Cutting out flooring close to a wall question

[bandaidmd]

once you buy one of the fein style oscillating tools or a clone you'll really love it and kick yourself for not buying one sooner.

 

[Xfaxman]

I agree with Eddie, I would use a sawsall. Use the right blade, and the right touch if you need to go over any joists, and you will get'her done.

Those multi-tools put on a nice show, but unless you build bird houses, and doll houses, or have all the time in the world, pass on them, and those little Dremmels too.

However, If you spent the money for a multi-tool, and insist on using it for something: If the joists run perpendicular to the cut, cut between the joists with a sawsall, and over the top of the joists with the multi-tool. Easy peasy.

The Dremel multi-tool isn't little, this is the one that I have.

The 3 amp MM45 is sold here: Dremel 3.0-Amp Multi-Max Tool Kit-MM45-01 at The Home Depot

Seems like I saw an adapter to use Bosh blades on it.

Like this one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bosch-OIS00...rg=20131231084308&rk=3&rkt=24&sd=271414309266

 

[aczlan]

I agree with Eddie, I would use a sawsall. Use the right blade, and the right touch if you need to go over any joists, and you will get'her done.
Those multi-tools put on a nice show, but unless you build bird houses, and doll houses, or have all the time in the world, pass on them, and those little Dremmels too.
However, If you spent the money for a multi-tool, and insist on using it for something: If the joists run perpendicular to the cut, cut between the joists with a sawsall, and over the top of the joists with the multi-tool. Easy peasy.

I'll have to disagree. If you need to do a finish quality cut in surface without leaving a "edge" like you do with a sawzall or circular saw (say cutting a baseboard in place or notching a trim board), the multitools are the cats meow.

Aaron Z

 

[GPintheMitten]

I think he just needs to cut the nails with a horizontal cut to free the sub floor. Quality finish cut? Hes tearing down the place in 10 months. I agree the sawzall can be very rough and I'll probably add a multitool to my stable but remember what the OP is trying to get done.

I'll have to disagree. If you need to do a finish quality cut in surface without leaving a "edge" like you do with a sawzall or circular saw (say cutting a baseboard in place or notching a trim board), the multitools are the cats meow.

Aaron Z

 

[downsizingnow48]

Still an interesting thread. During my remodeling days I used a sawzall a lot. But it was never the first tool more likely the last. Slow, rough on the user, ugly cut. For this job running a wormdrive around the walls with a 3/4 inch depth of cut would take about 2 minutes, honestly. Modern carbide blades, especially the ones designed to handle the occasional embedded nail, are wonderful. Then whittle away at anything left if you absolutely need to, leave it alone if you don't. Sistering a 2x6 to give bearing surface would be far easier than chewing away at the last bit of subfloor. Fast and easy has merit considering this is a minimal expenditure job in a house that will be demolished soon. On the oscillating tools, they will do things you just can't do any other way and the Bosch for sure is faster than I would have thought. That is probably worth a thread of its own though.

 

[ray66v]

I'll have to disagree. If you need to do a finish quality cut in surface without leaving a "edge" like you do with a sawzall or circular saw (say cutting a baseboard in place or notching a trim board), the multitools are the cats meow.

Aaron Z

They are useful to some people. So are those little Dremmel things.

But, I have lots of tools, and there are always other options. If I had an actual need for one, such as something that I can't do well without one, I'd use one.

You may get a "finish quality cut" using a multi, but it won't be accurate enough for most things I do.

A sawsall with a fine tooth metal blade, can also make a very smooth cut.

My chop saw, and a 4" grinder with a coarse stone, can quickly, and more importantly, accurately make any cut, back cut, cope, miter, or notch needed on a molding.

I am not envisioning any scenario, where I would ever want to, or need to, cut a baseboard in place. Except for demolition, and that's going to be a job for the good old sawsall again.

 

[Soundguy]

I'll have to disagree. If you need to do a finish quality cut in surface without leaving a "edge" like you do with a sawzall or circular saw (say cutting a baseboard in place or notching a trim board), the multitools are the cats meow.

Aaron Z

i disagree too.

i had to put in a dish washer for a buddy and the old one had all the lines run under the counter top but above everything under the counter top trapping them... that lil multi oscilating tool was the ticket to get power cords and water line and drain line in and out without cuttiing anything. and no room to get a jigsaw up against the underside of the counter at the back wall.

 

[EddieWalker]

I am not envisioning any scenario, where I would ever want to, or need to, cut a baseboard in place. Except for demolition, and that's going to be a job for the good old sawsall again.

I remodel houses for a living and I use my Bosch multi max tool on just about every job. Cutting the trim around the doors so I can get tile under it is fast and simple. Cutting holes into cabinets for an outlet box is quick and easy with very clean results. On the job I'm on right now, I used it quite a bit trimming paneling that was remaining in place next to where I put up new sheetrock. It just melts right through paneling with very little dust. It really is one of those tools that once you have one, you will find all sorts of uses for it that make your life easier. Kind of like a loader. You probably didn't realize how much you would use it before having one, and how you use it for so many other things then just moving dirt.

Eddie

 

[GPintheMitten]

It kills me how these threads get into debates about tractor color, tool brands types etc. Sometimes I wonder if the OP resolves his original issue and the thread lives on and on. Oh well.

 

[downsizingnow48]

It kills me how these threads get into debates about tractor color, tool brands types etc. Sometimes I wonder if the OP resolves his original issue and the thread lives on and on. Oh well.

Well that's true, very true. In this case it is hard to talk about how to do the job without talking about the tools needed. And also true, there are a lot of ways to skin a cat especially in remodeling with usually no definitive best way. Since there are other remodelers on the thread I will outline what I would do based on the info provided which includes this is a house that is going to be demolished and we want a fast cheap job and nobody has mentioned a building inspector:
1. run wormdrive around the walls. 2 minutes.
2. chuck 3/8" holesaw in big drill and cut plugs around every nail holding the subfloor. 10-15 minutes.
3. lift out loose plywood. 10 minutes.
4. forget about the 1 1/2" subfloor remaining. it may be in bad condition in places, but doesnt matter you dont walk on it and the whole thing is going away a few months from now. you just saved a ton of work.
4. with a big framing hammer hit each plug/nail with the claws, it will come out with one good swing. 10 minutes.
5. sister 2x6 nailers where needed. 5 minutes with an air nailer, 10 minutes by hand.
6. cut new plywood to fit, maybe 10-30 minutes depending on size/shape of floor.
7. nail it. 2 minutes with a air nailer, 10 minutes by hand.

You could multiply my time estimates x2 and still the whole job could be done in less time than we have spent talking about it!