nail gun for scotia??

poplar.interiors

We use the Maestri ME30 for attaching scotia to the skirting boards with a 25mm pin. We like to put a run of contact tape behind the scotia first, then pin which both fixes via the pin and pulls the scotia hard down onto the tape.

Touch wood, not had a problem yet!

Happy nailing

annoyd

bought the tacwise 191el today, had a quick practice on a scrap bit of scotia onto a bit of wood that had the curtain tracks on it originally... I had it at an angle and aimed it into the top bit (thinnest part).... first nail only went half way in.... second nail went in a bit then bent up and the third nail jammed in the plastic on the end any advice? Where abouts should i be nailing it?? do i hold it upside down, or sideways? i dont want to use it on my skirting until i have the hang of it... do you think maybe the wood im using as a practise base is perhaps too hard?? im using the 15mm long 18g tacwise nails

leveller2911

annoyd wrote: »

bought the tacwise 191el today, had a quick practice on a scrap bit of scotia onto a bit of wood that had the curtain tracks on it originally... I had it at an angle and aimed it into the top bit (thinnest part).... first nail only went half way in.... second nail went in a bit then bent up and the third nail jammed in the plastic on the end any advice? Where abouts should i be nailing it?? do i hold it upside down, or sideways? i dont want to use it on my skirting until i have the hang of it... do you think maybe the wood im using as a practise base is perhaps too hard?? im using the 15mm long 18g tacwise nails

Is there any depth/power adjustment on the pin gun? What type of wood are you using a test piece?. The pins have a wider head than the shaft, ie T shaped so holding the gun sideways you may well split the scotia.

When fixing mouldings to skirtings I tend to use the gun upside down then power lead doesn't get in the way.

It may be worth looking on Youtube for some of the videos. Type in "tacwise 191el instructions". Looking at one of the videos you may not be putting enough pressure on the gun so its not hitting the pin with enough force to set it home. Video below may be of help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoBePPY8kV8

annoyd

leveller2911 wrote: »

Is there any depth/power adjustment on the pin gun? What type of wood are you using a test piece?. The pins have a wider head than the shaft, ie T shaped so holding the gun sideways you may well split the scotia.

When fixing mouldings to skirtings I tend to use the gun upside down then power lead doesn't get in the way.

It may be worth looking on Youtube for some of the videos. Type in "tacwise 191el instructions". Looking at one of the videos you may not be putting enough pressure on the gun. Video below may be of help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoBePPY8kV8

the test piece is a bit of scotia onto some type of wood, not a clue what it is... it was removed from the curtain tracks. Cheers for the video... had a look, but he says use two hands... it would be a bit hard 2 fit scotia without holding it with one hand i would have thought? Am i right in trying to pin the top bit of the scotia? seems like the most logic place to pin it. I might brave it and try it on a bit of skirting...but just dont want to make a mess of it, would defeat the whole object of buying it _pale_

leveller2911

annoyd wrote: »

the test piece is a bit of scotia onto some type of wood, not a clue what it is... it was removed from the curtain tracks. Cheers for the video... had a look, but he says use two hands... it would be a bit hard 2 fit scotia without holding it with one hand i would have thought? Am i right in trying to pin the top bit of the scotia? seems like the most logic place to pin it. I might brave it and try it on a bit of skirting...but just dont want to make a mess of it, would defeat the whole object of buying it _pale_

If you position the scotia in place then position the gun pointing downwards then place your other hand on the top of the gun (putting pressure on the moulding) pull the trigger and it should sink the nail under the surface of the scotia and in aiming downwards the nail will pull the scotia down tight to the floor.Practice a few times and you will find the best solution.Don't pin right at the top of the scotia, pin about 1/3 down and angled down and this will pull the scotia down to the flooring. Take your time ,no rush.

Personally I like to take off the existing skirting boards,fit the floor and then fit new skirting boards as its easier to fit the floor down nice n tight. Trouble is with scotia once you have fitted it and you put a heavy piece of furniture against the wall the floor is pushed down and a gap appears between the flooring and the scotia. But thats my personal choice..:D

mr_vampy

It did take me a while to get used to using the Tacwise 191EL. You have to apply quite a bit of pressure to it to get the head of the nail into the scotia. Hold it level or at a slight angle near the top of the scotia, not too much though as you are using the 15mm nails. This is because if you angle it too much not enough of the nail will go into the skirting and will make the scotia loose. The previous model that I had was the Tacwise 181, was much easier to use and more precise.

annoyd

Thanks for the help guys. I have managed it now, after nearly sending the gun back, i tryed holding it sideways... and it sank the nails! I did buy a nail punch though as it was a bit hit and miss, and also used grabs like nails aswell. I also found that the 25mm nails were of more use, as the 15mm kept pinging back out. I still have downstairs to do... but have definitely learnt my lesson this time... next time im ripping the skirting off and buying new (i would do that now but have already had the house replastered up to the skirting... hindsight is a wonderful thing)