Joe wrote in
:

On Mar 3, 9:53*pm, Red Green wrote:
Never used them before.

I'm prepping the floors in a 30+ year old house for carpet. A lot of
the existing nails have worked loose and it creaks a lot. I've done a
couple of rooms and it's good and tight.

It's been a PITA though and here's why.

When the carpet company came out to measure and size up hat had to be
done I told them I will be pulling up the carpet and pad temporarily
to refasten the flooring. Told them I would be using 8d coated
sinkers to do so. Guy says using ring shank nails would be better.
OK, guy is a pro, I asked for advice so I might as well take it.

So my plan is to renail with the coated 8d's near the the existing
nails (totally removing any that are loose or popped) and use ring
shanks in between which would half the spacing. Well those damn ring
shanks ya barely tap them and if it ain't perfectly square contact
they bend. The hammer is a new Estwing. They eyes, well they've got
some wear & tear :-(

snip

You can't get a better hammer.

Well, the one I replaced was an Estwing. Bought it around 1985. Guess it
was time since the face can probably be considered a ball-peen lately :-)


These RS nails are the underlayment type and thin if you ask me. Plus
I'm going through subfloor into joists.

Is this just a lack of experience using underlayment RS nails?

snip

Not really...
I can empathize with your agony. My ancient joints limit activities,
so I compensate with better tools. Makes my argument with SWMBO
effective. The solution to your problem is to get a Senco framing
nailer and use one their 3 sizes of ring shank nails. They are coated
as well, and quite difficult to remove without a struggle. Used mine
extensively on our current rehab project, for plywood sheathing,
subflooring and roof decking. Keep in mind they do not draw down
sprung boards like screws do, so by all means get an impact driver for
that chore. If budgeting is a problem (the economy is crap we know),
buy the nails and screws and rent the tools to be sure if you want to
make the investment. Wear your safety glasses, hear?

Joe