Reuse Lumber and Plywood by Pulling Out Old Nails

Reuse Lumber and Plywood by Pulling Out Old Nails
Extracting nails from scrap wood seems to be a simple enough task, but it is time-consuming. Carolina Jaramillo/Shutterstock
Updated:
Dear James: When doing home improvement projects, I like to reuse the old lumber. It’s more stable and looks good. What is the easiest method to pull out the old nails? —Mario R.
Dear Mario: If you are somewhat careful when removing the old lumber from walls and decks, much of it can usually be reused. Often, a damaged end may need to be cut off, but the remaining piece is still in great shape once the nails are pulled out. As you mentioned, this old wood is very stable and won’t warp like new wood can.
James Dulley
James Dulley
Author
Send your questions to Here's How, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244, or visit Dulley.com. To find out more about James Dulley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at Creators.com. Copyright 2025 Creators.com
Related Topics