How to Hammer a Nail Without Banging Your Fingers

Banging your fingers while hammering nails can be extremely painful. With any do-it-yourself project, it is important to make sure that you have the right tools and safety equipment. There are also a few tricks to ensure that you don't hurt yourself.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Pick the right hammer. Dfferent hammers are designed to work with specific kinds of nails and with certain materials. Choosing the correct hammer will make hammering easier and may minimize any damage to the materials if you happen to miss the nail.

2. Hold the hammer at the end of the handle. You may be tempted to hold the hammer handle in the middle or towards the head, but this actually makes the tool more difficult to control.

3. Grip the hammer firmly. If you hold it too loosely, it may slip out of your hand.

4. Put the nail in place. Press it into the surface so that a divot is created. This will help steady the nail.

5. Hold the hammer in your dominate hand and hold the nail between the thumb and index finger of your other hand.

6. Keep your wrist straight and move the hammer by moving your entire forearm in an linear motion. Focus on the head of the nail and ignore distractions.

7. Tap the nail gently until it is deep enough to stay in the surface by itself. Then release the nail and hammer more firmly until the nail is at the desired depth.