I found this site shortly after I started some 3/4" prefinished in my home. The job has turned out really well, except for one slight mistake...maybe.

For the entire job, where using the flooring nailer was not possible, I used my 16 GUAGE Bostich finish nailer. That is what I had to use, and didn't think there would be a problem. After reading numerous postings on this site, I see that using anything smaller than a 15 guage ringshank could lead to problems.

So far, so good. I started two weeks ago, and will finish up the last 20 feet tonight. Everywhere I've used the 16 guage nails has shown no problems.

I'm really looking for some input as to how much I should worry about things coming loose in the future. Even though the nails are only 16 guage, I tend to overkill some things, and I nailed a little more often than the norm. 2" in from each end, and approximately every 4-6" in between. On the second to last row where the gun would no longer fit, I hand nailed with 2" hardwood trim nails just as often. Then finished the last row by face nailing with the 16 guage gun.

I also don't know if I should mention I went a little crazy in the beginning with my M111FS. I'm talking a staple roughly every 4-5 inches on the entire first half of the floor that I installed. As my full box of 7,720 staples began to rapidly deplete on my 360 square foot flooring area, I immediately began to chill, and then went every 6-8 inches.

Some other info you may wish to know, just so you don't have to ask:

2 1/2" TJI engineered floor joists with 3/4" real plywood subfloor (no OSB)
I had a few bad dips (almost 3/8" at the worst spot), so I used some 5.2 mm luan, cut to strips, glued and stapled in place in the low spots, then feathered out to level with 15# asphalt impregnated felt paper. After I was satisfied with that, I went over all of it with 1/4" 3 ply underlayment, glued and fastened with 1" crown staples.

Since this is my first floor, I'd like some input from the experts here if you wouldn't mind.

Did I do the right thing to fix the low spot? Should I worry about the use of 16 guage versus 15? Should I expect problems from using a bit too many staples?

Also, what do you guys use to router ends for your spline? I bought a 1/4" rabbeting bit, but when I use it (set up on a router table), the spline seems a bit loose afterward. I don't want any play, for fear of the joint coming loose and the boards becoming not flush. Do I have an acceptable bit, or should I be looking for something a bit narrower? I don't want to spend $60 on one of those specialty flooring bits I've seen.

Thanks in advance,
Jim

http://www.kentwoodfloors.com/pdf/insta ... S-INS1.pdf


Check out this link, Kentwood insists that you use an 18 guage. I think you will be fine with the 16. Some on here would probably disagree but I thought I would give you something to read.

Thanks for the info. I guess I'm just a little too paranoid.

I'm glad you posted this. I'm about to do a 3/4" reclaimed pine installation in my house and I have a 16-guage nail gun. I was wondering, too, if this was going to be a problem requiring me to get something larger. Sounds like this is acceptable, though not ideal.