Replies

1. 
   Eef | Jan 27, 2010 02:54pm | #1

   hi ray,

   one might do this using a router. cut close to a line free-hand and then set up a fence for the router base to ride against. the fence should not move, of course. a long framing timber with a straight edge, wedged between the walls will work as will double-sided tape on the bottom of your fence. more than likely you're gonna hit some nails so you may want to use a cheap hss bit. also, the fein multi master machine will work without the need for a fence.

   i would also not hesitate to use a portable circular saw and i would feel ok cutting with, or without, a fence.

   let us know how it goes.

   eef

2. 
   bones | Jan 27, 2010 03:55pm | #2

   The Festool TS55. Go to 1:30 of this video and you will see. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zpAKpw_aZc

   She starts and stops where you want, and you contol the depth of cut.

1. 
   Eef | Jan 27, 2010 05:07pm | #3

   oy bones!

   pero, necesita mucho dinero, que no?

   eef

3. 
   tommac | Jan 27, 2010 09:07pm | #4

   Ray: I installed a "picture frame" border around our fireplace hearth (The original heart pine flooring was installed to butt directly against the hearth stones). I used a long straight edge secured to the floor and cut the existing floor to within 3-inches of the hearth using a router. I stopped short of the corners and cleaned those up with a chisel. Prior to installing the "picture frame" I cut a rabbet along the edge of the flooring to lock the parts together. I did have some problems with nails that happen to line up perfectly with where I needed to cut. The mitered corners were installed with biscuits. The frame was secured with screws w plugs made out of a contrasting wood...came out nice.

4. 
   Quickstep | Jan 27, 2010 09:27pm | #5

   I assume that the flooring runs parrallel with the hearth face? If so, you really only need to cut the sides if the depth of the hearth can be at an even break with the flooring. If you plunge the festool as shown in the video, you'll go through the subfloor as well. If that's desirable, so much the better but if not, maybe a router would give you better depth control. I'd set up a guide for the router and finish the corners with a Multimaster. I think I'd try to find where the nails are using a magnet or metal finder and see if it's possible to avoid them. If they trash your router bit, it might also cause it to steer off course, ruining your cut. Trying to carve a piece of flooring out from under a baseboard will be a pain. T'were it me, I think I'd just plan to remove and re-install the base. I think it will be easier in the long run. Once you get the flooring removed, with the hearth area be trimmed out with mitered pieces? If so, the trim might provide an opportunity to disguise and errant cut. One more question - Is this flooring unfinished or pre-finished? If the latter, you will also need to be careful not to scratch or chip the finish with whatever tool you end up using in addition to making sure you don't cause tearout on the board. Lastly, if you have spare materials, the very best result might be acheived by pulling up the last several courses of flooring and re-doing the right way.