Definition:
A nailset is a small metal tool that looks much like an icepick. When you face-nail finish nails into wood, you often cannot hit the nail the nail quarter-inch or so into the wood or you will damage the surface of the wood.
The tip of the nailset is placed on the head of the finish nail. Finish nails usually have a small dent on their heads to allow for placement of a nail set. A hammer then hits the blunt end of the nail set, driving the finish nail the rest of the way into the wood.
Why Use a Nailset?
- Driving in finish nails without damaging surface of wood.
- Push finish nail level to the surface of the wood, or
- Push finish nails below the surface of the wood, to allow for wood putty to be applied.
- Correct stubborn finish nails.
Tip: old nailsets that are past their prime can be turned upside-down, and their blunt ends used for gently tapping in regular nails to the surface of the wood.
Also Known As: Nailset, Nail-set
Examples:
He tapped in the finish nail the rest of the way with the nailset.
