On the install, wish to use reproduction nails, (domed head). Most likely
will be working by myself. Question, will a small palm nailer work with
most any nail? Will have to hammer the last bit in, to keep from marking
the panel. That will free up one hand to hold the panel. Ceiling slopes,
so any floor brace is out.

Palm nailers typically work with the nail head inserted into the
sleeve. As the nail approaches full insertion, the sleeve slides back
to allow countersinking if desired. Some palm nailers have switchable
sleeves for larger nail heads. If the nail head will go into the
sleeve, I'd say you are in business with what you want to do.

On Wed, 9 Aug 2006 21:13:37 -0500, "Rick Samuel"
wrote:

On the install, wish to use reproduction nails, (domed head). Most likely
will be working by myself. Question, will a small palm nailer work with
most any nail? Will have to hammer the last bit in, to keep from marking
the panel. That will free up one hand to hold the panel. Ceiling slopes,
so any floor brace is out.

"Rick Samuel" wrote in
:

On the install, wish to use reproduction nails, (domed head). Most
likely
will be working by myself. Question, will a small palm nailer work
with most any nail? Will have to hammer the last bit in, to keep
from marking the panel. That will free up one hand to hold the panel.
Ceiling slopes, so any floor brace is out.



Would not use air-powered palm nailer. You risk damaging domed nails, and
these don't use very long nails, do they? I would hammer by hand (assuming
your aim is good) *Small* pieces of double-sided tape can be used as a
"third hand", don't over do it and don't use so it will be obvious.

Rick Samuel wrote:
Ceiling slopes, so any floor brace is out.


no reason you can't make a floor brace to help hold stuff in place
while you work. the tin is fragile, so you can't jam it in tight, but
make the stick out of something light and flexible, and give it a
pretty broad surface to meet the tin- a couple of square feet of
plywood covered in carpet ought to do it. the head will need to swivel
a bit, and the stick will never be vertical- more like leaning into the
slope than like a jack, really. the stick will need to be adjustable
length, too.... an interesting thing to make, but it doesn't have to be
a big deal.

the swivel can be done by straps of something flexible but not too
flexible- strips of the carpet might be about right. the length
adjustment can be two strips of wood held together with spring clamps.