View Full Version : Cutting Plywood
geordie97
Apr 12, 2008, 03:31 PM
I am installing the rest of the plywood flooring on the 2nd floor of our house. I have hit a spot where the existing plywood ends about 6" past the stud so when I install the next piece, they will meet over open space. I want to cut the current piece back to the middle of the last stud but don't know how to do it. I have a:
Circular saw
Reciprocating saw
Sabre saw
Ye 'ol hand saw
Any suggestions?
Larry
Fr_Chuck
Apr 12, 2008, 03:38 PM
Remove the current piece and cut it and place it back.
Add a new stud
Mark the exact center of the stud on the plywood, set circular saw to only cut the depth of the plywood and cut the plywood on the floor * some issues with staying square
And I guess what did the old floor do, since you would not have ended flooring over empty space
Scleros
Apr 12, 2008, 04:52 PM
Squareness can be achieved by nailing down a straight guide for the saw to follow.
geordie97
Apr 12, 2008, 07:53 PM
The old floor was just put up there for storage purposes. The board ran about 6" past the stud and we never walked over there anyway. I finally set my circular saw to the right depth and started cutting. Got through about 6' and had another 4' to go. I did the 4' and then couldn't find the stud underneath...yep, I went straight but they stopped the stud at about 6' and then moved the next 1 1/2" by nailing it to the side/end of the first one. So, now I have 6' of board that worked fine and have to do the rest back to the previous stud.
I did think about taking it up and recutting it but most of the screws wouldn't come out as the heads were stripped.
Thanks for the help.
Handynca
Apr 12, 2008, 08:04 PM
New to this forum so I hope I am following the thread correctly. If I am, It sounds as though the simple solution for where they moved the stud over by 1 1/2" would be to "sister" another stud to the one that is set back. This would bring all edging to the same line and you ahould be able to butt your new plywood up to the old and nail/screw to a stud.
Hope that helps...
BTW, "sistering" is nailing/screwing a stud to another side-to-side.
geordie97
Apr 12, 2008, 08:07 PM
Hmm... hadn't thought of that... I will have to look and see if I can get in underneath the board to do that. Good idea. I'm new too!
KISS
Apr 12, 2008, 08:16 PM
There is a really strange drill bit I got at a woodworkers supply store. In my case it was a 1/4" diameter hole saw. What good is that? Well, a countersunk screw broke off on a hinge on a bi-fold door. So, you drill around what's left, remove and glue in a 1/4" dowell, cut flush and Bingo.
A local Woodcraft store had them, but for reference they are here: Make Quick Repairs With Broken Screw Extractors, 1 / 4 Screw Extractor (http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=118-323&search=Core%20Drills)
Slots can also be added to screws using a Dremel tool.
Edit: Link to miniature core drills
geordie97
Apr 13, 2008, 02:11 PM
Well, that trick worked... I pulled up the plywood and cut another 2"x8" and did the "sister" stud trick. Found out that they did that on every stud at about the 1/2 way point in the house. Never noticed it when they were building the house. Only think I had to do was to notch the "sister" board for the gas line, 1 water line and 2 electric lines. Thanks for the idea... wanna come to Memphis and help me do the rest?? ;-)
Handynca
Apr 18, 2008, 11:54 PM
Glad to hear that the solution worked for you... Always nice to get ideas from others and even better when they help!
Good luck and if I can be of service down the road just ask away.
Flying Blue Eagle
Apr 19, 2008, 01:51 AM
Hay youal , listen up - that there is not studs! they are really called floor jouist or ceiling jouist. The floor jouist came over 1/2 the way across the house , then the other jouist went the rest of the way across,but in the middle looked like they were sistered in because they were set side by side and nailed on the ends in centered of house. This is probably the area you are talking about!! Now remember that STUDS are VERTICAL AND is what is inside the wallsAND the ones on the floor or ceiling running horzinal are called FLOOR JOUIST OR CEILING JOUIST > YOU ALL DID SUPER WITH YOUR ADVISE THOUGH< AND WAS CORRECT< LESSON FROM 48 years exp. Have a good day & GOD BLESS ::: F.B.E.