Hardwood Flooring Tools
In previous years this site was named hardwoodinstaller.com. It was aimed at all audiences including the determined do it yourselfers. Nothing changed when it became Uptown Floors. Below are a list of power and hand tools, along with page links for more information and uses on each one. I know the guys want to see the cool tools first, but let's not forget the other ones (further down the page) that could spell the success or failure in any job.
As mentioned numerous times on the site, floor preparation, acclimation, and being aware of moisture conditions before, during and after the work has been completed are three critical elements that should be followed at all times.
Power Tools
| Item | General Purpose |
|---|---|
| 10" Miter Saw | Basic cut off saw for narrow strip or plank. Trim cutting saw |
| Compound Miter Saw | Used for wider plank or diagonal installations. |
| Jig Saw | Cuts irregular shapes |
| Circular Saw | Used chiefly for plywood installations or repairs |
| Table Saw | For ripping down board lengths |
| Jamb Saw | Specialty. Cuts under door casings |
| Toe Kick Saw | Specialty. Cuts underlayment away from walls or under cabinets |
| Routers | Specialty item for inlays, insets. Also used for re-grooving planks |
| Multifunction Tool | Ideal for doing board replacements. |
| Festool | Specialty. High quality precision specialized power tools. |
Tools For Preparation
| Glue Adhesives | Not all are created equal |
| Common Sense | Yessir, it's a valuable and overlooked tool |
| Edgers | Flattens high spots on wood subfloors |
| Concrete Demo Hammer | Removes ceramic tile, thin set, and severe high spots on concrete |
| Concrete Grinders | Removes paint overspray concrete, mild high spots on concrete |
| Hygrometers | Tests relative humidity |
| Knee Pads | Not all are created equal |
| Buffers | Removes larger amounts of drywall mud and paint on concrete |
| Floor Leveling Compounds & Tools | Tools, products for concrete and wood sub floors |
| Scrapers | Manual types, used mostly for concrete subfloors before the installation |
| Flooring Sealers | Keeps moisture at bay. Common sealers may not work. |
| Moisture Meters | Tests moisture. Concrete & wood |
| Underlayment | More for floating floors |
Installation Tools
| Air Compressors | For pneumatic fastening. Staples or nails |
| Nailers & Staplers |
For fastening to wood subfloors |
| Nailers On Wheels | New adapters making installations quicker and accurate. |
| Nail Guns | Used for trim and where flooring nailers cannot reach |
| Floor Jack | Used to install boards tight near walls. Naildown floors |
| Pull Bars | Invaluable with floating floors |
| Strap Clamps | Used for pulling boards tight with floating floors |
| Trowels | For glue down installations |
Repair Items & Refinishing Tools
| Adhesive Removers |
Removing adhesive from hardwood floor surfaces |
| Dust Control | Tips to avoid a sneezing house. |
| Drum Sanders | About. Sanding sequences |
| Square Buff Sander | Rarely used by professionals. It will not work as some advertise. |
| Flooring Edgers | Sands where the big machine can't. Sanding sequences |
| Scrapers | |
| Floor Buffer | Used for final sanding |
| Finish Applicators | Tools for applying the finish |
| Glue Injection Kits | Repairs popping or loose boards |
