I wanted to salvage the 2x4s that came off an old deck, but the nails proved to be a problem. The treated 2x4s were in good shape; however, they were full of bent, rusty nails that would break off before they could be straightened and pounded out. After working on several frustrating pieces, 1 had an idea. I went off to visit a machinist friend of mine, who made the steel-rod tool shown in the drawing.
One end of the rod has a 5/32-in.-dia. hole approximately 1-1/4 in. deep. To pull a nail, I slip the rod over the point of the protruding nail. Then I use the rod as a pry bar to straighten the nail. Next, I whack the rod with a hammer to push the nail back out of the decking far enough to allow my hammer claws to get a grip on the nail’s head. For pulling bent or severely rusted nails, I haven’t found a better way than this. By the way, the hole in the end of the rod shouldn’t be deeper than the length of the exposed nail.
Paul Isaacson, Altoona, WI
