Commonly used nails:
1. Lost head nail.
Head can be punched below surface for a neater finish in fine work.
2. Round wire nail.
For work where strength is more important than a neat appearance.
3. Oval wire nail.
Oval cross-section makes nail less likely to split wood.
4. Clout nail.
Large-headed, for fixing roofing felt, etc,to wood.
5. Picture sprig.
Headless, holds glass to picture frames; also for fixing down lino.
6. Panel pin.
Small nail for securing light pieces of wood; used in conjunction with glue.
7. French nail.
For rough carpentry work; large, ugly head ensures a firm grip.
8. Masonry pin.
Hardened steel nail for fixing wood direct to masonry.
9. Wrought nail.
Soft iron nail; point can be ‘clenched’ (turned over) for extra grip.
10. Hardboard pin.
Unusual head shape countersinks itself in hardboard, can be filled over.
11. Chair nail.
Decorative head for fixing leather, etc, in upholstery work.
12. Tack.
Small nail with broad head, for fixing down carpets and fabrics.
13. Staple.
For securing wire, upholstery springs, etc, to woodwork.
Special-purpose nails:
14. Corrugated fastener.
For butt-jointing timber quickly and easily: not very strong.
15. Screw nail.
For fastening sheet materials to wood. Great holding power.
16. Floor brad.
Holds down floorboards. Great holding power, but now obsolete.
17. Joiner’s brad.
Small carpentry nail used where extra holding power is needed.
18. Cut clasp nail.
Obsolete general-purpose nail superseded by oval wire nail.
19. Needle point.
Steel pin for fixing small mouldings: head broken off flush.
20. Annular nail.
Used like the screw nail, but larger and stronger.
21. Duplex head nail.
For concrete formwork: double head permits easy removal.
22. Dowel nail.
For end-to-end hidden joints in high-quality work.
23. Chevron.
For joining corners of frames where strength and appearance are unimportant.
24. Insulated staple.
For securing telephone and other low-voltage wiring.
25. Saddle tack.
For wiring: first tacked down, then folded over and fastened.
26. Roofing nail.
For securing corrugated iron or asbestos roofing to wooden rafters.
27. Chisel-headed nail.
For fastening gutters, etc, direct to mortar.