Floorboard Cutting - what a chore!

[wildgoose]

Been working in a big old house, where I needed to lift multiple floorboards for access. Pipes, cables were often touching the underside of the floorboards, so needed to cut with care. Using the Bosch POF cutter to cut between them but it's hard going and the blades are rubbish so not lasting long - there must be an easier tool to do this with?

Been therefore looking at the mini mains powered circular saws with small blades that can be quickly and accurately set for depth. Various ones on the market around the £75 mark.

Any feedback/experiences out there with these saws ie:
- are the up to regularly cutting boards?
- do the blades last ?
- any makes or models recommended?

 

[Top Cat]

Usually just use my ordinary circular saw set just above depth of floor boards. Never had that much trouble but the plumber is on speed dial on mobile just in case!

 

[Des 56]

I had to have a look on google to see what cutter you are using and can honestly say,I have never used a router to cut a floorboard,never mind the fact that I don't know how to use them in the first place

Circular saw has always been my standard tool for floor boards

I rarely if ever cut a board.without lifting a little, unless I know exactly what is underneath
Its often that plumbers will have the pipe forced down by the floorboard, never mind how precise you make the depth of cut,the next joist along may be slightly thinner and that could be enough to damage whats underneath

I would say, always wedge the board up slightly before making that cut if you don't know what's below and yes circular saws are a must have
The cheapies are just as good as a good quality item if all its used for is floorboard cutting

 

[wildgoose]

I had to have a look on google to see what cutter you are using and can honestly say,I have never used a router to cut a floorboard,never mind the fact that I don't know how to use them in the first place

Circular saw has always been my standard tool for floor boards

I rarely if ever cut a board.without lifting a little, unless I know exactly what is underneath
Its often that plumbers will have the pipe forced down by the floorboard, never mind how precise you make the depth of cut,the next joist along may be slightly thinner and that could be enough to damage whats underneath

I would say, always wedge the board up slightly before making that cut if you don't know what's below and yes circular saws are a must have
The cheapies are just as good as a good quality item if all its used for is floorboard cutting

Well spotted Des56. I got my Bosch numbers wrong, should have read GOP.
Thanks for your advice about wedging the boards up first. This is fine if you already have an edge to lift but if practice thats not always possible!

 

[Geordie Spark]

Usually just use my ordinary circular saw set just above depth of floor boards. Never had that much trouble but the plumber is on speed dial on mobile just in case!

That was always my method too.

Never had a problem with it.

 

[Plonker 3]

Can't beat the good old lump hammer and bolster for lifting floor boards, especially in occupied houses.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Can't beat the good old lump hammer and bolster for lifting floor boards, especially in occupied houses.

Ohhh ............ you Rough Ar$e you !!!

 

[telectrix]

Can't beat the good old lump hammer and bolster for lifting floor boards, especially in occupied houses.

for lifting, yes. it's the initial cutting across. where possible, i try and lift the board/s at to point of cutting, even if inly by 1/2 " or so.

 

[Top Cat]

Came across metal tongues in one house now that was a problem! Anyone else seen this?

 

[drew35]

I paid £30 off eBay for an inspection camera and found multiple uses for it, one is to carefully drill a 10mm hole in a board, slide in the camera and have a look around. Once you see its all clear, gash away...

 

[Top Cat]

I paid £30 off eBay for an inspection camera and found multiple uses for it, one is to carefully drill a 10mm hole in a board, slide in the camera and have a look around. Once you see its all clear, gash away...

Secret cameras, gash's! you could get arrested for that! Lol

 

[a12jpm]

Dewalt 18v rip snorter set just shy of board thickness. So far not gone through any pipes but it's going to happen at some point I'm sure.

The way I see it if I go through a pipe every few hundred cuts then that's pretty good odds.

 

[sythai]

Came across metal tongues in one house now that was a problem! Anyone else seen this?

Bet that was interesting with a circular saw :uhoh2:

 

[Top Cat]

Bet that was interesting with a circular saw :uhoh2:

Certainly was on the first cut with sparks flying everywhere! Only way i could do it was with a hammer and bolster.

 

[telectrix]

thought you would have done it with your claws, TC.