Using a circular saw to cut laminate flooring 7 March 2007 at 1:48PM in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving 12 replies 62.4K views

dgoat

Hi

I’ve never used a circular saw before and so have a (probably daft) question: how do I support the laminate board when cutting along it using a rip-fence? Is it possible to set the saw’s cut depth to just below the laminate board and simply lay the laminate on a “scrap plank? Or do circular saw blades have to “cut through” more than this? If so, it would presumably mean clamping the laminate to a long bench with the waste portion overhanging the edge.

Any tips when buying a circular saw for this purpose? I’m guessing I don’t need a lot of power and a small, cheap saw will cope nicely.

ormus

use a jigsaw instead. cheaper. safer, well a bit anyways!
i tend to use a good sharp handsaw a lot too. it takes seconds to cut across a board with a decent saw.

if working alone (esp), always clamp the piece to a workmate type table, when using power tools.

Hounslow_Penguin

I agree - use a jigsaw! I got a circular saw for exactly this purpose and how did it not work? Let me COUNT the ways!! :rolleyes: :rotfl: (Will be keeping it, though, because I'm sure there are other things I can ruin in the future...)

A jigsaw would be better for cutting fine details, too, say if you needed a length of laminate cut an awkward shape.

Wayne3765

Forget a circular saw , get a compound mitre saw similar to this one
It will give a much better cut than a jigsaw and will be invaluable for cutting the angles if you intend to replace your skirting boards at the same time.

dgoat

Thanks for the answers so far, but I was talking about cutting ALONG the laminate boards, not across them, as you need to do for the "last row" of boards (unless you're amazingly lucky and your room is an exact number of board-widths wide). I thought a circular saw was the best tool for this. That's been the advice I've had, anyway. Should I just use a jigsaw or handsaw for this job too?

classonemaintenance

First ever post on here, but I'm going to dive in anyway, hope you don't mind...

I would go for either a decent jigsaw (run along a straightedge) or a new, hardpoint handsaw (use it at a very shallow angle), which will fly through laminate.

I would hesitate to use a circular saw for two reasons: 1) relatively floppy things like laminate flooring and circular saws don't make a safe combination unless you spend an inordinate amount of time clamping down securely for every cut, particularly if someone's not an experienced circ. saw user (believe me, they don't take prisoners and a cheap type can be deadly), and 2) a jigsaw will be a lot more versatile for other work when the laminate's down.

If you go for a jigsaw, buy the best you can afford 'cos cheap ones will wander all over the place and you will be pulling your hair out!

navig8r

If you need to cut just the last length then its hardly worth the cost of a power tool as a good hand saw which has been suggested will sufice. The cut should be butting up to the expansion strip and hidden from view by an edge bead or even better the skirting boards if they were remove ( the proper job)..Which ever route you take,if the laminate is on a MDF backing make sure you have a mask on as its nasty stuff.

Dave

ormus

dgoat wrote:

Thanks for the answers so far, but I was talking about cutting ALONG the laminate boards, not across them, as you need to do for the "last row" of boards (unless you're amazingly lucky and your room is an exact number of board-widths wide). I thought a circular saw was the best tool for this. That's been the advice I've had, anyway. Should I just use a jigsaw or handsaw for this job too?

yur correct, re cutting along, but you will be amazed at what a decent job you can make of it with a jigsaw.
if a newbie, then practise on a piece. draw a few lines along the board say an inch apart, then practise your skill at keeping to a line.
within a short time im sure youll be happy enough with your newfound skill.

ps, re the dust, i try and do my cutting outside the house, if poss.

gardnt1

Tend to agree that a good handsaw will do, but a jigsaw with a down cut laminate blade is invaluable. If you do invest in this always be careful when using a new blade as they can 'bounce' quite dramatically before they bed in.

With a handsaw, preferably get a 'laminator' as this will enable you to cut the board with the finished service upwards, otherwise a normal saw will start chipping the laminate.....not that much of a problem if skirting going to cover, but some beads and skirting can be quite shallow, and chips may show. With the proper tools should have no problem......

Circular saw could be used as long as all work supported and board turned upside down.... not the best way and the blades in these things arent generally there for neat cuts!

teddyco

dgoat,

I just helped a friend install a laminate floor in his dining room and I used a simple jigsaw with a sharp blade to cut the final edge pieces. A table saw would have worked great, but we used what he had.
Laminate flooring is a paper product and easy to cut.

weekendwarrior

I circular saw is quite good for Cutting Laminate


I normally have three saws, a circular for cutting the boards to length and for long straight cuts. A jigsaw for intricate cuts and a mitre saw for the beading.

A workmate or similar bench makes cutting much easier. Also a couple of one handed clamps are useful.