person holding a orange block of wood with a nail; nail is between the 3rd and 4th finger with the point sticking out and the nail head against the block
pine board in an elevated position on two supporting blocks, person with leather gloves gripping a block and a nail

 

Code Number: 1F30.40

Demo Title: Drive a Nail by Hand

Condition: Good

Principle: Inertia

Area of Study: Mechanics

Equipment: 

Leather gloves, small block of wood, 3- to 4-inch nails, pine boards.

Procedure:

Place a pine board in an elevated position on two supporting blocks.  Also, add a backstop to protect the table in case the nail completely penetrates the pine board.  Put on a leather glove, grip the small block in your hand, and place the head of the nail between the 3rd and 4th finger with the point sticking out and the nail head against the block in your fist.  Swing your hand in a large overhand motion and drive the nail into the board.  You will probably be able to penetrate the board completely if they are not too old and dried out.  Watch out for the knots.

References:

  • Dennis P. Zicko, "Demonstration: A Nail Driven into Wood", TPT, Jan 1980, p. 50.