How to remove masonry nails?

[Melissa4]

Hi guys, 

I've tried usual claw hammer, vice grips, multi grips. Is there any trick to trying to get these 3.8mm diameter nails out of brick wall with render? They are solid!!! My last resort is cutting them off. 

[AlanM52]

Hi @Melissa4,

Try this-

Stubby Pry Bar.

Wire cutters like the one on the right.

And piece of scrap timber for leverage.

From the photo use the top end of the pry bar and slide under the nail head.

Use scrap timber to pack the pry bar closer to the nail head for maximum leverage.

Grip nail head with wire cutters and try pulling out nail.

If no-go come back for more suggestions

Cheers

[JacobZ]

Hi @Melissa4,

Thank you for your question about removing a masonry nail.

Masonry nails are always difficult to remove once they are in place. The claw hammer is in the right direction, but you won't get enough leverage out of it to pull it out.

I would be giving something with a much longer handle, such as this Craftright Heavy Duty Wrecking Bar a try. 

Like @AlanM52 mentioned, putting a piece of scrap timber under the pry bar will help you get more leverage to pull the nail out.

If this doesn't work, you could try longer wrecking bars, but at that point you are likely best just cutting it off with an angle grinder.

Let me know what you think and if you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[Melissa4]

Thanks, had tried with a smaller pry bar but will go pick a longer one up tomorrow and give it a shot!

[EricL]

Hi @Melissa4 

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing the masonry nails taken out.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[R4addZ]

hi @Melissa4 

I'm a bit late to the party but you can use a piece of metal with a hole drilled in it  or at worse the biggest washer you can find with the smalles hole and put it over the nail before trying to extract it. The idea is that it supports the plaster around the nail and stops it spalling off as the nail comes out but whatever you are using has to be seated on the metal/washer to give the support.

[Noyade]

And should you have hundreds of similar nails to remove, may I humbly recommend the Crescent adjustable nail puller. No need for blocks, chocks or washers - the shoe surface is very large.

Keep us posted with your renovations!

God save the King! 😁

[Melissa4]

Thanks for all your suggestions guys, no luck unfortunately (tried the wrecking bar with timber etc). Will be getting the angle grinder out.