Help! HW Flooring Nailer vs. Stapler?
Hello – I’m going to pick up either a pneumatic nailer or stapler this morning (about 8 hours from now) to do about 1,500 ft2 for my own house. I’m a DIY’er who will be installing 3/4″ x 5 1/4″ maple planks. After researching the topic for a few hours, looks like staplers is the way to go, but I wanted to check with you guys since I know you would likely know the answer. I don’t care which is best for future projects, re-sale value, etc., I just want to know which would work best for this type of pre-finished HW floor. Thanks again for your help!
Replies
In the past I would say cleats, but after having the need a few years ago to buy one in a hurry and all I could find was a stapler I went for it. I wound up being impressed, staple a board down and try to pull it up you will destroy it first. If for some reason you nail one down and change your mind gently pry it up enough to cut the staples loose between the sub floor and board.
They both have added holding power the staple is vinyl coated and heats up when driven. The cleats have barbs, cleats also tend to crack the tongue more then staple especially with maple.
Mine is a Stanley Bostish 500.00 but if you have a harbor freight near by they have an import it is dual uses both cleats and staples. Their tools are Okay for occasional use I.e. Home owner or one time professional. You can mail order it. I brought a small upholstery stapler from them and have had no problems with it (no I do not use it for flooring).
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Category.taf?CategoryID=325&pricetype=
AIR TOOL NAILERS & STAPLERS
2-IN-1 PNEUMATIC CLEAT AND STAPLE FLOOR NAILER
Install hardwood floors gymnasium-tight. Prevents hammer marks. Designed for 1/2" to 3/4" floor panels.
Uses cleat nails 1-1/2 "L to 2" L or floor staples 1" to 2"
80 staple, 100 cleat magazine capacity, top loading
Rubber face slug hammer
Item #: 95658-2VGA
$169.99 $129.99
Edited 1/10/2008 12:31 am ET by wallyo
Edited 1/10/2008 12:40 am ET by wallyo
I've only ever used a stapler for strip flooring.
Never had a problem.
Stapler.
1/2" crown, 2" long coated staples will do the trick quite nicely. In general I'd recommend a staple every 8-12".
What are you fastening the floor to? Meaning, what kind of subfloor?
Are you using rosin paper or felt?
Running the planks parallel or perpendicular to the joists?
Mongo
and the barrier parallel or perpendicular to the flooring???
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