Crane Floor Cutter Things

Mike Finley

Looks like I might finally have to buy one of those crane hardwood floor cutters now.

So you can run them absolutely flush against a toe kick?

Do you have to worry about scratching the toe kick at all?

What's the scoop on these things and tricks you need to know or watch out for?

angus242

Mike,

While not as heavy duty, I like this for flush cutting:


You are able to angle it a bit better if you really need to get something flush. The problem with the Crane is you cannot get closer than the shroud allows.

I'll admit, the Crane is vastly superior if you need to do a lot of cutting. However, the Bosch is nice, the replacement blades aren't too expensive and you can flip the blade to get into both right and left situations.

Just an alternative idea if you don't need heavy duty.

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Mike Finley

Yep, I've got a couple of those. Great for undercutting casing and stuff, but I'm afraid that would tear the hell out the toe kicks with the blade going back and forth right against them the whole time. Even taped off.

I think it's the crane thing for this job, got about 50 linear feet to cut against.

loneframer

For the "one and done" enthusiast, HF has these at $40, marked down from $70.

Attached Images

 

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SLSTech

Stick with the Crain - they last forever (until yours goes missing )

Scratching on Toe Kicks - not that I ever noticed, you could put blue tape on it if your really worried / real expensive piece

T&T's - just use steady equal pressure & let the saw do the work - unless you rock it, it is pretty well flush

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plazaman

i bought the 820 i think jamb saw, works well.

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OGStilts

50 feet of toe kick! That's not a bathroom, that's a locker room.

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Mike Finley

A kitchen.

SLSTech

For 50' only - go rent one, make sure the front end is clean & not damaged

I would probably say that after you use it, you will probably want to buy one. Nothing against FEIN's, etc... they just can't keep up (Unfortunatly, you will still need a FEIN in the corners though)

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Mike Finley

I've been reading up on these things on the internets and it appears this thing is one dangerous mama-jama. Nasty kick back issues.
Read one guy lost a finger, another almost lost his toes.

Everybody still got their digits?

loneframer

I never used one, but the first time I saw one, the kickback was the first thought to run through my mind. There is an awful lot of offset between the blade and the handle.

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PrecisionFloors

Blue tape the toe kick if you are concerned about scratches, Mike. Be VERY careful, the kick back issue is definitely real. Also, it will not reach all the way into inside corners. I use my Supercut for finishing those off. Pick up an extra blade just to have it on hand.

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Cdat

Yes, test it on some old scrap first so you get a feel on how it does kick back, so it don't suprise you when it does. Also, remove the shroud.

ChrWright

I've used my hardwood guy's a few times and agree they are dangerous mamas. I have a crane back cut saw as well I hardly ever use anymore. Once the blade gets dull from cutting into one too many nails they are a handful.

I've switched to using the Bosch for the most part--but for a toe kick the crane is probably the best route. Just make sure you protect your eyes and don't expect it to cut very fast.

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neolitic

I taped a piece of vinyl
notebook cover on the shroud
to protect stained oak base
when I rented one.
I wouldn't trust very many guys
to use one and not do damage
to someone or something.

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Mike Finley

And keep your face really close to it while using it...

shanekw1

A buddy of mine stuck a 4" circ. saw blade onto his angle grinder and created a contraption that looked and acted MANY times more dangerous than that little thing.

Craziest cutting I ever did see.

Don't try it.

(unless you're really crazy)

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CScalf

indeed

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Cdat

Well, since the blade is under the edge, why worry? What are you worried you'll cut?

Mike Finley

Body parts?