I clicked on a video showing a guy nailing brads in a lap corner joint. He said that since he was nailing so close to the end of the board, turn the brad upside down and blunt the point with a hammer. Your board will not split.

 

Never heard of this before. Anyone know if it works as he said?

Used to use that trick a lot....seemed to work.    Instead of pushing the fibers apart....the blunt tip just cuts it's way along....

instead of spraeding the fibers apart it crushes it way through...

All the time Ron! It works quite often, after you do it enough, you'll learn the limits of the trick, as it does have its limits, but yes, it works really good, much of the time. Dad taught me when I was just a kid.

Of course, you could also pre-drill with a tiny drill bit if you are really in fear of splittin the wood.

or predrill with the brad itself.

 I have done this with finish nails but never thought to do this with brad nails.

My Vo-Tech teacher taught us this trick a long time ago.

You telling me then ends are different?

Who would have guess that...

1 minute ago, Grandpadave52 said:

You telling me then ends are different?

Who would have guess that...

Maybe you were using them on the wrong side of the board 

48 minutes ago, lew said:

Maybe you were using them on the wrong side of the board 

Boards hate that, too.

1 hour ago, Grandpadave52 said:

You telling me then ends are different?

Who would have guess that...

Dave, Even I noticed there is a pointed end. It's the end that pricks your fingers.

Dad taught me that 70 some years ago. Still working for me.

I am going to remember this, when I was concerned that it may split, I'd predrill with the brad.

Even with regular nails...that's why some folks like cut nails for certain projects; not just for the look.

My father taught me that a long time ago...it works...

Every nail in every 2x4 in my home has a hammered point.

It does work. Never split one 2x4.