May 31, 2018
Ask This Old House
Q: A previous owner nailed 2x4s to the ceiling to give it a beamed look. How do I get rid of them?
A: Tom Silva, This Old House general contractor: If your predecessor did a “good” job and used beefy 16d framing nails, you’ll need nail-pulling power of the sort provided by the tool show here. Place the jaws of the Crescent No. 56 Nail Puller on either side of the nailhead, and slam the siding handle against its stop to drive the jaws into the wood. Then lever the handle back against the jaw’s leg to remove the nail. The harder you pull, the tighter the jaws grip; no nail can resist.
