Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Almost done with floor - how to nail last few rows?

I finished my floor this weekend - all except the last 5 or 6 rows where the gun would not fit. So, I need to nail these by hand, right? What kind of nails should I use? The HD guy told me 2" galvanized finishing nails. Is that right?
It will be tough to drive these on a 45 degree angle though (like the gun does). How do I handle these last few rows?

Floor looks great by the way - thanks to everyone here for all of the help and advice.

Im also curious... what did I save? Its a 14x24 foot area. It only cost me $30 for the gun. What would a flooring guy charge, roughly?

Also, even though the moisture readings were good for me (within 4 percent - the basement of this room is really cold. Is that a problem?

Just use finishing nail.

Drill a hole in the board and then hammer the nail. Then use a nail nailer (dont know what its called) to countersink the nail into the board. I don't think it has to be 45'degrees but I'm not sure. Mine is straight in.

you mean face nail? on all 5 rows?

you mean face nail? on all 5 rows?

I don't know what a face nail is.. The kind I got was a very thin nail with a tiny head that you can countersink into the wood. Hard to see. You gotta do it on all rows that you cant use pneumanic nailer.

Since I used a stapler I only had to do it to the last two rows.. Maybe you can still nail the sides at 45 degree and then nail down the last row using the way i suggested. Try it and see if it stucks but I'd be afraid the tongue gets damaged with a regular nail.

by face nail, I didnt mean a type of nail - but a type of nailING. I meant nailing onto the face of tehboard - so it is visible - as opposed to into the tongue , where it gets hiddne by the nextboards groove.

Try to rent a pneumatic 15ga or 16ga finish nailer with 2" finish nails and blind nail into the tongue as far as you can go.

Hand nailing you may have to pre dill the tongue.

The last two rows will have to be faced nailed. I will sometimes run a few beads of PL-400 subfloor adhesive (Urethane) to reduce the amount of face nails. Try to hit a joist and pick out a spot where the putty will blend in good.

If you glue you will need to use wedge shims until it sets up.

I was thinknig about the finish nailer. What about an 18 gauge? I have one of those for my molding work.

That will work. Place your nails about 6'" apart, since it is a stick nailer and not a staple or cleat. Gluing those last 2 boards is perfect and won't effect anything. Wedge or 3M blue tape, if prefinished.

ok, I need to clarify this...

1) I can use the 18 gauge nails , but put them 6" apart? I guess closer because they are thin nails - is that right?

2) Glue the boards... what just one bead of glue down the middle of the board(that PL or liquid nails is STRONG stuff) But I wouldnt glue in the tongue and groove - right?

3) wedge or 3M tape... to hold it in place? 3M tape? Im assuming you mean only if the boards are straight. Tape would never hold if there was abow in the board... thats what the wedge is for - right?

Are there any special techniques and materials best used to wedge? Im assuming a scrap piece of floor used to brace against the 2x4 plate of the wall.

one more thing...

if my 18 gauge nailer will be ok to use, can I use it on the last row? I can leave an inch space since Ill have 1.5 inches of moldingto cover it anyway (base + shoe, 3/4 each).

Im sure I could get the gun in there. Probably on an angle... 45 degrees with the baord , not 45 degrees into the tongue.

No glue on the tongue, cut the felt paper back and lay down a few beads of a "urethane" type of subfloor adhesive, like PL-400, don't use anything acrylic or water-based.

The urethane adhesive has a memory, so you want to wedge or tape until it sets.

and the 18 gauge nails?

NOFMA and the NWFA recommend the 15ga.

I will let you make that call to keep myself out of trouble, if you follow my drift. ;)

Now I really feel stupid... because I DONT get your drift :)... do you mean that they should be fine?

If it were my own house and I was not getting paid to do it the 18 ga. pin nailer is what I would use..... the glue will hold it after it sets.

oh... I mean the 18 gauge for the the last 4 rows without glue... then just glue the last 2 rows.

Does that change it?