NuMax SFL618 Pneumatic 3-in-1 15.5-Gauge and 16-Gauge 2" Flooring Nailer / Stapler with Flooring Mallet and Interchangeable Base Plates

Purchased this to replace the tongue and groove flooring on our 100+ year old Victorian home. First time installing this kind of floor and renting a nailer for a day at the local hardware was going to cost as much as buying one of these, so relying on the positive reviews here, I decided to go this route. I'm a senior citizen and was doing this all by myself so I knew it was going to take several days to complete the project - somewhere between 400 and 500 square feet of front porch. The thing you have to take into account when you're planning this sort of thing is that you can't just zip through and nail all the flooring down at once. Many pieces have to be cut to fit as you go and it simply takes time. If I had rented a flooring nailer I knew that by the time I was done I would have more invested in rental fees than even one of the more pricey nailers cost. The project went flawlessly and the nailer performed even better then I could have hoped. Since it was an outdoor installation with treated lumber I used stainless steel T cleats. During the entire installation I had one jam and that was due to operator error. Instructions were well presented and it was easy to clear the jam. Not being under the pressure of daily rental fees, I was able to take my time and do the job right, so the actual nailing was spread out over four days as I measured and cut pieces to fit as I went, primed freshly cut edges, etc. As other reviewers have noted, during use the rubber sleeve on the handle tends to slowly work itself off, but guess what? You can easily work it right back on again - no big deal and certainly no reason to downgrade the nailer. I have a back porch to do next summer and our son is planning to replace a deck floor in the near future so we'll get continued use from this nailer. Even if that were not the case, I could put this up for sale and wind up about $350 bucks or so ahead of the game considering what it would have cost me to either rent a nailer or buy a higher end tool. It is simply not possible that a more expensive nailer could have performed any better than this one did. If you're in the business of installing flooring I suppose there may be some justification over time for shelling out four times the price for a higher end unit, but if you're just a homeowner who likes to do your own work and may never need to put down a floor again, this thing will make you look like a pro. An outstanding tool at an excellent price, it gets my absolute highest recommendation all around.

PROS: Low Price Versatile CONS: Can Leave Black Marks ? OK - I'm struggling to come up with a real problem. I bought this to lay 3,000 square ft of Hickory Hardwood - 3/4". I had an older Bosch Stapler but couldn't find the proper shoe for our 3/4" hardwood. Renting a Floor stapler would quickly outpace the costs of this tool so I decided to take a chance and try this. SETUP: 1) I ordered and It arrived quickly. My 10 year old son attached the handle. 2) Checked and ensured that the attached 'shoe' was of the correct height for 3/4 Flooring, and that it was tight, using the included hex wrench. Another Shoe is included for thinner engineered flooring materials. 3) I placed a drop or two of included oil in the air inlet ( typical ) and also into the plunger track, and let it sit for about 5 minutes ( not typical ). I did this each day as we prepare to work. 4) I shot a few staples at 80psi and decided we needed to drive just a little deeper. I increased our air pressure to 90-95psi for the perfect depth in our wood. ( Hickory is HARD ) This has EXCEEDED my expectations. It has been the only stapler we have used for the entire project. We used Bosch compatible staples and have not experienced one jam. I have crumpled nearly 100 staples as they have hit knots - and or screws / nails in the underlayment, and still, this works perfectly. My builder couldn't believe it. The only drawbacks I can claim - 1) The thin rubber cover for the handle quickly rolls back onto itself and eventually has to come off. NOT A BIG DEAL- and in my opinion - has not affected comfort or performance. 2) As a previous reviewer stated - if you miss the mark of where the stapler sits - on the edge - before you strike to drive your fastener, and go to far, the black paint on the 'foot' that should always be off your material while being used, can leave a black mark. ( Since I am laying unfinished Hickory, the few times this has occurred - do not bother me, as we have sanding and finishing to perform yet on a floor that has a great variance in color to begin with ) In Order To Ensure Success - read the reviews where it states to use a drop of oil in the plunger / driver guide. ( where the cleat or staple is driven from ) I have - and do add the drop every day. Go ahead - you can't ignore this tool at this price point, ($110 - $130) if you are even thinking of a Hardwood Floor project!

