Want to lay out slate laminate flooring

[mAdMaLuDaWg]

So I purchased these http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053 slate laminate flooring to cover the entrance area of my apartment. I was thinking of hiring a contractor to lay it out, but the area in question is such a small one (about 12 sq ft) that I was thinking about doing it myself.

The flooring is very easy to install, it snaps together and requires no padding/glue. However, what I don't know how to do is to cut the slate laminate for the ends of the floor which make up 1/4th of a slab of flooring. Further more there is a tiny heater pipe at one corner that I will have to accomodate.

I've talked to a few people and what I'd need is a tile cutter, jig saw, and a wet saw. I do have a jigsaw handy but I'd need to rent the other two things. I have no experience operating anything except a jigsaw.

How feasible is it for a n00b to do all of this?

 

[vi edit]

I'm not understanding where the tile cutter and wet saw come into play? It's not real slate. It's a wood product. Can you provide a picture of your floor?

 

[mAdMaLuDaWg]

Floor pic
Thats mostly my floor along with a slab of flooring and there is a closet to the right I would like to cover as well. The square area you see in the picture is around 12 sqft and the closet is a total of around 5 sq ft.

The flooring is not a wood byproduct btw.

 

[Capt Caveman]

It's laminate flooring that looks like slate. You need a miter saw to cut it, not a tile or wet saw.

 

[iGas]

Cut with a circular saw, radio arm saw, table saw, scroll saw, or jig saw.

It is possible to rent a guillotine for laminate floor if you don't have the above tool/s.

 

[mAdMaLuDaWg]

It's laminate flooring that looks like slate. You need a miter saw to cut it, not a tile or wet saw.

As you see, I'm totally ignorant about this stuff.... which makes me think that this job is well over my head.

 

[mAdMaLuDaWg]

Cut with a circular saw, radio arm saw, table saw, scroll saw, or jig saw.

It is possible to rent a guillotine for laminate floor if you don't have the above tool/s.

You really think a jig would be able to cut through it. The material is very very sturdy.

 

[iGas]

You really think a jig would be able to cut through it. The material is very very sturdy.

yes

 

[vi edit]

A jig saw will cut through cement fiber board and metal. It'll cut through laminate too. Just buy some decent quality fine toothed wood blades for a clean, precise cut and you'll be fine.

 

[mugs]

Cut with a circular saw, radio arm saw, table saw, scroll saw, or jig saw.

It is possible to rent a guillotine for laminate floor if you don't have the above tool/s.

That would be a radial arm saw. But the OP is much more likely to be able to come by a table saw or a miter saw. A circular saw would be fine if he can cut straight. The miter saw would need to be able to do a 12" cut, so he'd need a sliding miter saw (possibly a 12" sliding miter saw). Table saw would probably be the best tool for the job. Or he could just use a hand saw since it's such a small job.

 

[mAdMaLuDaWg]

A jig saw will cut through cement fiber board and metal. It'll cut through laminate too. Just buy some decent quality fine toothed wood blades for a clean, precise cut and you'll be fine.

What worries me is maneuvering around the edges and the protruding parts of the wall that transition into the closet. The very last row is 1/4th the size of a slab and I'd need to cut a straight line through a slab of laminate (46.3 in) which I think would be very hard to do with just a jig, right? It would have been much easier if the flooring came as individual tiles. I really don't have the slighest clue on how to go about cutting irregular shapes into the flooring.

 

[iGas]

What worries me is maneuvering around the edges and the protruding parts of the wall that transition into the closet. The very last row is 1/4th the size of a slab and I'd need to cut a straight line through a slab of laminate (46.3 in) which I think would be very hard to do with just a jig, right? It would have been much easier if the flooring came as individual tiles. I really don't have the slighest clue on how to go about cutting irregular shapes into the flooring.

Don't you mean that you have to rip along the laminate length of 46"?
Ripping is best to be done with table saw, or circular saw with rip guide, however you can free hand it because the edges are going to be cover by 5/8" or wider molding. 1/4 round or shoes molding can also be added to take up any oops that you may make.

PS. Isn't the laminate requires 1/4"-1/2" expansion, hence the requirement for molding?

 

[vi edit]

A couple clamps and a straight edge and you can cut a pretty straight line with a jig saw. When it comes to cutting out odd pieces/angles then there isn't a better tool for the job. Your cut should go along the wall/edge where you should be using a baseboard or quarter round to cover up any oopsies.

 

[iGas]

Another option is to measure out the pieces that you need, then get HD to cut it to size. The service shouldn't be expensive.