Flooring Nailer

Home renovation is a very laborious process that takes a lot of time and effort. People more and more often understand how difficult it is and come to the choice of the best flooring nailer. But in order to choose the right one and not be mistaken, you need to properly study all possible features, the capabilities of the device, and its power, of course.

I hope this material will be useful to you from the point of view of the buyer because we will take a closer look at several very good wood flooring nailers, and perhaps you can make the right choice. In addition, we will consider 2 variations of this device: manual and, of course, pneumatic.

Flooring nailer vs stapler

As you already understood from the title, floor staplers can be either manual or pneumatic, although usually, the pneumatic option is not particularly popular with buyers. The main difference from the nailing tool is that it drives the staples.

А hardwood nailer, on the other hand, is more intended for fixing wood and flooring by hammering in nails. This technology is considered to be much more reliable and sturdy than staples. However, many modern tools work like a 2-in-1. They are able to work with both nails and staples, which adds convenience to the user.

Manual and pneumatic wood flooring nailers

When buying, it is important to consider one big difference: nailing devices are divided into manual and pneumatic. It is on this basis that I propose to consider 2 options and understand what the difference between them is.

The first will be the manual flooring nailer. This type of device does not require an air compressor for operation and its efficiency directly depends on the skill of the performer because all work takes place thanks to physical labor. In turn, the pneumatic flooring nailer requires an air compressor for ease of use. It is this type of device that is more popular because it minimizes all the physical efforts of the user by doing work both quickly and easily.

Secondly, I would like to emphasize the flooring stapler. In this review, you will not see manual models, exclusively pneumatic. There is a definite reason for this, which is that pneumatics are still much more convenient. If a hand tool requires precision, physical effort, etc., then a pneumatic device will do the job accurately and with equal strength.
However, the choice of tool always depends solely on the preference of the purchaser. But if you are guided by elementary logic, the disadvantages of a pneumatic tool in view of its price and the difficulties of replacing a compressor are erased if you need to do a lot of work on replacing the floor, for example.

Flooring Nailers Comparison Table

Best Flooring Nailer Reviews

Pneumatic floor nailers

Bostitch BTFP12569 – best overall

BTFP12569 is a reliable device that can be considered the best flooring nailer on the market among similar devices. The first thing that is important for the buyer to know is the ability to use the device as a nailer and as a stapler too. This adds convenience, despite the fact that the device is fully pneumatic.

The device boasts the ability to drive in Cleat and Staple gauge of 16 / 15.5. In addition, the permissible floor thickness
ranges from 1/2 to 3/4 inches. Weighing only 10.2 lbs, the instrument has 70 to 100 psi of operating pressure, which is more than enough for many important applications.

In addition to the technical characteristics, I would also like to note the very convenient design of the device. It has a long handle with a rubber grip so that even during long work, your hand will hold the unit firmly.

NuMax SFL618 – budget

When choosing a floor nailing gun, NuMax SFL618 can be an excellent choice. In the first place, ease of use attracts absolutely any user. This device has an incredibly comfortable rubber-coated handle that many users appreciate. In addition, it has a very lightweight aluminum body and a replaceable base plate with a 3-in-1 design for flexibility.

Secondly, it is worth noting the excellent technical characteristics. As it is already clear, the device, being pneumatic, can be both a nailer and an excellent stapler, which increases the efficiency of its use. Cleat and Staple gauge are quite good, 16 and 15.5 respectively.

In addition, as with the previous device, this one can handle floor thicknesses from 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch. The working pressure indicator is slightly better than the previous one and ranges from 70 to 110.

Powernail 50P – for professionals

The Powernail 50P may be the best pneumatic flooring nailer among similar models. Unfortunately, the device does not support the capabilities of the stapler, but it performs its main task perfectly. In addition, I would like to immediately note the wonderful design made in red colors. In addition to its direct technical responsibilities, the device will look very aesthetically pleasing.

Powernail 50P, being an ultra-reliable hardwood floor nailing gun, can install 3/4 inch, 5/8 inch, 1/2 inch, and 3/8 inch nails. The only significant drawback is that the permissible floor thickness for entry is from 3/8 to 3/4, which is not a super good indicator.

I would also like to note that the 50P has a thinner 18 gauge cleat for more accurate work because this will help to avoid the destruction of the structure of the tree you are working with.

Manual floor nailers

Bostitch MFN-201

In fact, there are also adherents of manual labor in the world who do not respect automatic technology. Therefore, it is for such people that the use of a manual floor nailer will be a perfect choice. It is Bostitch MFN-201 that will be able to adequately please you with its characteristics and capabilities.

The opportunity to choose between single or multi-blow options gives the user certain freedom. The nailer comes with a graphite mallet that has an ergonomic comfort grip. Thanks to the rubber bumpers, your floor is protected against scratches. By the way, this model installs both pre-finished and unfinished flooring.

PORTA-NAILS 402A

The next device that I propose to consider may be the best hardwood floor nailer among the manual types, namely the PORTA-NAILS 402A. This device will just become a good helper for all lovers of manual labor who appreciate the feeling of pressure and physical work. It is very reliable in use, and most importantly, it is very easy and simple to use, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time mastering its work.

