Chipboard floor repairs

[Hardgrafter]

Whats the easiest way to cut out and remove a small area of 22mm chipboard(say 300mm x 600mm) that has broken (not fallen through yet thankfully). Probably the 3mm ply on top (under the Vinyl tiles) is holding it up!
I plan to put noggins under the repaired area in order to support it better.

Do I

1) Use a plunge saw (expensive, as I don't have one)
2) Drill 4 x 10mm holes in corner of area, and use a jig saw
3) Use a 80mm small circular saw (don't have one yet)
4) Use a normal 150mm circular saw
5) Use a manual floorboard saw (about £7.50 in Wickes).

No pipes under the area.

[meldrewlives]

The small Worx circular saw is a great tool for the sort of job you are talking about:-

http://tinyurl.com/jzebcxh

[Stonge]

I second that: the Worx saw is a great tool.

[redsturgeon]

If you have a jigsaw you can use the technique of starting the saw with the blade at an angle on the chipboard and slowly swinging it down into the wood, no drilling necessary. Shown below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2EXiiecWh8

The floorboard saws also work fine, just a bit more sweat required.

John

[jfgw]

A circular saw set to the correct depth would cut the boards without cutting into anything-else (including joists, pipes and cables). The main downside is dust but it may be possible to attach a vacuum cleaner hose.

That Worx looks a handy piece of kit for that sort of thing. I guess that the depth is adjustable and, with a smaller blade, you don't have to cut so far beyond the piece you are taking out.

Normally, a circular saw is adjusted so that just the teeth protrude from the other side of the cut. With floorboards, it is often better to set the blade so that the teeth do not protrude so that you do not cut into anything underneath.

Julian F. G. W.

[Wizard]

If you don't have a plunge saw and want one then keep an eye on Lidl as they occasionally do one and I have heard it is very good value for money. I have the Makita SP600 which is excellent, but if I had my choice now I would probably stump up for the Festool TS55 as I like the in built riving knife.

That Worx saw looks good. But if you have a jig saw I would just go for option 2. However, if you are then looking to replace it I suggest you need to form a reasonably square edge to butt the replacement piece up against, so I would think you will want some short of straight edge to run the saw against.

The one thing I would not be doing is trying to plunge a normal circular saw through the board.

Terry.

[Pheidippides]

Hi,

1) Use a plunge saw (expensive, as I don't have one)
2) Drill 4 x 10mm holes in corner of area, and use a jig saw
3) Use a 80mm small circular saw (don't have one yet)
4) Use a normal 150mm circular saw
5) Use a manual floorboard saw (about £7.50 in Wickes).

If you want to minimize your spend then I would go for option 2 and you only need drill one hole on any edge and then tidy up the corners afterwards

Regards

Pheid

[IsleofWightPete]

Do I

1) Use a plunge saw (expensive, as I don't have one)
2) Drill 4 x 10mm holes in corner of area, and use a jig saw
3) Use a 80mm small circular saw (don't have one yet)
4) Use a normal 150mm circular saw
5) Use a manual floorboard saw (about £7.50 in Wickes).

I think you are approaching this all wrong.
The correct question is: What tool do I most want to add to my collection?
Then we can advise if that tool can somehow be persuaded to do this job.

[jfgw]

I think you are approaching this all wrong.
The correct question is: What tool do I most want to add to my collection?

There are presumably four cuts to do. Let us know which of your four new tools works best.

Don't forget to include a Fein Multimaster. Lidl and Aldi often have similar tools for a fraction of the price.

Julian F. G. W.

[Dorn1]

I've often gone with the adage that: if I need a special tool once, I'll need it again and hence buy a descent-ish one!
Circular saw set to correct (minimum) depth is the best option, but you will need to do each side from each end to get neat corners. But even a modest hole drilled to start off a jigsaw is covered by the carpet of floor covering in most cases (lino can print through, but doesn't sound like you have any!)

Glue & screw plates round the edges if proper noggins are hard to properly fit (ie with descent screws in to the joists).

And if all else fails: a bit of filler is your friend!
HTH
C

[Hardgrafter]

Thanks for all the opinions / help.
I'll be doing the work tomorrow, and will go for the jig saw option, using a straight edge to assist in alignment.
Its only a temporary fix until we put in a new bathroom and floor. Sometime.

Will report back!

[jfgw]

...and will go for the jig saw option, using a straight edge to assist in alignment.

I suggest a trial run first. Use a new blade. You may well find that the blade veers off and, potentially, gets bent in the process.

Julian F. G. W.

[Hardgrafter]

I used 12 mm holes and jigsaw. Was easy as the affected area (only 300 x 100mm) was rotten on the top, from a historic flood about 30 years ago. The fllor had also expanded in thickness in that area. So cut the area out, and fitted ledges of 4 x 2 under the edges of the good area, and fixed new 22mm chipboard to that. Works well.