How to get a flat-head nail out of a piece of wood?





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I have a 1/4” nail that someone put in a wooden bed frame that is 1/2” thick.
The wood is hard (not soft) and the nail is flush with the wood in some parts, actually digging into the wood in other parts.



How does one get this nail out without damaging the wood too much?



The only thing I can think of is to “chisel” around the nail head until I can expose it enough to pull it out.



UPDATE: The nail has to come out so I can put a screw in to hold the bed frame together.










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    1















    I have a 1/4” nail that someone put in a wooden bed frame that is 1/2” thick.
    The wood is hard (not soft) and the nail is flush with the wood in some parts, actually digging into the wood in other parts.



    How does one get this nail out without damaging the wood too much?



    The only thing I can think of is to “chisel” around the nail head until I can expose it enough to pull it out.



    UPDATE: The nail has to come out so I can put a screw in to hold the bed frame together.










    share|improve this question









    New contributor




    tale852150 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.























      1












      1








      1








      I have a 1/4” nail that someone put in a wooden bed frame that is 1/2” thick.
      The wood is hard (not soft) and the nail is flush with the wood in some parts, actually digging into the wood in other parts.



      How does one get this nail out without damaging the wood too much?



      The only thing I can think of is to “chisel” around the nail head until I can expose it enough to pull it out.



      UPDATE: The nail has to come out so I can put a screw in to hold the bed frame together.










      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      tale852150 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.












      I have a 1/4” nail that someone put in a wooden bed frame that is 1/2” thick.
      The wood is hard (not soft) and the nail is flush with the wood in some parts, actually digging into the wood in other parts.



      How does one get this nail out without damaging the wood too much?



      The only thing I can think of is to “chisel” around the nail head until I can expose it enough to pull it out.



      UPDATE: The nail has to come out so I can put a screw in to hold the bed frame together.







      wood






      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      tale852150 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











      share|improve this question









      New contributor




      tale852150 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited 13 hours ago







      tale852150













      New contributor




      tale852150 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      asked 14 hours ago









      tale852150tale852150

      1085




      1085




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      tale852150 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.






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      Check out our Code of Conduct.






















          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          1














          I would use a tapered tool to get under the highest edge and use a plate or something to prevent any more damage to the surface while levering it out.



          Done carefully, you can then use screws with some decorative (brass) washers to cover the damage and perhaps leave a better "look".



          Something like :



          enter image description here



          source : https://www.amazon.com/Finishing-Washer-Solid-Countersunk-Washers/dp/B07KY2B7LC






          share|improve this answer
























          • I’ll take this answer ... thx. I was thinking there may be some other option but I think the same as you (except I didn’t think of the brass washers - very nice).

            – tale852150
            13 hours ago











          • @tale852150 been there, done that... :) kids beds (aka trampolines) that become loose.

            – Solar Mike
            13 hours ago



















          3














          Personally, I would use a nail set tool to drive it in a bit and then use wood filler and then sand after it is dry. It will leave a better aesthetic than digging it out.



          If you must remove it, blunt the tip of a nail and use that to drive the short nail all the way through and pull it from the other side once you get enough to clamp onto to pull it out.






          share|improve this answer


























          • Thanks for the info. But the nail has to come out. I need to put a screw in their to hold the bed frame together.

            – tale852150
            13 hours ago











          • "nail set tool" aka punch.

            – Solar Mike
            13 hours ago











          • I’ve updated the question to clarify the situation. But your answer would be good to know under other circumstances.

            – tale852150
            13 hours ago











          • @tale852150 updated with a removal option

            – UnhandledExcepSean
            13 hours ago



















          3














          This style of nail puller does a good job of pulling out nails that are flush or deeper.



          nail puller



          It won't leave the original surface completely untouched, as it needs a tiny bit of clearance to get a grip on the nail.






          share|improve this answer


























          • Thanks - I might try this if all else fails.

            – tale852150
            8 hours ago












          Your Answer








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          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes








          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes









          1














          I would use a tapered tool to get under the highest edge and use a plate or something to prevent any more damage to the surface while levering it out.



          Done carefully, you can then use screws with some decorative (brass) washers to cover the damage and perhaps leave a better "look".



          Something like :



          enter image description here



          source : https://www.amazon.com/Finishing-Washer-Solid-Countersunk-Washers/dp/B07KY2B7LC






          share|improve this answer
























          • I’ll take this answer ... thx. I was thinking there may be some other option but I think the same as you (except I didn’t think of the brass washers - very nice).

