Floorguy,
I have been posting at the floormasters site. (I just discovered this site in the last day or so.) I have tried to read thru the archives so as not to ask repeated questions if possible. Everyone's help has been great. I have an overseas business trip next week and will be starting my floor installation in Mid December so I am do as much research up front as possible.

Racking:
As I undestand the term, this would be pre-layout of the flooring to get an appropriate stagger of the joints and get a variation in the woods color. It sounds like most also do this to establish the end cuts as well.

What's a good suggestion for how many rows a "novice" try to layout before stopping to cut & nail?

I have two seperate rooms to do. The bedroom is 225 sq. ft. and the other is an L shape (dinning & living room combo) that is 500 sq. ft.

Pre-Drilling:
The flooring is Aus Cypress and pre-finished (I know this is a lethal combination from the reading I have done so far, but this wood best matches our home decor.). I am going to try the neumatic cleat nailer, but if it gets to be too much for the tongues I will stop and hand nail. I assume the best & quickest pre-drill method would be to set up a 45 deg fixture in a small drill press. This should automate the drilling process.

Are there better pre-drilling practices? If hand nailing is required, what the best type of nail. The cleats are ribbed, so I assume a galv. ribbed nail or spiral type is best?

Thanks for the paitence with all the rookiy questions.
Addison2481

Rack out as much as you want. More is better.

Use the pneumatic cleat nailer and you shouldn't have problems.


Use an 8d as a drill bit! and then drive and set an 8d.