Hi Guys,

A complete newbie here, both to this forum and flooring.

First, of course, let me thank you for maintaining this forum -- I read through the sticky, approximately 8 months of posts and all pages of the main web site. I found lots of information presented in a friendly way. Still, I am not sure about a few things...

In thread 663, Gary recommends strengthening the subfloor by stapling a layer of CDX plywood as underlayment with 1/2" crown, 15ga staples (1 1/2"). What stapler (brand/model) would you recommend for this task?

I was hoping to rent the right/good tool and not to have to buy anything expensive so I went to the local HD store, but found nothing available for rental. They do have the Bostitch MIIIFS, but, as I understand, that's only for stapling the floor strips and not the underlayment.

I did find a Senco stapler capable of shooting 7/16" crown, 16ga staples. Would that be very inadequate if I stapled the underlayment, say every 4 inches?

I also searched the web, but am having problems finding a tool similar to the one Gary described.

BTW, all this because I intend to install bloodwood floor in my kitchen. This second floor room is 18x10 feet, 3/4" ply subfloor, over 24" OC floor beams (lattice-type, not usual joists) running lengthwise.

The prefinished bloodwood strip is 3/4" thick and 5 1/2" wide and was purchased last year from LumberLiquidators I know, I know... but the wood was so pretty and I had not found this forum in time to choose a better vendor.

Regards,

Tom

After checking out Senco's new line of stapler's, it appears that they have gone to a 7/16" crown with a 16 guage wire. I am sure that this will be fine for stapling down 1/2" CDX plywood underlayment. Any brand that is convenient to obtain is fine. Renting does make sense. Good luck.

Thanks for the reply, Gary.

This is very good news, because going down to 16 gauge staples brings the price of the stapler to more digestable levels. I have big plans for the hardwood floors throughout the house, so, maybe, I can now "justify" spending 200-300 bucks instead of 500-600. Can't have too many power tools :-)

Regards,

Tom

Well, you got me curious so I just took another look at my stapler. It's a Senco SNS40 and guess what, it uses 16 gauge staples, not 15. So I guess I was in a hurry when I posted that original message. Here's Senco's replacement for my stapler (my model has been replaced).
http://www.northwestpowertools.com/nail ... /sns41.htm

Incidentally, I saw the SNS40 and the local Home Depot yesterday (for just a little bit more than at Northern). Then I saw the Senco site where it was described as discontinued.

I have not made up my mind yet, but seem to lean towards the PorterCable MS200, of which I have not heard many bad things. I have two other PorterCable nailers as well as the FCN200 cleat nailer, so I thought that they might use some company :-)

Again, thanks for your help,

Tom.