Allure cutting tools ?

What do you all use to cut Allure planks with? Especially when you have to make a long linear cut. Cutting with a razor knife is doable but really slow. There has to be an easy way to slice through those thick vinyl planks. Has anyone ever used a table saw to make a long cut ? --68.63.xxx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Dodge [PA]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 6:49 AM
Message:

Tin snips for long cuts and corners. Old school heavy duty paper cutter for the short cuts. --174.200.xx.x

Allure cutting tools ? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 7:13 AM
Message:

Dodge,

Tin snips are too slow. There has to be another quicker way. Think 600 sq. feet of Allure and your walls/corners are not square. Long linear 'angle cuts' are the norm here.

--68.63.xxx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by WMH [NC]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 7:24 AM
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DH just uses a sharp utility knife. --72.84.xxx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Jeff [OH]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 7:32 AM
Message:

I purchased from Home Depot several years ago what looks like a small paper cutter. Here is the Model #: 30002, Sku #: 729019. Works great. --142.54.xx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Steve [MA]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 7:57 AM
Message:

Roy for the glue style Allure I use my VCT cutter for the cross cuts, a jig saw with a downward blade for weird shapes & a table saw for rip cuts.

The thicker click together Allure is too thick for my VCT cutter so I use a miter saw with at least a 50 tooth blade for cross cuts. A jig saw & table saw work fine for the other cuts. --96.237.xx.xx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 8:28 AM
Message:

Steve,

Using a table saw for rip cuts is what I was thinking too, however, I don't own a table saw (not yet). Before I purchase my first table saw, I just want to make sure a table saw for rip cuts is the best tool.

Yesterday, my new handyman laid 300 sq. ft of Allure in 2 bedrooms in which each corner was 2-3 inches out of square. He did most of the work but I ended up helping him since all he had was tin snips/razor knife for cutting which was just too slow. Again, there has to be a quicker or more efficient way to cut Allure than using just sharp hand tools that require strong hand muscles.

I am paying my new handyman by the hour so you can understand my need for a 'speedy job'. It took 5 hours yesterday to lay 300 sq. ft of Allure. How long does it take you to lay 300 Sq. ft of Allure? --68.63.xxx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by elliot [RI]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 8:42 AM
Message:

I have laid thousands of squares of glue-together allure.. I have a paper cut like tool for cross cut and 4' meter level and razor blade for long cut and odd shaped corner.. You score twice, you can break the allure with long cut.

For 2 bedrooms, 5 hours is decent (if you paid him $20 an hour, it is worth the $100 ). He will be sore at the end of the day.

I consider myself handy and efficient and can lay 300 sqft in 2 to 3 hours if not too many odd shaped corner cuts.. --71.232.xxx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 9:27 AM
Message:

Elliot,

Yep, you guessed right...$20.00/hour is what I am paying him. An additional 300 sq. ft will be laid next weekend. My sub-floors in those two additional rooms will need Luan first before any Allure can be laid (it is spelled Laid, Layed, or what in this usage?) Where is Sid the former English teacher when you need him? --68.63.xxx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Oregonwoodsmoke [ID]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 9:33 AM
Message:

We use a chop saw with an ultra fine blade for the end cuts.

A box cutter for whittling and shaping around odd areas and the box cutter and a metal ruler with score and snap for long cuts.

I agree that the box cutter, which is what is recommended for cutting is hard work. I buy a better quality box cutter that is more comfortable to handle, but it is still a tough material to cut. Which, so far, makes it more difficult for the tenant to damage it. --98.146.xxx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 9:41 AM
Message:

Oregon,

Allure is a great flooring products for Class C tenants, however, it can be damaged with cigarette burns like my last tenant did. That is when using a razor knife to cut out a damaged plank(s) comes in real handy. I use double stick carpet tape to re-install the new plank back in. --68.63.xxx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Barb [MO]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 10:27 AM
Message:

My son, a handyman and I did 5600 sq ft last summer with no more than a razor knife, snips and t-square. We find that scoring 2-3 times with a sharp blade does the job most of the time. This includes where a rip cut is needed. Even I can do that.

