Laminate flooring question

[deadeye]

I am putting down some laminate flooring this weekend and was told by a friend to get a jig saw for cuts. My questions is what would be better a regular jig saw or an orbital jig saw?

[Jared L]

Jigsaw is only helpful for circular cuts. A mitre saw and table saw are more helpful. That being said..... Either an Orbital or standard jig will do just fine.

[ColinR]

I used a regular jig saw when I put mine down in my Katy house. Worked fine. I was told the same thing use a jig saw so that is what I did. Not sure why.

[TheBeaster]

I used a jig saw to cut the boards to fit around door jambs. Also used a miter saw for most cuts and a table saw to rip the last boards to fit.

I'd definitely recommend a really good pair of knee pads also. I'm a little on the pot-bellied side and ended up strapping some pillows to my knees for relief.

[lbbf]

I just did our floor last summer. Miter Saw and Table Saw were the most used. I did use a regular Jig Saw some. It helped. I taped the area to be cut to minimize chipping.

[cj7zrcool]

You could use a jigsaw to cut around the jambs, but you might want to look into renting a jamb saw and cutting off the bottom of the jamb leg so that the flooring slips under it and hides the edge. It would save time, labor, and frustration. You can buy a hand jamb saw also, but you won't save any labor or frustration with it.

[rockyraider]

I did my entire upstairs in handscraped laminate. Get one of these

http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/oscillating-tools/oscillating-multifunction-power-tool-60428.html

I also used a compound mitre saw, a circular saw for ripping, and an assortment of pry bars and chisles. I didn't really use a jig saw for much. You don't need an undercut saw, I used the oscillating multifunction power tool to undercut door jams and to make notched cuts. Take a small square piece of your flooring, put a semi thin layer of cardboard on top, then use the oscillating power tool to undercut your door jams. Worked great. A good pair of knee pads and a ton of beer also helps. Good luck.

[LWD]

A jig saw will work, but a miter saw will be better. Same for ripping boards. You can do it with a circular saw, but a table saw will be better.

LWD

[pblaetz]

You could use a jigsaw to cut around the jambs, but you might want to look into renting a jamb saw and cutting off the bottom of the jamb leg so that the flooring slips under it and hides the edge. It would save time, labor, and frustration. You can buy a hand jamb saw also, but you won't save any labor or frustration with it.

This^^^^^^^much cleaner installation!

[rockyraider]

I forgot to mention, pull the baseboards, sand, and repaint. Re-install the baseboards back on top of the laminate. Beats the heck out of quarter round plus looks 100x better. I have to say that pulling the baseboards and re-setting them was the best decision I made, very professional look and quicker than installing quarter round.

[LWD]

I forgot to mention, pull the baseboards, sand, and repaint. Re-install the baseboards back on top of the laminate. Beats the heck out of quarter round plus looks 100x better. I have to say that pulling the baseboards and re-setting them was the best decision I made, very professional look and quicker than installing quarter round.

+1 to this. It's not hard. You'll bet a better fit. It will look much better.

LWD

[bowaddict40]

I forgot to mention, pull the baseboards, sand, and repaint. Re-install the baseboards back on top of the laminate. Beats the heck out of quarter round plus looks 100x better. I have to say that pulling the baseboards and re-setting them was the best decision I made, very professional look and quicker than installing quarter round.

X2 on this. Quarter round really doesn't look great. It's in my house and I hate it.

[bowaddict40]

Look up bullet tools on the internet. If they have those to rent at your local Home Depot it is worth the money. They cut with a blade like a knife. No dust and no mess they are amazing.

[Saddle Tramp]

Cut with bottom up less chipping problems