Long lasting evidence of dumbness

Ultradog MN · Nov 23, 2016

When I started installing the vinyl siding on the new addition I bought a 5 lb box of 1" roofing nails. The darned nails are too short and I bashed both my thumb and forefinger - a couple of times each.
Ouch!
Got so mad I tossed the whole box in the trash and went and bought 5 lbs of 1 1/2" roofing nails. Much better.
When I see someone with a blue nail I always assume they did something dumb. And I assume others look at it that way too.
So I've been over 2 months now with this damning evidence of dumbness on my nails.
Arrgh
Hopefully they'll grow out by spring.

Gene Dotson · Nov 23, 2016

I have a fool proof way to prevent mashed fingers and thumb. I use my air impact driver with the flat punch. Use a short piece of 1/2 inch copper tubing over the driver and insert the nail inside the tubing. Couple quick hits on the trigger and nail is set with other hand safely out of the way.

Gene

Stephen Newell · Nov 23, 2016

Needle nose pliers would help there however a cheap HF roofing nailer would be better.

Ron Muhlenkamp · Nov 23, 2016

Holding the nail between the index and middle fingers, with the fingernails down, helps when using short nails.

Jeff NWOH · Nov 23, 2016

I did the exact same thing when I sided our addition/house a couple years ago.

I used 1" when I built my barn 15 years ago because I didn't want a million nails protruding all over the place, but I don't recall it being such a pain.

hadley · Nov 23, 2016

(quoted from post at 10:58:42 11/23/16) Needle nose pliers would help there however a cheap HF roofing nailer would be better.

You can't put up vinyl siding with a roofing nailer. The nails in vinyl siding have to be left loose to allow for expansion and contraction of the siding.

Buddy · Nov 23, 2016

The problem won't the nails. You are swinging the hammer with the wrong hand.

hd6gtom · Nov 23, 2016

Hadley I watch siding people do it with roofing nailers, set it light and it works. I ask to be sure.

hadley · Nov 23, 2016

On new construction yes, but not on existing homes due to what the existing siding is made of.

Alan K · Nov 23, 2016

Ive done that. Technically I didnt miss the nail, it just happens to be the one ON my hand not in my hand.

Billy Shafer · Nov 23, 2016

I have two hands. That look kinda like that.

jeffcat · Nov 23, 2016

Those nails take between two and a half to three months to grow out.

tracto-man · Nov 23, 2016

Yep, did that a while back working on the ball joints on my truck. It's almost grown off my thumb.

HenryO · Nov 23, 2016

Some years ago (like 20) I built a barn on my SC farm While I was putting the roof on I smacked my hands so much I was black and blue, then I double whacked my left index finger and split the bone. Double ouch. I then figured out I could use a piece of PVC tubing with a very slight V in the end to hold the nails and my hands started to heal. Worked out great. Henry

retired farmer · Nov 23, 2016

You are lucky with only two. For some odd reason I managed to get all ten fingers injured this summer, one at a time.

Rich'sToys · Nov 23, 2016

(quoted from post at 09:27:16 11/23/16) Ive done that. Technically I didnt miss the nail, it just happens to be the one ON my hand not in my hand.

Yep! I just mention that I hit the WRONG nail!!

Ken Combs · Nov 23, 2016

Ron M has it right! Learned that on the first roof I helped install,
m a n y years ago at age 12 or so.

notjustair · Nov 23, 2016

I have so many arthritis knots on my hands. It seems each of them has a nerve connected directly to my bladder - if I were to hit them with a hammer I would wet my pants. I just keep linesman's pliers in my left hand for holding the nails.

Dick2 · Nov 23, 2016

Looks like you could make a case for a nail gun!

Married2Allis · Nov 23, 2016

I know the feeling. Flattened my ring finger good last Saturday while putting down flooring. More fun the next day when I had to poke a hole in the nail with a razor blade because it had swelled up to almost the size of my thumb. lol

teddy52food · Nov 23, 2016

Doesn't anyone use a small magnet?

2underage · Nov 23, 2016

You are not dumb but just a worker who's job has some risks. I admire people who like to get things done and sometimes we [I consider myself a gitter done guy] have some mishaps and get a few scrapes and bruises along the way. Hope your pain has gone and good luck.

db4600 · Nov 23, 2016

Can't count the times... still have a nail that gets splits in it in the cold month from one episode. The other act that makes me proud is when I slip off a screw and run the driver into my digit. Usually has some metal shavings from the magnetic tip that it grinds into flesh as it tears in there. Not like a clean cut that heals quick.

Steven-Id · Nov 23, 2016

I actually have an attachment for the nose piece on my roofing nailer that centers the nail in the slot. You have to set the depth either by the air pressure or by adjusting the nose depth so that the nails have space. The problem is the density of the wood varies enough that you are either too tight for the siding to slide or way too loose. It isn't as easy as one would think with the nail gun BUT it can be done. You just have to pay attention to what you are doing.

Steven

01gentdc · Nov 24, 2016

1 inch nails are best to have 20 or so in the paslm of yur hand for roofing ,, let a couple flip down between your fingers and tap with the hammer remove hand and smack the nail with one whack ,,. holding a 1 inch nail like your pix will get your fingers and thumbs in harms way too many times to keep your religion

Copperhead don't play · Nov 24, 2016

A carpenter once told me I hammered like lightening. I told him I was not "that fast". He said no that was not it. It was because I did not hit the same place twice.

Royse · Nov 24, 2016

Nail starter. The one pictured is magnetic.
The local lumber yard used to give out free ones made of soft
rubber. Slip the nail in the slot, start it and pull the starter off.
They work fine when needed but they sure slow you down.

T in NE · Nov 25, 2016

Park the drill and get an impact driver. Bits will last longer, too.

Long lasting evidence of dumbness

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