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Cutting a circular hole in laminate flooring across 2 planks

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Oct 6, 2010
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Cutting a circular hole in laminate flooring across 2 planks

I have to cut a 2 1/2" hole into laminate flooring across two planks. What tool should I use that will not destroy the boards? Tried the google but couldn't find much.

EDIT: These planks are not installed, I'm cutting a hole for a drain.
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Deal Guru
Feb 9, 2006
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Brampton
koffey wrote: I have to cut a 2 1/2" hole into laminate flooring across two planks. What tool should I use that will not destroy the boards? Tried the google but couldn't find much.
The key is to prevent the pieces from moving and then hole saw with fine teeth.

So clamps a lot of clamps

Alternative option is like a band saw going real slow and then sanding it to smooth it.
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tebore wrote: The key is to prevent the pieces from moving and then hole saw with fine teeth.

So clamps a lot of clamps

Alternative option is like a band saw going real slow and then sanding it to smooth it.
I thought of this, I don't have a 2 1/2 so I would have to buy it. I really didn't want to buy anything just for this one hole. lol

What do you think about a jig and sanding?
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Brampton
koffey wrote: I thought of this, I don't have a 2 1/2 so I would have to buy it. I really didn't want to buy anything just for this one hole. lol

What do you think about a jig and sanding?
Ive never had a steady enough hand for a jigsaw And fine work. Lol
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tebore wrote: Ive never had a steady enough hand for a jigsaw. Lol
I'm doing this obviously on test planks, but will test it and let you know.

:thumbsup:
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Oct 25, 2014
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if you dont' want to buy a hole saw just for that, trace the line and cut it with a bandsaw? (or a jigsaw if you don't have a bandsaw, or a a handsaw if you have neither)

Should be fairly easy if the plank are not installed yet.
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Jan 5, 2003
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You don't need it very clean, right? Like a vanity sink or something will go on top?

Oscillating multi-tool would be good for fine work like this and you can use it for many other things around the house. Because there's no sawing motion like with a jigsaw or other saws, you can even just hand hold the board with one hand and the tool in the other. The oscillating motion won't rip/tear the laminate like other saws.
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jm1 wrote: You don't need it very clean, right? Like a vanity sink or something will go on top?

Oscillating multi-tool would be good for fine work like this and you can use it for many other things around the house. Because there's no sawing motion like with a jigsaw or other saws, you can even just hand hold the board with one hand and the tool in the other. The oscillating motion won't rip/tear the laminate like other saws.
Nothing on top. It's for the clean out in the basement, but I'll be cutting a piece to go over it. I would prefer it to be as clean as I can get it. I can touch it up provided the damage isn't too great. The only oscillating tool I have is a dremel. I don't really know if it would be powerful enough to cut through. Will give that a shot too since I have nothing to loose.

It's located in the mechanical room/gym.
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koffey wrote: Nothing on top. It's for the clean out in the basement, but I'll be cutting a piece to go over it. I would prefer it to be as clean as I can get it. I can touch it up provided the damage isn't too great. The only oscillating tool I have is a dremel. I don't really know if it would be powerful enough to cut through. Will give that a shot too since I have nothing to loose.

It's located in the mechanical room/gym.
For most people a "Dremel" is a rotary tool and that's too small for the job. Just google "oscillating multi tool" to know what I mean. Dremel also makes an oscillating multi tool (they call it a Multi Max), but I'm guessing you mean Dremel's rotary tool.
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Dec 25, 2007
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GTA
you can cut with a jigsaw, just undercut it and then you can either sand it out to the correct diameter or make small additional cuts
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Way Out of GTA
Sounds like you gotta cough up some dough and get something if you want a clean cut guy!
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Dec 17, 2007
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you don't have to cut a round hole just because the cleanout is round. You could cut a square out.

Whichever tool you use, put tape over the laminate before you cut, it'll help to minimize chipping
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Jan 25, 2007
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Paris
Whenever I run into a situation like this I buy the right sized hole saw, then I have it for next time. I’m now building my 5”+ collection.

Ask a neighbour... someone will have one. I think I have a 2.5” Forstner bit even.
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Sep 25, 2003
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Scarborough
Even with a hole saw, the cutter can run on you and cause more damage on the surface if you’re not careful when it starts entering the material.

If you don’t want to spend money on a cutter, I would put some masking tape over your desired cut, draw the circle over the two boards, clamp and just cut it out with a jigsaw or
by hand with a coping saw or keyhole saw.
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Whitby
Laminate flooring can be really hard, that makes it brittle and easy to chip. There are blades that cut on the downstroke made for laminate, that way it doesn't pull up and chip.

You can accomplish the same by flipping the board over....best to use a fine tooth blade made for metal.
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Zamboni wrote: Laminate flooring can be really hard, that makes it brittle and easy to chip. There are blades that cut on the downstroke made for laminate, that way it doesn't pull up and chip.

You can accomplish the same by flipping the board over....best to use a fine tooth blade made for metal.
Bosch makes a reverse cut jig saw blade that’s pretty good. Think I’ve seen it at RONA, might be t-shank.

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Score the laminate with a knife before cutting.

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