Compressor for Hardwood Flooring Stapler
by Rick Carlson
I have purchased and will soon be installing maple hardwood flooring on sleepers in my basement. I already did it upstairs except on plywood. A borrowed 1 hp Campbell Hausfield compressor was not great but adequate for installing upstairs at 100 psi using a Bostich floor stapler. I don't know the exact rating of the compressor I used but it would be low in CFM's. Since I have more projects, I bought a Canadian Tire inhouse store brand hardwood stapler on sale this summer. It seems to need more power, or maybe it's just because I have to shoot into a 2x4 instead of 3/4 in plywood. I need 2x4 sleepers because it will be on a concret slab. I've tried stapling the hardwood into a 2x4 for sleepers and the staple doesn't completely go in. It sticks out of the tongue edge 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch. Now I see my new stapler packaging says it needs 6.3 CFM at 90 psi. I want to buy a compressor as I'll use it for many things. I saw a 2.5 hp Makita that puts out around 4.5 CFM at 90 psi and there are other similar models by Rigid and Dewalt, etc that are rated in the 4.3 - 4.9 CFM range. It's hard to find one that puts out 6.3 unless you buy a gigantic or very expensive compressor. I'd prefer to stay in the $400+/- range if I can. Do you think 4.5 CFM would do the job or do I really need to go for something larger, in which case I suppose I'd need to rent as I don't need a giant compressor. I'm not a speed demon so I don't need to fire off staples in rapid succession if that makes a difference. I don't know much about compressors and would appreciate your advice. Click here to read or post comments.
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