How to Not Hit Your Thumb With a Hammer

Not getting hurt when you drive a nail into wood.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hammer, nail, wood, hands and thumbs

1. Find a place in wood that you want a nail driven into. Like if you are putting a dog house together or fixing a chair or whatever.

2. Hold nail steady with hand that does not have the hammer in it.

3. Keeping your thumb away from top of nail lightly tap head of nail into wood so it will stand up by itself.

4. Move the hand you were holding nail with behind your back or put it in your pocket.

5. Hit head of nail with head of hammer being held with hand that your mind has better control over. Hit nail with harder force to drive nail into wood. Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes as sometimes when you make contact with the nail it can fly back and hit you in the face. Practice makes perfect. Have fun with it!

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be hammered when you hammer
• Can be habit forming. Next thing you know you will have to move into a place that has a garage.

[bfrank]

on 5/8/2009 There's a great new product that solves this problem. It's called the Nail Driver, and it's a one-handed push-hammer. Available on Amazon (from AbsolutelyNew): http://www.amazon.com/Nail-Driver/dp/B001QGO1HU

[chameleon]

on 1/3/2009 Love this! This is the kind of handyman advice you don't hear on all the DIY shows, but it's sure helpful information!

[Gilbo]

on 12/28/2008 Thanks!!...YOU ROCK!!!!!

[soanyway]

on 12/28/2008 I'm really laughing at the "put the hand behind your back or in your pocket"!! it's all about control! I like your avatar too. I have recom'd you!

[Gilbo]

on 12/28/2008 Why an extra copy of my last comment? Trippy!