            – tale852150
            13 hours ago











          • @tale852150 been there, done that... :) kids beds (aka trampolines) that become loose.

            – Solar Mike
            13 hours ago
















          1














          I would use a tapered tool to get under the highest edge and use a plate or something to prevent any more damage to the surface while levering it out.



          Done carefully, you can then use screws with some decorative (brass) washers to cover the damage and perhaps leave a better "look".



          Something like :



          enter image description here



          source : https://www.amazon.com/Finishing-Washer-Solid-Countersunk-Washers/dp/B07KY2B7LC






          share|improve this answer
























          • I’ll take this answer ... thx. I was thinking there may be some other option but I think the same as you (except I didn’t think of the brass washers - very nice).

            – tale852150
            13 hours ago











          • @tale852150 been there, done that... :) kids beds (aka trampolines) that become loose.

            – Solar Mike
            13 hours ago














          1












          1








          1







          I would use a tapered tool to get under the highest edge and use a plate or something to prevent any more damage to the surface while levering it out.



          Done carefully, you can then use screws with some decorative (brass) washers to cover the damage and perhaps leave a better "look".



          Something like :



          enter image description here



          source : https://www.amazon.com/Finishing-Washer-Solid-Countersunk-Washers/dp/B07KY2B7LC






          share|improve this answer













          I would use a tapered tool to get under the highest edge and use a plate or something to prevent any more damage to the surface while levering it out.



          Done carefully, you can then use screws with some decorative (brass) washers to cover the damage and perhaps leave a better "look".



          Something like :



          enter image description here



          source : https://www.amazon.com/Finishing-Washer-Solid-Countersunk-Washers/dp/B07KY2B7LC







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 13 hours ago









          Solar MikeSolar Mike

          1,418210




          1,418210













          • I’ll take this answer ... thx. I was thinking there may be some other option but I think the same as you (except I didn’t think of the brass washers - very nice).

            – tale852150
            13 hours ago











          • @tale852150 been there, done that... :) kids beds (aka trampolines) that become loose.

            – Solar Mike
            13 hours ago



















          • I’ll take this answer ... thx. I was thinking there may be some other option but I think the same as you (except I didn’t think of the brass washers - very nice).

            – tale852150
            13 hours ago











          • @tale852150 been there, done that... :) kids beds (aka trampolines) that become loose.

            – Solar Mike
            13 hours ago

















          I’ll take this answer ... thx. I was thinking there may be some other option but I think the same as you (except I didn’t think of the brass washers - very nice).

          – tale852150
          13 hours ago





          I’ll take this answer ... thx. I was thinking there may be some other option but I think the same as you (except I didn’t think of the brass washers - very nice).

          – tale852150
          13 hours ago













          @tale852150 been there, done that... :) kids beds (aka trampolines) that become loose.

          – Solar Mike
          13 hours ago





          @tale852150 been there, done that... :) kids beds (aka trampolines) that become loose.

          – Solar Mike
          13 hours ago













          3














          Personally, I would use a nail set tool to drive it in a bit and then use wood filler and then sand after it is dry. It will leave a better aesthetic than digging it out.



          If you must remove it, blunt the tip of a nail and use that to drive the short nail all the way through and pull it from the other side once you get enough to clamp onto to pull it out.






          share|improve this answer


























          • Thanks for the info. But the nail has to come out. I need to put a screw in their to hold the bed frame together.

            – tale852150
            13 hours ago











          • "nail set tool" aka punch.

            – Solar Mike
            13 hours ago











          • I’ve updated the question to clarify the situation. But your answer would be good to know under other circumstances.

            – tale852150
            13 hours ago











          • @tale852150 updated with a removal option

            – UnhandledExcepSean
            13 hours ago
















          3














          Personally, I would use a nail set tool to drive it in a bit and then use wood filler and then sand after it is dry. It will leave a better aesthetic than digging it out.



          If you must remove it, blunt the tip of a nail and use that to drive the short nail all the way through and pull it from the other side once you get enough to clamp onto to pull it out.






          share|improve this answer


























          • Thanks for the info. But the nail has to come out. I need to put a screw in their to hold the bed frame together.

            – tale852150
            13 hours ago











          • "nail set tool" aka punch.

