Clamps for flooring

[spennywenny]

G'day, people,

I'm going to be putting down my own floor in a few months. I gather you need to clamp them together with a special type of clamp. Anyone know what they're called, where you can get them and what they might cost? Also, how many you might need for 4m long boards? Thanks!

[glock40sw]

Are you installing secret nail or topnail profile?

[China]

I have always refered to them as floor dogs, I have four, can't tell you where to get them mine came from my grandfather, the ones I have are for top nailing

[spennywenny]

Apparently I will not be able to secret nail them as they are 6" wide, and the builder thinks that they will cup if secret nailed. Therefore, they will be top nailed.

[journeyman Mick]

You'll need floor clamps, (or dogs) a minimum of three. You should be able to hire them. If possible, get the old fashioned ones which have long handles as it saves a lot of bending down.

Mick

[spennywenny]

Beauty. Thanks, Mick. Will do.

[Gaza]

what is commonly done is the wide board are first secrete nailed with the gun which clamps the boards tight together then after each room is finshed or before the end of the day a caulk line is pulled and the boards are top nailed off.

we have done this method usin upto 290mm wide boards, if the baords dont pull in tight a chesil can be used to pull it over, the timber milling standards set out the max bow in a board, 90% of the timber boards that are suppiled by a good mill will be pulled tight with just a floor nailer.

floor clamps can be used the method for these is 6 rows are laid out on the joist or battens then pulled tight with the dogs then nailed off, i dont like this method as when you tighten the dogs the boards tend to lift of the joists.

[journeyman Mick]

................ i dont like this method as when you tighten the dogs the boards tend to lift of the joists.

We used to lay a heavy lump of bearer over the top of the joist and stand on it to prevent the flooring popping up and to push it down hard whilst nailing it. Your method of a combination of secret and face nailing sounds good, will mentally file away for future reference.

Mick