Pull a Proud Header Flush With a Nail and Your Hammer's Claw

The Problem

A header that sits proud of the top plate — a quarter to half inch on the creator's wall — won't pull flush by hand pressure, and hitting it with the hammer directly dents the lumber without moving it. You need leverage against something, and there's nothing there to lever against.

The Technique

1. Drive a nail partway into the top plate right beside the proud header — left standing tall enough to hook against.
2. Set the hammer claw against the nail and lever the header over flush.
3. While you hold it flush, a partner nails the header off.
4. Pull the temporary nail.

The nail exists purely to give the claw a fulcrum — the same move works anywhere a framing member needs a half inch of persuasion and there's plate or stud nearby to sacrifice a nail hole to.