Actually I hadn't thought of string myself. My big issue currently is making sure I can cut a straight line using the guide that came with my jig saw. Hell my wife isn't perfect at following the line and she can see fine. I think what I need to do is use a small clamp and make sure my straight edge is as perfect as I can get it, then I use my scratch-all on the back side of the laminate, and then I line my saw up as best I can and just keep checking to be sure the blade is tracking straight. Our first piece was off some, but instead of tossing it, I cut it differently for another use and so didn't have to waste a piece. I'm sure I'll end up wasting something yet. grin
On Jun 13, 2008, at 9:53 AM, Michael Baldwin wrote: > Thanks, never thought of the string idea. Not sure why not, but oh > well. > I got to let my wood sit a week or so before installing it. that > gives me > time to track down a floor stapler. Those things are not cheap to buy. > Michael > > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected] > ] > On Behalf Of Dale Leavens > Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 12:07 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] Hardwood flooring > > If you intend it to run full length along the hall and through the > bed rooms > I suggest you use a long string with a nail at each end and draw it > tight > from one bedroom wall to the next passing along the hall and then by > trial > and error adjust the position of the nails until the string runs > straight > and true and hopefully parallel either to the bedroom walls and the > hall or > mostly the hall making what ever minimal compromises you must in the > rooms. > There will be furniture in the rooms to hide some of the > imperfections but > not along the hall so, parallel lines along the hall will be most > obvious or > maybe I should say, non-parallel lines will become obvious. > > Usually the best appearance is to have the boards running in the > longest > direction of any room or corridor. Once you establish your desired > line you > might want to temporarily nail down a course of strapping or other > edge in > line with the string since it probably passes through doors and > therefore is > offset from the wall or you could tap a nail into the floor in the > hall some > multiple of the width of the boards then establish the ends of the > string so > the string passes the nails in the corridor thus establishing a > straight > line an exact number of boards from the wall. > > You could and probably should divide the width of the hall by the > width of > the boards and calculate the exact starting point for the first row to > evenly divide the same board width at either side of the hall and > establish > your line that way but that is likely extreme and unnecessary. > Certainly I > have yet to have been that extreme but my standard isn't necessarily > the > only one. > > Anyway, a string is a good way I have found to establish your > beginning > reference line. > > Hope this is useful. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Michael Baldwin > To: blindhandyman@ <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com> > yahoogroups.com > Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2008 8:54 PM > Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Hardwood flooring > > Okay, > Those that have installed hardwood flooring, what things did you do > to make > sure your first row was straight and square? I am installing it in 2 > bedrooms, and it will pass through a hall way, about 400 sqft in > all. The > wall that I am sure is the straightest and most square is not in a > good > place to start from. Another person on here, Scott, I think is > installing > snap together flooring, but I do not recall this question being > asked or > answered. > Thanks, > Michael > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.3.0/1499 - Release Date: > 6/12/2008 > 7:13 AM > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > Scott Howell [EMAIL PROTECTED] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
