Hardwood Floor Nailer Or Stapler? - Types, Uses
What to choose in a flooring stapler or nailer? The choices are 
numerous today, and it will depend on what type of hardwood you're installing. The basic rentals at Home Depot will not cut it for some products.
I've also done some research for you by scanning some of the major manufacturer installation guides and what tool they recommend. Listed below (bottom) in order of popularity of manufacturers. All items shown alongside manufacturers are pneumatic, or requiring air pressure and a compressor to operate.
So What Do I Choose?
Some manufacturers react unusually when it comes to warranty issues if a floor fails for one reason or another. Most of the time it’s the installers fault. If that doesn’t work, blame it on something else. Although there is only one proprietary tool shown below (Mannington Spot Nails) be careful with what you use if they recommend a particular system.
NEW ADDITIONS: With the growing number of denser and harder products available today I've added the 18 gauge cleat nailer. These new tools cut down problems (namely tongue splitting; known to cause squeaking) associated with installing harder solid exotic wood and the newer solid stand bamboo.
Solid Wood Floors
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Stanley Bostitch Stapler MIIIFS Thickness Flooring Used: 1/2" - 3/4" (base plates, included) Fastener Type: Crown staples Gauge: 15.5 Length: 1 1/2" - 2 inch Compressor Setting: 70-90 PSI |
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Stanley Bostitch Cleat Nailer MIIIFN Thickness Flooring Used: 1/2" - 3/4" (base plates, included) Fastener Type: Cleat Nail Gauge: 16 Length: 1 1/2" - 2 inch Compressor Setting: 70-90 PSI |
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Powernail 445 Cleat Nailer Thickness Flooring Used: 5/8" - 33/32"" Fastener Type: Cleat Nail Gauge: 16 Length: 1 1/2" - 2 inch Compressor Setting: 70-110 PSI |
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Powernail 50P Cleat Nailer Thickness Flooring Used: Adjustable 3/8" - 5/8" Fastener Type: Cleat Nail Gauge: 18 Length: 1" - 1 3/4 inch. Also used for thinner solid hardwood Compressor Setting: 70-110 PSI |
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Primatech P250F Nailer Stapler Thickness Flooring Used: 5/8" - 3/4" Fastener Type: Cleat Nail or Crown Staple Gauge: 15 1/2 Staple. Cleat Nail Length: 1 1/2" - 2 inch Compressor Setting: 80-100 PSI |
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Primatech Q550 Cleat Nailer Thickness Flooring Used: Adjustable 3/8" - 3/4" thickness Fastener Type: Cleat Nail Gauge: 18 Length: 1 1/4" - 1 1/2 inch Compressor Setting: 85-100 PSI |
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Senco SHF50 Cleat Nailer Thickness Flooring Used: 1/2" - 33/32" Fastener Type: Cleat Nail Gauge: N/A Length: 1 1/2" - 2 inch Compressor Setting: 70-120 PSI |
Engineered Wood Floors
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Stanley Bostich LHF97125-2 - 20 Thickness Flooring Used: Adjustable 1/4" - 1/2" thickness Fastener Type: Crown staples Gauge: 20 Length: 1 inch Compressor Setting: 70-100 PSI |
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Stanley Bostich SX150-BHF-2 - 18 Thickness Flooring Used: Adjustable 1/4" - 7/16" Fastener Type: Crown staples Gauge: 18 Length: 1/2" - 1 1/2 inch Compressor Setting: 70-100 PSI |
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Primatech Q550AL Cleat Nailer Thickness Flooring Used: Adjustable 3/8" - 3/4" Fastener Type: Cleat Nail Gauge: 18 Length: 1 1/4" - 1 3/4 inch Compressor Setting: 85-100 PSI |
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Powernail Flex 18 Thickness Flooring Used: Adjustable 3/8" - 3/4" Fastener Type: Cleat Nail Gauge: 18 Length: 3/4" - 1 3/4 inch Compressor Setting: 70-110 PSI |
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Senco SLS20HF Thickness Flooring Used: Adjustable 1/4" - 3/8" Fastener Type: Crown staples Gauge: 19 Length: 1 inch Compressor Setting: 70-120 PSI |
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SpotNails Floor Monster FS4825W2 Thickness Flooring Used: 3/8" - 9/16" (needs adapter) Fastener Type: Crown staples SKU#4811PN-30M Gauge: 18 Length: 1 3/8 inch Compressor Setting: 80-100 PSI |
Manufacturer Specifications
Armstrong - Includes Bruce, Hartco & Robbins
• Solid 5/16" - Stanley-Bostitch S32SXBHF, Stanley-Bostitch SX150, Senco SLS20HF, or other machine designed or adapted specifically to 5/16″ solid flooring.
• Solid 3/4" - Stanley Bostitch (multiple models) with M-4 foot, Powernail (multiple models) with NailerShoe, Primatech (multiple models) with Trak-Edge.
• Engineered - Stanley-Bostitch “FloorRunner”, Senco SLS20HF or equivalent
Anderson
• Solid 3/4"- No set recommendations. "Pneumatic Nailer/Stapler"• Engineered- No set recommendations. "Pneumatic Nailer/Stapler"
BR111 & Indusparquet
• Solid 3/4" -Powernail manual 45 T&G Powernailer, pneumatic 445 Powernailer or other machines designed or adapted specifically to 3/4” solid wood flooring• Solid 7/16" - Powernail 200/250, HighPRO AS-4090, other machines designed or adapted specifically to 7/16” solid wood flooring.
• Solid 5/16" - Powernail 200/250, Senco SLS20HF, Stanley-Bostitch S32SXBHF, HighPRO AS-4090 or others designed or adapted specifically for 5/16" solid flooring.
• 3/8" Engineered - Stanley-Bostitch, HighPro AS-4090, Bosch, Portanail, Spotnail,
etc.) with adjustable head (must be adjustable to 3/8" minimum 1 1/4" notched staple)
Columbia
• Solid 3/4"- No specific recommendations.• Engineered - Stanley-Bostitch Floor Runner (S3297-LHF orS97125-LHF). Power Nailer #200 and #250
Kahrs
• Engineered - Bostitch Air Stapler Model III, Primatech Q 500, Powernailer Model 200Mirage
• Solid 3/4"- Stanley-Bostitch MIIIFN, Stanley-Bostitch MIIIFS, Powernail 445, Senco SHF50• Engineered - Stanley-Bostitch SX150-BHF-2, Senco SLS20HF
Mannington
• Engineered - Mannington Spotnails Floor MonsterScandian
• Solid 3/4"- No specific recommendations. "Mechanical Fastener and appropriate fasteners"• Engineered - No specific recommendations. "Recommended staples/cleats"