If you're going to install a lot of bamboo wood flooring then you'll need this gun! It's cheaper than renting if you'll keep the gun for more than 2 days (and you probably will:) Plus I think it's a good idea to have it handy if you do more or need to replace any flooring. However, you can always resell it. Nails/Cleats - I used the brand "PowerNail" from Home Depot, 1 1/2 inch L-Nail 16 gage Powercleats L 150-16. NOTE that they can ONLY be found in the tool rental department. $16 a box of 1,000. They are in a white box with black lettering and have an image of a flooring nail gun on the box. Jams - only had one and it was very easy to remove the nail without any tools used to open gun. When I first began my project I rented a Bosch nailer from Home Depot and it jammed twice. Both times I had to take it to the store for them to fix it. The last time it took them 20 minutes to remove the nails so I left it there and bought this gun. Air Compressor - I used one that I had bought on Amazon - Porter Cable 6 gallon set at 100 psi. Ease of use - Very easy! I like it better than the Bosch I had originally rented. About me - I'm a female novice daredevil when it comes to home improvement. I love to try my hand at things and save money! This was my first time at installing wood floors and found it to be a bigger project than I expected. It took me 8 solid 9 hour days to remove old carpet, nails, tacks etc and install nearly 1000 sq ft of bamboo - all by myself. Tools I found really helpful to have handy before you start the project: 1. Crowbar - I used this remove goofed up boards and to push them tighter together along drywall. 2. Paint scraper ( I used this thing in more ways than you'd ever imagine) 3. table saw ( this is imperative!) You'll need to know how to use it safely so practice first. I had to buy one at the last minute and spent till 1 AM watching Utube videos on how to put it together and use it without loosing a finger. That's a serious piece of equipment! The reason you need is to cut or "rip" your wood flooring to fit around anything that sticks out in your room or hallway - like pillars, door openings, entrance halls etc. you'll also need it to cut around vent grids and for your final piece if it won't take a whole floor piece. 4. Safety glasses and ear plugs. Seriously, use them. 5. Garbage removal of old carpet and pad - I used a new franchise company called Bin There, Dump That! Great service at a reasonable price. I used a 4 yard dumpster for only $175. I still need to figure out how to make my own transitions because the ones Lumber Liquidators and the big box stores don't have any that will work for my situations. That would actually be another tip I give the DIYer - think about and even buy a couple of transitions so you know how it fit with your situation before you start. There may be an alternative way to end your wood flooring as you approach the other surface. Good luck on your install!!

