laminate flooring loc system

Three of us have just spent a fruitless evening trying to lay Toughloc laminate flooring by Floormaster.

Getting the boards to connect short end to short end was no problem, but when it came to the second row we were completely stumped. Either we couldn't get the angle right for the boards to lock together and lie flat or - if somehow we managed that - we couldn't connect two sides at the same time.

The same question was asked a while ago on this forum:

<//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=28572&highlight=A>

Unfortunately, the discussion spiralled into abuse and didn't reach a conclusion.

Is it generally agreed that the loc system is dodgy? Should we pesevere or return the planks to the shop in exchange for something easier?

Thanks for your thoughts.

markfisher said:

Is it generally agreed that the loc system is dodgy? Should we pesevere or return the planks to the shop in exchange for something easier?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Click to expand...

Definitely dodgy
But the 'trick' is (I think you read the instructions provided?) to lay the first row by 'gently' knocking the end joints together.
Second row, 'click' board one to row 1, 'click' board 2 (as close as possible to board 1) to row 1 and 'gently' knock board 2 in board 1.

Hope this helps (if not, return to sender and get some proper T&G flooring and PVAC wood glue, glue the grooves of the boards and 'slide' the boards and ends together).

depending on how long your room is, and how many pairs of hands you have to help you, you can get away with laying each row individually and then adding it on to the rows that have already been laid down. If the room is very long then this can be quite difficult. Once you've added each row, make sure that each board from the new row is flush against the previous row.

The other method that i have used is similar to WoodYouLike's method, but adding board 2 to board 1 (of row 2) before adding to row 1. This way you can actually angle the new row up and with a bit of force slow board 2 in to row 1 without needing a tapping block.

My other bit of advice is to make sure that the locking sections are clean and don't have any stray bits of laminate stuck on them (especially the grooves) and the corners. These little bits prevent the laminates from locking together tightly.

Hope this helps.

Pleased to say we eventually got it done. Partly a question of having faith that all is not lost when planks come apart. Thanks for your help.

Nive to have some feedback, thanks and Merry Christmas