Cutting decking planks in place

**woodmark** · 15th May 2010, 02:36 PM

I'm doing some repairs on my timber deck, which has standard size 86x19 hardwood decking planks (spotted gum, I think). To access the joists, some of which need replacing, I've been using a circular saw to cut across the decking planks. But what I'd really like is a tool that can cut across a single plank cleanly at a fixed depth without disturbing the planks next to it.

A router of some description would seem to fit the bill, but I'm really not sure what size or type or brand I should be looking at. Something small, I would think, but with enough power to cut hardwood cleanly. I suspect this is a problem that has been solved many times over, so I thought I'd join the forum to draw on your collective wisdom.

Any tips or advice welcome!

Cheers,

-Mark

**TermiMonster** · 15th May 2010, 04:55 PM

A fein multimaster would do the trick:
SYDNEY TOOLS - Fein Multimaster Kits
not real cheap for a single job though. Bosch make one too.
cheers
TM

**woodmark** · 15th May 2010, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by TermiMonster

A fein multimaster would do the trick:
SYDNEY TOOLS - Fein Multimaster Kits
not real cheap for a single job though. Bosch make one too.
cheers
TM

Thanks for the lead! Looks like just the sort of thing I need -- I haven't seen these tools before. Probably much safer than a router in the case of hitting a nail, etc.

Cheers,

-Mark

**mic-d** · 15th May 2010, 11:39 PM

jigsaw

**woodmark** · 16th May 2010, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by mic-d

jigsaw

Thanks, but no, that won't work -- perhaps I should have said explicitly that I'm cutting the planks where they cross over the joists (so I've got something to reattach the ends to once I've replaced the cut out pieces).

**fubar** · 16th May 2010, 12:21 PM

drill hole then use jigsaw fein are good(have one myself) but blades are dear and jigsaw blades are cheap the bosch isnt as easy to setup is a bit more fiddly but for small jobs ok and blades are cheaper
or cut short of joist then pry up plank and recut with circ saw

**woodmark** · 16th May 2010, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by fubar

drill hole then use jigsaw

But the reciprocating action of the jigsaw is going to be blocked by the joist -- unless I'm missing something basic here...

Originally Posted by fubar

fein are good(have one myself) but blades are dear and jigsaw blades are cheap the bosch isnt as easy to setup is a bit more fiddly but for small jobs ok and blades are cheaper

And the Bosch (Bosch Multi-Cutter, or Multi-X in the USA) is cordless too, from what I see... enough power to cut hardwood?

Also it looks like the Bosch has an adaptor to use Fein blades, but not vice versa.

**fubar** · 16th May 2010, 12:42 PM

bosch also have the corded version released in oz now less than half the price of the fein
sorry you hadnt posted the bit about the joists when i first answered

**woodmark** · 16th May 2010, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by fubar

bosch also have the corded version released in oz now less than half the price of the fein
sorry you hadnt posted the bit about the joists when i first answered

No probs, thanks for your advice. I'll see if I can find the corded Bosch to look at.

Cheers,

-Mark

**mic-d** · 16th May 2010, 01:59 PM

In that case, you just cut with the jigsaw on the waste-side of the joist, lever the deck board off the joist and maybe the joist after that, chock it up higher than the surrounding deck, then with a speed square (roofing square) as a guide square off the board to the correct length with a circ saw. Nothing more exotic needed.

Cheers
Michael

**joe greiner** · 16th May 2010, 09:06 PM

If you know the thickness of the plank, and the depth of jigsaw cut is greater, set a short plank of thickness to make up the difference on each side of the cut, so that the bottom of cut just barely reaches the joist. Bob's your Uncle.

Cheers,
Joe

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