NOBOW Compact Power Floor Clamp

Assembly, Operation and Packing Tips

1. Unpacking and repacking the Compact Power Floor Clamp is a breeze – there are only 5 components and if you get stuck refer to the sketch showing the part numbers.

1st - Wall foot is put in with the board grabbers down
2nd - Cradle is placed in the centre of the box
3rd - ‘U’ shaped pulling head is put in
4th - Spike block
5th - Handle goes in last on top of everything else

2. The Compact Power Floor Clamp can be operated by any sized air compressor. It has its own built-in regulator to control the amount of air pressure applied to floorboards.

3. Check all screws and fittings are tight before each use.

4. Keep air hose away from spike plate. SPIKES ARE VERY SHARP – HANDLE WITH CARE.

6. Keep air hose connections and unit in general clean and free of any dirt/debris.

Check list

1 x Handle
The handle fits into the handle mount that is located on the cradle. It is best to have the ‘L’ part of the handle over the machine as this provides good centre of balance rather than facing out the back.

1 x Spike Block
This part is designed for using over joists, plywood and all wooden type subfloors. The spike block is not designed for use over concrete. The spike pins are used to anchor the clamp and provide a solid base from which to push off and clamp floorboards.

Attach the spike block with the spikes facing down, onto the front of the cylinders in the cradle. The two lugs fit into the holes in the mounting plate neat and tight. The locating pin on the top of the block is then put into position. This acts as a locking system behind the mounting plate on the cylinder.

There is a spacer between the spikes and the underside of the spike block. This is used ensure correct height when clamping 19mm thick floorboards. When clamping 10 – 12mm thick floorboards, this spacer can be removed.

1 x Wall Foot
The Wall Foot has two positions. On one side it can clamp the boards together. The other side is to brace off a wall while positioning the pulling head into pulling up the last row of boards.

1 x ‘U’ Shaped Head
Cradle with air cylinder and air lever attached. It is possible to have an air line in from the compressor and also run a second line out to a nail gun. On the front of the air cylinder there is a mounting plate that fits with the spike block and the wall foot.

Assembly

The U Shaped Head slides onto the cradle and is locked into position using the pull/twist locating pins on the arms of the push/pull U Shaped Head.

Now mount the spike block, fixing it onto the end plate of the air cylinder. Ensure the two lugs are located fully and the pull/twist pin is locked down behind the plate.

You can now insert the handle and connect the air hose, using fittings that suit the connections on your airline from your compressor.

Operate and test for any air leaks.

Spend a few minutes operating and becoming familiar with how the control valve lever works. Note how the lever drives the spike block and the fact that the air cylinder ram has 150mm of travel.

Once the machine is assembled, checked and tested, set it up for your desired application. We have found that in most situations the Compact Power Floor Clamp is easiest to use when the U Shaped Head sits on top of floorboards being laid and operated, to pull the boards together.

This method allows the unit to simply be slid along the row as you fix off and keeps it away from any glue on the sub floor.

Clean any glue off immediately.

LAYING ON PLY / EXISTING FLOORBOARDS / CHIPBOARD etc.

Simply place the Compact Power Floor Clamp on top of the boards that are to be installed. With the board grabbers of the U Shaped Head over the edge of the board to be cramped. The board grabbers will locate above the tongue. Now using the handle, slightly tilt the machine towards the sub-floor to assist the spikes to bite into the sub floor.

While tilting operate the control valve lever to apply a small amount of pressure. Once the spikes have bitten in, the necessary pressure can be provided by again operating the control valve. Then clamp up, fix off, move along the row.

You will notice the spike block lifting / tilting as the clamping pressure comes to a head. It can be held in position by putting your foot on top of the spike block. This also allows the spikes to penetrate deeper into the subfloor.

ADAPTING for DIRECT STICK TO CONCRETE

There are a few ways the Compact Power Floor Clamp can be used on concrete sub-floors.
One way is to plan out where you will need anchor points prior to installation and sealing the slab. For example, 1 metre from your first row.

Snap a chalkline and drill 10mm diameter holes spaced about 1.5 metres apart.

Insert steel pins of at least 10mm diameter into these holes. You can then use a suitable piece of timber or other material leaning against the steel pins to brace off.

Another way is to simply mount plywood onto the required length of timber and brace from a wall.

You can also simply lay the board into the adhesive as close to its final position and drill and pin as required.