Pull out larger nails from older moldings

[marp68]

I am planning to replace an older curtain frame with a door frame with hinges. Since the moldings around the frame are of an older peculiar style, I want to try to reuse them to harmonize with other older doors and frames with moldings nearby. I tried gently starting to pry to get the nails out or at least lift them slightly to get a grip on them. But these are of the sturdier older kind that are tightly set with slightly wider heads, so the molding started to crack instead when the nail stayed put and was pushed through.

Does anyone have a good tip for removing moldings with or without these older tightly set nails?

I was thinking if one could perhaps use, for example, a 5 mm hole saw to remove a bit around the nail head so that you can get at it with pliers, a small crowbar, etc. But usually, you need a center drill for guidance.

I really don't feel like starting to carve around the many nails on all six side and top moldings.

Alternatively, of course, I could buy new moldings. The house was built in 1948 (apartment). The moldings are quite narrow and slant inward, meaning they are a bit thicker on the outside towards the wall and thinner towards the frame side. About 43 mm wide and 10 mm thick on one side and 15 mm on the other. Can't find them at places like Bauhaus or other stores.

 

[falkn]

It looks like a completely normal list, so I wouldn't have bothered to save these. Either drill off the head and pull them out or use a multi-tool and saw off the nails behind the moldings.

 

[marp68]

It looks like a regular trim so I wouldn't bother saving these. Either drill off the heads and pull them out or use a multi-tool to cut off the nails behind the trim.

Common standard trims are equally thick on both sides, e.g. 43x12.

These slope inward and are 43x15/10 mm. A fairly simple but beautiful detail that leads the eye towards the center.

If you know where I can find such trim, please show me. Maybe I missed something. I'd rather replace than struggle with the nails. Sure, you can buy custom-made, but then it becomes expensive.

 

[marp68]

Here is what the profile looks like. As you can see, even the narrower edge is slightly beveled.

 

[Rostig_9000i_-88]

Pull out the nails "backwards," i.e., remove the molding and place it on the floor with the backside up (so the nails stick up), and take an appropriate pliers (wire cutters or pincers) and pull them out backwards. That way you avoid ugly marks on the front, leaving only a small hole after the nail. It usually works surprisingly well to pull the nail head (as long as they are not TOO large) through the molding.

Edit:
I read a little too quickly and this probably doesn't help in your case (sorry), but I'll leave the comment here in case it can help someone else reuse moldings..

 

[marp68]

Now managed to find a way to carefully get the nails out. Hope it works on the remaining foder. Thanks for the feedback anyway.

 

[andersmc]

I managed to find a way to carefully get the nails out. Hope it works on the remaining trim. Thanks for the feedback anyway.

Good that it worked out!