Cut out a couple hardwood boards?

Question

I installed a hardwood floor this weekend but want to cut out a few boards that I didn't install correctly. They're on the last row and the gap is too wide. It got late (~2am) and I started to make mistakes.

Anyway, I have 3 boards that I want to cut in half, remove the bad half and install a new board properly. I think I want to use something like a Dremel or Rotozip to rip the board so I can remove the bad half.

What's the best tool to cut a hardwood plank? Dremel? Rotozip? I also see that Sears has a 5 amp cutting tool.

thanks,

gary

Answer 1

The best tool for cutting it out is a circular saw, set to the depth of the flooring.  Can you get under the last row with a flat bar?  That would work as well, and be easier to use without s******g up the rest of the floor.  You would need to remove the boards beyond the bad joint anyway, to tighten everything up.  Otherwise, when you install the replacement (row 3), there will now be a gap at row 2, etc.  Good luck.

Answer 2

set a circular saw to the thickness of the board. plunge in to middle of the piece, being careful of kickback, you will have to raise the guard. cut, then pull out sections without breaking the tongue. otherwise, you will have to face nail it, which may be noticeable, if you have to face nail it, use finishing nails

Answer 3

Is it a true hardwood floor with 3/4" planks?  If so, I would pull the nails and start over on the 3 boards.  The thin, engineered type flooring, a dremel or rotozip may work fine, difficult to get a nice straight cut, they tend to move all over.  I can't see that using a dremel on 3/4" hardwood would work out very well.

Answer 4

Use a hammer and sharp chisel to split the middle board and then remove the other two and reinstall