Flooring Nailers-manual or air assisted?
A friend is going to install oak flooring in his home. He was considering the purchase of a flooring nailer, (air assisted), but the cost has him thinking twice about buying vs. renting.
I told him that a few different flooring contractors I have worked around use the manual nailers, and had specific reasons for not using the air assisted nailers. Problem is, I couldn’t remember why! ( I’m not a floor guy)
Does anybody have any input on this subject? It would help my friend, and also my fading memory.
Happy holidays, and thanks to all!
Replies
Dez
air nails use staples and hand bangers use straight ribbed flat nails. I own two non air nailers and have done mega amounts of flooring with them. Personally I prefer the non air nailers. I hate hoses all over the floor and you have to smash the gun with the hammer just as hard anyway. I think the flat nails hold better then staples. The disadvantage of non airnailers is that they jamb up like a mother f'er....I don't know how that works with the air nailers... I won't swear to this but just stating my personal experiance. I would however like to hear the advantages of air nailers and staples.
Be a wall
Dont get floored, nailed stapled?
Namaste'
Andy
You don’t complete your inner work before you do your outer work. Nor do you say, "Well, the hell with the inner work: I’ll go do the outer work because it’s so important and pressing." That’s not conscious either. The conscious thing is the simultaneous doing of both. "Ram Dass"
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
not a floor guy...but have heard/seen....the air don't set as tight.
I haven't seen any full-time hardwood guys use an air nailer....have no idea why that is..maybe they're just old fashion?
have seen/used the air version.......didn't do alot ton of flooring..so I didn't see the need for air-assist.
if it was my buddy...I'd tell him to just rent what ever he can find and get on with life.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
I am currently working on a job where they just laid 3000 sq ft of oak in herringbone fashion. Two guys, one had an air assist and the other gentleman had a manual so I quess you can take it from there.
I've been a hardwood flooring contractor in southern California for the last 20 years. For the first 15 years I used a 20 oz hart hammer and 5d, 6d and 8d casing nails (that's really the old way). I have a air cleat, air staple and a non air cleat. I only use the staple gun now. I guess the main reason why is I like the feel of it the best and the staples don't brake apart (like the cleats). I know other floor men that like the cleat gun the best. some say you don't lay the floor as tight with the cleat (to allow for expiation). For me the staple gun is just right. I don't hit it very hard so as not to lay it to tight. the non air gun you do have to hit it a lot harder than an air gun, that's why I switched to air.
So my long winded opinion is to rent an air gun, they are easier to learn to use anyway
Jeff in so cal
70 f---47%
I've put down two floors. The first one I rented the manual nailer, the second one I rented the air nailer. They used the same nails. It might be a bit easier to wham the wood tight using the manual, but I'm still novice enough that I make sure the wood is tight BEFORE I nail it. The air nailer certainly represents a LOT less work since you just have to tap it lightly as opposed to giving the manual nailer a good whack.
I would be surprised if I ever use the manual nailer again.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Edited 12/13/2002 8:31:48 AM ET by Rich Beckman
After laying quite a few floors with our manual Powercleat nailers, I never thought I would be interested in using pneumatic equipment. That was until we installed a 10,000 sq. ft gym floor in maple. The installers we worked with had all pneumatic nailers. (Powercleat nails, not staples) Soooo much easier on your hammering arm. Very, very fast. And to dispel the myth, they do drive the boards tightly together. The guns are a little heavier and the hose is a pain ( as always with air tools ) but for a 100' by 100' room, no problem. If you specialize in small rooms, maybe you should stick with manuals. I would definitely at least rent a pneumatic to try it.
carpenter in transition
Thanks for all the input soooo quick! I appreciate it. I've been trying to get my buddy lined out on the "breaktime" thing, but he is a slow learner! LOL He is skilled, but not on the puter! Lot of info out here! Thanks to all who responded so far.
Happy holidays! Dez