I've got a Bostitch brad nailer that fires 2 inch 18 gauge brads. Is that adequate for face nailing where the flooring stapler won't fit, or do I need a nailer that fires finish nails? The floor is 3/4 inch brazillian cherry.

Thanks for the help!

Joe

I use a brad nailer, and colated fasteners. It grabs well, along with leaving a smaller hole to putty

Great! But that begs another question, which is, how do you putty and finish a hole (even a small one) on prefinished wood?

i put a piece of tape down before i nail , then rub the putty in the hole .. keeps it off the rest of the wood .. just remove the tape afterwoods ..

18 gauge? I'm confused now; I thought it was supposed to be 15 gauge...I was reading some 15 vs 16 gauge threads.

Or am I mixing something up?

Floorguy must have missed where H of J said he was installing 3/4" solid b. cherry. No, when installing a 3/4" solid, use a 15 gauge pneumatic nailer OR when nailing by hand, a # 6 finish nail. Or better yet, when nailing by hand, casing nails or wood flooring nails. BIG heads on those. How to putty? Use Woodwise Prefinished Nail Hole Putty.

Two brad nails every 4-6 inches around the perimeter, is not like face nailing out into the installation. Not much happening around the perimeter. If the floor wants to move, 15, 16, 18 or 20 gauge isn't going to matter at the perimeter.

Here, I think we'll have to respectfully disagree. BYW, would a 20 gauge brad even go all the way through 3/4" of solid B. Cherry?

my 2" 20 gauge Senco pinner will penetrate hard maple and walnut i see no reason why it wouldn't work on B. Cherry. probably won't keep teh flooring from moving during seasonal changes though.

Michael

The BC is much harder than the other woods that you're shooting through. And a 20 is pretty thin wire.