Whats Everyones Choice On Nailing The Last 18" Of Flooring Next To The Wall?

TurnkeyConst

Hey guys,
was wondering what your choice of nailing the last 18" or so of prefinished hardwoods 2 1/4" up to the wall? We have just a brad gun and shoot through the tongue. often oak is too hard for it. my dad normally has a guy do all our floors but since he is on a cruise and I dont have the guys number had to install 483sq ft today with 2 helpers that didnt have a clue. Felt like I was putting the pieces in place then nailing as well. waste of money for helpers lol. if you guys could let me know your methods and tools. I still have another 500sqft to install tomorrow but is very chopped up so I believe it will take 2 days with trim work. look forward to hearing from you guys.

Steve Unkie

When I get too close to the wall for my flooring stapler, then I use my 16 guage thru the tongue. I don't have any problem shooting thru oak or even Braz. cherry. Adjust to a higher PSI and you should be fine, I think., 120 PSI max. I face nail the last 3 courses or so. Good luck.

Steve.

Mike Costello

I go one step further cuz i hate filling nail heads.

I glue up the last rows with Bosticks best, toe nail the toungues i can get to with my finish nailer, use my stacker clamp to squeeze the rows and top finish nail the final row where the baseboard will cover

Teetorbilt

I do it Mike's way. I don't like visible fasteners.

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Floordude

Prefinished = glue it!!

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PrecisionFloors

I've had great luck using polyurethane construction adhesive. Like Mike, I clamp and nail the last row with my finish gun where the quarter round or base will cover it.

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Bill in VaBeach

Not the fastest, but still drive nails by hand for last 3-4 rows, once the Bostitch won't fit, and then face nail the final row. Adhesive between rows, with nails where possible, makes sense though, and may try it! That laminate wood flooring glue is great stuff too, will definitely hold three rows of tongue and groove together.

TurnkeyConst

hey guys well today installing prefinished in a tight room we can nail through tongues then have 2 1/2 rows left to the wall. we face nail both rows and putty or fill with wax stick. is it just lowes material that comes bowed all to heck. we cant help but leave a little gap. does the glue help? would have to be pretty strong. oh also what is a stacker clamp? we have bar clamps but they dont work too big. thanks guys

Mike Costello

This tool will crank out any bow....http://www.tools4flooring.com/powern...ack-p-265.html

And it makes mounds of cole slaw

PrecisionFloors

:best Homer Simpson voice: Mmmm cole slaw

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Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

Floordude

PortaNails has the PortaJack, similar to the Jack linked above.

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Doug M

I use an 18 gauge in the tongues with glue then face nail the last few rows with putty/filling stick in hand.
Doug M

PrecisionFloors

Another tip fer you guys.

At the start of the job I alway pick out enough long straight purty boards for my finishing rows and set em off to the side. It makes things mucho easier when you get to that point. Less prying and wrestling to get the last rows in nice and tight.

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Precision Flooring
(772) 237-9900
Tile, Hardwood, Laminate, and Resilient
Installation, Sales & Repair - "We do it right the FIRST time"

Floordude

I use my LamHammer. Gravy!

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Mike Costello

I got the Jack.

(no, not the AC- DC one)

Floordude

The LamHammer...

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OCRS

Brad until last 3rd, glue 2nd last, top nail under 1/4 rd on last

gusthehonky

Counterbore hole, dive screw, and conceal with drop of glue on plugs cut from scrap. Overkill yes but the final outcome more than justifies the small increase in time this requires. Granted it is not needed in all instals. Those who notice often view as a sign of finer or higher quality work.

This was taught to me by a highly skilled old school carpenter whos knowledge and skill were legendary.

downwithfloors

Isn't that distracting along the edges? Countersinking screws and plugging is classy, but only along the edges looks too obvious. Great for thresholds and nosings though...

lawndart

Agreed, I'd like to see a picture of it. We nail through the tounges with a Finish Nailer, and use adhesive. I never top nail the edges.