Weighing only 8 lbs, this device has very convenient features. For example, it uses T Headed 16 Ga nails and binds 5/8 inches and 3/4 inches in floor thickness. I also want to note that the patented PORTA-NAILS anti-split nails help very well with large volumes of work because they prevent offensive moments when, under load, the flooring cracks.

Best Flooring Stapler Reviews

Freeman PFBC940

Freeman is known for its stable devices, so the PFBC940 model is in no way inferior to other Flooring Stapler. What is remarkable is the ability of the device to work as a nailer and as a stapler, so the investment in such a convenient function will always pay off when working.

Weighing only 4 lbs, you can easily use this device for a long time without getting tired during work, moreover, it is completely pneumatic. I also want to note that its operating pressure is 70 – 115 psi, which is more than enough for all possible needs. The device’s fastener gauge is 18 ga.

In addition, the fastener range indicator if we are talking about Brad Nails is from 5/8 inches to 1-5 / 8 inches, while Staples is 3/8 inches and 1-5 / 8 inches. By the way, the device also has the ability to adjust the depth without using additional tools so that you can adjust the firing depth.

Powernail 1845F

Among other pneumatic staplers, the 1845F can be distinguished by a number of nice features. Powernail has long established itself with its reliable devices that always work great. This unit drives a 1/4 inch crown along with 18 gauge staples of the L-Series from 7/8 inches to 1-1 / 2 inches long. Also, thanks to its excellent design, it glides easily on the surface you are working on and is specially designed for working in narrow and confined spaces.

Despite the fact that the device does not support the ability to use it as a nailer, it will be able to work with Floor thicknesses from 3/8 to 5/8 inches, which is enough for most modern pneumatic machines. In addition, given that it is pneumatic, you can rely on its accuracy and power since the operating pressure is 70 – 120 psi.

Buyers guide

What hardwood flooring fasteners will I need

In fact, the choice of consumables is almost the most important process when building a new floor. Oftentimes, you will be faced with a choice between two things: nails and staples.

Firstly, if we are talking about nails, it is important to remember that they are much stronger than the same staples. Thanks to reliable pneumatics, they can penetrate into any wood and cling to it, forming a very durable connection. It is also important to understand that there are 2 types of nails for nailing machines – L-shaped and T-shaped. However, the only drawback that I would highlight is the price. Often it is much higher than the price of staples, but believe me, it is better to overpay and get a reliable and good product that will serve you for a long time.

Secondly, speaking of staples have more disadvantages than nails. For example, a staple is much more difficult to fit into solid wood and can also damage it. But, if you bought the best flooring stapler, then you are guaranteed excellent quality of work with relatively thin material. By default, the staples have a much stronger grip on the wood but tend to loosen over time. By the way, the big plus of staples is that they are much cheaper than nails, so when working with thin wood, they are more than enough for you.

The recommended size for flooring staples/nails

When choosing the size of flooring staples or nails, it is worth considering several nuances that can significantly affect your choice. In addition, there are some rules that you also need to know.

First, you need to carefully study the thickness of the board from which wood it is, and its quality. This will help you choose the nail gauge you need to buy. This aspect must be approached carefully because the cost of such nails is by no means small, therefore, under fear of losing money, the choice must be made deliberately. There is also a universal rule-based on elementary logic: the smaller the gauge, the stronger the nail.

The main purpose of 16 gauge nails is to work with thick hardwood. These nails are incredibly strong, so they can work with such inelastic wood. They can boast of their versatility, which is why they are often chosen for multi-profile work where you need to work with a diverse set of wooden boards of different origins and qualities.

The 18 gauge nails are generally thinner than 16 gauge nails but are also used for more fragile materials that are afraid of damage. Yes, they can be driven deep, but due to the fact that they are thinner, they can weaker hold the tree motionless for a long time.

If we are talking about Staples, their use should always depend on the quality of the tree you are working with. In fact, they are cheaper than nails, but that doesn’t mean they are useless. First of all, staples are needed for working with thin wood or with fragile types of wood, which tend to be easily destroyed.

Safety tips you need to know when working with a nailer

Take care of your eyes

When working with nailers, especially pneumatic versions, always take care to protect not only your eyes but also your head. Nobody knows what kind of failure the device can give and shoot with a staple or a nail at you. Considering the operating pressure of each pneumatic device, it is not even worthwhile to imagine how much damage such a tool can cause. In addition, when working with wood, dirt and dust also often very much interfere with the respiratory tract and eyes, so I advise you to take this point into account.

Check the tool before use

It seems obvious, but it is best to check the health of all components each time before starting work. If you feel that it works with tension in a manual nailer, it is better to lubricate the parts with oil so that everything works smoothly and, of course, reliably.

Correct placement of nails and staples

This is an integral part of working with such tools because safety is paramount. When you have checked that it works, it’s time to carefully and securely insert the nail. By the way, it is also important to choose nails that will suit all parameters of thickness, caliber, a material with which you work, etc. They should always be inserted into the device, just not next to the head; it is better to do this with outstretched arms and away from eyes. Also, avoid loading a nailer that is pointed at other people.