best tool for cutting out floor?

S

snadge

I have to remove the old kitchen floor which is 20mm T&G chipboard - which is the best tool for the job cutting next walls etc.. my dad says hand held circular-saw but I was thinking stihl-saw? (which I could hire?) - if circular saw is there a technique to get it started into the board? ive not used a circular-saw before in this manner


thanks
 
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Never had to do this up close to a wall, but circular saw with blade set to depth of timber or even a little less, so as not to cut into joists/cables/pipes.
With the saw resting on the front edge of the sole plate lower the back down taking care as the blade starts to cut. You'll probably have to manually lift the guard at the same time as lowering it. There's usually a little tab on the guard near the top for this purpose.

Try on a piece of scrap first if you're unsure.

The saw will only work one way round, up close to the wall, usually working anti-clockwise (plan-view) round the room.
I believe it is possible to get 'left-handed' circular saws but i've never seen one.
 
as red herring says plus

you need to start a few inches further back than you need because the riving knife will stop a direct plunge
so you plunge as much as you can the you push forward the knife will then slide down the slope cut by the blade untill full depth
 
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A stihl saw is 300mm diameter blade for cutting through concrete and masonry. Defo NOT the tool for the job!

I would err on the side of caution and set the blade to exactly 20mm. Probably won't go quite all the way through, but whats left will just tear out, or can be levered away.

Reason being that you don't know if any cables or pipes are immediately beneath the floorboards. They shouldn't be, but you never know if someone has done a bodge job in the past.
 
thanks so i will buy a circular saw then

@ woody - the flooring is throughout the entire downstairs and doesnt finish at the walls so i need to cut them out

ive seen stihl saw used for this purpose am sure - never mind

i can see under from center board ive pulled up
 
If you are unlikely to use it again get a cheapy. argos have one for about £25, They also have a Worx one, better quality for about £40.
 
you need to start a few inches further back than you need because the riving knife will stop a direct plunge
so you plunge as much as you can the you push forward the knife will then slide down the slope cut by the blade untill full depth

I've removed the riving knife for this kind of use in the past.
I don't think there's any safety issues 'cos, as I understand it, the riving knife is to prevent the cut closing up behind the blade and causing the blade to bind.
 
ok


just want to say THANKS to everyone for all the help/advice with this and my other issues

THANKS[/b]
 
I got a C5 BAD blade the other day from a local supplier for cutting wood... £20 quid.
http://www.kwiktoolusa.com/default.aspx

Fits a 9" angle grinder. Its a savage at chopping through timber.
Plunge cuts are a doddle.
From construction to destruction. ;)
 
I got a C5 BAD blade the other day from a local supplier for cutting wood... £20 quid.
http://www.kwiktoolusa.com/default.aspx

Fits a 9" angle grinder. Its a savage at chopping through timber.
Plunge cuts are a doddle.
From construction to destruction. ;)

i would feel more comfortable with angle grinder as this is a tool ive used thousands of times as I used to be a sheeters mate - the circular saw and struggles with "plunge" cuts (I assume thats starting the initial cut?) make me worry about it as ive never used a circular saw much before (once or twice) never mind for cutting flooring, it is worrying me about making the initial cut... but grinders thats more my thing...
 
Well grinders are much more dangerous, you'll get the hang of a circ saw.

Just remember to keep both hands on the tool, one on the back and one on the front handle, that way you can't cut any fingers off!
To plunge, hold back the guard, then rest the back of the baseplate on the floor. Fire it up, making sure the blade is clear of the floor first, then slowly lower it forwards.
 

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