1. Hardware and Fastener Identification Nails, with Descriptions
By Dave Wilson
Information Technology and Communication Services
ITCS Instructional Materials
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Copyright © 2008 – University of Illinois Board of Trustees
D-JH

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Nail, smooth-shank roofing ……..….
Nail, drywall ……….……………...….
Nail, hardened trim ….….……….….
Nail, finish (8d) …….….……………..
Nail, galvanized twisted-shank (8d) .
Nail, cement-coated (sinker) (8d) ....
Nail, ring-shank (8d) ….……….....…
Nail, cement-coated (sinker) (16d) .
Nail, ring-shank pole barn (4-inch) .
Nail, bright finish (10d) ..….….….…
Nail, galvanized box (6d) ….…
Nail, common (10d) ….…..….….….
Nail, common (16d) ……..…...….…
Nails, coiled roofing ……….….….…
Nail, barbed-shank roofing …..….… 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Nail, cement-coated (sinker) (50d) .
Nail, galvanized casing (16d) ….....
Nail, scaffold or duplex (10d) ….…
Nail, galvanized joist hanger ….….
Nail, bright joist hanger ……………
Nail stick for nail gun ………………
Poultry netting staples .……………
Fence staples, barbed-shank . ……
Fence staple, smooth-shank………
Corrugated fastener ……………….
Nail, plastic cap …………………….
Upholstery tack …...……………….
Nail, fluted masonry ……………….
Drive pin …………………………….
Staple, construction ……………….. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32
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3. Nail, smooth-shank roofing
Roofing nails are identified by their large-diameter heads. They are used to attach asphalt shingles to the roof of a building.
Roofing nails are driven with a hammer and are typically driven flush with the surface of the shingle.
Roofing nails come in a variety of lengths from 3/4 inch to 2-1/2 inches.
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4. Nails, drywall
Drywall nails are used to install gypsum wallboard to wood framing. They typically have a ring shank to increase their holding power.
These nails are driven into the wallboard with enough force to slightly countersink the head of the nail in a round dimple. This dimple is used to place joint compound, so the head of the nail does not show in the finished wall.
Drywall nails are spaced every 8 inches on walls and every 6 inches on ceilings. Drywall nails rarely exceed 2 inches in length, with the 1-1/4 inch ideal for 1/2-inch sheetrock.
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5. Nails, hardened trim
Hardened trim nails are used to install wood trim around windows or doors and in other applications where trim is applied to a wall.
Hardened trim nails have a slender shank and have been hardened to reduce bending as they are driven into hard trim lumber.
The use of pneumatic and electric nail guns is replacing hand nailing.
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6. Nail, finish (8d)
A finish nail is made from a smaller- diameter wire than common nails and has a small head, which permits sinking below the wood surface so it does not show.
The head has a rounded appearance, as compared to other nailheads. The shape of the head helps reduce splitting the wood as the nail is set (driven below the wood surface).
Finish nails are available from 2d to 16d. The length of a nail is measured in “pennyweight” and is represented by the letter “d.”
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7. Nail, galvanized twisted-shank (8d)
Galvanized twisted-shank nails are used to attach wood in damp environments where the nail may rust. Typically, these nails are used to attach siding to exteriors of barns and other outbuildings where appearance is not critical.
The twisted shank, sometimes called a spiral shank, helps increase holding strength of the nail.
These nails are found in sizes from 2d to 20d and may be available in larger sizes by special order.
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8. Nail, cement-coated (sinker) (8d)
Common nails with a resin coating are called cement-coated nails, or sinkers. The resin coating increases the holding power of the nail.
Cement-coated nails are not actually coated with cement. The name may come from the action of the resin, as the nails act as if they were cemented (glued) in place; they are more difficult to remove than common nails.
Cement-coated nails are available in the same sizes as common
nails, 2d to 60d. The pennyweight (d) is an old English term to express the cost of nails and today refers to the length of the nail.
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9. Nail, ring-shank (8d)
Deforming the shank of a nail, creating rings, can increase the holding power of the nail. Ring- shank nails have greater holding power than common nails. The ring shank may reduce the lateral load strength of a nail.
