I’ve got about 300 sq’ of pre-finished Bella Wood to lay. It’s coming from Lumber Liqudators. 3/4″ x 3 1/4″ hickory, t&g and end matched.
I’ve put down a bunch of flooring, but never anything pre-finished. Anybody have any tips on putting this stuff down? Whaddaya do to keep it from getting scratched during install?
EliphIno!
Replies
I like using Bostitch T-36 .080 t-finished nailer so that I don't scratch the top finished surface. The nailer only touches the tongue and not the surface. I have never tried to use a stapler. Keep the floor well swept as you go. Keep all nailers on towels at all times when not in use. Pre drill all face nails in the grain and hand nail at the edge. Lay out 1/8" masonite 4x4 sheets to place other tools, compressors, boxes of wood. Make sure the masonite sheets are grit free as well as the floor you place it on. GW
Thanks Greg, is the T-36 a flooring nailer? Something I can rent?. I do have an old Hilti that shoots a heavy Bostich T-nail, but the nose piece is majorly clunky. I was hoping I could use a stapler with some tape on the base, and a Senco SFN40 at the walls.
Are you talking about handnailing the T-nails with the grain? How do you set them? Sorry to bother you with all the questions, but this is for a good client, and somebody has to get the flooring done so I can finsh trimming. The last carpenter in the house gets all fun<G>
EliphIno!
My T-36's are ground down on the tip to fit into the tongue area. You will probably have to get a stapler with a protective pad to safeguard the floor surface for blind nailing. The SFN gun is of no use since you will want to drill with a 1/16th bit in the grain and hand nail with the senco nails at the wall edges. The Senco gun will blossom out the grain of the wood and stand out when you shoot a nail into the flooring. Not good. GW
I know what you mean about the blossoms. Good advice, thanks. Maybe pre-finished doesn't end up being quite the deal people think, eh? EliphIno!
t-36
Floorman,
Do you have a source for the finish nails that you use in your T-36. I can't find the correct nail. The heads are all a bit too small on the ones I have found that say they fit. This is an older, like new gun and I am installing a wood floor. I have had great success with grinding down the nose. Thanks for that tip. The floor would go great if I didn't have to fool around with the nails slipping every few shots.
Thanks for your help.
Karen
P.S. I realize this is in response to an old post but I thought I'd try.