            – Solar Mike
            13 hours ago











          • I’ve updated the question to clarify the situation. But your answer would be good to know under other circumstances.

            – tale852150
            13 hours ago











          • @tale852150 updated with a removal option

            – UnhandledExcepSean
            13 hours ago














          3












          3








          3







          Personally, I would use a nail set tool to drive it in a bit and then use wood filler and then sand after it is dry. It will leave a better aesthetic than digging it out.



          If you must remove it, blunt the tip of a nail and use that to drive the short nail all the way through and pull it from the other side once you get enough to clamp onto to pull it out.






          share|improve this answer















          Personally, I would use a nail set tool to drive it in a bit and then use wood filler and then sand after it is dry. It will leave a better aesthetic than digging it out.



          If you must remove it, blunt the tip of a nail and use that to drive the short nail all the way through and pull it from the other side once you get enough to clamp onto to pull it out.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 13 hours ago

























          answered 14 hours ago









          UnhandledExcepSeanUnhandledExcepSean

          1,84131624




          1,84131624













          • Thanks for the info. But the nail has to come out. I need to put a screw in their to hold the bed frame together.

            – tale852150
            13 hours ago











          • "nail set tool" aka punch.

            – Solar Mike
            13 hours ago











          • I’ve updated the question to clarify the situation. But your answer would be good to know under other circumstances.

            – tale852150
            13 hours ago











          • @tale852150 updated with a removal option

            – UnhandledExcepSean
            13 hours ago



















          • Thanks for the info. But the nail has to come out. I need to put a screw in their to hold the bed frame together.

            – tale852150
            13 hours ago











          • "nail set tool" aka punch.

            – Solar Mike
            13 hours ago











          • I’ve updated the question to clarify the situation. But your answer would be good to know under other circumstances.

            – tale852150
            13 hours ago











          • @tale852150 updated with a removal option

            – UnhandledExcepSean
            13 hours ago

















          Thanks for the info. But the nail has to come out. I need to put a screw in their to hold the bed frame together.

          – tale852150
          13 hours ago





          Thanks for the info. But the nail has to come out. I need to put a screw in their to hold the bed frame together.

          – tale852150
          13 hours ago













          "nail set tool" aka punch.

          – Solar Mike
          13 hours ago





          "nail set tool" aka punch.

          – Solar Mike
          13 hours ago













          I’ve updated the question to clarify the situation. But your answer would be good to know under other circumstances.

          – tale852150
          13 hours ago





          I’ve updated the question to clarify the situation. But your answer would be good to know under other circumstances.

          – tale852150
          13 hours ago













          @tale852150 updated with a removal option

          – UnhandledExcepSean
          13 hours ago





          @tale852150 updated with a removal option

          – UnhandledExcepSean
          13 hours ago











          3














          This style of nail puller does a good job of pulling out nails that are flush or deeper.



          nail puller



          It won't leave the original surface completely untouched, as it needs a tiny bit of clearance to get a grip on the nail.






          share|improve this answer


























          • Thanks - I might try this if all else fails.

            – tale852150
            8 hours ago
















          3














          This style of nail puller does a good job of pulling out nails that are flush or deeper.



          nail puller



          It won't leave the original surface completely untouched, as it needs a tiny bit of clearance to get a grip on the nail.






          share|improve this answer


























          • Thanks - I might try this if all else fails.

            – tale852150
            8 hours ago














          3












          3








          3







          This style of nail puller does a good job of pulling out nails that are flush or deeper.



          nail puller



          It won't leave the original surface completely untouched, as it needs a tiny bit of clearance to get a grip on the nail.






          share|improve this answer















          This style of nail puller does a good job of pulling out nails that are flush or deeper.



          nail puller



          It won't leave the original surface completely untouched, as it needs a tiny bit of clearance to get a grip on the nail.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited 4 hours ago

























          answered 11 hours ago









          Doug DedenDoug Deden

          1546




          1546













          • Thanks - I might try this if all else fails.

            – tale852150
            8 hours ago



















          • Thanks - I might try this if all else fails.

            – tale852150
            8 hours ago

















          Thanks - I might try this if all else fails.

          – tale852150
          8 hours ago





          Thanks - I might try this if all else fails.

          – tale852150
          8 hours ago










          tale852150 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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          tale852150 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.













          tale852150 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.












          tale852150 is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
















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