Laminate floor cutters

shegirl

Forgive me,I'm female lol

Are they worth buying and how do they work?Spotted some on eBay (Vitrex) for around the £30 mark,so was wondering.

Basically,all I want it to be able to cut laminate accurately and quicker than using a saw (and without cutting whatever I place it on this time!).But don't want to waste £30 if it isn't going to make much difference.

Also,would the blade blunt quickly?

Apologies for the lame questions:o

tizerbelle

If you mean something like this http://www.mptools.co.uk/products.asp?partno=VIT800100 then they are used for cutting a single cut across the width of the laminate only. I've never yet laid a laminate floor where the only cuts I have had to make have been 90 degree cuts across the width - there have been chimney breasts and other obstacles that no matter how you pre-planned would always end up with a few pieces needing an L shaped cut to fit. Plus if the last row to be laid isn't a full width, you need to be able to cut along the length of the board.

IMO the best solution for a better result is spend a little bit more and get a jigsaw, laminate cutting blades and a workbench. You don't have to spend loads and then you have them available for other jobs, aren't destroying other items - was it a chair by any chance? I originally started with chairs as a workbench - believe me its much easier with the right equipment and you get a far better result.

DevCoder

Either a jigsaw or better imo a chop saw as they will give a perfect right angle cut.

You can get a cheap chop saw from B&Q, think I paid about £30-40 for a precision make which has lasted a fair while.

shegirl

I'd be terrified of using a jigsaw:o

Would definitely have a few L shapes with the fire place,halfway wall etc don't mind doing them and half width planks by hand,just don't fancy doing 70sq with a hand saw as I usually do:rotfl:

Will have a look at what you advise though,already caved in and paying someone to do at least one of the carpets (I have limited time to do things) so can't really fork out for someone to do the laminate too *sighs*

Oh,and it wasn't a chair but my oak dining table:o:rotfl:

Norman_Castle

I use a jigsaw for laminate floors. Variable speed Bosch (soft start, much nicer) with Bosch blades. Good quality blades make a big difference. Jigsaws are much safer than chop saws.
I've avoided cutting into my oak dining table by clamping an oversize board to the top.