Okay, work your way out toward your tools and loose flooring--I wish I could have. Unfortunately, I have had to carry my wood and tools across newly finished areas. You guessed it...I have dropped wood and that stupid combination square. Ding, ding, ding!

I've called myself "STUPID!" enough. Filler alone isn't going to quite do the job, except in places where it matches fairly well and I might be able to apply some Cabot water-borne urethane over it. I am planning to buy the touch-up kit that matches the prefinished flooring.

How about some advice from you experts? I know you are well acquainted with this situation. Come on, admit it!

When installing factory finished flooring, I use the cardboard cartons the flooring came in to store tools and flooring on. Besides being as careful as possible, accidents do happen. A couple of times I dropped my tape measure and it made a dent. All that one can do is replace the board that gets dented/dinged. Filler works occasionally but rarely matches that well. It looks like what it is, filler. I attempt to organize my work space so as to avoid having to carry tools and flooring across the newly installed floor. Even with that, stuff happens.

Sure I've done it in my earlier days when I didn't know any better...even in my golden years of installation. Keeping the jobsite organized is the best solution to avoiding problems. If they're minor, look at it this way; in 2-3 years you probably won't find the dings as they'll be surrounded by other dings caused by everday use.

Nope, never dropped a tool on a newly installed floor, lol. right. All you can do is change the affected boards, or accept the dings as character.

Welcome to the club Joel

I always use the boxes also .. I figured that is why they don't put staples in them .. I box the complete floor till the job is finished .. helps to tape them in a few spots so you don't kill yourself though ..

If I'm working on a floor with a lot of variations, I don't cover anything so I can see what is what.