T&G Flooring Install – Nails or Staples?

I’m about to re-install some 100 year old heart pine flooring after replacement of the subfloor. It’s traditional 3/4″ tounge and groove. What is the preferred way of installation, with nails or staples? I’ll be buying/borrowing/renting a pneumatic nailer, and I’m not sure which method is best.
Also, what length fastener should be used? It’s going down over 7/8″ Advantech plywood.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
GSPrice
Replies
Personally, I think a floor nailer is correct for 3/4" material, and a floor stapler works well for thinner laminates. But, many disagree with me, saying that a stapler will work just as well. I think HD rents a nailer, be sure to get the pneumatic version, and their nails are 2-1/4" I think. And some folks call them cleats, but it takes a special knid to fit the gun so there's no chance of using the wrong style.
"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
Edited 6/20/2007 10:22 am ET by FastEddie
For my own house I chose the stapler. Believe me it will hold well. Staples are much cheaper then nails. If the stuff is over 5" wide consider adding a couple of plugs across hte width will help
Roger <><
I use the Bostitch MIIIFS. Takes 2 inch staples. You misfire with a light tap and it takes 2 men and a boy to pry out a staple that's only embedded 1/2".
This is your basic Ford/Chevy topic. Comes up every month or so, with nailers and staplers split about 50/50. Since your material doesn't come with manufacturer's instructions about fastening then I'd flip a coin.
I have worked with a lot of Heart Pine, 100+years old and I have always ended up with the nails, a couple of time I had a sub with a floor stapler and they just did not work, kept bending one of the legs.
You'll get lots of opinions on this. My take: if the subfloor is new plywood, then either will be fine. I've had to pull up floors with nails, cleats, T-nail, and saw tooth nails. None are easy!!! I always go to cleats when the subfloor is old yellow pine. It seems I get fewer problems and fewer bent fasteners. I happen to own both a Bostich stapler and a PowerNailer.
Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'll be going with the flooring cleats.