straightening nails.

[rockriver]

this might should be in basics.

I'm dismantling part of a deck that is in bad shape..
pulling off railing, steps, and part of flooring, I was automatically removing old nails and straightening them (sort of!)
I suddenly stopped, wondering why, in the heat and humidity and full sun I was spending the time/effort to straighten old nails.
--
and realized it was what my dad taught me. decades ago.. not by speech, but by example.
our building/repairing projects would always go a little slow because as he removed old boards, he'd pull out nails and straighten them.
when I would ask why he'd say. "well, this will keep someone from stepping or falling on a nail , and we'll need them again."
--
now, looking back, I realize it was his depression training. a nail has huge value in the ability to join two boards.

do you straighten and save your old nails?

[610Alpha]

I know a farmer or two that still do...auctions are a treasure trove of old nails that can be cheaper than buying them and less time consuming than straightening them...straightening can be a great way for youngsters to earn $$ ;)

Habits of a bygone era.

[WiseOwl]

rock, I didnt realize other people do this.

I build a lot of furniture and projects around the house with pallet wood, crates and scrap wood from the shop and I pull every nail and put them in old coffee cans.

The treasure chest for me is some 4- 5 inch ones, those are gold to me...lol