Brazilian Walnut nail down flooring - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Monrovi · 12-26-2008, 12:02 AM

Looking for some helpful suggestions regarding wood flooring. Installing 3/4" brazillian walnut prefinished floor over 3/4" cdx with 15lbs felt as a moisture barrier. Not sure what type of flooring nailer to use. Be it a cleat or stapler. and what length fasteners to use. Knowing that this is the hardest flooring I am concerened what kind to use. I have never installed a nail down flooring. I know I have the ability to install this product but am looking for the professional's suggestions and insights. Thanks Eric

floorinstall · 12-26-2008, 01:53 PM

Use the cleats they don't split the tongue as often as the staples do. That being said either of the methods are acceptable. Use 2" fastener for 3/4" stock. The only exception is if the floor is laid on 1/2' plywood that was glued or nailed to concrete.

Floordude · 12-27-2008, 07:29 PM

Believe it or not, 2" are for 33/32 wood of the old days. 1¾ are for ¾ wood and the better choice for that hard wood.

You do not want the fasteners to blow all the way through the subfloor. It loses holding strength and causes squeaks.

Monrovi · 12-27-2008, 11:08 PM

So would you say that cleats will hold better and also penetrate the wood better. I talked to one installer he thought since Brazilian walnut (IPE) is so hard a person may have to predrill and hand nail every board through the tongue.

Monrovi · 12-28-2008, 08:09 PM

Does anybody have a preference on brand of cleat nailer. I am thinking about a stanley bostich but it doesn't appear that they carry 1 3/4" cleats. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

astor · 12-28-2008, 08:59 PM

Try Harbor Freight Tools has stapler/nailer which takes up to 2" staples or cleats and only around $130. I have been using it for a while and it works without any trouble .Beats Stanley Bostick which is I think about $300. I remember just for seals I used to pay around $150 to repair SB. Now when and if it breaks I throw away and get a new one!The first one I had bought still good after 3 years.
BTW when you nail/staple Ipe, be sure leave 2" space at the ends as it will split the tongue.

Monrovi · 12-29-2008, 01:00 AM

Thanks for the info. Is that gun air assist?

Cdat · 12-29-2008, 07:58 AM

I recently put some down some Ipe with a Stanley Bostich manual with 1 3/4 inch nails. Nothing predrilled or any adverse effects. I was told countless stories on how hard this wood is to work with yet found no difficulties working with it. Will I do it again? Actually, the wood has darkened so much in the last six months, I don't really like the overall look of it anymore.

I also cut my own tounge & groove in it and it wasn't that bad to router either.

Monrovi · 12-29-2008, 10:21 AM

what brand of nails were those?

Floordude · 12-29-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astor

Beats Stanley Bostick which is I think about $300.

You think? Last one I priced at Trinity Hardwood Distributors, here, which was 4 years ago, the Bostich was, $610. I bought a GripRite stapler for $325.

I agree the Harbor Freight will work for you. It is a Bostich knock off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by astor

BTW when you nail/staple Ipe, be sure leave 2" space at the ends as it will split the tongue.

That is the rule for any fastened down wood, not just Braz. Walnut, or other hard exotics.

Monrovi · 01-01-2009, 12:55 AM

started nailing down my flooring tonight have 4 rows done but have some concerns. I can see slight cracks in the tongues. Some are worst than others. What do I contibute this to. Do I need to adjust air pressure and which way? Or is this something that happens when a person does a naildown flooring? Do I need to tear up boards with split tongues or do I just leave them? Looking for some thoughts on this since I have never done a naildown floor. This is for myself so I would prefer to do it right.

jamestrd · 01-01-2009, 02:44 AM

back off the pressure a little and dont be an animal on the nailer..the air drives the nail, not you.

no you dont need to remove the boards

Monrovi · 01-01-2009, 10:13 AM

Thanks for the suggestion. Is it typical to have a tongue break once in a while? I am just trying to install this flooring the best that I can. I don't want any squeaks in 10 years.