My wife and I recently purchased a '59 ranch-style home. While the bedrooms had oak hardwood flooring, the living room, hallway, and dining room had carpeting, which, while in great condition, looked like it was original to the house. We'd need to remove it. We prayed that hardwood might be under it. After pulling up a corner, we found we weren't that lucky. We looked at various options to replace the carpet -- carpeting, laminate, and hardwood (it's too cold in PA during various times of the year for tile, without radiant heat (which gets pricey)). After getting quotes on materials (with and without labor), we decided hardwood was the way to go. However, the only way it was reasonable was to install it ourselves. After a number of online videos and a great deal of reading forums, I decided I could, indeed, do this myself... however, I knew I would need a pneumatic flooring nailer to save my back and knees. After deciding on the type of hardwood we wanted (3/4 tongue-and-groove pre-finished oak) and researching the type of nailer needed to do the job (one that supports 16 gauge staples, T, or L cleats -- I used L cleats), I started researching nailers. I came to find (as you'd expect) there are some seriously expensive nailers out there. I considered renting one but decided quickly that it would cost too much (as I was installing the floor pretty much on my own a couple hours at a time, with occasional help from a great friend on nights and weekends after work). I knew I had to buy a nailer. However, I also knew (with the exception of loaning the tool to a friend or helping a buddy in the future) this was likely the only floor I'd install. Expensive was out of the question. Based on all the reviews I read about the NuMax, I took a chance. I figured if it got me through 3/4 of the install and I had to rent a nailer if it broke down, it would have been worth the $103 I spent at the time. To have the floor installed would have cost almost twice what we spent on the floor. It would have been worth the loss. At any rate, I'm so glad I got this gun. It far exceeded my expectations. Knowing I'm no pro (only a DIY'er) and can't speak to other nailers (pro or otherwise) and how well they might work in comparison, after having installed hardwood in our living room, dining room, and hallway, here's what I found. Pros: The set comes with some great items. First, there's the nailer (of course), a well-built long-reach handle. Second it comes with all the hardware needed to assemble the gun and maintain it (which was awesome as all my tools were at our old house when I first started installing the floor). Without those tools (allen wrenches and a star wrench to tighten the bolts and bracket to attach the long-reach handle), I would have been out of luck right out of the gate. NuMax provided oil, a great add (ensure you follow the instructions included and a) use this oil and b) use the oil as documented. They also provided a quality (and truly useful and durable) multi-purpose rubber mallet. Don't be afraid to hammer with this thing. It can handle the work. The mallet was indispensable during the install for a number of reasons (e.g., tapping the floor into place, lightly or with some force -- watch vids on how to do this the right way, as you can use all sides of the mallet on different parts the floor boards). NuMax also provided two plastic (non-marring) base plates. The one I needed worked perfectly for me (see General Comments). Finally, they included sample nails, staples and cleats (only to show you what works in the gun -- not enough to use for the install. This was a nice add as it gave me something to bring into the store to ensure I got the right cleats. And, finally, the included instructions... they were sufficient enough to learn how to put together the nailer, prepare it for first use, use the basics, and maintain the nailer, which seems really well-built for the price. The body is solid and has a decent heft to it. Since it's aluminum, it isn't so heavy that it makes the job harder. The slide mechanisms are responsive and smooth, shooting one nail after the next without issue (keeping in mind I'm a DIY'er and not a pro who could probably shoot nails one after the other in their sleep). Clearing jams wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Manufacturers definitely thought about the end user when they made this nailer. Use some common sense and patience if you experience a jam. You should have no issue resolving jams. The plunger worked well throughout the install as well (as long as you hit is squarely, have the right PSI setting, and give yourself enough room for a reasonable swing, contact, and complete plunger depression). Don't be afraid to hit it; but, don't abuse it either. With a few swings, you'll find the sweet spot fairly quickly. The area to which you attach the compressor is built well, solid and (as do most) comes with a dust cover to use when the nailer isn't attached to a compressor. Another great selling point (which ultimately convinced me on this nailer vs others), is the fact that it offers versatility in the types and lengths of staples and cleats you can use -- 15.5 gauge Flooring Staples and 16 Gauge T and L Cleats from 1-1/2” to 2” in length. While I knew I was only going to use 2" L cleats (please don't comment on whether I should have used staples -- that debate will likely go on for as long as staples and/or cleats are used, from what I exhaustively read), I like the idea that the nailer offered more options compared to most, if not all, of the others I researched -- despite cost. Cons: I wish there was a case. When all was said and done and I had to break everything down, I wanted to store the tool properly so if I needed it in the future, it would be there and would have all the items that came with the nailer (plates, wrenches, etc.) in one place. No such luck. I ended up putting all items in a ziploc baggie for safe keeping and then wrapping it and the tool in a construction-grade garbage bag -- duct taping everything to make it tight -- and putting it on a shelf for safe storage. I case would have been a nice add for maybe another $20, which I would have been willing to pay. Another con is that the rubber grip on the long-reach handle started twisting around roughly 3/4 of the way through the job. The company should have adhered the grip to the handle in the factory (or made a better grip). Still, I was wearing gloves for most of the job. I ripped off the grip (not the handle, which was a back-saver) and kept going. One final con was the container in which the included oil was packaged. It was a really nice, add, please don't get me wrong here. My only bone to pick with it was that it was offered in a cheap squeeze bottle without a cap. Once you cut the nozzle to allow the oil to come out, there was no way easily to seal the bottle. Moreover, the bottle was bubbled out at the bottom. It didn't sit flat and had tendencies to fall over easily -- resulting in spilled oil. A simple cap would have resolved the spill issue. General Comments: I can't count the following as pros or cons, as they were simply experiences that I think most would experience with this or any other gun. I used the nailer with a Porter Cable pancake compressor (which I purchased on Amazon at the same time -- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009NR3R6A/ref=cm_cr_ryp_prd_ttl_sol_0). I highly recommend this set (or similar sets) for reasons I'll explain. First, you will have to play around with the pressure to get the nails to hit the tongue just right. I found 80-90 psi work perfect for my needs (flooring and subfloor (3/4 plywood), so as to lessen/avoid split tongues. Any setting over this and I either got a split tongue or the L cleat sank too deep. I noticed some reviewers complained about the base plates. Ensuring the allen-head screws were set properly in the plate recesses, I had no problems with the 3/4 plate at all (i.e., it didn't mar any of the wood and it didn't come off, despite lifting the gun off and placing it back on the wood countless times). Please note that I didn't drag the gun across the floors or anything, as some might. I always lifted and re-positioned between shots; but, it worked great for me. The plate and guide combo gave me perfect alignment with the tongue and perfect shot depth, with the right PSI setting. Concerning the magazine, some reviewers noted it was too long or got in the way. I liked the magazine's length, as you go through cleats fast. I couldn't imagine having fewer cleats in the queue. The install would have taken much longer having to load cleats more often. Having said this, the magazine will not allow you to install your first couple rows and last couple of rows of floors. This is normal and unavoidable. You need to face nail and/or nail/bradnail those boards in until you get enough room to clear the magazine, which was why I also got the PC set referenced at the link. Check out online vids on how to do this. Regarding jams, I did get one that was caused by the gun throughout the entire install -- two were caused by me when I got lazy and tried to hit the plunger too close to a wall and couldn't fully or solidly hit the plunger (which causes the cleats to only partially fire). Trust me, don't be lazy and try to do this. The time needed to clear the gun or pull/cut cleats from/n the flooring isn't worth it. For the one jam caused by the gun (about 1/2 the way through the job) the cleat came out of the barrel guide slightly. Unfortunately, I didn't know this until I already fired another nail. This resulted in 20 minutes trying to clear the jam and 10 minutes ensuring all metal shards were clear from the barrel and that it was clean for the next nail. After oiling the gun up again, she was good to go and didn't have any other problems not related to user error. One final note (after ensuring you get the proper nails/cleats for the gun (I used Bostich 16 gauge 2" cleats, which worked great), keep in mind that the button to release the slide mechanism (after pulling back the slide and inserting the staples/cleats) is on the left side of the magazine near the top closest to you when you are standing over the gun. This might be normal for nailers (I'm not sure) but it took me a little to find it when I started using the gun and ran out of cleats the first time. It can be a little hard to press, but you get used to it quick. Recommended Purchase?: Folks, I know there are more expensive nailers out there. I also know that NuMax isn't a brand name. However, I did a lot of research on nailers. I was ready to spend twice what this nailer cost, as it still would have saved me a ton of money compared to a pro install (about which I've heard, from friends who had installs done, horror stories depending on whom you choose to do the work.) This nailer, at least on paper, filled the bill in all aspects. After having used it (for DIY purposes), I'm sold on NuMax. Don't get me wrong, while I believe NuMax offers quality and durability, depending on the tool and how long I plan to have it, I might go with another manufacturer that offers a lifetime warranty vs. a 30-day and up-to-one-year warranty. But, for my needs for this install, it was perfect. I couldn't be happier with the nailer, the items included, and the results. The only reason it doesn't get a five-star is that I really wish NuMax included a storage case (even if it meant a slight bump in price). Still, the NuMax nailer gets a very solid four-star. If I use the nailer on a future install and I have a reason to update this review (for better or worse), I'll do so ASAP. For now, it's a solid buy definitely worth considering.

