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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Brisbane
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    2

    Default Staple gun nails in floor

    Was wondering if anyone has had experience with staples that have been unable to be removed from floor. I am currently getting approx 100 sqm of brush box sanded and polished. Lino was laid in kitchen and hallway and sanding company has suggested grinding and leaving staples as the fail rate on pulling staples is 3 in every 4.

    Question - how do grinded staples look after finishes are applies and will the silver colour fade over time to a less noticeable darker colour?

    Any feedback would be appreciated.

    What would be the best finish - mat or gloss?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Pull what you can out (staples) and the ones that break off, punch them down just like the flooring nails.
    That way they will have to fill them too.
    They are being lazy.
    If left exposed and sealed with the floor estapol they will discolour, remember the timber floor is unfinished on the other side.
    My $0.02 worth(from experience)


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Brisbane
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    0

    Default

    I would reckon they don't want to do it because it sucks. If you want it done (IMO the best thing) maybe do it yourself. I got 95% or more out of the floor I did. You have to be be patient, and careful. I did it with vice grips set very tight. Maybe a better way. I gripped the staples as tight as I could, and used the jaw of the grips to lever slowly off the floor. Sometimes they came out intact, sometimes they broke and I had to take each side out individually. Really need a good grip to get just one side out.
    The other day I described to my daughter how to find something in the garage by saying "It's right near my big saw". A few minutes later she came back to ask: "Do you mean the black one, the green one, or the blue one?".

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Gold Coast
    Age
    64
    Posts
    8

    Default

    If you have the space, try "fixing" a lever to the gripping tool and lift both tool and staple vertically (together) rather than wiggling the staple.

    I've used vice grips, fencing pliers and multigrips (depending on staple size) wired to heavy screwdrivers (and when I wanted a longer lever - a 500mm length of merbau decking). It's a two hand job with pliers and multigrips. One to lever, one to squeeze the staple. Use the gripping tool as a fulcrum and you need a sacrificial wooden block to protect the floorboard of course. Bind the "fixing point many times and try not to twist it except to tie off. Every once in a while tighten the wire binding. I've tried cable ties but you can't use cheapies. Sometimes takes a few goes to get the fulcrum point right.

    I've never done floorboards but this approach works for me with new and old upholstery staples esp. when undoing suspect upholstery restorations. In my mind anyway, I think it's easy to get into a routine and breaks few staples.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Gold Coast
    Age
    71
    Posts
    456

    Default

    Full staples with a fair grip for pliers should come out if pulled straight and if not rusted in. For those that break I've been fairly successful using side cutters. It's slow and painful but if you are careful and use the right touch you can get a good grip in to the soft staple metal without nipping it off. The sharp points allow you to get down close to the embedment and the jaw shape gives good leverage.

    I agree I've managed 95+% clean removal, but I wouldn't want to pay somebody else an hourly rate to do it.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Goulburn NSW
    Age
    89
    Posts
    7

    Default

    I use a Carpenters Pincer.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    2

    Default

    Thank you all for you advice - a long weekend ahead trialling all the ideas above. The results I am sure will be worth it in the end!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Gold Coast
    Age
    71
    Posts
    456

    Default

    I found carpenters pincers too unwieldy for staples. They work great for nails, but I couldn't get close enough to the board for broken staples since the jaws on both my pairs of pincers are sharpened with double bevels. With side cutters you can even judicially probe below the surface to pick out staples that are broken off at the timber face.

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