I am in the market for a hardwood flooring nailer and would appreciate some input. I have only ever used the Bostitch stapler… but am attracted by the price of the Grizzly H5977. Can anyone vouch for the quality of the Grizzly?
All my other nailers are PC. Do they make a stapler? Also, I have only used staples… I noticed some of these take cleats… which is better?
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Replies
I have a Bostich MIIIFS and it is very reliable. I probably only install about 5000 sq. ft. a year but a few drops of oil and it runs like new. My stapler is about 13 years old and has continuously served my needs with zero down time. Good luck shopping.
Dustin W.
The question of staples vs nails has a lot to do with what the flooring is, and what the subfloor is.
I have the PC pneumatic nailer, and it works well. Sure is easy on the elbow.
"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
Ok let's say it's 3/4" Walnut or Brazilian Cherry on a 3/4" plywood subfloor. Regular flooring nails or staples? I would say reg/nails. Also do you try to hit floor joists or do you just nail where ever?
Jeff
If the subloor is plywood or advantech, why do you need to hit joists?
Dustin W.
I'm not saying you need to but it would seem like the more wood a nail can catch the better the hold and lessen the chance of a nail squeak.
With the Bostich staples into an adequate subfloor, The glue on the staples will elliminate any question. Don't get me wrong, marking joists is good, but the staples go in at a 45 and in new work with a wet joist, what do you think will squeak more.
2" nails about every 5-6".
Check out this site hardwoodinstaller.com good discussion forum.
"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
The NFMA says to nail floors every 10-12". That usually happens on Monday, but by Wednesday it gets to be 18-24".
What I like to do to keep me consistant is to put one ON the floor joist and one BETWEEN the joists. This is not because of any extra strength in the joist, but rather serves as a easy way to stay away from the above example.
As to the question about nailers, are you a pro or a weekender. I would offer to you to go with a pneumatic if you don't swing a 4# mallet alot. I just don't like the hose nuisance. I also likt to be able to drive a wild board home with just alittle more OOOmph and you can't with a pneumatic. Don't worry about staples vs. cleats.
3/4 red oak over 3/4 plywood subfloor... your basic hardwood floor.