How to find a nail in a tree.

[Robbie Buckley]

Just use a nail-finding saw....
After collecting this log from a friend, I decided to saw off the bit hanging off the end of the ute tray to see what it was like in the middle.
Either there are a boatload of nails in it or I'm just unlucky :eek:. Got it right in the middle.
Just glad it was an el cheapo handsaw.
384395
Mango tree btw.
Cheers, Robbie.

[Stanley Covington]

Poetic justice would be everyone that put a nail into a tree getting a sliver he can never remove.

[Jeff Heath]

I invested in a Lumber Wizard metal detector 20 years or so ago to deal with this problem. Invaluable tool with my sawmill......

[lowell holmes]

I would re-tooth that saw to use on future nail finding. :)

[Philipp Jaindl]

I was about to say with a Chainsaw, i guess a nail is still better then the Tank shells, Bullets and Shrapnell we get in the trees round here, haha.

I can imagine that a metal detector is invaluable for a sawmill.

[Alex Zeller]

It looks like that nail has been in that tree for a very long time. Did you count the rings to try and see how long ago that nail was pounded into the tree? I've hit all sorts of things with my chainsaw, just accept it and move on. I've even hit a rock that the tree grew around. I guess I'm a little twisted because I usually start to think about when it happened and what was happening in the area. Things like nails, staples, fencing, just not bullets can be dated.

[John K Jordan]

I invested in a Lumber Wizard metal detector 20 years or so ago to deal with this problem. Invaluable tool with my sawmill......

Same here. I had a big cedar log on my WoodMizer last week and found four nails, a screwdriver, and two lead bullets. I ruined one blade before I got out the Wizard.

JKJ

[Bob Leistner]

I was going to whine about my lousy luck, but Philipp makes me look silly. If I came across a tank shell , I'd take up stamp collecting.

[Robbie Buckley]

It looks like that nail has been in that tree for a very long time. Did you count the rings to try and see how long ago that nail was pounded into the tree? I've hit all sorts of things with my chainsaw, just accept it and move on. I've even hit a rock that the tree grew around. I guess I'm a little twisted because I usually start to think about when it happened and what was happening in the area. Things like nails, staples, fencing, just not bullets can be dated.

Just went and counted - 16 rings to the head of the nail. Mangoes do grow pretty fast.
I was planing a piece of cedar down yesterday and hit a rock buried in the wood. With the 603 that I just got lapped, sharpened and finally cutting beautifully. Chipped the blade and scratched down the middle of the sole. Not my week. (Then again tank shells... I'll take the rock.)

@Lowell - it's one of those $6 hard tooth throwaway saws, so it's only future is as scrapers.

[lowell holmes]

Every time I see the header to this string, I think
"To find a nail in a tree, put a chain saw on the tree".
:)

[Roger Nair]

First put a fine polish on your best axe, then get to work on the tree.

[Bill Houghton]

This is very similar to the best method for finding Legos (if you have kids the age for Lego play) or cat blarks (if you have cats) or other things you'd rather not step on: just walk barefoot through the house, preferably in the dark. Your foot will be magically attracted to the object in question.

Sorry for your pain, and your saw's pain.

[steven c newman]

May have actually found a use for that Aldi's saw..
384707
Yep, found one nail, broke one tooth...no biggie..

[Rob Luter]

I found some 1/4" threaded rod with my table saw. I was ripping a butcher block work surface down at some failing glue lines. Whoever made it embedded threaded rods with nuts and washers to clamp the whole affair together during glue-up. They installed full length caps over the edges where the nuts were countersunk. There was no indication anything was there but wood. My carbide tipped blade cut right through the rods. Boy did I feel stupid. I always use a metal detector now.

[Brian AdamsMS]

I always use a metal detector now.

I dont have a metal detector but these stories are making me think I should invest in one. Any suggestions for a small workshop? I dont process raw logs into lumber but I do like to use reclaimed wood when I can. What is a good entry level metal detector for say up to 4" lumber?

[Rob Luter]

Something like this? https://www.amazon.com/Little-Wizard-Woodworking-Metal-Detector/dp/B0093FJENM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1524844710&sr=8-3&keywords=lumber+wizard

[kent wardecke]

I have one of those little wizards, never have been impressed with it. I'm not ruling out operator error but I found the setting between too sensitive and not sensitive enough is really hard to nail down

[John K Jordan]

I have one of those little wizards, never have been impressed with it. I'm not ruling out operator error but I found the setting between too sensitive and not sensitive enough is really hard to nail down

You might try out the larger Lumber Wizard if you can get one in your hands. I've had one for a decade and it works well. I don't use it in the shop but at the sawmill. (Usually to find the other nails after I ruin one blade on the first one. :(

JKJ

[Ira Matheny]

I found a Rail Road spike in a Western Maple burl. OUCHHHH! Found it with an expensive carbide tipped chain saw chain.