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Best pneumatic flooring nailer

Virginbuild | Posted in Tools for Home Building on August 9, 2008 11:09am

I am going to purchase a pneumatic flooring nailer and am looking for advice on a good machine. It will be used for 3/4 inch hardwood and maybe for composite or engineered flooring. It will be a nailer, not a stapler. Has anyone got recommendations?

Thanks for input

Virginbuild

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  1. BilWil | Aug 10, 2008 12:45am | #1

    I have always been pleased with Powernail tools.  They work and hold up.  Recently I used a friend's Primatech and found it to be a great tool.  He feels it is better than his old Powernail.  I use mostly "L" head nails.  I have used "T" head and I have used staples.  Bostich makes a fine stapler, I've never owned one, I rented it to do a job that the flooring mfg stated use staples if you want the warranty - so i did.

    1. Virginbuild | Aug 10, 2008 06:20am | #4

      Thank you all for response,

      I have been interested in the Prima-Tech P240 and the Porta-Nailer 402. I think I will purchase the Porta-Nailer 402 because of the face nailer attachment.

      Thank you all again for your responses.

      Virginbuild

      1. BoJangles | Aug 10, 2008 03:52pm | #5

        Something to think about....you may not want to face nail with such a big nail.  I personally don't like to do that.

        In which case, I would choose the Primatech.

        1. Virginbuild | Aug 10, 2008 08:35pm | #6

          Thank you,

          There are so many ways to do something. Here is a recommendation by a flooring manufacture for installing unfinished oak flooring

          Predrill holes and drive 7D or 8D cut steel or screw type flooring nails into the<!----><!----><!---->

          face of the board every 12” approximately 1/2”-3/4” from the edge closest to the<!----><!---->

          starting wall and within 2”-3” from the ends and in the darker grain of the wood<!----><!---->

          (see figure A.)<!----><!---->

          Edge nail (blind nail) the plank by driving the same type nails at a 45 degree<!----><!---->

          angle through the tongue of the plank, spacing the nails every 8” - 10” and<!----><!---->

          within 2”-3” from the ends. This process should be repeated for each piece in<!----><!---->

          the entire first row. Upon completion of the first row, go back and sink the face<!----><!---->

          nails with a nail punch. If it appears the holes are not to be covered by the<!----><!---->

          baseboard molding, fill the holes with a filler, which blends with your prestained<!----><!---->

          floor.<!----><!---->

          I guess they might be figuring there is better holding power from a 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 inch cut nail than with some type of finishing nail. I suppose they also figure most or all of the face nailing will be hidden by shoe molding. the other factor might be that there is less chance of splitting with cut nails.

          There surely are a lot ot things to think about with such a "simple" thing as nailing something down. I appreciate your sharing and concerns.

          Regards,

          Virginbuild

          1. BoJangles | Aug 10, 2008 10:36pm | #7

            If you use the "cut nails", I would agree that you would want to drill the holes. Your nailer probably wouldn't drive them that close to the wall and there is the chance of splitting the wood.  I usually just break off some nails from the strip to use for hand nailing in places.

            I have always used 15 ga. finish nails for surface nailing and used the air nailer for nailing the tongue.  You could also use shims between the wall and the 1st row to hold it as you start nailing.

            I don't know if this is a one shot deal for you or not, but there really is no comparison between the Primatech and the other nailer you are considering. 

            BTW, I see you are retiring to the U.P.   What area are you considering for a home?

            Ooops,  Sorry...I misread what other nailer you were considering.  That is also a good nailer...but I still prefer the Primatech.

            Edited 8/10/2008 3:40 pm ET by BoJangles

          2. Virginbuild | Aug 11, 2008 02:11am | #8

            You are right,

            This will be a one shot installation, then I will sell it on E-Bay or somewhere. However, I don't like working with junk. I like good tools.

            I am building in Baraga County. I must be somewhere north of you or maybe you are in the UP also.

            Virginbuild

          3. BoJangles | Aug 11, 2008 06:27am | #9

            We own land in the southern UP.  Lots of wolves and now cougars. 

            I try to take a trip to Copper Harbor every fall on the BMW, with a mandatory stop in L'anse at the Hilltop for a giant cinnamon roll!!

          4. Virginbuild | Aug 11, 2008 04:33pm | #10

            Hilltop is 2 miles from my place.  Someday next year hope to move in full time. Maybe we can get together later. When I was up there last month I opened the door and a beautiful black bear was standing 30 feet away checking out the seed in a bird feeder. Numerous deer, occasional grey wolf, fox, turkey, bald eagles, moose, coon, fisher and other small animals. I hear of cougar sightings from locals, It could be bob cats they are seeing. I am a doubting Thomas on that one I'll believe it when I see one, however I will watch my backside when I am hiking :-).  Most people say I am crazy to leave the Virgin Islands but I tell them I would rather shovel snow than put up with the furry of a hurricane.

            Regards,

            Virginbuild

          5. BoJangles | Aug 12, 2008 03:11am | #11

            They aren't kidding you!  Baraga County definitely has a population of cougars.  The DNR denied it for years until people started finding dead horses etc. and tracks that were unmistakeable.

            Now even the DNR admits they are here.  My friend went to his back patio door the other morning and found a young cougar staring at his cat on the other side of the glass.

            I've got to admit, I thought you might be crazy too...but the UP is one of the most beautiful places on earth....but don't tell anybody, OK

            If I'm in the neighborhood, the rolls are on me!  Good luck with the move.

          6. Virginbuild | Aug 12, 2008 08:10am | #12

            I have a Aspencade, I might bring it back north when I make the move, maybe we can eat some Yooper black flies together.

            I read web excerpts from the news papers up there and have been following articles about the big cats. I still need to meet one or see a good picture of one to believe it. I know it can be possible but they could be about as real in the area as UFO'S and the Windigo.

            I am concerned about the Kennecott mine proposal, which will probably become a reality. When I was up at the house last month their mineral hunter plane was flying around the place for a few days.

            Between the possible re-raping by mining companies and the clear cutting of the forest for bio fuels the UP might become a wasteland in a few years.

            Regards,

            Virginbuild

          7. Brudoggie | Aug 12, 2008 05:20pm | #13

            Bo,

            We've had reports of Cougar sightings right in town , in Iron Mountain. One just this past Sunday morning. Saw one, myself in '86 while working in "the woods".

            Are you SE or SW UP? I'm in the IM area.

            Brudoggie

  2. BoJangles | Aug 10, 2008 01:21am | #2

    I always owned Bostitch nailers.  The last job, I tried a Primatech.  Now I don't want to use my Bostitch.

    The Primatech is much more compact and easier to get in to tight spaces.  It also is remarkably dependable and you can hit it from several different angles and get a good result.

    I believe they use both L & T nails.

    That would be the next new nailer I would buy.

  3. FastEddie | Aug 10, 2008 04:02am | #3

    I have the Porter cable Portanailer, shoots L-nails.  I have done about 3,000 sf and it has worked great.  Only flaw is if you forghet to pull the trigger before swinging the mallet.  And if you let it run out of nails, the very last nail falls out of the nose of the nailer.  At least that way you know you're out.

    "Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

    "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

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