How to get nails out of this table?
by
Louise
+11
I got this table for $6 from a yard sale and want to paint it or refinish it. The strips you see lying on top were attached to three sides of the top but I didn't like them so removed them. But in the second photo, you can see the very small nails that held the strips on. The sharp part of the nails protruded from the top and since I couldn't pull them out, I nailed them down, but I really want to get them OUT. When I look on the bottom side of the top, I don't see the nails so have no idea how to remove them. What am I missing?
Hi Louise, Since they aren't full down I would wedge a flat head screwdriver under the nail and they pry it out. If you pry the end up you should be able to use some pliers to pull it out completely.
Hi! I use staple pullers for things like this. They are different than office staple pullers since you can easily slide them under a staple, brad or nail to pull it. I also keep an office staple puller in my tool box! Anyway, it's easy to pull them out with one and keep a pair of pliers handy, too. Good luck!
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B085XJZ82Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabt1_DMhTFb1PYNVFJ
Those look like pin nails. Basically headless to nail down trim so they won't be seen and easily covered with patching compound. You should be able to pull them out. If they can't be pulled out they can be cut with wire cutter pliers.
Removing Old Nails and Pins
https://www.furniture-refinishing-guide.com/articles/removing-old-nails-and-pins/
With nails like these, I've used a putty knife to lift up the bend edge and then grabbed them with a pliers and pulled them out.
Hello. They almost look like staples? I wonder if an upholsterers staple remover tool might work there to pry out?
flat head screw driver and needle nose pliers. This is the method I use to remove upholsterers nails and staples.
I tried to pull them out before I hammered them down. I guess I'm just not strong enough to get them out. I'll have to find someone with more strength to do that for me.
Once you pry them up, use a piece of wood under the pliers to pry the nails up.
I worked with my late husband in our furniture restoration business for nearly 30 years and had to remove more nails than I could count. We used a tool similar to the one I'm going to show you. The curved/crescent part of the tool rested against the base of the piece that had to have the nail removed which gave great leverage for removing the nail without damaging the nearby wood.
Look at this: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Crescent-11-in-Nail-Pulling-Plier-NP11/204065906?mtc=Shopping-VF-F_D25T-B-D25T-25_1_HAND_TOOLS-Multi-NA-Feed-LIA-NA-NA-HandTools_HolidayPlusUp&cm_mmc=Shopping-VF-F_D25T-B-D25T-25_1_HAND_TOOLS-Multi-NA-Feed-LIA-NA-NA-HandTools_HolidayPlusUp-71700000076575000-58700006515892860-92700058905237199&gclid=ee0a2757f684173c6b9d78eb967137d3&gclsrc=3p.ds&msclkid=ee0a2757f684173c6b9d78eb967137d3.
you need to use tweezers to pull those out