nails

[marcros]

there was a recent post on hand made nails which got me thinking and googling.

I am aware that antique furniture used nails in various places, but dont understand quite why? have glues moved on so that they can now be used where they previously couldnt, is it a fashion thing?

where would nails be used these days (in furniture)?

 

[Jacob]

I've seen them used to fix back panels or match boarding in a rebate, and for pinning things like cock beads and small mouldings. Then there's a whole class of un-fine furniture with nails used a lot - I've got an oak table drawer just nailed together with no joints.
The reason why is that they are a simple cheap reliable fixing. But so were dovetails when labour was cheap and also skilled.
There is a trick which I 'm sure was used a lot you, though you can't easily see evidence - which is to pre-drill, so even nailing can require skill.

 

[Richard T]

"Old" nails were drawn out of a larger diameter bar - hence the square shape and headed in a heading block. If the heading block has a round hole in it, the nail develops a rounded area just under the head with the force and compression of the heading.

I've seen a few places on line selling what proport to be hand made or blacksmith made that do not bear the marks of this type of manufacture. Though I don't know how they are made.

The ones I make look like this:





And ones I have seen for sale on line do not. They look as though they have been somehow clipped or pressed.

I don't know about modern uses in furniture but in box and chest furniture they are very much sought after. Doors too.

 

[marcros]

they look fantastic Richard.

What material are they from?

 

[Col]

I had some old nails that I'd kept from years ago. Looking at them now they seem more like studs of some sort - I think they were used to fix a large T hinge on an internal door (though I may be wrong since it was a long time ago).

Is the raised pattern on the top of the head just a 'stamp' or a sign it was made in two pieces?

 

[Richard T]

Thanks Marc - it's just mild steel. I've tried wrought iron but you have no guarantee of quality and they invariably split.

I left that post a bit short. I wanted to say that this type of nail is designed to be clenched; put right the way through two or more pieces of wood + a hinge, strap or whatever, bent over and the tip driven into the wood at the back. So it's not really a furniture thing, more like for holding together boards, straps and hinges.

And as for pre drilling Jacob, I'd say it is essential. I also drill the back hole.

 

[Dodge]

I used to make alot of traditional ledged and braced oak doors and had a large quantity of nails made for me by a local blacksmith - they are like this and I always pre-drilled before hammering the buggers home!!



Still got loads if anyone wants some - don't do doors these days!

 

[mrpercysnodgrass]

Hi Rodger, how many nails do you have and how much do you want for them?