We were once talking about installing and finishing the hardwood floors the other day at a BBQ cookout. Everyone has their own tastes on toolings to use to nail the strips. Some like staples some like the number 7. I did like to see what brand you guys like and why that kind. Next is the finish top coating how do u guys do that? Two of us used the “sheep wool” one of the guys say he uses the rubber one about two foot long and it leaves no air bubbles. Again, how do u guys do?
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"I can't say I was ever lost, but I was bewildered once for three days."
No luck here aye?
I don't have the link readily but if you'll google 'wood floor forum' you'll find a number of forums that might be able to assist you.
Cheers
I like the Powernailer using Powercleats for 3/4 solid flooring. I think that's what you might mean by "7". I have used a manual one for years - just bought a air assisted Powernailer 445 - I REALLY like it. It uses the same "Powercleats". Close to the edge we use a 16 g finish nailer and face nail when it gets too close.
The thing I am really happy with with the air assist 445 is that the air propelled cleat has good "drawing power" without "distorting" the board line due to the tremendous momentum of a manual hammer force. In other words, it is a lot easier to start and stay straight with the air assist.
We set up a "groover" (a router with a 1/4 spiral carbide bit, guide & holding jig) which enables us to cut out bad places and "groove on". We start by sorting the boards and marking bad spots with blue tape - placing appropriate bad ends in spots where we can work them in best.
We have used the 3/8 Bostitch 1/4 crown stapler nailer for 3/8 solid hardwood. It worked good.
One advantage to prefinished flooring is color sorting.
When we sand, we use belt and orbital sanders - half and 1/4 sheet, random orbit and bare light bulbs.
For initial removing of finish for refinish jobs we use hand held 1" scraper blades sharpened on a Japanese water stone. You get about 6 - 8 scrapes out of one sharpening, but the honing doesn't take long.