Ring-shank nails are available in sizes similar to common nails, 2d to 60d.
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10. Nail, cement-coated (sinker) (16d)
Common nails with a resin coating are called cement-coated nails, or sinkers. The resin coating increases the holding power of the nail.
Cement-coated nails are not actually coated with cement. They act as if they were cemented (glued) in place, as they are more difficult to remove than common nails.
Cement-coated nails are available in the same sizes as common
nails, 2d to 60d. The pennyweight (d) is an old English term to express the cost of nails and today refers to the length of the nail.
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11. Nail, ring-shank pole barn (4-inch)
Pole barn nails are different from common nails, as they are measured by their length. The shank diameter does not change as with common nails.
Pole barn nails are designed to attach lumber on pole barns, where nail length is needed to penetrate a 2 x 4 on edge without splitting the lumber.
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12. Nail, bright finish (10d)
A finish nail is made from a smaller- diameter wire than common nails and has a small head, which permits sinking below the wood surface so it does not show.
The head has a rounded appearance, compared to other nailheads. The shape of the head helps reduce splitting the wood as the nail is set (driven below the wood surface).
Finish nails are available from 2d to 16d.
The length of a nail is measured in “pennyweight” and is represented by the letter “d.” All nails with the same pennyweight are about the same length.
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13. Nail, galvanized box (6d)
Galvanized box nails are box nails with a galvanized coating to reduce corrosion and staining on lumber. The box nail has a smaller-diameter shank than common nails of the same pennyweight. The smaller shank size helps reduce splitting the wood.
The galvanized box nail is typically used to attach siding to buildings or for similar construction projects where the nail is exposed to a damp environment.
Box nails are available in the same sizes as common nails, 2d to 60d.
The larger sizes may not be available as stock items and may require a special order.
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14. Nail, common (10d)
Common nails are used for general construction. The size of the nail used depends upon the application.
Common nails are one of the most frequently used in lumber construction. They have a heavy cross section and a flat head. Sizes of common nails vary from 2d to 60d.
Pennyweight is the term used to express nail length. Each penny size increases the nail length by about 1/4 inch. A 2d nail is 1 inch long, and a 4d nail is 1-1/2 inches long.
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15. Nail, common (16d)
Common nails are used for general construction. The size of the nail used depends upon the application. Typically, 16d nails are used to nail pieces of 2-inch lumber together.
Common nails are one of the most frequently used in lumber construction. They have a heavy cross section and a flat head. Sizes of common nails vary from 2d to 60d.
Pennyweight is the term used to express nail length. Each penny size increases the nail length by about 1/4 inch. A 2d nail is 1 inch long, and a 16d nail is 3-1/2 inches long.
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16. Nails, coiled roofing
Roofing nails are identified by their large-diameter heads. They are used to attach asphalt shingles to the roof of a building.
Coiled roofing nails are driven with a pneumatic driver (nail gun) and are typically driven flush with the surface of the shingle. The nails are attached together, using light-gauge wire, in a spiral assembly for use in a nail gun designed for this application.
Roofing nails come in a variety of lengths from 7/8 inch to 1-3/4 inches.
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17. Nail, barbed-shank roofing
Roofing nails are identified by their large-diameter heads. They are used to attach asphalt shingles to the roof of a building.
Roofing nails are driven with a hammer and are typically driven flush with the surface of the shingle. The barbed shank increases the holding rating for these nails. Roofing nails come in a variety of lengths from 3/4 inch to 2-1/2 inches.
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18. Nail, cement-coated (sinker) (50d)
Cement-coated nails are also called “sinkers” and have a yellowish color, indicating they have been treated with a resin.
Cement-coated nails should be dry to the touch, and the resin should not rub off. The friction that occurs when driving the nails activates the resin, increasing the holding strength of the nails.
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19. Nail, galvanized casing (16d)
Galvanized casing nails are typically used in damp locations where a rusty nail may stain the wood.
Casing nails have a conical or tapered head. The head is very small and generally driven below the surface of the wood to prevent it from showing on the finished surface.
Casing nails are made from wire with a smaller diameter than common nails.
The shape of the head gives the nail better holding power than finish nails. Casing nails were introduced to construct wooden shipping crates and are now used for many nailing applications.
