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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Palo Alto
    Posts
    1

    Default Need easier way to set nails for sanding

    Hi, I am refinishing a large deck but need to set the nails below the surface of the boards before sanding. I started to do this with a regular nail set and hammer, but this is turning out to be a huge job. I'm hoping that someone knows of a tool that will make this job faster. Thanks in advance for helping to save my next 5 weekends!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Portland Vic. Australia.
    Age
    72
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    0

    Default

    Sorry Larry, but I think you are already doing it the only way I know of.
    Maybe get some mates / Family to help out.
    Cheers steven
    The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Munruben, Qld
    Age
    84
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    0

    Default

    Nail gun
    Reality is no background music.
    Cheers John

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Victoria
    Posts
    412

    Default

    I had a floor polisher once who used an air chisel withwhat must have been a home made punch on the end.

    Tools

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    sunbury, vic
    Posts
    9

    Default

    i had the same problem, had a huge deck all up 60m x 2.4m (right around the house). started with the hammer and punch. The boards were down for nearly 12 months and had turned grey.

    I then ended up hiring a pressure washer 3000psi, used for cleaning bricks. This thing brought the boards back to new without having to punch the nails. Came up looking awesome.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    722

    Default

    The guys that have sanded my old floors had pnumatic nail punches but I'm not sure where from. Also you can get the palm nailers like in this video.

    http://au.truveo.com/Ridgid-Palm-Nailer/id/3923068427

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    52

    Default

    4 mates, 3 slabs and a barbie full of food. Jobs done in an hour.
    http://floorsander.blogspot.com/

    extracare(at)optusnet(dot)com(dot)au

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Canberra
    Age
    73
    Posts
    52

    Default

    What extracare said!

    But really the trick if you have to punch nails down in large numbers such as in decks is to ensure that you use physics - the punch you use should be as heavy as you can comfortably manage.

    I use a converted roofing punch that originally had a spike end (used in the days when one had to punch a hole through the metal first before nailing or screwing down the roofing.

    I ground the end flat to about 4mm across then centre punched and drilled a shallow 3mm depression. I then ground gently to create a crude set on the end which helps stop slipping.

    The important thing is to use a more solid punch than a regular sized nail punch, but as with all punches the tip needs to match the nail size.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Garvoc VIC AUSTRALIA
    Posts
    3,208

    Default


    A modified roofing punch makes the job so much easier
    Regards, Bob Thomas

    www.wombatsawmill.com

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Kuranda, paradise, North Qld
    Age
    63
    Posts
    2,026

    Default

    Rather than modify a roofing punch, you could get yourself a flooring punch, which is like a big roofing punch, only shaped for punching nails.

    Mick
    "If you need a machine today and don't buy it,

    tomorrow you will have paid for it and not have it."

    - Henry Ford 1938

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    52

    Default

    Here's another tip from a bloke who's whacked more knuckles than he cares to remember.

    Use 100 grit paper to sand the strike end of your punch and the face of your hammer. Repeat as necessary to keep the shine off both faces.

    This makes for a much "grippier" contact and less chance of the hammer glancing off the punch and into your hand.
    http://floorsander.blogspot.com/

    extracare(at)optusnet(dot)com(dot)au

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    sydney
    Posts
    228

    Default

    Hopefully these are just bullet head nails cause if they are titadecks you'll find after puching them if its a hardwood board they will pop up on you in a few months..
    Get an air punch off someone like kennards or pressure wash the deck and save the bother to start with


    cheers utemad

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Gold Coast
    Age
    71
    Posts
    456

    Default

    When I did my floor I changed over from trying to use a claw hammer to a 3lb club hammer. Got through the punching down much faster. I went through a couple of ordinary nail punches because they all mushroomed fairly readily.

    I also try to grip the punch masonry chisel style, i.e. fingers and thumb all wrapped around the same direction. Doing this seems to save my thumb from wayward blows.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Kuranda, paradise, North Qld
    Age
    63
    Posts
    2,026

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Extracare View Post
    Here's another tip from a bloke who's whacked more knuckles than he cares to remember.

    Use 100 grit paper to sand the strike end of your punch and the face of your hammer. Repeat as necessary to keep the shine off both faces.

    This makes for a much "grippier" contact and less chance of the hammer glancing off the punch and into your hand.
    I usually just clean and rough up my hammer face on concrete.

    Mick
    "If you need a machine today and don't buy it,

    tomorrow you will have paid for it and not have it."

    - Henry Ford 1938

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    QLD
    Posts
    48

    Default

    There is air operated nail punches, best thing for that, in saying that extracare has a good idea.....
    Regards,

    Marques Flooring
    Your One Stop Shop For All Your Flooring Needs..
    www.marquesflooring.com.au

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