Blind Nailing

Tool School: Lynda and Joel explain a technique called blind nailing, which is used on tongue and groove planks. The way it works is that the planks have a protrusion known as a tongue on one side and a groove on the other, such that the tongue of one plank fits into the groove of another.

In blind nailing, the nail is toenailed (nailed at an angle) into the tongue of the plank. (Toenailing will prevent the nail from obstructing the fit of the tongue and groove planks.) The nail head is recessed, or set. Then the grooved side of the next plank slides over the tongue, hiding the nail head.

Tools and materials: hammer, hardwood floor nailer (approximately $15 rental fee per day), nail set, and nails.