Hammer Time

It's hammer time, and I have some easy tips that you can use to nail your projects.

1. If you need to do some serious nailing use a permanent marker or some electrical tape to mark off your hammer handle at three, six, nine and twelve inch increments. This way you can hold the hammer handle against the wall and easily eyeball the next location of your nail.

2. Glue a magnet to the bottom of your hammer, this way you can stick the handle into the can of nails and easily grab a few nails.

3. If you need to remove a nail, criss-cross a couple of rubber bands over the top of the hammer. The rubber bands will protect the surface that you're removing the nail from.

4. If you need more leverage when you're removing a nail, cut a block of wood into a wedge and put it under the head of your hammer before attempting to pull the nail, it will give you more pulling power. Don't feel like cutting wood? Use a rubber doorstop.

5. When you're done with your project clean the head of your hammer with some fine sandpaper to remove wood resins and nail coatings that could cause your hammer to slip the next time you need it.