Are there any alternatives to moulding bars?

5th March 2020


	Are there any alternatives to moulding bars?


	Shop for Moulding Bars


			Prying and nail pulling
			Claw hammers Claw hammers, aside from claw bars, are the tools most used for pulling nails. Like the claw of a moulding bar, the claw of a claw hammer features a nail slot into which the nail is positioned so that the claw can engage the head. The head of the hammer is then rocked back toward the face and the nail pulled free of the hole.

			For nail pulling, a claw hammer is nearly equally as suitable as a moulding bar. The key difference is in the moulding bar’s ability to be used in conjunction with a hammer, whereas the claw hammer lacks a heel for striking, and can of course only be struck with a hammer if you happen to own two!

			A claw hammer cannot be used for heavier duty prying such as lifting floorboards, as its claw is too thick to penetrate between boards, and the steel it is made from is quite brittle. Whereas moulding bars are forged, most claw hammer heads are cast, meaning that they will snap rather than bend under high strain.

			Hammers of this kind weigh between 190-850g (6.7-30oz), depending on their size, and are usually slightly less expensive than moulding bars due to their incorporation of a cheaper wooden handle, as opposed to the all-steel construction of a bar. Some more expensive claw hammers are constructed from one piece of steel, or have steel handles as opposed to wood.

			Claw hammers are a worthwhile alternative if you will only be performing light or occasional nail pulling, but should not be viewed as a substitute for a moulding bar of good quality.

			For light levering and prying (floorboards, moulding, etc): Chisels The edge of a chisel is usually very thin, and can be inserted between floorboards and beneath moulding to pry them upwards in a similar fashion to a bar.

			Some online guides advocate using a chisel instead of a bar when lifting moulding. However, as a chisel is not forged in one piece, but made up of separate parts, and does not incorporate a fulcrum for leverage, we recommend sticking with a bar for most tasks!

			You can take advantage of a chisel’s thin blade by using it in co-operation with a bar for some tasks; for example, where you’ll need to make a gap for your bar’s claw to fit.

			Screwdrivers In a pinch, some DIYers advise using a screwdriver for prying up floorboards, moulding, and tiles. Because the head and shank of a screwdriver are thin and long, they can fit into most narrow spaces.

			However, the narrow diameter of a screwdriver is not ideal for prying and levering; especially where materials are to be reclaimed. Because all of the force input is distributed into the narrow point of the head, damage to material surfaces such as wood is almost inevitable.

			Additionally, the narrow shank makes this tool more likely to bend under high strain.

			For nail pulling: Pliers A pair of pliers or mole grips can be used to grip nails and pull them out using a vertical upward motion.This is ideal if you want to avoid bending or otherwise damaging the nails, and is recommended if you will be pulling a lot of them!

			However, pulling nails out using pliers or mole grips will take more effort, as you are pulling upward rather than applying downward force – gravity is not on your side! For ease of use, a moulding bar with a nail slot is preferable.