Where can I get old school floorboard nails?

[CoolHands]

I have to take up quite a few planks to fit sound insulation. I would like to nail them back down rather than use screws for a number of reasons: namely on other floorboards where I've used screws whenever you go back to them after a couple of years the head has got silted up with dust and they are hard to turn without slipping, and also hard to actually see! - they end up blending in. So I think using nails would be better - they don't get loose / squeak or whatever IMO as none of my original floorboards do so. Also I like the fact you can later on lever up the boards without having to run around and find all the screws. It's much easier.

So where can I buy / what is the proper name for floorboard nails? You kknow they kind of have a different head on them, a bit like a hammer-head shark IYKWIM?

Part of my floor (best pic I could find):

[TooLateForAName]

flooring brads

http://www.builderdepot.co.uk/speed-pro-65mm-floor...

[Ilovejapcrap]

Yep they are called brad nails,

Make sure you put them in correct way, I hate it when people do it wron 👍

[AlexJ12]

I always pilot them if you are doing new holes as they won't split the wood if you are nailing near the edge.

Please please makes sure there are no pipes underneath to!!!

[Yazar]

CoolHands said:

where I've used screws whenever you go back to them after a couple of years the head has got silted up with dust and they are hard to turn without slipping, and also hard to actually see! - they end up blending in. So I think using nails would be better

Cheap screws?? Decent quality Pozi screws shouldn't be slipping.

And 'finding the screws' is pretty easy, as can only be screwed into a joist. So just look for the holes at regular intervals!

CoolHands said:

I think using nails would be better - they don't get loose / squeak or whatever IMO as none of my original floorboards do so. Also I like the fact you can later on lever up the boards without having to run around and find all the screws. It's much easier.

Found completely the opposite. When I took my floor up some of the nails were a right pain. As you have to lever up the floorboard ,rather than just removing a screw, causes more damage to the board, the rusty ones often snapped off half way/heads came off so had to be cut off/hammered below surface.

And it is the nails that add to the squeak as the shaft is straight the board moves against it. Whereas a fully threaded screw will hold better.

Furthermore, when you hammer nails in and out, the vibrations don't help, and can crack the plaster.

Horses for course but I ditched my nails for screws.

Edited by Yazar on Friday 27th February 10:16

[Ian355]

Brad nails is an American name for the nails in this country they are called cut nails hope this helps better in your search

[wolfracesonic]

I tend to agree with Yazar. A dedicated floorboard screw will hold better than a cut flooring brad. I used the latter when I did my extension and I've got a few 'squeakers' here and there. The only advantage I can think of for traditional brads is if the boards are going to be left exposed, where they tend to be easier on the eye. If you do use brads use a nail punch to sink them beneath the surface: no 'half crowns' as my uncle told me!

[roofer]

Ian355 said:

Brad nails is an American name for the nails in this country they are called cut nails hope this helps better in your search

Correct, brads ? FFS!

Edited by roofer on Friday 27th February 12:03

[C0ffin D0dger]

Use these, easy to drive in, rock solid - no squeaks, loose boards and whatnot ever.

http://www.spax.com/uk/handymen/screw-finder/produ...

[wolfracesonic]

Must admit I call that sort of nail a 'brad'. 'Cut' nail is a bit vague, what type, brad or clasp? cut nails just to confuse things!

[singlecoil]

If you do use screws, don't use Pozidriv, use Torx. You will thank me if you ever have to take them out again. Pozidriv are very old technology, the equivalent of Lucas distributors for cars, they still work after a fashion, most of the time.

[Steve_W]

C0ffin D0dger said:

Use these, easy to drive in, rock solid - no squeaks, loose boards and whatnot ever.

http://www.spax.com/uk/handymen/screw-finder/produ...

Agreed, that's what I used on all our new upstairs floors. Torx drive bit should be included in the box too.

Selco had them on offer just when I needed them, which was nice.

[rb5er]

Agree with using decent quality screws and and impact driver for removal.

[Pothole]

You should be able to buy them at your local traditional hardware shop. Where do you live?

[Chris Type R]

I also rate Spax - used some of these on a recent decking project, and the heads are reasonably well hidden - as well as being designed to pull the board tight to the joist - http://www.spax.com/uk/handymen/screw-finder/produ...

[5potTurbo]

cut clasp nails?

[wolfracesonic]

5potTurbo said:

cut clasp nails?

cut clasp nails I've never used them but sometimes come across them in older properties, usually in door linings or holding humongous skirting boards on.

[ShiningWit]

We knew them as cut brads 20 - 30yrs ago in this country so if it's a Meercanism it's an old one.

Cut because they are cut (or stamped) from a sheet of metal, Brad I think refers to the head shape.

[Pothole]

CoolHands said:

I have to take up quite a few planks to fit sound insulation. I would like to nail them back down rather than use screws for a number of reasons: namely on other floorboards where I've used screws whenever you go back to them after a couple of years the head has got silted up with dust and they are hard to turn without slipping, and also hard to actually see! - they end up blending in. So I think using nails would be better - they don't get loose / squeak or whatever IMO as none of my original floorboards do so. Also I like the fact you can later on lever up the boards without having to run around and find all the screws. It's much easier.

So where can I buy / what is the proper name for floorboard nails? You kknow they kind of have a different head on them, a bit like a hammer-head shark IYKWIM?

Part of my floor (best pic I could find):

You can order them online here

[Ilovejapcrap]

Can people stop saying screw down, yes you may screw down the odd trap made in floor for access but they should be nailed down with brads or stamped if you prefer nails.

This is why new houses are crap yet Victorian ones seem solid. Loads of people using anything for any job, it really pisses me off.

Look at surface area of screw head actually gripping board if you will then look at brad. That's why, also the length of the head of nail should run with the lengthway of the board. ( the grain).

I'm 33 and know these things as my granddad taught me he was a carpenter back when kids started as at something like 14

Or you could just make a half arsed job like everyone else, hell when your done why not go the whole hog and get some furniture from oak furniture land it real oak you know, the plastic handles they finish the iteams off with really fit in with today's attitude towards a well made product ffs

Rant over

Edited by Ilovejapcrap on Friday 27th February 17:17