I would describe myself as a higher end "do it yourselfer" and I recently purchased roughly 1300 sq ft of 2 1/4 solid oak strip to put down in my house. After doing research, I went with the NuMax as it did not make sense to rent based on how much flooring I will be putting down, but wanted something reliable at the best price point and not knowing how often I will use after this project. The NuMax nailer has not disappointed, I am very satisfied after installing roughly 400 sq feet - no jams or issues of any kind (one or two operator errors). The gun is well constructed - it is a bargain around the $105 price point (I have two finish nailers that I paid more for). Follow the manufacturer recommendations regarding the oil - 4-5 drops every day of pneumatic tool oil, test/adjust more compressor psi (my "L" nails go in flush at about 80 psi.). Other reviews have mentioned that the tool must be struck with the mallet "consistently", firmly - but not particularly hard, unless you are trying to bring to pieces together that may not be straight, but a faint or miss hit will result in the nail only being partially driven into the material (operator error referenced above). The setting tool that Amazon offers will save you time, however if a significant amount of the nail has not been driven in I found it easier to carefully wiggle back and forth to fatigue the metal nail until it breaks (then shot another in). I have used the Bostich flooring L-nail FLN-200 to fasten - Amazon offers as low (or lower) than your local big box. With respect to the mallet - it works well as designed, however one end is rubber (to strike the nailer) and the other is steel - which when you get closer to the walls tends to scar up drywall pretty easily :). Not a complaint at all, just something I have experienced. (I ended up wrapping the other end of the mallet with a thin pad and duct tape). Would not hesitate to purchase again - very satisfied.

