Just to say Hello to everyone

**Kevin11** · 19th June 2010, 12:42 PM

Hi there,as I have been a user to gain knowledge for some time I thought it is time to join the forum.
Probably what spurred me on was a new project I am about to start on closing in a section of my old Qlder (1915 vintage).I have used in home building work two senco guns for the last 25 years and with the slow onset of a bit of joint pain they have been a godsend, however I am a bit confused as to the correct nails to use on Cyprus Pine which is relatively cheap in our area coming as it does from Chinchilla.
Recently while in Toowoomba at Mitre 10 a salesman shoed me gun nails for a snco which had blunt ends in other words no point,claiming that this avoided splitting the pine.
The nails I have only ever used have had diamond shape points .
Can anyone offer me any advice as to the trith or otherwise of blunt versus sharp and the splitting ??

**munruben** · 19th June 2010, 01:46 PM

Hi there, welcome to the forum. Yes, blunt nails , believe it or not, helps to prevent splitting the timber when nailing in place. I often blunt my nails deliberately to prevent splitting. Don't ask me why ti works like that but it does. My father taught me this little trick when I was a young boy and I have never forgotten it.
Maybe someone will be able to shed light on why blunt nails are less likely to split the timber. Good luck with your project.

**texx** · 19th June 2010, 09:50 PM

yep i always blunt my nails when nailing pine . the blunt end punches a hole in the wood and cuts the fiber ,where as a sharp nail would try to part the fibers and go between them

**mkypenturner** · 19th June 2010, 10:06 PM

hi kevin
i also work at a mitre 10 up here in mackay and the answer is yep blunt nails for cypress pine

**Kevin11** · 20th June 2010, 02:38 PM

The answers have removed any doubts and I thank you all for the help given.
I now seem to remember years ago somewhere re blunting nail but I guess that raises the question why do most nails have sharp points ??