Fastening hardwood flooring (nailing tool advice)

message from Vortex on 25 May 2004

Hi,

In the next few weeks I need to lay about 20m^2 of 3/4" hard maple T&G
floorboards.

All was well and good until I (for the first time ever) was diagnosed as
having "Tennis Elbow" a couple of weeks ago.

I had envisaged fastening the flooring with a rented tool like this:

http://www.topgun.co.uk/template_gun.php/cPath/30_59/products_id/335

But now it seems I have the perfect excuse to purchase a powered nailer.
(YES!)

Can anyone recommend a nailer (brand/model) suited to this application? I
know I need to use 50mm nails at a 45 degree ish angle. The numerous types
of nailgun available are completely confusing. I had no idea there was such
a variety.

I'm inclined towards a generic pneumatic "framing nailer" (I have a
compressor).

Am I thinking along the right lines?

David

Andy Hall replied to Vortex on 25 May 2004

I don't think so. II have a number of nailers ranging from a small
23gauge pin nailer, through 15,16 and 18gauge types and a Senco
framing nailer.

The framing nailer is too big for flooring. I have driven 50mm
stainless steel nails with mine for roofing but the nails are around
3mm diameter. That's really about the smallest and generally the
nails are full round head as well.

The specific flooring nailers are specially designed to locate and
angle correctly.

Possibly a 15gauge nailer would be OK - something like a Porter Cable
DA250B. I have one of those and used it for nailing down pine
boards in my cabin without problems. It does take a bit of
practice to hit the right place on the board for the secret nailing
though.

You mentioned Top Gun in your post. I've bought quite a bit of
stuff from them - mainly nails which they will source if they don't
have - and found that they give good advice. I would get an opinion
from them.

.andy

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