Laminate floor saw

[richard.selwyn]

I regularly install laminate floors (not a job I like but it pays the bills) and have seen that in the US skill make a dedicated sliding saw. A similar one is available in the UK for abbot £75 and in France for twice that price (usual story)
Has any on tried one? I use the Kapex on higher quality flooring but now just use a jig saw on laminate floors, but feel that the dedicated saw might be quicker. For the price it is clearly not a quality product but if it gained some time on an install it would pay for itself on day one.
Any suggestions
Richard

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Richard, we install the occasional laminate floor, and what we have done is use the MFT/TS 55/Trion, with the vac, and do the work right in the room. I'm usually the cut man and two guys stay on the floor, installing the pieces.  I got the blades for the TS 55 and the Trion from Tom Bellemare (he will know the numbers whereas I'll have to go look for them).

Now, for your question:  I have seen the Skil saw in Home Depot, and for the money I'm sure it's OK.  I would consider buying it and using it for laminates, but I can't tell whether the DC is any good or not.  You might get some more responses if you post on the Tools Forum at Journal of Light Construction Forum.  Here's the link:

http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=16

 

[Rob Z]

Richard, as a frame of reference, I've seen the Skil laminate saw for $159 here in Virginia.

 

[Guy Ashley]

I regularly install laminate floors (not a job I like but it pays the bills) and have seen that in the US skill make a dedicated sliding saw. A similar one is available in the UK for abbot £75 and in France for twice that price (usual story)
Has any on tried one? I use the Kapex on higher quality flooring but now just use a jig saw on laminate floors, but feel that the dedicated saw might be quicker. For the price it is clearly not a quality product but if it gained some time on an install it would pay for itself on day one.
Any suggestions
Richard

I appreciate this may be more than what you want to pay but on flooring jobs, I take this Makita

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=makita+ls0714&hl=en&rlz=1R2GGIE_enGB419&prmd=ivns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1024&bih=540&wrapid=tlif131223145889010&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=933144189592989409&sa=X&ei=PBA3Tu2RCMGo8AP9k_2gDg&ved=0CHkQ8wIwAg#

Its a cracking little saw with a big slider and good dust extraction, well when hooked up to the Midi. Of course you also have the benefit over Rob Z of the Carvex!!! [big grin] [tongue]

 

[tburritt]

On my last lam floor job I had the homeowner purchase that Skill brand flooring saw with extra blades as partial payment.  I used the saw for the end cuts only and it worked fairly good.  Not a very fine cut but for end cuts that will be covered by base or shoe molding it worked well.  It saved me a LOT of getting up and down since I placed the saw on a towel and pulled it along with me as I went.  One thing to consider is that the blades do not stay sharp that long.  I went through 4 blades on the whole house (1800sq') and the blades cost around $15.00 US.  Don't plan on using it for your rip cuts unless you like playing with fire because the settings for ripping are poorly designed and not that accurate.  I used a table saw for rips and my Fein for undercuts and cut outs.  For the price its not a bad saw to have for flooring but its a one trick pony.  And yes I would get it again if I needed one because it sure saves on the knees and back not having to get up at the end of every run.  [thumbs up]

 

[kev carpenter]

I have been doing laminate most of this month, i use the kapex with triple chip blade and i cut 3 bits at a time and do all cuts for about 5 rows worth before go on the floor and have a pack or two in the middle and everything layed out were there going. also been supply and fitting alot of elka and quick step laminate ( both uniclick profile ) they go down alot quicker than any other i have fitted. [2cents]

Personally i make  the kapex work for its money and you have to do the skirting or beading anyway.

 

[tbellemare]

You can also just set the KAPEX on the floor with SYS 1 extensions. That way you don't have to get up.

Tom

 

[Alan m]

i have a small dewalt that i use for such jobs. i bolted a piece of ply to the bottom and a piece front and back to the first piece. this then drops down ove a systainer that is on a roller board. i can wheel it around as i need it. i can have it at any height by adding systainers or put it on top of the vac

must show in a new thread

 

[richard.selwyn]

Thanks everyone. I haven't managed to buy one as everywhere in the UK offer next day only ( And I'm only there a day at a time.) Here in France its too expensive.
Guy - your Makita is nice but I already have a Kapex and they are both too heavy to lug round (I'm getting lazy ) I guess I'll stick to the Carvex and TS 55, although I was wondering about the smallest Mafell.....
Richard

 

[Alan m]

Thanks everyone. I haven't managed to buy one as everywhere in the UK offer next day only ( And I'm only there a day at a time.) Here in France its too expensive.
Guy - your Makita is nice but I already have a Kapex and they are both too heavy to lug round (I'm getting lazy ) I guess I'll stick to the Carvex and TS 55, although I was wondering about the smallest Mafell.....
Richard

im sure one of our fellow fog members in the uk could acept delivery for you and you colect it when you come over. PM a few to see