Nail Bars

About Nail Bars

Nail bars, also known as pry bars or wrecking bars, are essential hand tools designed for extracting nails, removing mouldings, and performing light demolition work. These robust tools feature carefully designed claw ends and leverage points that allow tradespeople to pull embedded nails and fasteners without damaging surrounding materials. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks a comprehensive range of nail bars from trusted brands including Bahco, Stanley, DeWalt, Milwaukee and Roughneck, suitable for both professional contractors and serious DIY enthusiasts.

Available in various designs including compact nail pullers, precision crowfoot bars, and multi-function pry bar sets, these tools are engineered from hardened steel to withstand the considerable forces involved in extraction work. Whether you need a delicate moulding bar for finishing carpentry or a heavy-duty wrecking bar for renovation projects, the selection at MyToolShed.co.uk provides options for every application and budget.

Applications

Nail bars are indispensable tools across numerous trades and applications:

• Carpentry and joinery: Removing mouldings, skirting boards, and architraves without damage
• Roofing: Extracting old nails from slates and tiles during repairs
• Decking installation: Correcting misplaced fasteners and removing old deck boards
• Renovation and demolition: Dismantling timber frameworks and removing fixtures
• Flooring specialists: Lifting floorboards and removing stubborn nails
• Fencing contractors: Dismantling old fence panels and posts
• General building maintenance: Repairing and replacing damaged timber elements
• DIY home improvement: Kitchen and bathroom refits, general repairs

Choosing The Right Nail Bars

Selecting the appropriate nail bar depends on several key factors:

Bar length and leverage: Longer bars (300-600mm) provide greater leverage for stubborn fixings, whilst compact models (150-250mm) offer precision and access in tight spaces. Consider the typical scale of your projects when selecting size.

End configurations: Crowfoot designs excel at getting beneath nail heads in confined spaces, whilst traditional claw ends suit general-purpose extraction. Multi-ended bars offer versatility with different profiles at each end.

Material construction: Drop-forged or chrome vanadium steel bars deliver superior strength and durability for professional use. Look for heat-treated options that resist bending under load.

Handle design: Cushioned or contoured grips reduce hand fatigue during extended use, particularly important for contractors. Some models feature striking faces for additional functionality.

Brand reputation: Professional-grade tools from manufacturers like Bahco, Milwaukee and Estwing typically offer better balance, durability and warranty support than budget alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a nail bar and a crowbar?

Nail bars are specifically designed with precision claw ends for extracting nails with minimal surface damage, making them ideal for finishing work. Crowbars are heavier-duty demolition tools with chisel ends primarily used for prying and wrecking applications requiring more force.

Can nail bars damage timber when removing nails?

When used correctly with a protective block beneath the fulcrum point, quality nail bars minimise surface damage. Crowfoot and precision designs are specifically engineered to slip beneath nail heads whilst distributing pressure across a wider area, preserving the timber face.

Are nail pullers suitable for removing screws?

Nail bars are optimised for extracting nailed fixings rather than screws. For screw removal, a proper screwdriver or impact driver is more appropriate. However, nail bars can sometimes extract damaged or painted-over screws where the head is no longer accessible to conventional tools.