SIZE AND NUMBER TO THE POUND
OF COMMON WIRE NAILS
| Size | Length Inches | Gauge Number | Approximate Number to the Pound | Advance Over Base Price per 100 Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2d | 1 | 15 | 876 | $0.70 |
| 3d | 1¼ | 14 | 568 | .45 |
| 4d | 1½ | 12½ | 316 | .30 |
| 5d | 1¾ | 12½ | 271 | .30 |
| 6d | 2 | 11½ | 181 | .20 |
| 7d | 2¼ | 11½ | 161 | .20 |
| 8d | 2½ | 10¼ | 106 | .10 |
| 9d | 2¾ | 10¼ | 96 | .10 |
| 10d | 3 | 9 | 69 | .05 |
| 12d | 3¼ | 9 | 63 | .05 |
| 16d | 3½ | 8 | 49 | .05 |
| 20d | 4 | 6 | 31 | Base |
| 30d | 4½ | 5 | 24 | Base |
| 40d | 5 | 4 | 18 | Base |
| 50d | 5½ | 3 | 14 | Base |
| 60d | 6 | 2 | 11 | Base |
Fig. 2
Common wire nails in sizes from twentypenny to sixtypenny are sold at base price, say $2 per keg, the smaller sizes costing an advance over the base price. Thus, an eightpenny common nail would cost 10 cents additional, or $2.10 per hundred pounds, while a twopenny nail would cost $2.70 per hundred pounds, etc. The present advance above the base price on 100-pound kegs for the several sizes is also given in this table. All wire nails can be procured “barbed” at an additional advance of 15 cents above base and extra prices.
The relative sizes of the common wire nail are best learned from samples of the same, but [Fig. 2], which shows these nails full size, from sixtypenny to twopenny, clearly indicates their proportions.
Fig. 3
6. Wire Nails for Special Purposes.—Wire nails as well as wrought or cut nails are made in a variety of forms especially suitable for the specific purpose for which they are intended. The several kinds of wire nails in common use are illustrated in [Fig. 3].
A nail used about buildings for putting the trim, or finishing work, together is illustrated at (a), and from its use is known as a finishing nail. These nails are used almost exclusively for this purpose and are very light. They have a small head, so that when they are set into the wood with a nail set, a very small opening is left for puttying.