Suggestions for Flooring Stapler

[stvrowe]

I am installing engineered wood floors in my house and have decided to install them with staples.  The flooring place has a stapler they will loan me but I am thinking about purchasing my own.  Any suggestions for brand/model of flooring stapler would be appreciated.  I am leaning toward the non-hammer actuated version.
Thanks

 

[Walk On Wood]

Steve, whats the thickness and makeup of the flooring?

 

[stvrowe]

Engineered wood, 1/2" thick.  It is Mohawk Venetia Acacia Barrel flooring.

 

[Walk On Wood]

Steve- I've installed many tens thousands of feet of similar flooring. I would highly recommend that you use an 18g mallet actuated cleat gun like this: http://floormechanics.com/Products/Powernail-50P-FLEX-RollerPneumatic18-Gage-595-00--Free-Shipping-/180

Floor Mechanics also rents that gun, including shipping it to you.

In the past, I have plenty of experience using non-mallet actuated staplers.  The cleat nailer above will do the job faster and better.  If you are set on using a stapler, I would recommend a generic brand like Freeman or Jit... It is unlikely that personal use will be any problem for even the cheapest flooring guns.

 

[stvrowe]

Steve- I've installed many tens thousands of feet of similar flooring. I would highly recommend that you use an 18g mallet actuated cleat gun like this: http://floormechanics.com/Products/Powernail-50P-FLEX-RollerPneumatic18-Gage-595-00--Free-Shipping-/180

Floor Mechanics also rents that gun, including shipping it to you.

In the past, I have plenty of experience using non-mallet actuated staplers.  The cleat nailer above will do the job faster and better.  If you are set on using a stapler, I would recommend a generic brand like Freeman or Jit... It is unlikely that personal use will be any problem for even the cheapest flooring guns.

Thank you for the input.  I guess I was thinking that staples would be better in the plywood substrate than nails but certainly can be convinced otherwise from the more experienced in that field.  I have a friend that will lend me his Bostitch flooring nailer or I could use the stapler available from my flooring supplier.  I think the brand was Spot Nail.

 

[Oso Rojo]

Walk on Wood is the pro here, so my option is to be taken as just a home owner who didn't hurt himself in the process. (Well a chiropractic visit did help afterward.)

I found a gently used Porter Cable FCN200 on ebay. Brought it from a guy who bought it to do his floor. I used it to put in my floor and sold it to by buddy when we saw my floor and wanted to put in his.

The mallet activation definitely made a difference! Tight joints are everything.

Good luck and let us know how it works out. Better yet, post a couple of pictures.

 

[Northern Early]

I have only used the bostich. More than a home owner but less than a flooring guy. I had no complaints, a jam here and there put nothing major. When i do purchase one that is what i planned on getting until walk on wood spoke. I will have to look into the powernail.

 

[Walk On Wood]

Just to follow up, I have 4 Bostich MIII's (mallet actuated staplers) that would be my tool of choice for most species of 3/4" solid flooring. Excellent tool and excellent holding power by 2" x 1/2" staples.  It is not the ideal choice for the 1/2" engineered flooring that the OP inquired about.

 

[leakyroof]

Just to follow up, I have 4 Bostich MIII's (mallet actuated staplers) that would be my tool of choice for most species of 3/4" solid flooring. Excellent tool and excellent holding power by 2" x 1/2" staples.  It is not the ideal choice for the 1/2" engineered flooring that the OP inquired about.

  Okay, now I have to ask.  Usually I don't think of staples as having much holding power. So, I would think that with Solid wood versus Engineered Flooring, Staples work better for the more stable, less opt to move Engineered flooring material?
What is the reason for your choice, more chance of punching through the tonque of the EN. flooring versus the denser material of 3/4 wood with staples?
Just wondering, this is an interesting thread.

 

[stvrowe]

The Powernail 50P worked great on the 1/2" engineered floor.  I am now looking at flooring for the rest of the house and have settled on 1/2" woven strand bamboo.  This is available solid or engineered with the solid about 50 cents per square foot less.  Is the 50P the best choice for solid?  If not, I could opt for the engineered which would cost me about $900 more.  I suppose you know what I would like to hear but, what I really want to hear is the truth.  Hopefully, Walk On Wood will weigh in on this and provide some more of his excellent advice.

Thanks,
Steve