How many nails can you balance on 1? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

pritch · 02-15-2009, 02:24 AM

I stopped in the local bar after work the other day, and I had a few nails in my pocket I had forgot about. As I was enjoying my Crown and Coke, I had a couple of those nails on the bar just goofing around with them and a fellow asked my WTF was I doing with those nails.

"Seeing how many I can balance on the head of one"

He didn't think I could balance any on the head of another, 1 at the most, he allowed.

"Tell ya what" I told him, "Buy me a shot for everyone I can more than, say, 3 then."

That sounded like a pretty good bet to him, so it was done.

So I went out to the truck and grabbed a handfull of green sinkers and my hammer and proceded to balance 18 nails on the head of 1.

The guy was pissed. Lucky thing for him I gave up and let him off the hook after about 6 or 7 shots.

I think most older carpenters knew this trick, but it's great for getting a free drink or lunch outta the know-it-all kids.

I'll post how it's done later.

SDC · 02-15-2009, 09:06 AM

I can easily do 12-14,

if the first two are longer...maybe more.
Are all your nails the same size? I do this trick with 12d's and run out of room cause of the diameter of the nail.
I hope I don't give away your trick

but I still can get even some "seasoned" carpenters on this