ring shank nail removal

steaed

how do you remove ring shank nails from existing hardwood flooring.??
the flooring is installed in my house, someone installed subfloor over the hardwood flooring, and I am trying to refinish the hardwood.
some of the nails come out with the pry bar, but others the heads come off..

redline

Can you post a photo?

steaed

I called my brother and he said to use nippers and roll them back...seems to work great

Mike Swearingen

I am NOT a progfessional floor finisher, just a long-time DIYer.
Do not try to pull ring shank nails out of wood as it will more than likely damage the wood badly.
The best solution, in my opinion, is to sink the ring shanks slightly below the finishing level with a straight punch the size of the nailhead, and then fill the holes with matching colored wood putty before sanding and sealing.
Good Luck!
Mike

Bud Cline

If your intention is to refinish then pulling them out will only cause more damage to the remaining floor. Mike is correct, cut/break the heads off and punch the shank into the floor.