismantling surfaces in which the tip does not protrude from the back, or there is no access to it, the work will have to be done more roughly. First you need to put the spatula of the nail puller against the hat, directing it at an angle of 30 degrees. With a hammer blow on the back of the nail puller, it must be driven into the surface until the cap is hooked. After that, the tool is used as a lever and pulls out the nail as usual. This is a fail-safe method, but spoils the boards, which is not always acceptable if you plan to use them in the future.

When the nail is driven with great force, the back of the nail puller cuts into the wood, leaving a deep dent there. The same occurs when dismantling the mount on slate roof. To avoid this effect, it is worth placing a small soft wooden plank under the stop of the tool. It will take on the deformation effect on itself, distributing the load over a larger area, so a dent will not appear.

In the process of construction work, it becomes necessary not only to build any structure, providing it secure fastening, but also to dismantle the building. In the latter case, you will need to quickly remove the fasteners - ordinary nails. You can do this with improvised tools, but it is better to use more convenient fixture- a nail puller.

Purpose and design features

A nail puller is used to extract nails from wooden, plastic and other structures. There are many varieties of this device, but in general case it is a handle, at the end of which there is a curved wedge made of durable metal.

The wedge ends with a slot, i.e. has a split tip. This groove captures the nail head and then removes it.

With a stronger fastening of the nail in the surface of the workpiece or other construction object, the tool handle acts as a lever. Loaders often use a nail puller as an assistant to lift heavy loads, and carpenters use it to dismantle wooden structures.

This tool belongs to the manual category, although there are also models of an electric nail puller. You need to choose taking into account your financial capabilities, the range of planned work and the required ergonomics in use.

Hammer with nail puller function

This is a universal type of tool that can be used not only to extract nails, but also to drive them. Therefore, the nail hammer has two different ends on the working nozzle:

• rounded head of a classic hammer;
• a pointed part with a slot to perform the functions of a nail puller.

The metal part of the hammer is made of high-strength steel. Many models are equipped with a rubberized handle. It is a compact and mobile tool. Thanks to the short handle, it is easy to carry and have always at hand.

However, on the other hand, this feature does not allow you to fully use the tool as a lever. In addition, the working slot does not always allow you to get under the hat, and the wooden handle is less durable compared to full-fledged crowbar-type nail pullers.

AT professional models hammer with the function of a nail puller, one-piece forged design, always with a rubber handle. High-quality rubber helps to effectively dampen vibration.

crowbar nail puller

In the classic version, the extraction device is a solid steel rod with flattened ends turned in different directions. The nail extraction slot can be at both ends.

But the nail puller mount is especially popular, the second wedge of which is flattened and looks like a blade. This end can destroy structures, lift floorboards, disassemble fastened boards.

Crowbar nail puller can be 400-1500 mm long. Reinforcement is used for manufacturing, as well as a round or hexagonal rod having a diameter of 10-25 mm. With an increase in the length of the tool, its thickness and strength increase, but the weight also increases.

How to choose an instrument

There are many designs and modifications of the device, which is clearly seen in the photo of the nail puller. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the following parameters:

A flat tip that must be strong and sharp. It is made from high quality material, while other parts can be made from less durable materials. The presence of a special protective paintwork or anti-corrosion coating on it is welcome.

The length of the tool depends on the type of work performed and their complexity. To disassemble large structures, furniture, doors, a tool with a longer handle up to 1-1.5 m is required. But for minor manipulations, for example with drawers, you can limit yourself to using short nail pullers 30-50 cm.

Weight of the nailer. Heavier tools will require less effort from you when dismantling or removing nails. A nail puller reinforced with a more durable material allows you to disassemble even large structures without the risk of damaging the tool. But the work will be tedious.

You need to select the weight for yourself, so that with a minimum of effort and fatigue, you can effectively do the job. The optimal weight is 1 kg.

Making tools at home

It is not necessary to spend money on the purchase of equipment. You can manage on your own. To learn how to make a nail puller with your own hands, we recommend that you study our simple instructions:

Pick up steel wire different diameter. For small nails, you can take a not very thick wire, and for thicker ones, a reinforcing bar is also suitable.

In the process of processing the tip, one part of the wire should be flattened on the anvil with a hammer. Reinforcement can be cut at the desired angle. A hacksaw makes a small slot for nails.

The edges are processed with a file and various defects are removed.

The nozzle is bent. First, a bend is made on the thicker part of the nozzle before the beginning of the thin section. And then a bend is made at the flattened end. Harden the workpiece if possible.

The nozzle should be processed with a file, and then polished. The nozzle is attached to the selected handle.

The nail puller helps facilitate many demolition jobs. Right choice tool will allow you to carry out manipulations quickly and efficiently. At the same time, you need to remember about the ergonomics of the tool, ease of use.

Photo of a nail puller

For "uprooting" nails from boards and wooden blocks, a pry bar with a hook or pliers is usually used. However, these are not the only tools that can be used in this case. For example, you can make a do-it-yourself fixture from a half-inch pipe and pieces of an old file that will cope with the task much faster.

Main stages of work

To make this homemade product, you will need a piece of half-inch steel pipe, the edge of which (by about 60-70 mm) needs to be flattened a little with a heavy hammer or sledgehammer so that it becomes flat. Then we proceed to the assembly of the second part of the homemade product.

To do this, you need a piece of an old Soviet file (without a tail), the edge of which needs to be ground at a slight angle. Using a grinder, cut out a rectangular piece. In the flattened part of the half-inch pipe, at a distance of 30–35 mm from the edge, we drill one through hole with a diameter of 10 mm.

The next step of steel plate with corner grinder cut out two identical parts of a suitable shape. They need to be filed to remove burrs and sanded. We drill holes in the plates with a diameter of 10 mm.

Device assembly process

The “tongue”, cut out of the file, is welded to the flattened part of the handle at a right angle. Then, two plates are attached to the half-inch pipe using a bolt with an M10 nut. Further, on one side of the plates, a blade is welded, cut by a grinder from a file, which must match in level with the previously welded “tongue”.