Where can I purchase small nails/brads? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

SonjaRaquel · 06-26-2009, 06:44 PM

Hi,
I am in the process of making quilting frame poles. I am unable to find the nails/brads to use. The smallest wire brad that is 3/4" long is a number 18 from Lowes. These are not small enough to use on the poles. I would need to have them 3/4" long because I will being nailing them into the poles.
Why does the nail/brad have to be so small?
The nails/brads "head" must be small enough to place the quilt down on top of the nail/brads to hold the quilt in place so that it can be quilted/tacked and not be so big to tear a whole in the fabric. I am kinda thinking maybe a 20!!!! If anyone can give me any help I appreciate it.

Sonja

bubbantenn · 06-26-2009, 07:59 PM

Sonja, when I need something smaller than what I can find at Lowe's in the way of a brad I use an electric nailer, or even my air nailer. Brads used in these devices are extremely small. You may even be able to break them apart and drive them in by hand enough to suit your purposes. One other thought...staples can be driven in and one side taken loose and straightened up, then cut to the length you need. Okay...one more thought...fabric shops often carry smaller brads brads and such. Maybe you could use a straight pin and cut the head off. Sorry if I'm not much help...just throwing ideas out there.

Bubba

Wood Dog · 06-27-2009, 03:30 AM

Sonja have you thought of looking at some doll house sites?
Here is one I've bought stuff from.
Nails : Earth and Tree, Dollhouses and Miniatures in New Hampshire

SonjaRaquel · 06-28-2009, 01:57 PM

I want to thank you two for replying. I checked the dollhouse sites and nothing small enough. I have found some 22 gauge brad that I will try to use. Not for sure if they will work or not. Evidently they do not make the nails that small any more. The poles that a friend of mine has are pretty old. Another person told me that these type nails were called "skags" years ago (I may be spelling it wrong); but I cannot find anything on the internet by that name. But anyways thanks!
Sonja

steveh · 06-29-2009, 03:10 PM

Hi Sonja,
Check out this page
Scrollsaw Nails Page 1

bubbantenn · 06-29-2009, 06:46 PM

Wow Sonja...looks like Steve has hit a home run for your team. Those escutcheon pins should do nicely for what you are doing.
Nice job, Steve!

Bubba

SonjaRaquel · 07-02-2009, 03:51 PM

Hi,
I have found some nail brads that I think will work. I went to an old "Hardware" store and they had some 20 gauge 1/2" nail brads. I would rather of had 3/4" long but I was happy to find the 1/2". Thanks! to all that replied! Sonja

06-26-2009, 06:44 PM	#1
SonjaRaquel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 132	Where can I purchase small nails/brads? Hi, I am in the process of making quilting frame poles. I am unable to find the nails/brads to use. The smallest wire brad that is 3/4" long is a number 18 from Lowes. These are not small enough to use on the poles. I would need to have them 3/4" long because I will being nailing them into the poles. Why does the nail/brad have to be so small? The nails/brads "head" must be small enough to place the quilt down on top of the nail/brads to hold the quilt in place so that it can be quilted/tacked and not be so big to tear a whole in the fabric. I am kinda thinking maybe a 20!!!! If anyone can give me any help I appreciate it. Sonja

06-26-2009, 07:59 PM	#2
bubbantenn Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Clarksville, Tennessee Posts: 704	Sonja, when I need something smaller than what I can find at Lowe's in the way of a brad I use an electric nailer, or even my air nailer. Brads used in these devices are extremely small. You may even be able to break them apart and drive them in by hand enough to suit your purposes. One other thought...staples can be driven in and one side taken loose and straightened up, then cut to the length you need. Okay...one more thought...fabric shops often carry smaller brads brads and such. Maybe you could use a straight pin and cut the head off. Sorry if I'm not much help...just throwing ideas out there. Bubba __________________ "The worst evil that could be inflicted upon the youth of the land would be to leave them without restraint and completely at the mercy of their own uncontrolled inclinations." ~Calvin Coolidge~

06-27-2009, 03:30 AM	#3
Wood Dog Senior member--Absolutely Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MA USA Posts: 3,445	Sonja have you thought of looking at some doll house sites? Here is one I've bought stuff from. Nails : Earth and Tree, Dollhouses and Miniatures in New Hampshire __________________ WD

06-29-2009, 06:46 PM	#6
bubbantenn Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Clarksville, Tennessee Posts: 704	Wow Sonja...looks like Steve has hit a home run for your team. Those escutcheon pins should do nicely for what you are doing. Nice job, Steve! Bubba __________________ "The worst evil that could be inflicted upon the youth of the land would be to leave them without restraint and completely at the mercy of their own uncontrolled inclinations." ~Calvin Coolidge~

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06-28-2009, 01:57 PM	#4
SonjaRaquel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 132	I want to thank you two for replying. I checked the dollhouse sites and nothing small enough. I have found some 22 gauge brad that I will try to use. Not for sure if they will work or not. Evidently they do not make the nails that small any more. The poles that a friend of mine has are pretty old. Another person told me that these type nails were called "skags" years ago (I may be spelling it wrong); but I cannot find anything on the internet by that name. But anyways thanks! Sonja

06-29-2009, 03:10 PM	#5
steveh Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Qualicum Beach, BC Posts: 30	Hi Sonja, Check out this page Scrollsaw Nails Page 1

07-02-2009, 03:51 PM	#7
SonjaRaquel Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 132	Hi, I have found some nail brads that I think will work. I went to an old "Hardware" store and they had some 20 gauge 1/2" nail brads. I would rather of had 3/4" long but I was happy to find the 1/2". Thanks! to all that replied! Sonja