Hammer Nails Painlessly

Hammer nails without flattening your thumb. Yes, it can be done ... if you master the right technique. A gentle tap, tap, tapping is the secret. Here's how to hammer correctly and painlessly:

1. Grip it right. Hold the hammer near the middle of the handle to start a nail. This gives extra precision that will (hopefully!) protect your fingers.

2. Tap gently, swinging from the wrist. This gets the nail started in a hole. Remove your hand from the nail.

3. Swing firmly from the elbow. This will drive the nail into the hole.

Still banging your fingers ... or missing the mark completely? Frustrating! But here are a couple of tricks to try:

Pretend you're hitting a baseball with a bat. In other words, focus all your attention on the head of the nail (ball) and let the hammer (bat) become an extension of your arm for a natural swing.

Make a nail cushion from an old mouse pad, a piece of foam, or a square of cardboard. This is a clever way to remove your fingers from the impact zone.

Oh, and one last smart tip: Working with a tricky angle? Try placing a small magnet on the head of the hammer. The nail will stick to the magnet, making it easier to get the nail started in a hole.