I’m starting the planning phase for fixing up my family room. It only has carpet over crappy vinyl tile. I want to tear up both and install prefinished 3/4 hardwood. I may decided to go with the thinner engineered wood products (that snap together and stapled down?). I will NOT go with laminate…just hate the feel of it.
Can I use a 16 gauage finish nailer to toe nail the 3/4″ hardwood? I know it will be slower than the flooring nailer. However, it’s a small room and my time is basically free. I’m pretty slow paced (due to learning curves) so renting a floor nailer would probably cost the same as buying one.
Like I said, I’m only in the planning phase so I’m trying to work out costs and what all of my options are. It would be great to be able to save the cost of a nailer.
Replies
The flooring nailer is not only easier to use, it uses a 'T' shaped barbed nail specifically designed for flooring.
I'm not saying a finish nailer will not work, because I'm sure it will. But I suspect that you will get more loose boards over time than if you use a flooring nailer. And you can rent them.
If you have time, try getting your flooring from a retailer that has an install crew, and see if they'll let you go watch the crew in action on-the-job. Take a half day off work. One hour spent watching them and staying out of thier way (bring coffee and doughnuts) will go a long way to helping you get over your fear of the floor nailer. You'll pick up alot of time-saving techniques too. It's really not such a big deal. You'll go alot faster if you have someone selecting lengths, making sure you have staggered joints, and tapping in while you whale away on the nailer. You may need to face nail the last pieces up against the wall with your 16g finish nailer.
Rent the nailer over the weekend...Friday night - Monday moring so you'll be able to take your time more.
a few years back I tried what you suggested on a 330 sf room -- some of the finishing nails went great and some just doubled back around. I accepted what had been done with the finish nailer and went and rented the nailer that I should have been using all along -- I think it cost me $45 for the day -- worth every penny
the advice of looking at a floor crew operating is great advice -- you really need two people a nailer and a guy that pushes the flooring to the nailer and has a cut piece for the end of each run (its a rhythm sort of thing)-- If there is ever a chance you'll be doing this again -- you can get a flooring nailer for $200 and a whole set up for $330 that is the angle it has a face nailer and a couple of other shoes --
Plus, with the Flooring stapler, you get double action. First the the slamming impact which drives the boards together tighter when you hit the gun with the mallot. Second the staple. Use the finish gun for tight areas, or where you can't get a full swing in like the last few runs parallel to a wall.