removing floorboards

[Gamp]

Hi,
I am trying to install a new towel radiator and as the cavity is too small hide the pipework for increasing the bore of the pipes from 8mm to 15mm to match the radiator valve and mount the valves from the wall, I have decided to pull up small sections of floorboards and do the pipework under the floor so the valves come up through the floor. What would be the easiest way so as not to damage the boards? The wall I am working with has a joist running parallel to it and the joists are spaced a foot apart.
Many thanks!

 

[Burnerman]

Chain drill a few small holes (2 to 2.5mm) into the gap where the tongue / groove joint is......just enough to get a jigsaw blade into, and you can cut along the groove as far as you wish with minimum disturbance. Going across the grain is slightly trickier but you can cut a tight curve with the jigsaw when you are close to the joist and release the board that way.
The boards can be resuported by fixing some 50 x 25 softwood onto the joists so the board can rest there when put back down (with screws, preferably).
John

 

[big-all]

only use a jigsaw if you know the services are clear off where the blade will go

circular saws are safer if you set the depth to 0.5mm less than the floor thickness
the only problem being you cant use the circular saw to cut a plank width if it has a riving knife without cutting the boards either side
one off these will work and do several other jobs bosch 180e
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB3kU6mGjng

 

[foxhole]

I use the bosch 180e, you can cut across board just behind nails so when you take up it will go back onto timbers without further work.You don't mention t&g boards but if you have them you can run a the tool along the edges and trim off the tongue leaving a neat finish.
A floorboard saw is a hand tool which will do the same job but require more elbow room and elbow grease.
Has a curved blade
http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=149177&Referrer=froogle

 

[Gamp]

Thanks guys, great ideas, decided to channel pipes through wall after all that! Advice has not been in vain though, gonna pop out and get one of those Bosch multitools, looks like that can help me with a good few future jobs!
Thanks!