Hi my husband just purchased some 3/4" chestnut flooring and now we need to install it. He was thinking about buy a cordless 16 guage cordless nailer to do the job rather than a floor nailer because it could be used afterward for a lot of different things in our renovation projects. Is this a good idea or is it better to use a special floor nailer? We don't want to rent the floor nailer because we know it will take us a while to do the job, and we don't want to purchase something that we will only use once. Your comments are appreciated.
Thanks,
Gail

I'm a do-it-yourselfer much in the same situation as yourself. I would purchase a used floor nailer off of ebay or craigslist. After your done with it, put it back on ebay. It will probably sell for the same amount you bought it. I would definitely not use a different kind of nailer.

I may be all wrong but I don't think a 16 ga. nail would have a prayer of getting through that wood.

Chestnut aint all that hard.

Stick nailer = squeak, squeak, squeak.

I agree with woohoo1. I'm going to buy one off ebay for my project and then sell it when I'm done. Even if I buy one $350 and sell it for $300.00, I'll still come out ahead vs. a $144/wk Depot rental charge.

Floorguy is right, too. Use the right too for the job. Always!

Thanks so much for all the comments, what a great forum. You have certainly impacted on our decision and we are going to follow everyone's advice to use the proper tool one way or another.
Thanks again from Ontario Canada
Gail

Good find on the chesnut! Was it reclaimed? Or did you spend a pretty penny?