A half-scale model of a light-frame shear wall was developed to evaluate the racking performance of a fullscale shear wall (prototype). The effect of nail size on the performance of the shear wall was also investigated using models constructed with three types of nail. Materials for the model were determined through experimental methods, which included nail-head push-through, stud-to-sheathing nail connection, and static bending tests. Materials with which the model was made to be “in similarity” to the prototype were three-layer 4.8-mm plywood, 39.72-mm long nails, and 1 × 2 lumber cut from 2 × 4 studs. In accordance with ASTM E 72 and ASTM E 564, racking resistance tests were conducted on 20 shear walls. The results showed that the maximum load capacities of the prototype walls could be evaluated by the model without significantly different failure modes. Tests on the effect of nail size revealed that increasing the nail head diameter may improve the performance of shear walls.