Nailer advice needed!

[Norm in Fujino]

This is more home rennovation than wood-working, but I could surely use some advice. I'm on sabbatical this next year and have decided to take the chance to do several home repairs. We built our home 15 years ago, so it's about time.

First, I've got to replace the Georgia-Pacific composite (OSB) siding that is rotting in several places (said siding was subject of a class-action lawsuit; unfortunately, I live in Japan and couldn't get any relief). I'm planning to replace the OSB siding with pre-painted Hardie plank.

Second, it's time to replace some carpets, and we've decided that, rather than replace the living room carpet with another carpet, we'll install solid hardwood (oak) flooring, since the contiguous dining room, kitchen, and hallway are already floored. I'm going to have to buy a nailing gun for the siding, and while I know the specialized flooring nailers are more convenient, I really don't want to have to buy a specialized nailer just for the flooring since I've only got that single job to do, and I might not even be able to sell it secondhand to anyone here in Japan, (I could be wrong--haven't checked yet--but I doubt most Japanese interior carpenters use nail-down flooring that way). So my question is: is there a single kind/model of nailer that I can use for both siding and oak flooring? I've never used any kind of power nailer/stapler before, so I'm kinda clueless.

I'll have some more questions later, but what say ye?

[siliconbauhaus]

For Hardie siding you want a coil type nailer. I used a pc roofing nailer to install Hardie board and it worked okay for the most part.

Unfortunately flooring is a specialist area and a nailer for siding won't be any use. You can rent them locally though.

[charliex]

Can't help with the nailer but you will love the pre-painted Hardie plank. I used it on one of my homes, great to look at and a joy to install. I didn't have a nailer but it would surely have made it easier.

[Mr__Bill]

Quick answer.... nope.

My first thought is why the nail down hardwood flooring rather than a floating prefinished floor, but you didn't ask about that. I would figure the cost of the flooring nailer into the cost of the floor and if resale is possible then that is gravy. You may be able to talk someone else into a hardwood floor and sell it to them

The coil nailer is the way to go for the siding. Be sure to read all the installation info on the Hardy site. I am really curious, is the siding made locally or do you have to import it? Is it a common siding material there?

So the long answer is, two different applications two different tools.

Bill
over here on the other side of the big pond.

[crokett]

As was said, you need 2 different nailers. I put the hardie plank siding on my shop gables and the roofing nailer was great. However, you should also get these:

http://www.amazon.com/Malco-FCMS-5-I...=pd_rhf_shvl_2

They were a life saver for me. After the first course is run, they hook onto the course and automatically set the reveal and support the siding while you nail it.

[Norm in Fujino]

Thanks for all the advice. Looks like I'll have to figure in the cost of the flooring nailer, and just see if some local carpenter can use it afterwards; I note that there's a Central Pneumatic hardwood flooring stapler for $149.00. The idea of renting a flooring nailer would be ideal if they were available; but here in Japan? LOL. Not likely (I'll eat crow if I find one).

The Hardie plank and flooring will be imported; I'm planning on bringing in a container in March or so. The reason for going with the naildown floor is because that's what the rest of the floor is (Bruce hardwood), and I'd like it to match as closely as possible. FWIW, I'm almost positive that our original carpenters used some kind of ordinary nailer when putting down the rest of the floor, since I don't think dedicated flooring nailers were available here then, and I doubt they would've known about them (they were traditional Japanese house carpenters and this was their first imported or 2x4 house).

[Norm in Fujino]

One other question at this point: which would you rather use to cut the Hardie plank, a compound circ saw with special blade, or one of the various power shears available?

[crokett]

I used a masonry blade in an angle grinder but I only installed 60-some linear feet. I don't know that I'd use a circular saw, unless it was a throwaway or a cheap one. That stuff is pretty dusty when cut. Although, that is the main advantage of the shears - very little dust.

[TCAS]

...which would you rather use to cut the Hardie plank, a compound circ saw with special blade, or one of the various power shears available?

You can use any of the following:

1. Circular saw with a special diamond tipped "Hardi Blade" (made by Hitachi). You absolutely must use a dust collection system or wear a mask since the HardiPlank dust is toxic!

2. The electric shears designed for fiber-cement siding.

3. The Score & Snap, similar to method used on sheetrock.

For just a couple of planks I use the score and snap method. Otherwise I get out the electric shears. It's the best and safest way to go.

[Norm in Fujino]

Thanks for the additional advice. I also figured the shears would be better on account of dust. I may pick up a chop saw or compound miter saw as well just since the price is pretty good right now.

[JimD]

You can install the hardwood with a finish nailer or possibly even a stapler if you want. You will have to hold the gun at an angle and nail through the tongue but it isn't very hard. The finish nailer may be more useful for other things later. It will slow you down relative to a flooring nailer but speed you up a lot relative to hand nailing. And finish nailers are cheaper than the dedicated tool.

Jim

[Norm in Fujino]

You can install the hardwood with a finish nailer or possibly even a stapler if you want. You will have to hold the gun at an angle and nail through the tongue but it isn't very hard.

Thanks, Jim, I thought that was about right. I haven' decided yet what to do--go with a single nailer or a special flooring nailer, but I appreciate the advice.

[phi1l]

Norn, what do the local carpenters use?

[siliconbauhaus]

I misread your post and thought you were doing the job in the states.

Have you contacted Nichia? They sell cementitious board product in the US but it's a Japanese company.

If you get a Hardie blade (freud makes 2 kinds here) and a circular saw with decent dust collection (makita and hitachi both make them) and use a shop vac the dust isn't so bad.

[scmhogg]

Norm,

For one small job, a manual nailer might do the trick. This one is only $59.99.

http://www.amazon.com/Factory-Recond...528893&sr=1-19

Steve