The toe kick is the space between your floor and the bottom of your cabinets. These spaces can be used to hide wires, add storage or even just a place to put a rug.
However, cutting into this space with a typical saw can lead to damage that will require repairs later on down the road. This is where toe-kick saws come in handy.
It’s not as simple as just cutting through the toe kick though. You have to be careful that you don’t accidentally cut into any of those pipes or wires underneath.
This guide will go over everything you need to know about how to use a toe kick saw safely and effectively. We’ll also cover some safety tips for making sure that nothing goes wrong while using this tool, so read on.
What is Toe Kick
A toe kick is a recessed space on the bottom of your cabinet that will help you rest comfortably with more room for your feet. These few inches enable you to get closer to the countertop without having to hunch over, which can be very helpful if standing and cooking are difficult tasks because of back issues or other physical limitations.
And since it’s in one corner, there isn’t any wasted floor space – so who needs walkways?
Your feet will thank you for installing a toe kick in your cabinets. It might sound like small potatoes, but it’s an essential detail that not only saves space–but also makes long hours at the kitchen counter much more comfortable.
What is Toe Kick Saw
Toe kick saws is a kind of power can be used for a variety of things around your house, but it’s important to know how they work before using one. The toe kick is located beneath cabinets or counters, so you’ll need a tool with enough power and reach to cut through these areas without damaging them.
A toe kick saw has an extension pole that allows users to access hard-to-reach places like under kitchen cabinets and behind toilets. These tools are available at most hardware stores, but make sure you’re purchasing the right type before making your purchase.
Uses of Toe Kick Saw
The primary use for toe-kick saws is to make a recess in the bottom of cabinets so that you can mount the toe kick flush with the floor.
In the construction industry, one of the most common uses for toe-kick saws is cutting drywall.
The toe-kick saws are used to cut the hole for the sink. They make it easier than drilling a big hole in your countertop.
Pros and Cons of Toe Kick Saw
How to Use a Toe Kick Saw
The first step to cutting the toe-kick is placing the saw blade at a 45 degree angle. The next steps are plugging in power cord and gripping ends of your kick saw, making sure that you have an even grip with safety button located just above thumb on right side handle for protection against accidental discharge.
Place left hand forward near trigger end (near front) and use rear finger guard as additional support near backside of unit before starting cut so there’s no risk of hurting yourself when operating machine.
Even if you have a background in carpentry, this step can be tricky. Place the blade of your saw under the toe-kick at a 45 degree angle and lower it to its final resting place on top of the floorboard. Plug that cord into an outlet before placing your hands firmly on either side near their respective triggers with thumbs positioned safely away from potential injury or electrical shock risk areas.
Release safety button when motor starts up; continue pressing, then release again once it reaches full speed to make sure blade is running at a consistent level for precision cuts. If you hear grinding sound from blades hitting concrete, raise saw by tilting unit until there’s enough room between ground surface and bottom of blade before continuing with your cut!
Release the trigger when the cut is complete. Wait until you can’t see any more movement from the blade, then release it before unplugging and removing it to avoid injury.
How to Install Toe Kick Boards
Step 1 – Inspect the cabinets to find out how much room is below them. Measure from end-to-end and across for corners, then measure any other space between shelves or dividers that you can see. You should also inspect the gap behind your kitchen island where food may get stuck.
Step 2 – A hardwood kick board is a great way to protect your flooring from scratches and scuffs. If you’re looking for an easy project, this one fits the bill! To make it, all you need are some pieces of 3/4-by by 4 inch wide hardwood cut into lengths with either a table saw or miter saw and sanded smooth. Then take 100 grit sandpaper to round off any sharp edges that may snag on socks or catch underfoot when walking around in bare feet.
Step 3 – When you’re done with the boards, either make sure they match your existing cabinets or give them a touch of color to spice things up. The finish should be professional and not just there for decoration; if it is decorated then we’ll definitely need more than one coat! Once that’s all dry feel free to sand lightly before applying another layer.
Step 4 – If you are looking to install a structural kick board under the cabinets, use 3/4″ hardwood. Place it between the lips or corners and tap in flush with a rubber mallet. The cabinet jambs are vertical sides of your cabinetry where this will be installed into place.
The cabinet kickboard should be installed between the cabinet lips and corners. Tap it flush with a rubber mallet to ensure installation is successful.
Step 5 – Place the wood firmly against your cabinets. The overlay fits flatly on top of your existing kick board and is easy to install without any tools!
Step 6 – Give the cabinet a professional touch by shooting two 1½-inch pin nails, evenly spaced through the quarter inch kick board to attach it to each one of your jambs. To keep it looking clean and organized make sure that you shoot two 1-inch pins equally apart at 8 inches high vertically in order for them not only catch onto but also hold up all of those pesky overlays! You can easily fix nail holes with a matching-color putty crayon. Just fill the hole and wipe off any excess color residue to leave your walls looking clean!
Safety Precautions During the Use of Toe Kick Saw
To get the most reliable performance out of your power tools, you should always start with a safety check. Are there any visible damages to the cord? The blade? How about on our handy saw here – do we have all its parts intact and nothing worn or broken-through in sight! Now then, let’s talk grip… Keep firm control over that handle at all times before it feels too close for comfort.
Our hands need to be well away from these spinning blades; even if they’re not moving right now, this is no time for taking chances! If anything looks amiss – like something damaged (or missing!) take it back as soon as possible so someone can repair/replace what needs repairing/replacing.”
Maintaining a firm grip on the saw at all times is imperative. Do not operate the saw if there are any visible damages to it, or your hands will risk coming dangerously close to its blade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a toe kick saw on tile?
Yes and No. First, is the tile adhesive-backed or natural? If it’s an adhesive-backed tile, use a wet saw such as a shear knife for best results. For natural tiles, you can use your toe kick saw if the blade is sharp enough.
Saws are designed with teeth on one side of the blade which cut from one direction through to the other when they’re drawn into stone and/or brick. The up-and-down movement of this type of saw isn’t suitable for ceramic tiles because it leaves uneven edges that won’t stick properly to both surfaces before drying even once so care should be taken when using a line or circular saw for cutting these types of material.
How deep will a toe kick saw cut?
A toe kick saw can cut up to 2 inches deep, and may require the use of a metal guard when cutting objects at or near ground level.
A boot-shaped blade protrudes from a stiff shaft, which is used to create cuts in drywall, composition board, plywood and other materials through rotation. The depth of the cut will depend on how much weight is put on the handle; more pressure will deepen it sooner.
Toe kick saws cut a circular pattern with a depth of one-half inch (less if you are cutting laminate or other hardwoods). So, some crow’s feet may appear when the toe kick is removed. This appearance can be minimized by using something in the toe area to wrinkle and hold up the floor during sawing. Wadded-up newspaper has been used for this purpose in the past. These days it wouldn’t hurt to use a scrap of carpet, which will also help keep dirt from below from falling down between the joists as you’re working on them.
Bottom Line
A toe-kick saw makes it easy for you cut out small sections of wood without damaging any surrounding areas. They’re great for making quick cuts when installing new appliances or furniture under kitchen cabinets as well as other home projects that require DIY skills like building decking, decks and more.
If you’re looking for information on how to use a toe kick saw, look no further than our guide below. We’ve put together all the information you need about this handy tool into one convenient post.