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20. Nail, scaffold or duplex (10d)
Scaffold or duplex nails are primarily used for form work. The double head permits easy removal.
Scaffold nails are made in the same sizes as common nails. The shank diameter is the same as for common nails.
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21. Nail, galvanized joist hanger
A joist hanger nail is a special nail designed to be used with metal joist hangers. The galvanized coating helps reduce corrosion when the nail is used in damp or wet locations.
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22. Nail, bright joist hanger
A joist hanger nail is a special nail designed to be used with metal joist hangers. The bright coating is typically used in dry locations where corrosion is not a problem.
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23. Nail stick for nail gun
Nail sticks are used in power-driven nail guns. One method of preparing the nail sticks is to glue the nails into a stick format. The nail sticks are inserted into the nail gun and driven one nail at a time.
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24. Poultry netting staples
Poultry netting staples are small staples that are driven with a hammer. They are used for light loads, such as installing poultry netting or hardware cloth.
Only one size is available.
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25. Fence staples, barbed-shank
Fence staples have traditionally been used to attach fence wire to wooden posts. The staples are available with smooth or barbed shanks. The barbed-shank staples have a greater holding rating.
These staples are available in only a single size. Alternate uses for these staples are limited only by the imagination of the user.
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26. Fence staple, smooth-shank
Fence staples have traditionally been used to attach fence wire to wooden posts. The staples are available with smooth or barbed shanks. The smooth-shank staples have a lower holding rating.
These staples are available in only a single size. Alternate uses for these staples are limited only by the imagination of the user.
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27. Corrugated fastener
Corrugated fasteners are made of 18- to 22-gauge sheet metal with alternate ridges and grooves. One end is cut square, and the other is sharpened, with beveled edges. These fasteners are made in different lengths and widths. The width varies from 5/8 inch to 1-1/8 inches, and the length ranges from 1/4 to 3/4 inch.
Corrugated fasteners are used to fasten parallel boards together. Typical uses for corrugated fasteners are in mitered corners, butt joints, and end joints.
Corrugated fasteners have greater holding strength than nails in small timber. They are driven with a hammer.
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28. Nail, plastic cap
A plastic cap nail is a ring-shank nail with a plastic cap. The nails are used for holding down roofing felt, house wraps, and foam insulation.
The ring-shank nail improves holding strength, and the large-diameter plastic cap helps prevent the nailhead from cutting the membrane of the felt, wrap, or insulation.
The plastic caps are generally 1 inch in diameter; a version is also manufactured with metal caps. The nails are generally 11 gauge and vary in length from 1 inch to 1-3/4 inches.
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29. Upholstery tack
Upholstery tacks are manufactured in a number of shapes and colors to match their application and use. Blue, sharp-pointed tacks are for hidden upholstery work.
The tacks range from #3 (smallest) to #18 (largest), and length varies from 3/8 to 7/8 inch.
These tacks are typically driven with a tack hammer. Besides upholstery work, they have a number of alternative uses.
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30. Nail, fluted masonry
Masonry nails are to be driven into concrete, brick, or masonry block. They have a thick shank and are typically very hard. The flutes on the shank improve the holding strength of the nail.
Size ranges from 3/4 inch to 2-1/2 inches in length. These nails have a wide range of uses, such as attaching fixtures, wood, and batten and boarding to masonry.
Masonry nails are used on aerated concrete, common brick, concrete, hard masonry, and low-density block.
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31. Drive pin
Drive pins are used to attach fixtures and wood to concrete and masonry. The pins are typically installed with 22-caliber, low-velocity charge in a special tool.
The length of drive pins ranges from 1/2 inch to 3 inches.
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32. Staple, construction
Construction staples are sometimes used in place of nails to fasten wood and construction projects. They have a very high holding strength.
Staples are measured by their gauge size, width, and length. Length ranges from 1/2 inch to 2 inches.
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33. University of Illinois
The End
This set of images was photographed by David Riecks and Dave Wilson, ITCS, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois. The presentation was reviewed by Dr. Joe Harper, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Illinois.
University of Illinois
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Champaign, IL 61820
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