Making Straight Cut Across Oak Flooring
daholson
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I need to make a perfectly straight cut across hardwood flooring to accept a piece of bullnose to install a staircase. A top step of a new staircse must be intalled level with an existing hardwood floor. The cut must be made across an existing hallway which is four feet wide. I can’t remove the last piece of hardwood because the cut must be made across the end grain. I plan to use my circular saw to make the rough cut and then trim the cut using my router hoping not to hit any nails. The problem is using saw annd router there is going to be approx. 3 inches left on both sides since I can’t get in close to wall. How can I finnish this cut perfectly straight?
Replies
I did this last month. I cut a 14' 4" straight crosscut thru 3/4 oak to install a bulnose. I thought of using a router first but opted for my circular saw with a 46 tooth finishing carbide blade. The most time was used to build a straight edge. across the discarded side, so I won't have floor repair. I nailed a 3/4" plywood strip down. After the cut I finished the ends with a finshing hand saw. Run it against a block of wood, on the discarded side, to keep it straight and vertical. Take your time on these cuts...You only get one try. The results were nice.
If your bulnosing a stairs you might try biscuit joining this to the floor. Mine was just going to carpet so I top nailed it.
Good luck.
Definitely use a circ saw with fine blade. Plan on hitting some nails.
I've done the finish cut using a sawzall with a fine tooth blade. I used two blocks glued on either side with just a sawzall blade width between them. on the scrap side I screwed the block, on the finish side I used double sided tape.
Make sure you use a new blade, you don't want some bent up piece of junk.
I can also see how you could make a solid block with just a tablesaw kerf in it. Then you could just screw the whole block down (on scrap side) and the kerf would hold the blade. Obviously the kerf goes down and lined up exactly where you want the cut.
MERC.
dolson.... i would have used a circ. saw and a shooter board..
but now i'd use my EZ guide..
and i'd finish the cut against the wall with a Fein Multi-master
What is FEIN MUTIMASTER?
better you should ask what an EZ Guide is..
but anyways.. here's a Fein multimaster
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you can get a flush cutting blade for itMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Anybody use a chisel anymore?6 16 17 97 99
sure.. absolutely !
especially if i can't find my multimasterMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I have a couple of old Stanleys my Dad left me.
When I sharpen them nice, I can shave the hair off my arm; but hey, that's a whole 'nother thread.
I can get through both left over ends in an hour or less with fine results.
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
yourcontractor@aol.com
An hour or less is about how long it would take to root out the multi-master from the bowels of my truck and equip the appropriate appendage.
But wait,
There's more!6 16 17 97 99
I do 'em the same way, with the same tools as Mike- simple effective, and pretty quick.
Plus, its always good to have an excuse to buy more tools. Not that I've ever really needed an excuse.
Mike Smith gave my answer
I agree with the circ saw concept, except I would use my Festool with it's guide. It would take about 2 minutes. The end peices I would go after with the Fein. Then if there were corners that were still unfinished, the chisel would come out.
Jake Gulick
Lateapex911@optonline.net
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
did a quick search - hate not knowing what I'm talking about - searched Bosch tools - here's what I meant:
Finecut Power Handsaw Kit
Model 1640VSK
Ideal for flush cutting applications like door jamb flush-trim cuts.
Precision sawing in wood, wood composites and plastics
Carrying case and 3 clamps included
This is great , now I have to ask the question. Which is better Fein Mutimaster or Bosch 1640VSK?
Fein, smaller-easier to handle-does more than cut wood.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
In action
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Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Edited 2/24/2005 7:36 am ET by calvin