baseboard installation?

mcvane · 04-20-2007, 04:26 PM

Hi All.

I am going to install baseboards at the base of the wall/floor of my laminate bedroom.

However, I wanted to ask advice as to what's the best way to approach this.

Can I use a simple 'hammer and nail' to do this, or is it recommended that I spend a few hundred dollars and buy a 'nail gun' or whatever they are called?

I'm not knowledgeable about nail guns, so I need someone's advice as to what I should buy. I am budget conscious, and I have seen some sales in my area for a few units in the $120 price range...any suggestions?

J187 · 04-20-2007, 04:56 PM

If you are going to do simple baseboards, there is no reason to have to spend the money at all. My house had rubber cover base in every room when I bought it. I did baseboard throughout the entire house w/ a regular ole hammer, nails and a nail set. There are tons of Walkthroughs and tutorials online if you search - I had narily done a single solitary home project before doing my baseboards, they came out fine. You will most likely need a miter saw too - power is great, but you can get by fine w/ a handsay. You might need a coping saw too, depending on what style you do and how you want to do it. You don't "need" to cope the joints it is the prefered way because walls are hardly ever 90 degrees exactly. Its a little tricky to get used to, again, plenty on the net for walkthroughs. Good Luck

**AtlanticWBConst.** · 04-20-2007, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcvane

Hi All.
I am going to install baseboards at the base of the wall/floor of my laminate bedroom.
However, I wanted to ask advice as to what's the best way to approach this.
Can I use a simple 'hammer and nail' to do this, or is it recommended that I spend a few hundred dollars and buy a 'nail gun' or whatever they are called?
I'm not knowledgeable about nail guns, so I need someone's advice as to what I should buy. I am budget conscious, and I have seen some sales in my area for a few units in the $120 price range...any suggestions?

Just about any rental store carries nailer guns and compressors....check out their prices. You 'can' hand nail......

..... but once you use a nail gun.....

MinConst · 04-20-2007, 10:19 PM

Atlantic hit the nail on the head

If you rent one or buy one treat it with respect they can be a dangerous tool if improperly used. I hammered trim for years. But once I got my trim nailer I wouldn't do it again.

Only problem I have with a nail gun is my arms can't swing a hammer for long any more. Lets a get outta shape.

Darylh · 04-21-2007, 12:49 PM

Before you run out and buy one I would ask yourself, How often am I going to use it. If you seldome going to use it then I would just hand nail or rent but if your thinking your going to be needing it on and off over the years then shop around. A good place to shop for one is a home or tool shows. I got my recent one at a tool show and have been using it now for a couple of years and I do alot of finishing work.

NateHanson · 04-21-2007, 01:28 PM

By the way, the most versatile nailer to get would probably be a 16 ga. finish nailer that shoots up to 2" nails.

Make sure the tool you buy has depth adjustment, and a rubber tip guard if you're doing pre-finished trim with it.

I've been happy with my Porter Cable finish nailer. Personally I'd be wary of any real cheap bargain brands/brandless nailers. You pay $100 for a decent one, instead of $50 for a junk one, but it'll last, and if you have to repair it that's an option. The nameless one is a piece of trash if it ever breaks.

RippySkippy · 04-23-2007, 07:42 AM

I haven't compared prices lately, but if your looking for reasonbly priced...check out the www.grizzly.com site. 10+ years ago I bought a small brad nailer and have not been disappointed.

On the other hand...if your not 100% confident about the operation of air nailers; know and understand their safe and unsafe operation, don't do it. They can and do cause a large amount of human damage. More than once I've had a nail poke out the side of a board....you gotta be focused and not assume anything when working with them. That said, they are a god-send for trim work.

good luck!

mcvane · 04-23-2007, 10:40 AM

Thank you for all the information/replies about nailers - it looks like I could use it as a self-defence weapon as well

Just kidding.

But I might stick with the manual hammer and nail approach, as I don't see me doing this very much (I might hurt myself with the nailers!)

Does anyone have a suggestion on the type of nail I should try to use? length?

Currently I can reinsert the cheap baseboards that were there before. But when getting a 4"+ baseboard that looks 'nice', would they require different nails?

Thanks for your input again.

J187 · 04-23-2007, 11:16 AM

If you are just doing ONE room, I don't blame you for wanting to save
$150.

Nails - depends a bit on the board, but 6d is usually good for nailing the body. You can do it different ways - some people use 6d on the body and 4ds on the top if its got a routed edge. Others do 2 body nails, top and bottom. I think 2 1/4 is the common choice for nail guns??

Just think about your depth including drywall, the modling and make sure you get a good bite into the stud.

RippySkippy · 04-24-2007, 08:39 AM

In addition on the nails...keep a drill handy with a nail head clipped off chucked. If you need to drill a pilot hole, use the nail as a drill bit.

Get your self a nice trim hammer and a good nail set...don't use your framing hammer, the name of the game is finesse, not beat it to fit. As to the nailing schedule, use your judgement. If it's not laying up on the wall right, add a nail. Remember, trim is NOT structural, so you only need enough nails to hold it securely...over-kill on the nails and it'll look like a hack job.

Are you going to cope your corners or 45*? Read up a bit, each has it advantages and dis-advantages.