Installing Laminate

**simply1** · 01-11-2010, 03:54 PM

I'm going to have to make some rip cuts I imagine, I don't do a lot of this type of work so I'd like to go relatively inexpensive. I can get a circular saw with a rip guide to make the cuts there, what's the best way for me to make these cuts safely as far as holding the boards?

**ISUFan22** · 01-11-2010, 03:57 PM

http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/...loor-help.html (Wood floor help)

As far as safe cutting with a circular saw, a pair of sawhorses will help a ton. Need not be big as the pieces are not heavy.

**CyPride** · 01-11-2010, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by simply1

I'm going to have to make some rip cuts I imagine, I don't do a lot of this type of work so I'd like to go relatively inexpensive. I can get a circular saw with a rip guide to make the cuts there, what's the best way for me to make these cuts safely as far as holding the boards?

you'll need to get sawhorses like the 1st guy said, and some clamps of some kind.

**simply1** · 01-11-2010, 04:01 PM

Well that's cheap enough, maybe put some old lumber under the laminate so I don't cut through the saw horse or something.

**DaddyMac** · 01-11-2010, 04:13 PM

Know anyone who has a benchtop table saw? Pretty portable and will be infinitely easier than a circ saw with guide.

Might be worth checking with a home store that does rentals. Home Depot in WDM does. Don't know if they rent such an item. But I'd try that route first.

Just for the record, you're talking laminate flooring and not countertop or something, right?

**simply1** · 01-11-2010, 04:37 PM

Oh yeah, flooring

**Cyclonepride** · 01-11-2010, 04:46 PM

I would second the thought on the table saw. Much, much easier and safer. If you don't have too many cuts, a good jigsaw will do the job too. Laminate chews up whatever blade you use, so I would plan on using a better blade.

**CyPride** · 01-11-2010, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

I would second the thought on the table saw. Much, much easier and safer. If you don't have too many cuts, a good jigsaw will do the job too. Laminate chews up whatever blade you use, so I would plan on using a better blade.

what this guy said. tabletop saw, and jigsaw. don't forget your kneepads and your patience.

**simply1** · 01-11-2010, 05:18 PM

I may have to make some angle cuts, how does a jig saw do on those?

**cychhosis** · 01-11-2010, 05:42 PM

You might want to look into a mitre saw of some sort if you have angle cuts as well. As I remember laminate floor comes in 9" wide boards. If you can find a cheap mitre saw that will cut that width... you might have a little bonus for yourself when you are done.

**Cyclonepride** · 01-11-2010, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by simply1

I may have to make some angle cuts, how does a jig saw do on those?

Should work fine. A miter box would work better, but most laminates come in widths that require a compound miter box, which would not be among the cheaper ones.

**cyfan964** · 01-11-2010, 06:10 PM

I would find a sliding compound mitre saw. This will save you so much time that it will be worth whatever you have to pay to rent it. I loved it so much putting in laminate flooring that I just bought one myself to have around.

**ISUFan22** · 01-11-2010, 07:43 PM

You'll get a lot cleaner cuts with a circular or table saw. I'd do the jigsaw with the laminate only as a last resort.

**cyfan964** · 01-11-2010, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

You'll get a lot cleaner cuts with a circular or table saw. I'd do the jigsaw with the laminate only as a last resort.

You would definitely get cleaner cuts with a table saw, but anything you would have to cut for flooring should get covered up with base moldings or thresholds anyway so I don't see why having a perfectly clean cut is vital.