Thread: Access Hatch through Polished Timber Floor

Are you able to go through a wardrobe or such,maybe in the laundry,under a bed,somewhere that will not be so visible?

I had a similar problem for a different reason, came to the conclusion that it would be impossible to hide, I used a triple chip circular saw, and just packed the ends out with some thin strips, you can't see it now because I cut in a corner of the room and now there is a china cupboard sitting on top

Reciprocating saw. Hard joists no problem, nails no problem, electrical cables no problem, plumbing no problem. A million blades to choose from, just pick to suit your mood.

Cordless circular saws tend to have 1.6 or 1.8mm kerf blades, I don't think anyone would pick on a gap that size and it's by far the best way to get a straight cut.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

Cordless circular saws tend to have 1.6 or 1.8mm kerf blades, I don't think anyone would pick on a gap that size and it's by far the best way to get a straight cut.

Agreed,
Just remember there may be some tension in the boards when you cut them open.
And finish with a hand held saw in the corners.

Use a combination of a circular saw, but because the blade is round, finish the cuts with your Fein Multitool. If you can do it in a place which is not likely to be seen.

One hatch is cut, secure boards together on the underside, build a frame on the remaining floor boards so the cut piece can be dropped back in place.

Agree with the last posts, use a straight edge if you don’t have a track saw and cut with a thin kerf blade and finish corners with a multi tool

We had 6 of these hatches cut into the floors by previous owners. Rough as guts, over length crooked circular cuts along the mid line of the joists, then the boards were just ripped up and just laid down in the same spots. Being under carpet this did not matter until we ripped the carpets up and went for polished boards. Two of the hatchways in the middle of the passage I sealed shut and replaced them with floor hatches inside a built in kitchen cupboard and one inside a built in wardrobe. The other 4 are in corners of rooms so you don't really see them.

I found it easier to cut along the mid line of the joists just a mm or so shy of the nails so then you don't need a frame on the the remaining boards. When you pull the cut boards up you may break a tongue or groove edge or two but you can glue these back on and then just glue the hatch boards together as a panel. To allow the panel to easily fit back into its original spot you have to remove the last lower groove edge on the panel.

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

I want a "joinery standard" of finish rather than bush carpentry. What are my options?

Option 3 - Use Jigsaw.
Drill two opposing corner holes and insert jigsaw blade. Doubts as to whether jigsaw can cut accurately enough. Perhaps combine with Option 2 above.

this would be my choice -- assuming you have a good jig saw and the appropriate blades you can plunge cut removing the need to drill starter holes.

Perhaps guide the saw with a batten


BUT
if you can locate the hatches under the fridge or stove, furniture or floor rugs -- then it's even better

I would make the cut along the joist with a circular saw at the first joist out from a wall. That way the boards can be replaced closing the kerf and the other end will be under the skirting board. Number/mark boards so they go back in the same order. Like others have said use a strait edge to guide the saw and get the last corner bits with the miltitool.
Seeing as the underfloor space is all closed in a blower to supply ventilation would be a good safety measure while anyone is down there.
Regards
John

Originally Posted by ian

this would be my choice -- assuming you have a good jig saw and the appropriate blades you can plunge cut removing the need to drill starter holes.

One problem with ant through cut method is it's not possible to cut along joists.
Then a supporting frame has to be added under the fixed floorboards thereby making the hole narrower.

Originally Posted by nrb

Are you able to go through a wardrobe or such,maybe in the laundry,under a bed,somewhere that will not be so visible?

Hi NRB

Unfortunately not; putting a trapdoor in a built-in wardrobe was my first thought.

In half the house the crawl space is only about 400 mm, and the other half it is about 1200 mm. I am no longer flexible enough slip through a hatch into a 400 mm crawl space.

This forces the hatch into a very public part of the house. At present I am fighting a rear guard retreat against ripping up remaining carpets until underfloor insulation is installed. There is a limit to how long I can delay....


Cheers

Graeme

Originally Posted by rustynail

Reciprocating saw. Hard joists no problem, nails no problem, electrical cables no problem, plumbing no problem. A million blades to choose from, just pick to suit your mood.

Hi Rusty

Please refer to my reference about "bush carpentry" .....


Cheers

Graeme

I know what you mean about not having the ability to bend to get in there,some time ago I needed to get under my house,problems,I worked with a guy who was not very tall in fact he used to buy clothes that jockeys had grown out of and needed to to have the legs taken up to suit him (I Hope you get how short he was)
He was a good friend and we joked about his height but he sure helped me