I am gathering supplies for my upcoming installation (3/4" BC on plywood subfloor), and I want to get the right nails for those portions I have to face nail or blind nail by hand.

I have read here that I need 2" ring-shanked flooring nails. Are these widely available or a specialty item? I have searched at my local big-box stores without success. They have ring-shanked drywall nails, but nothing with a finishing nail head that I can set below the tongue. Where can I buy these nails?

Also, is there any particular alloy or coating that works best for nailing hardwood?

Finally, some of you have recommended using a nail instead of a drill bit for pre-drilling my nail pilot holes. Why is this? To get the exact bore, or just to avoid the frustration of breaking dozens of small bits on the hard flooring wood?

Thanks,
Garrett in San Diego

gschiff,
I've never used ring shank nails. I use the vinyl coated 8 penny finishing nails. They are green and when nailed in, the vinyl melts and grabs the wood. They're a pain to pull out if you bend one. As for drilling, I never do that either but you can use a drill because it's easier than beating in the nail.
Danny

gs:

The way I look at it a pneumatic nailer works just as fine and much quicker. Something like a Porter Cable that shoots 16 guage 2" nails. I think Steve had mentioned the other alternative, but quite frankly I've never drilled anything in my time--just too time consuming.

for different folks. I never used to predrill my holes in hardwood either, until I started installing BC, and the other exotics. Using a nailing gun is great too, and pretty fast, but I don't like to run my hands over the wood, and feel the jaggies. If you install site finished, this isn't a issue. But on prefinished, I want it smooooth, and I don't mind taking the time to do it. As far as using nails for drilling, yup, thats it. Never broke a nail, but lots of bits!
Here's what you do, glean what you can from this site, and find what works for you. You know what you want, here's the technique's. I learn something new all the time, from this site, and I've installed for almost 30 years.

OK, so I will try to do my face-nailing with a 15GA or 16GA finish nail gun where I can maneuver the gun. I'm assuming that you guys are telling me that a well-positioned nail gun can also blind-nail in the tongue where I can't fit the floor stapler (right?), or do you only use it for face-nailing?

But I still believe there will be places I have to hand-nail, such as where the nail gun won't fit (toekicks), or if I discover that the nail gun leaves raised bumps when used for face-nailing the prefinished BC, as in the warning from SK, or if I find that I am damaging the tongue with the nail gun, etc.

For these cases, what nails should I use? I have been totally unsuccessful at finding ring-shanked finish nails in San Diego, and I have not found any of Danny's vinyl coated finish nails either. I did see some spiral-shanked nails that were labeled for flooring, but they had huge heads that could not be countersunk. I've only found ordinary shiny and galvanized finish nails, but nothing that would appear to enhance grip. Am I OK using these, or do I need to keep hunting? Is there a mail-order supplier of flooring nails that I haven't found yet?

OK, so I will try to do my face-nailing with a 15GA or 16GA finish nail gun where I can maneuver the gun. I'm assuming that you guys are telling me that a well-positioned nail gun can also blind-nail in the tongue where I can't fit the floor stapler (right?), or do you only use it for face-nailing?

But I still believe there will be places I have to hand-nail, such as where the nail gun won't fit (toekicks), or if I discover that the nail gun leaves raised bumps when used for face-nailing the prefinished BC, as in the warning from SK, or if I find that I am damaging the tongue with the nail gun, etc.

For these cases, what nails should I use? I have been totally unsuccessful at finding ring-shanked finish nails in San Diego, and I have not found any of Danny's vinyl coated finish nails either. I did see some spiral-shanked nails that were labeled for flooring, but they had huge heads that could not be countersunk. I've only found ordinary shiny and galvanized finish nails, but nothing that would appear to enhance grip. Am I OK using these, or do I need to keep hunting? Is there a mail-order supplier of flooring nails that I haven't found yet?

Yes, you can blind nail with a trim gun.


There is a guy here in town, that likes to use a trim gun to do the whole installation.

Go figure! The installations are failing because of other reasons, and the trim nails are holding good, actually.

I just use 6d or 8d finish nails from the hardware store.

Me too. I keep mine in a parachute bag. I squirt a little 3in1 on them .Makes hand nailing a cinch. The tiny amount of oil on them gets rubbed off before they hit the subfloor. I nail into the joists,though.

Hey, that was supposed to be a top secret installer trick! NOW you've done it. Ha!

6d casing nails are my fave. They have more girth that a reglarole' finish nail. The head size is not much larger than that of an 8d bright finish nail.

I'm giving away the store here. heehee

What other uses will I potentially have for a 15d nailer? Is it pretty much a one-use item or are there many things I could do with it? I have to go see what size a 15d nail is to see what you're talking about.

15 gauge is the thickest gauge wire used for pneumatic finishing nailers. There are a few different head designs. The DA (Senco) head is round while the Bostitch head is more oblong. More nailers use the DA design. Only Bostitch uses their design. Decent pneumatic finish nailers are cheaper now than ever. They can be used for all types of trim nailing. Door jambs, door stops, door and window casing, baseboards and baseshoe, flooring of course, stair work, crown moulding, etc. Anywhere a finish nail is desired. The 15 gauge is preferred as it holds MUCH better than the other thinner gauges. Don't even bother with 16 gauge. And 18 to 22 gauge brad nailers are great for thin flooring and small trim where one doesn't need great holding power and wants a nearly invisible hole. Numerous quality 15 gauge nailers are available for under $200.00.


At Lowe's for $170.00



At Lowe's for $190.00



Lowe's for $180.00



At HD for $180.00

You get the idea. Shoot, Harbor Freight has one for $80.00.

Awesome Gary, thanks for the information! I just wanted to make sure if I invested the money into one, that I would be able to use it for other things, and that it wasn't some odd size that was only good for one thing.

Using these to face nail; once set up properly it just drops them to the correct depth with a dimple and you fill with putty?

"Using these to face nail; once set up properly it just drops them to the correct depth with a dimple and you fill with putty?"

Basically, yes. Air pressure has a lot to do with the depth as well. Personally, I run my finish nailers at max, 120 PSI. Nothings worse than having to hand set pneumatic finish nails. It won't blow all the way through the board. I have three different models and I'll tell you, the Bostitch has the most power. But you have to use their nails and I can't always find the sizes I'm looking for.