How to
Countersink Nail
Heads
Hiding Nail Heads
Introduction:
Countersinking is a
method woodworkers
used to hide finish
nails in
woodworking
projects. A
finished
woodworking project
is unsightly if the
nail heads are
still showing.
Hiding them is
known as
countersinking.
Countersinking nail
heads is very easy.
It does not take
more than a few
minutes of your
time to countersink
them and have a
professional
looking finished
piece of work.
For countersinking
you need to use a
finish nail or
brad. These type of
fasteners do not
have a flat head on
them. These type of
nails can be found
at any hardware
store. Insure that
they are long
enough to secure
the material
together. Finish
nails and brads
have no head. In
place of a head
they have a small
divot on the top
outer edge. The
divot is the
indentation on the
top of the nail.
To countersink
them, first drive
the nail into the
wood until it is
flush with the
surface. Then find
the divot and place
either a
counterpunch tool,
or an awl on top of
the nail head.
After placing the
counterpunch tool
on the divot, use a
hammer to drive the
finish nail deeper
into the wood. A
carpenter’s hammer
or a regular hammer
will work. You
don't need to drive
it too far into the
wood. A sixteenth
to an eighth of an
inch will be
plenty. You only
want the head to be
deep enough so it
won't be seen.
After the nail is
countersunk there
will be a small
hole in the wood.
Use a wood filler
or a nail-hole
filler to fill the
hole. Be sure that
the filler material
is one that can be
painted or stained
over. Some fillers
do not cover easily
and can be seen
when stained.
Scrape off any
filler material
that is left on the
wood surface. Let
it dry for about 15
minutes. Sometimes,
it will be
necessary to apply
a second
application.
Once the wood
filler is dry, sand
it with a fine
piece of sandpaper
until the
countersink and the
surrounding area is
smooth. Ally either
paint or stain for
a professionally
finished job that
you can be proud
of.
See related shop projects:
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How to Use a Wood Chisel
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