I looked at other options, but find that so long as we change the blade frequently we really don’t need it. --64.251.xxx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by JR [ME]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 11:27 AM
Message:

Roy. I use an old fashion hook end carpet knife to score the long and short cuts against a metal square to keep the line straight. Two scores with the knife and then snap the allure apart. Easy peasy, no table saw required --174.192.xx.xx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Hoosier [IN]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 1:29 PM
Message:

Yes I've used a table saw...it works but throws rubber pieces around. The utility knife is not slow...buy a 3' straight edge and zip the cuts out quickly. Make 4-5 lighter cuts, don't try to cut all the way through in one swipe. --99.92.xxx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 3:08 PM
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Use the drywall cutter knife, cut the line on the good side and snap - presto 2 pieces. --76.188.xxx.xx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 4:42 PM
Message:

Apparently the razor utility knife is the tool of choice here. Has anyone had an accident and sliced through their fingers yet? My day is coming if I continue to cut Allure with a razor blade knife. --68.63.xxx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 5:26 PM
Message:

Keep the angle low meaning below 45 degrees, use a section of luan as a guide - the factory edge for your long cuts,short cuts can be a speed square, once you get a few in the rear view mirror you will be doing a room or 2 in a morning. --76.188.xxx.xx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Busy [WI]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 5:31 PM
Message:

Not cutting Allure, cutting a piece of vinyl trim around a window. Changed the blade and made a perfect surgical incision to the middle finger of my left hand. Took a cflap slightly larger than size of a dime, down deep. Urgent care didn’t expect the flap to survive, but, the cut was so perfect, the blood vessels lined back up and perfumed. Doctor glued the flap down rather than stitches. Left me with a bump in that hand, but no other damage. Not my finest move!

I use a circular saw track guide when I have ripcuts on plywood, or when ripping wider pieces of lumber. That might work for rip cuts on Allure. But, the track systems are expensive enough, especially since I leave the track plate in a circular saw, that a portable table saw would be almost same money. --172.56.xx.xx

Allure cutting tools ? (by gevans [SC]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 9:28 PM
Message:

Use the Bullet Laminate cutter for all end cuts. It is very fast, will not wear you out, and leaves ZERO residue to hide under your new floor. You will not regret this purchase. lowes.com/pd/bullet-tools-9-in-floor-cutter/1000162627?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-tol-_-bing-_-pla-_-216-_-soshandtools-_-1000162627-_-0&kpid&k_clickID=bi_272560521_1310618047597310_81913665540946_pla-4585513246603565_c_&msclkid=e43dd625af911135458c8aea23540abe

For straight rip cuts, I typically use a table saw. But you can make them with a 4 foot level and a straight edge, again with no residue. Score twice, break it once. If you have a metal trim break, use that to effortlessly snap the long rip cuts. --69.80.xx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Busy [WI]) Posted on: May 5, 2019 10:08 PM
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I saw a Skil flooring saw that looks interesting. --70.92.xxx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by CX [WA]) Posted on: May 6, 2019 1:29 AM
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Utility knife w/ sharp blade, score a few times, snap! Clean, easy, and precise. Change to a new blade frequently.

LOOK at where the blade is going and keep your fingers away! --71.212.xxx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Mickie [OH]) Posted on: May 6, 2019 7:02 AM
Message:

For traffic master utility knife and for long cuts down the plank length wise I use a drywall T square to keep the cut true. I lay it on the the underlayment when I cut and I leave an 1/8 gap at the wall. That let's it expand and contract. Then I put my baseboard trim down. I keep some spare planks aside so when I'm faced with a burn mark on a plank or deep gouge in a plank or two in the middle of the floor I can take a heat gun to soften the offending planks glue strip, pop it out and put the replacement in. By scoring on the face of the plank even lengthwise I can start the snap from one end of the plank and work it the rest of the way down. --174.233.x.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Steve [MA]) Posted on: May 6, 2019 7:15 AM
Message:

Roy, I keep a deck of plastic playing cards with my flooring tools. I use stacks 2 cards high to temporarily space the baseboard above the floor. I find that this in conjunction with the gap I leave between the flooring & the wall allows the vinyl flooring to move without buckling. --96.237.xx.xx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Live The Dream [AZ]) Posted on: May 6, 2019 1:45 PM
Message:

Roy - might want to get a pair of Kevlar gloves if you are concerned about slipping and having an accident. I don't know how effective they are if there's a lot of pressure on the blade. But cops wear similar so they don't get stuck by needles and such.

Besides, you have ten fingers, how many do you really need? ;)

www.homedepot.com/b/Clothing-Footwear-Workwear-Work-Gloves/Kevlar-(100)/N-5yc1vZc260Z1z17ldb

- --47.216.xx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by Greg [MO]) Posted on: May 13, 2019 1:35 AM
Message:

We have used all the methods listed, like everyone above. But I agree with gevans the Bullet Laminate cutter for all end cuts is amazing.

We have also ordered the Bullet Vinyl Glider for rip cuts but hasn't came in yet.

www.bullettools.com/flooring/bullet-vinyl-glider/

It will also be handy for cutting extra 'glue' strips from scrap Vinyl Plank Flooring - Grip Strip to change direction or just a fresh glue strip.

Works great using this tool and a heat gun or hair dryer. --192.129.xxx.xxx

Allure cutting tools ? (by gevans [SC]) Posted on: May 13, 2019 12:36 PM
Message:

Thanks for the info Greg! I'll be ordering the bullet glider. --69.80.xx.xx

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