Laying and cutting laminate flooring

NowRetired

After getting a quote for laying laminate flooring I have decided to DIY.


What is the best tool to cut the laminate, one of these circular saws advertised on TV for cutting the flooring?




If I bought one I would still pay less than what I was quoted for someone to lay it.


Then I could try and sell it on Ebay.


The only cutting is round the door and fitting into a cupboard.

missesther

I doubt it's the correct way but we use a normal hand saw for laminate, the edges are unseen but if you're proficient with a saw then you should get a fairly good edge. I circular saw sounds like overkill and unnecessarily dangerous for flooring.

keystone

If you have a pendulum jigsaw just buy a "downcutting only" blade for it. That way the top surface of the laminate doesn't splinter as the blade rises.

You'll also have to cut for the edges perpendicular to the run of the planks otherwise you can't stagger the joints.

Don't forget to undercut the architraves and door frames.

Cheers

menollyke

Last time we moved home my parents brought us a laminate cutter over. My husband who had previously done laminate in our old house was very impressed with it. Since than we got our own and lots of friends and family have borrowed it. They all love it.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/200759955520?lpid=83&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=83&ff19=0

Norman_Castle

I use a jigsaw with good quality blades (Bosch).

NowRetired

This is what I am thinking of buying, or something similar


http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0046GERR6/ref=asc_df_B0046GERR615030180?smid=A31GR1S6M2Y8R2&!!!!!shoppingmp144707-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22218&creativeASIN=B0046GERR6


or this


http://www.jmldirect.com/uk/exakt-diy/exakt-saw/invt/e08sa40100000001/

I shall spend a sleepless night watching the shopping channels.

mr_vampy

I fit laminate for a living and only use a handsaw and a jigsaw with laminate cutting blades.

keystone

Brilliant tool - just buy the proper US made one and not the JML version. But I still think a downcutting blade in your jigsaw for a few quid (5 for £6 @ screwfix) is your practical MSE answer. Alternatively if you do buy this one and then don't want it after I'll take it off your hands for £ 30 when you've finished.

Cheers

chaddythebear

Handsaw and jigsaw, but just use a decent 'normal' blade, those down cutting one's are a real pain to use.
Mark board on back if you want a 'clean' cut.

NowRetired

just buy the proper US made one and not the JML version.

which is?

Handsaw and jigsaw,

I don't have a jigsaw I would have to buy one

mr_vampy

You should be able to get a reasonable jigsaw for less than the cost of the Exakt saw, especially if you're just a DIYer and use it occasionally. The blades I uses are these and give clean cuts.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-wood-jigsaw-blades-bayonet-t101ao-pack-of-5/36303

I'm not sure how long the Exakt saw blades last and how much spare baldes costs