Nails that a magnet doesn't find...
February 8, 2009 10:59 AM   Subscribe

Ideas for picking up galvanized (aluminum?) roofing nails?

I have a large magnet to get the old nails the roofer missed on the ground. The new nails are not attracted to the magnet. Please help me avoid flat tires with your suggestions to get them picked up out of my gravel driveway.
posted by badger_flammable to Home & Garden (7 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Do you have kids? Give them a penny per nail found.
posted by zippy at 11:23 AM on February 8, 2009


Best idea I can think* of is a powerful spotlight, to emphasize the shiny reflections of the nails. The light should be behind/beside you for best effect.

* (short of zippy's excellent idea, but can work in parallel)

Good luck.
posted by IAmBroom at 11:29 AM on February 8, 2009


If there are that many, I'd call the roofer and tell him to come clean it up.
posted by jeffamaphone at 11:44 AM on February 8, 2009


Got a shop vac?
posted by Thorzdad at 11:53 AM on February 8, 2009


A wad of duct tape, sticky-side out?
posted by Dr. Wu at 12:16 PM on February 8, 2009


A metal detector will pick up aluminum and brass. All that's needed is that it be conductive.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 12:19 PM on February 8, 2009 [1 favorite]


i was going to say a rake, but a metal detector sounds even better.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 3:23 PM on February 8, 2009


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