Toenailing — driving a nail at an angle — is a method often used to fasten wall studs to the sole plate, as illustrated. If you have trouble keeping the stud in position while nailing, lay a 2×4 spacer block behind it. Cut the block to equal the distance between the wall studs, typically 14 ½ or 22 ½ inches.

How do you nail something on an angle?

Drive at an angle Pull the nail to about a 50-degree angle and set it with a couple of hammer taps. Then let go and drive it in. Brace your toe against the back of the board as you set the nail. It’s OK if the board moves slightly past the layout line.

What is skew nailing?

Toenailing or skew-nailing is the driving of a nail at a roughly 45-degree angle to fasten two pieces of wood together, typically with their grains perpendicular. A common example is toenailing a wall stud to a sole plate in stud framing.