I recently bought some 5/16 by 2-1/4 Bellawood Brazilian Walnut floor but I
can't find the right size floor nailer at any of the local (Charlottesville,
VA) rental centers. I prefer nailing, although glueing is an option. Is it
possible to use any other power device to install this very hard flooring?
Can I use a pneumatic nailer? Is so, what kind of nails should I use? Is
there any special attachment for a nailer to be used on flooring? Should
these be available at a typical rental center? (The chances I'll do another
floor installation are slim. I doesn't make sense to buy this equipment for
one job.)

On Apr 22, 1:35 pm, "Terry Ryan" wrote:
I recently bought some 5/16 by 2-1/4 Bellawood Brazilian Walnut floor but I
can't find the right size floor nailer at any of the local (Charlottesville,
VA) rental centers. I prefer nailing, although glueing is an option. Is it
possible to use any other power device to install this very hard flooring?
Can I use a pneumatic nailer? Is so, what kind of nails should I use? Is
there any special attachment for a nailer to be used on flooring? Should
these be available at a typical rental center? (The chances I'll do another
floor installation are slim. I doesn't make sense to buy this equipment for
one job.)

Don't get too hung up on having a pneumatic nailer. Since you cannot
find a suitable nailer locally then you may have no choice but to hand
nail. It's no big deal especially for "one job".

You may need to pre-drill your nail holes to prevent splitting the
wood. Drill a holes slightly smaller than the diameter of the nail
and use your good old fashioned hammer. Then use a nail set to put
the head of the nail flush. You can do a much nicer job with a hammer
though not as fast.

In article , says...

I recently bought some 5/16 by 2-1/4 Bellawood Brazilian Walnut floor but I
can't find the right size floor nailer at any of the local (Charlottesville,
VA) rental centers. I prefer nailing, although glueing is an option. Is it
possible to use any other power device to install this very hard flooring?
Can I use a pneumatic nailer? Is so, what kind of nails should I use? Is
there any special attachment for a nailer to be used on flooring? Should
these be available at a typical rental center? (The chances I'll do another
floor installation are slim. I doesn't make sense to buy this equipment for
one job.)


The exotic hardwoods are best nailed with 18 gauge cleat nailers and several
manufacturers specify "no fastener thicker than 18 gauge". The standard 16
gauge nailers split the tongue, but the 20 gauge staplers often bend the staple
beacuse of the hard wood.

I was in the same situation, installing 5/8" Morning Star bamboo in my bedroom.
After talking to the Powernail tech department, I went with their new model
50M, 18 gauge nailer. It's a new product specially designed for the exotic
woods. I just got done, it worked perfectly.

Now for the bad news - you won't find one to rent or even buy used, they are
too new. But, I'm done with mine, if you are interested email me. The best
price I could find on a new one is $299, I'll deal on my slightly used one (I
put down 300 square feet of bamboo).

Here is a link to Powernail's page on the 50M. They also make a powered
version, but it's twice as much:

http://www.powernail.com/model50m.htm

--
Dennis