I am going to remove a carpet, and install 3/4" thick pre-finished maple floor over 30 lb felt and the existing plywood. I did a lot of reading, especially on this site, to figure out which tools I need, but I'm still somewhat uncertain as to what I should rent or buy.

I was thinking of stapling the boards (Bostich M111FS), and I can rent this stapler from HD. Finishing nailer: I would like to own one after the job is done, what do you guys think of this kit (Makita compressor and nailer kit):
http://bit.ly/dLdwJv

Will the makita compressor be OK to drive the Bostitch stapler? Or should I forget about this idea and rent a compressor and finishing nailer as well?

Table saw. Will this be OK to do all the cuts with the standard blade?
http://bit.ly/gVbew4
Do I need to rent a mitre saw as well?

Layout. I have seen repeated over and over the advice to start from a long wall, where any misalignement can be most easily noticed. Typically the hallway. This makes perfect sense to me, but I cannot understand how this starting from the middle works.

I tried to draw a picture of what I mean. The "problematic" (in my mind) area is the small area in the lower right marked "how does this area work?" Would not the grooves facing the "wrong" way?



thanks in advance,
Luca

I would start the installation on the wall you were planning to start on. The bostich stapler will work great as will the compressor. I would also get a mitre saw. The table saw is really just for ripping the boards that go along the walls, or for making notched cuts. A jig saw would also be helpful.