I used the NuMax floor nailer to install new Bruce Quicksilver pre-finished 3/4"x 5" solid oak flooring in our master bedroom that we purchased from Lowes. I decided to purchase the NuMax based on reviews and also because the purchase price was about the same as a 3 day rental. As it turned out the project took more then three days because my work kept pulling me off the project, so I was glad that I did not rent and owned the gun. This was my first wood floor installation and never used a different brand floor nailer for comparisons. I practiced about 6 nails on a scrap piece of flooring and landed at about 80 lbs for air pressure. I had zero problems or misfires with this gun after laying 150 sq feet of flooring. I ran the wood flooring at a 45° angle and I added oil to the nail gun every time I reloaded the L-nails or connected/disconnected the air hose. The default base plate is already set up for 3/4" wood and I never had any scratches on the wood surface. The mallet was surprising good quality and was solidly constructed. Because I was setting the floor at an angle, I had to blind nail a lot near the walls with my finishing nailer but that was not the fault of the NuMax. The floor turned out great and now I own a floor nailer for the next time! My only two small issues; the thin tubular rubber grip on the floor nailer handle would slide out of place, it wasn't floppy or that noticeable, but I did repositioned it back in place a few times. Also, I had to add some friction tape to the smooth wood mallet handle because my hands were getting blisters from the smooth handle. Next time, I think I will cut the rubber handle grip off and replace it with friction tape. I also purchased from Amazon: • Bosititch FLN-200 2 inch L-Nails – I used about 1500 nails for 150 sq feet of flooring • Welland 4 x 12 oak vent covers – I stained and finished to match my pre-finished flooring • Porta-Nail 42260 flooring nail set – pricey at $20 but a must – used mostly on counter setting nails from my finishing gun when blind nailing and a couple of times with the NuMax when I ran below 80 lbs of pressure by accident. I would highly recommend the NuMax SFL618 floor nailer and the other products mentioned.

I bought this in 2020 to lay Hickory in the living room and now doing the same in my master bedroom today. A few drops of oil and the first staples were perfect once again. I’m glad I bought it then as the prices of these have really climbed.

This nailer works great and not loosing any points to the higher end nailers. Well built and works as it should. I am very happy with this product and its price!

My first time installing hardwood, so I had to buy a flooring nailer. I believe this one is one of the cheapest, but what an excellent tool. Fairly heavy, sturdy, complete with everything you need, including samples of the correct model/size of nails and staples, so you won't buy the wrong ones. Pretty much fool proof. This tool is worth every penny! I had one misfire: the nail got stuck at the front. You just loosen up two screws (yes, the Allen wrenches also came with it), take out the front plate and you have access to the very front of the tool where the nail exits.

L'article a bien fonctionné jusqu'à présent sur le sol dans deux pièces. Il est arrivé à temps et en bon état, je suis donc très content de cet achat

So glad I bought this. Worked perfectly. Only one jam and that was user error. Installed 3/4" engineered hardwood on main floor and could work at my own pace. No rush to return rental. Can't beat the price either. Excellent and would highly recommend.

Did 800+ square feet without a misfire. Easy to load,non mar base slides easy over surface. Quality at a low price. Can't wait to do next flooring install

If you're adding hardwood around the home, this is a great tool and a reasonable price. I'm 200 sq ft into a 500 sq ft install and have had no misfires or partial drives so far. I'm using cleats rather than staples and have been very happy with the gun. If it's your day job, you probably already know what you're looking for. If it's for weekend projects or home renos, it's more than suitable.