why r old nails square?
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,589
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From: NW burbs of chicago
http://www.appaltree.net/aba/nails.htm
Cut nails could be manufactured much faster than hand-forged nails. As the process was mechanized, the cost per nail was less. However, cut nail factories employed operators and attendants for each machine so the process was still labor-intensive. The noise in those mills was deafening as well. Cut nails had their heyday from about 1820 (development of the Type B nail) to 1910, the advent of the wire nail.
Wire nails are round. Steel wire is fed into a machine that grips the wire, cuts it, makes the head, and chisels the point, all in one operation. This process is totally mechanized, requiring only someone to turn the machine on and off. Wire nail machines can make thousands of nails per minute.
Wire nails have all but replaced the cut nail. Cut nails are still used but mainly for restoration and masonry work. Though wire nails are cheaper to produce, the cut nail has a holding power of approximately four times to its modern, round cousin. Compared on that basis, cut nails win the day easily.
Cut nails could be manufactured much faster than hand-forged nails. As the process was mechanized, the cost per nail was less. However, cut nail factories employed operators and attendants for each machine so the process was still labor-intensive. The noise in those mills was deafening as well. Cut nails had their heyday from about 1820 (development of the Type B nail) to 1910, the advent of the wire nail.
Wire nails are round. Steel wire is fed into a machine that grips the wire, cuts it, makes the head, and chisels the point, all in one operation. This process is totally mechanized, requiring only someone to turn the machine on and off. Wire nail machines can make thousands of nails per minute.
Wire nails have all but replaced the cut nail. Cut nails are still used but mainly for restoration and masonry work. Though wire nails are cheaper to produce, the cut nail has a holding power of approximately four times to its modern, round cousin. Compared on that basis, cut nails win the day easily.
In modern construction, more and more nail driving is being done with air-operated nail guns. Nails of nearly all sizes are available. However, since the air nailing gun is large and cumbersome, it is most often used to fasten sheathing, such as plywood, to the framing. The nails are prepared to fit in the air gun's clip or nail sleeve (much like a stapler and the way staples are loaded) and are driven one-at-a-time. The air gun nail resembles the cut nail of old with the exception that the head is "T"-shaped rather than battened on all four sides.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,443
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From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
In the beginning:
Nails were hand made from "nail rod" It was heated and hammered into a point on an anvil, it was "cut" or "dented" on a hardy, or "hack iron" and put into a nail header and snapped off. A "head" was hammered into the nail and the header was dunked into water shrinking the nail and it would fall out, a complete nail. A skiled nailmaker could make 800 or more nails in a day... It was a money maker for early settelers. Machines were made to slowly replace many of the process, wire nails are easy and fast to make (as well stated above)
Nails were hand made from "nail rod" It was heated and hammered into a point on an anvil, it was "cut" or "dented" on a hardy, or "hack iron" and put into a nail header and snapped off. A "head" was hammered into the nail and the header was dunked into water shrinking the nail and it would fall out, a complete nail. A skiled nailmaker could make 800 or more nails in a day... It was a money maker for early settelers. Machines were made to slowly replace many of the process, wire nails are easy and fast to make (as well stated above)
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
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I was trying to multi task and screwed up, I thought I was making a new thread but was repling to this one SORRY( cut me some slack I'm getting old LOL!)
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Willamette Valley, Oregon
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: SW Arizona
Kirby has made his own nails occasionally. Did this while constructing a couple of large wooden medieval chests as a custom order a few years ago. Made his own header and nail block to use on the anvil. As pointed out, these are less likely to split the wood than wire nails and do hold far better.
One company that still makes the "old fashion" square nails commercially is Tremont Nail Company back East. He used their nails while making some rawhide covered wooden Scottish Targes back in the 80s. Two pieces of rawhide was stretched over the thick plywood core, one front and the other back. Then tied tight to dry. The nails were used to secure the hide after the front cover's lacing was cut away. Also used as decoration on the front. More apt to stay in place and "not work out"
One company that still makes the "old fashion" square nails commercially is Tremont Nail Company back East. He used their nails while making some rawhide covered wooden Scottish Targes back in the 80s. Two pieces of rawhide was stretched over the thick plywood core, one front and the other back. Then tied tight to dry. The nails were used to secure the hide after the front cover's lacing was cut away. Also used as decoration on the front. More apt to stay in place and "not work out"
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: central TX
My grandparents house is built about 50 ft from where a blacksmith worked way back when. We have found so many square nails it's ridiculous, several coffee cans worth. I've been told they are worth a little money. Lots of broken horseshoes, tack, random bracket looking things and some larger pieces of metal that we have no idea about too. Not sure if they were seconds or what happened, but you can go out and look around or dig and you're likely to find something within 10 min. Pretty interesting stuff.
